Laser allows deaf to “hear”

Can the condition of being deaf be reversed? A group of boffings from the University of Utah that has Richard Rabbitt at the helm has come across a method that uses lasers to offer deaf people the ability to hear. This is made possible using a low-power infrared diode – similar to those found in laser-pointers. It seemed that exposing oyster toadfish hair cells (which are actually analogous to the cells that are found in humans’ inner ears) to infrared light will result in having them release neurotransmitters and activate adjacent neurons. This will, in turn, lead to laser-based ear implants that are able to stimulate focused areas of cells with thousands of sound wavelengths. They’re now looking to work on tinier and more efficient power supplies as well as the right light sources so that such optical hearing aids will be able to roll off an assembly line somewhere.



SOURCE

How disability Charities discriminate against the deaf..

(I Hope the RNID is taking NOTE !). A CHARITY for the disabled was found to be guilty of discriminating against a deaf worker. This mirrors the third sector UK trend in that 'staff' (Voluntary or paid), who present issues are costing them too much so they want to hire paid NON-disabled staff and use volunteers without 'issues' so they don't have to comply with the disability laws, or pay increasing insurance costs, (so that more funds can go to the grass roots, they want grass roots taken OUT of the supportive side ?). They are by-passing equality laws to give more support ???!?!?

Sandra Cottrell has been embroiled in a three-year battle with North Tyneside Disability Forum after taking them to an employment tribunal for failing to make reasonable adjustments for her as a deaf worker. The 61-year-old was left “distressed” and feeling “worthless” after the ordeal, which has just finally come to an end.

Mrs Cottrell, of Durham, had been involved with the NTDF on and off since 2002, both as a trustee and as a contracted reflexologist. But in late 2007 she began to feel isolated and excluded from other staff members after she was forced to make complaints against a manager who failed to set up a face-to-face meeting to discuss some concerns, despite Mrs Cottrell’s repeated requests.

She said: “Things had been quite bad and there were some problems with my work area. “So I asked the chief officer, Sue Adams, for a face-to-face meeting to discuss that, but the meeting never happened.” Widowed Mrs Cottrell made numerous attempts to set up this meeting via email and suggested possible dates that would suit her and her lipspeaker – who is professionally trained to be easy to lipread. But despite her best efforts it never materialised.

Around five months later Mrs Cottrell was told her services would no longer be required and after this she decided to take her former employers to a tribunal.

SOURCE (And More)

Let's Hear it for Brad

You could get stuck with this...... and his audience was all deaf mostly !

Since Brad Williams' youtube vid was aired where he made jokes about the deaf, a number of posters have suggested concern and even much misplaced ire and claims of un-political correctness, to which I say let's have a lot more of it ! We are in dire danger of taking ourselves far too seriously. Deaf are in real danger of being viewed as a sector with an real disablement, that of a sense of humour by-pass. Humour can break down most barriers, the last thing we want are DIY witchfinder-generals of the deaf world adding their unwanted 10 cents.

This SOLE Deaf, and self-proclaimed BSL comedian in the UK hasn't changed his act since day one, is not topical and plays to the converted. If he concentrated less on deaf and moved out a bit, he would be an excellent children's entertainer...He did once get an appearance on national TV as a show contestant that's about it really. Most of John Smith's gags are about how hearing make mistakes when meeting deaf people, mostly the misunderstandings between both, here he often makes hearing people the butt of the joke, much to deaf amusement, so it is a case of HE can do it, but hearing can't I suppose.

Funny (NOT), how deaf apply that maxim to our vertically challenged Brad, I darent call HIM disabled because he obviously isn't. I did wonder how he would react to a joke about his height but....... This no doubt reflects the odd situation about the 'N' word in the black and ethnic area where a white person could use it, and get taken to court for it, but a deaf rapper can use it 63 times in his music and no-one bats an eyelid.

Of COURSE (And don't write in its just an example), it is about CONTEXT, it can also be about personal offence, and that is where we get the political correctness from which is a blight on every minority sector in the world, because it left out one very important detail COMMON SENSE, and the ongoing issue of the righteous shutting up that laughter for our own good. Actually the lip-reading gag (Hey a double there lol), has been done many times Brad, Jasper Carrot did it here a few years ago, he got it in the neck too DOH.... we really do need to get out more.

