Just got the word from DeafNetwork that NAD has a Cochlear Implants FAQ on its site.
DeafCities.com
From DeafNetwork: DeafCities.com, has launched a brand new Web site to provide tools for deaf users.
Features on the site:
Listings
Browse through the listing directory and post job listings created by people in DeafCities network.
Roomate and Friend Finder
Why live with a complete stranger when members could live with the friend of a friend?
Buy and sell stuff
Buy stuff from your friend at a cheaper price? Members can also sell old or unused goods to their friends who will cherish them instead of selling it to someone they don’t know.
Create and manage groups of people
Use DeafCities to organize existing groups and/or identify and draw together individuals who share a common interest. These Groups can be focused on any subject, affiliation, or activity. Book clubs, soccer teams, and alumni groups can form their own Groups, as well as family members, hobbyists, or professionals.
Messaging
DeafCities message system allows members to send a note to friends, colleagues and people who are listing items that interest them. Members can communicate with their Groups via group message boards and they can also schedule events to inform everyone in their Group of an upcoming event.
Answer life’s questions
DeafCities social network is a valuable online resource that contains most of the answers members need. Whether they are seeking a dentist, an organic grocery, or an inexpensive oil change, there is a very high chance that someone in the member’s network already has the solution or expertise.
AMPHL
Doctor, doctor. I wasn’t going into the medical profession. I am too squeamish and I didn’t want to go to school on and on. I suck at advanced biology. Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Losses (AMPHL).
Accessible Theaters
I hope Rear Window comes to the movie theater near me. However, when I talked to the company (over a year ago), its reps said it has no plans to do such a thing. Accessibility is the new star in movie theaters. My kids love to go to movies, but I never take them. They have an aunt who loves movies and she does that or my husband does. There is a theater with open captions, but it is too far for a busy family like ours to attend.
Deaf Major Leaguer Wanna-be
Many of you probably know of Curtis Pride, a deaf- and speech-impaired ball player. He’s been on the verge of making the majors a few times. Currently, he is at camp with the Angels in California.
We may have another Pride coming up. Fellow southpaw and pitcher, Ryan Ketchner, is trying to get there. At the moment, he recovers from elbow surgery. I like Ryan ‘cuz he’s with the Dodgers at the moment and he’s a lefty 🙂 I’m a big Brooklyn Dodgers fan—thanks to my dad.
I played sports all through my childhood. Loved it. I gained a lot of confidence and felt at home. Being deaf was never given a thought. I had no problems following anything and I played soccer, softball, basketball, and volleyball. One of my biggest regrets was not sticking with volleyball for all four years of high school. Funny, I earned a varsity jacket by playing on the soccer team, my weakest sport.
My daughter loves volleyball. She’s tried soccer, basketball, and t-ball, but dropped those for volleyball. It’s amazing how much politics and competition there is even in 11-years-old age group. Hello? These kids need to learn and master skills instead of killing each other and fighting for dominance.
ASL as a Foreign Language
About time. I believe ASL should be offered in schools for foreign language credit. Deaf Alabama residents seek to make signing a foreign language. If they succeed, perhaps this will be start of ASL entering public schools.
How We View Being Deaf
This article originally from the Belfast Telegraph is available in its entirety from Deaf Today (thank you). The writer makes one strong point, “In my view it is essential to recognise that the word ‘deaf’ has many different meanings and the important factor is to find the best way to communicate.” Amen.
Captioning Broadway
Wicked! That’s a play on words. Wicked is the name of one of Broadway’s current hit shows. This technology also wicked cool. I can’t answer why I grew up as a person who loves musicals. I still do, but not to the extent before 2000. Maybe it’s because my life got busier and I couldn’t keep up.
This is the kind of technology I hope we see someday. It’ll be a while before it makes its way to Dallas, I’m sure.
MIT's Bionic Ear Processor
MIT debuts bionic ear processor that is supposed to take less power and require rare battery changes. Currently, I change batteries roughly every three days. According to the the article, this device would need no replacement for 30 years! Mega-impossible! 🙂
Student Mentoring
My kids’ school has a tutoring program in which parents volunteer to tutor kids who are struggling at another school where resources are lacking. My daughter’s volleyball team needed a coach for the games (they have an excellent one for practice).
Yet, I can’t step up to do jobs like these. I am comfortable talking. But being around kids is difficult for several reasons. I’ve had to deal with funny looks when they heard me speak (typical monotone-style voice). The second problem is that some are not easy to lipread.
But I’ve found a wonderful program that lets me work with kids. In2Books (news report) is a reading program in which students in Washington, DC elementary schools are partnered with an adult mentor. I am the pen pal / reading pal of two 4th graders.
I started by creating a pictorial profile about me (no last name). The picture goes in my students’ classroom. They wrote me an introductory letter before we read our first book. I write my letter in Word and add clipart, then I upload it on the In2Books site. The students and I use the In2Books mailing address in our letters and we don’t share last names.
When the students write their letters, they write it on old fashioned paper and the program scans them. So it’s nice to see the students’ writing and drawings. We get four books to read throughout the school year (two before the New Year and two after).
After reading each book, I write a letter to the students answering their questions from the previous letter, and asking them questions related to the book while tying it to my life and real world experiences.
You know I’m swamped as a mom of three, an employee in a large company, and a freelancer. This program doesn’t take much time and it’s a fabulous experience.
By the way, the classroom they show in the news is the one with my students. Too cool!