Last Word:

Deaf not Dumb (the Project)

What a well made vid

Woman, know your place !

Am I watching Islamic views, or Christian ones ?

Beautiful finger-spelling.....

Has 'BSL' destroyed finger-spelling ? Deaf people's 'beautiful finger-signing' recorded. A documentary has been made amid changing use of signing. Older sign language users' skills in spelling out individual words with their fingers have been recorded before the method disappears.

Finger-spelling has been declining, according to Highland Council's Deaf Communication Project. Backed with almost £50,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the project team have been documenting the stories of profoundly deaf people in the north. They include sign language users in the Highlands, islands and Moray.

A documentary cut from nine hours of raw footage will be shown at Eden Court in Inverness on Friday. Project manager Jenny Liddel said there was a "compelling need" to make the film now because the way people sign has been changing. She said: "Older deaf people don't use as many signs, but instead use their fingers to spell out individual letters.

SOURCE BBC

Evolution not extinction.

In replying to Dianrez (Xanga aint my thing!), I would like to respond as to why I do not think the world is against deaf culture.

In objecting or opposing some aspects of deaf culture and communications (As they do not reflect the deaf whole anyway), I do NOT Believe this is designed to 'defend' ORAL means of communication at all, I'd oppose oral-only extremism as I do sign-only, I'm for a democratic and inclusive deaf community, and not one split up into factions and pecking orders.

With regards to late deafened (The largest deaf sector), we simply use what we always had, I am not going to apologise for having a voice or opposing other deaf who do. If they want to oralise only good luck to them, whatever is best for them. If they want to sign, ditto. There is huge ignorance in the cultural sector regarding what other deaf actually do day to day, perhaps we should look at why this is happening, we laugh at hearing who think CI's are an breast implant, or help you walk better, but it's worse when other deaf do not know about basic communication options, and oppose them in others. It starts with A G Bell ends up with everyone with a decibel spare or an alternative.

Late deafened use sign language and have CI's, hearing aids, attend deaf clubs and actively contribute to deaf culture, many of us actually run or work in 'Deaf' groups'. We also have to stand by and watch deaf culture self-destruct themselves and look as if they hate anyone with hearing, even those that have lost it. What most find wrong about the hard-core of cultural activism (Not rank and File it is only a few extremists), is their waging some 'idealogical' war on anyone who ever spoke or had/has hearing, or worse, supports some alleviation of it, this is disunity and elitism in action and does nor contribute to unity/purpose and does culture down too as it labels all who sign or born deaf the same way, as they label everyone else.

If sign-only people are isolated (They are NOT the only deaf sector this way,those severely deaf and at the edge probably suffer a lot more), then they should address their extremists or get the same label, because that is the primary rhetoric extremists use, in that the 'Deaf' are against this that or whatever. If they are to save deaf culture then it has to be inclusive and accepting, this goes for every other loss sector too. Or culture really is doomed. The Major 'Deaf' charity here has a support program for young deaf people and already are supporting and including 40% who have CI's NOW. They are also learning sign, they are NOT following culture because of this invisible line they can't cross..

Deafhood devotees e.g. are destroying the very thing they want preserved. The idea of creating an elite to preserve the tenet at centre was tried here in wales, had it NOT gone inclusive, the culture would have gone, as it is less than 3% now exist. People have moved on, deaf have NOT learnt this lesson at all. If culture cannot work with others then it will go to the wall. But for equality and rights laws it would have already... Adopting the "You adjust to me or else..." approach is suicidal.... I think late-deafened are making huge attempts to bridge these divides, and deaf culture making a lot less effort. There seems little onus on them to make that effort.

News to me.....

DMS informs deaf or hard of hearing people when the fire alarm sounds in places like a supermarket, shopping centre or library. It helps service providers and employers comply with the Equality Act 2010 and allows deaf and hard of hearing people freedom to move around buildings without the worry of missing an emergency situation.

SOURCE

When a deaf or hard of hearing person enters a building where DMS is installed, they will see clear signage asking them to text a location code to the DMS number. Once a connection text has been sent, the person will be connected to DMS for that location. After 12 months they will receive a text asking them to reconnect, connection text costs the same as a standard SMS text.

When the fire alarm sounds, the DMS controller which is hardwired into the fire alarm panel, will trigger a process that within seconds sends a text message to all the people connected to that location.

Faking it....

Her, me, and 100,000 UK others lol.... The lip-reading spoof has to be a blast.... whether it will beat awful reality is another thing aka, when I was losing hearing my mate knocked on the door and I thought he lip-spoke " Dave is deaf...." what he actually said after he walked off in disgust away from me for saying "It's no big issue, there is life afterwards..", was "Dave is dead..." That's what I got for faking it.....

Ultimate iphone applications

Acquired Deaf-blind Schism and the born Deaf-blind.

Born Deaf-blind being treated differently to Acquired... why ? I though only born deaf were at odds with acquired/late deafened... is schism par for the course ?

Deaf, blind, and fiercely independent, Elio Reggillo is looking for Ontario’s Liberals to backtrack on changes to the intervenor program. Elio Reggillo is hard-working, fiercely independent and lives life with more courage and dignity than anyone I can think of.

Regillo, 39, is a devoted husband to wife Tracey, the proud father to three kids. He works two jobs to put food on the table. The fact he’s deaf and blind doesn’t stop him from working a 40-hour week at a grocery store and part-time at George Brown College where he teaches a deaf/blind intervenor program and American sign language in the only program of its type in Canada.

The Thornhill Food Basics store where he was employed closed its doors last week. Reggillo is determined to find a new job, but he’s fearful changes to a government program that provides him with intervenor services will prevent him from doing so. There’s a schism within the community between those who were born deaf/blind and those who acquired the condition.

In an attempt to fix what was seen as an inequity between the two groups, the social services ministry introduced an assessment tool that placed a heavy emphasis on health and personal care issues — which someone as independent as Reggillo simply doesn’t need.

SOURCE

Ist Deaf Lawyer in Australian court.

A Queensland woman has made history by becoming the first deaf lawyer in Australia to appear for a client in court.

Kathryn O'Brien, a solicitor with Porta Lawyers in Brisbane, appeared last week at the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on behalf of two clients ­- one deaf and one hearing - in domestic violence matters.

The court appointed a sign language interpreter, and O'Brien's supervisor briefly attended court with her to explain to Magistrate Steven Guttridge the significance of her appearance as a "flying solo" lawyer who communicates only in sign language.

"After the introduction, I was on my own," O'Brien told Lawyers Weekly. "It was an interesting experience, because the interpreters had to figure out how to interpret for two different deaf clients simultaneously during court."

While her appearance went smoothly, O'Brien said there was one thing she was unprepared for: call-overs. "I am grateful to the understanding court clerk who ensured that I knew when my matter was coming up to be heard," she said. "The opposing legal representative also assisted me, checking for herself when the matter would be heard and informing me."

Overcoming such difficulties is not new to O'Brien, who became a lawyer to "break new ground" in providing the deaf community with legal advice in sign language and to ensure that their needs were being heard and met.

One of the biggest hurdles, she said, is not being able to have a spontaneous conversation with a colleague about a matter. "Naturally, I don't expect every lawyer to know sign language, so it does pose some difficulties when I would like to sound out some concepts I may have regarding a matter," she said.

SOURCE

MORE

Ambiguity of UK VRS/DAART campaigns

Although I am loathe to publish a link to this farce, in the interests of democracy I will HERE, we see 5 or 6 VRS pro vids from youtube from an campaign/consultation meeting I attended in person, hello ? although they stated they wanted the views of deaf people, they didn't publish one recording of those who voiced concern about Sorenson involvement and funds, and concerns about support for such a system in the UK,so, hardly displaying the democracy they claim to be ! When I attended the meet, only FOUR People stood up to give a viewpoint, and they curtailed any attempt to get an explanation because of 'time' pressure..

Yet, VRS campaign put up SIX vids from obviously pre-arranged pro view, increasingly I am finding the VRS campaign in the UK not on the level. They daren't consult the deaf community in reality and it is all a pre-arranged spin to promote VRS regardless of concern. Deaf are being manipulated here. Despite VRS was for all deaf we were distinctly told ONLY sign users can use VRS, this is NOT true !

Why I say NO.

What's in it for me ?

Is SIGN TRANSLATE viable ?

NO to Sorenson's !

First UK midwives trained in sign language to support deaf women in labour

A university has become the first to train midwives in sign language so they can better support deaf women in labour.

Students at De Montfort University, Leicester, are being taught basic sign language so they can communicate with deaf women without an interpreter. It is thought the move could especially help in emergency situations, when an interpreter may not be on hand. Good communication between midwives and their pregnant patients is essential for a positive birthing experience.

Bernadette Gregory, senior lecturer in midwifery at DMU, is running the course with the help of local charity Action Deafness. Student midwives will learn basic sign language and be taught about issues facing deaf people. Ms Gregory said: 'We decided to run these sessions to highlight the fact that midwives are personally and professionally accountable under the new Equality Act, which came into force in October 2010, to offer the best possible, non-discriminatory care, to all women and their partners.

'The workshops have highlighted some of the problems faced by deaf parents accessing midwives and their unique communication needs and we hope to teach the next generation of midwives how to communicate and provide better care to these women at such an important time in their lives. 'I believe that we are the first university to run this type of training and I hope by highlighting this issue, midwives and other health care professionals will introduce it into their training.'

Dr Joanna Downes, from the charity, said: 'These workshops are not only about teaching British sign Language (BSL) but they enlighten the student midwives on the psychological, emotional, social and communication issues facing deaf parents and hearing parents of newly diagnosed deaf babies. 'Many deaf parents face challenges and barriers accessing the same services that other people get and during times of pregnancy and labour, it can be even more stressful for them.

'The aim of this is to make the pregnancy and labour experiences for both the deaf parents and NHS professionals more positive and effective.'

SOURCE

Abuse of deaf children higher than Hearing.

A new study at Rochester Institute of Technology indicates that the incidence of maltreatment, including neglect and physical and sexual abuse, is more than 25 percent higher among deaf and hard-of-hearing children than among hearing youths. The research also shows a direct correlation between childhood maltreatment and higher rates of negative cognition, depression and post-traumatic stress in adulthood.

SOURCE

End of the line for false charity ?

An article about regulation of social medias like Twitter and Facebook in regards to charity. Can any of them really claim to represent us all any more ? Will they have to prove 'global' claims on hearing loss, (e.g. we represented 1 in 7 with hearing loss (AKA in the UK 9 MILLION)), when they only have 35K members. Will moderators have to do their job properly too ? No more amateurs ? Misleading charitable claims illegal ? Post has considerable length !


"As of the 1 March 2011, the Advertising Standards Authority introduced more robust regulations that gives it greater reach and more control than ever. The UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising (CAP Code) will now impact marketing communications on a charity's own website/s and on third-party sites under its control. This includes channels such as Facebook, Twitter and other social networking pages, as well as blogger outreach.

These changes may very well be the start of legitimising social media marketing, and from that perspective alone, it’s an exciting and welcome addition. In summary, the new rules mean that you must not be misleading, offend or cause harm through your online marketing – which of course is a good rule of thumb anyway. However, it’s not quite as clear-cut as just applying the same offline advertising regulations to your own marketing; there’s lots of grey areas and things that will probably only become clear as times goes on.

These new changes are certainly going to change how we think, and navigate communications and marketing (most particularly in the social space, which I’ll cover below), but they aren’t necessarily going to have a huge impact on what we do. What I mean by that is the regulations have been introduced to bring "enhanced consumer protection, particularly for children", by ensuring marketing is honest, decent and transparent, which we should be striving to achieve at each and every point anyway.

So, how does this affect individual areas of digital marketing and communications?

Website.

For the first time, your charity’s website will be held to the same standards as your marketing leaflets, posters and other offline advertising. It’s important to note though, that this does not include what is deemed as ‘editorial content’.

That means, pages that are aimed at raising awareness, encouraging people to take action or are educational are not included in this remit, but pages that directly or indirectly involve donations, fundraising and the selling of products (such as memberships, books and so on) are.

Facebook and Twitter

Everything you post on your charity’s Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social networking sites will need to be compliant with the UK advertising code. From images, to videos, to wall posts and tweets, it all comes under the ASA’s new digital remit. However, it goes further than that. The CAP Code extends to the Charity ‘Liking’ a post on its Facebook page (or even on other Facebook pages of the charity) and to retweeting other people’s tweets on Twitter - what are usually considered to be harmless ways of showing appreciation of your supporters engaging with you in those environments.

Before 'liking' or 'retweeting', you should consider whether you can substantiate any claims made, or whether the post is otherwise harmful or offensive. It would be easy to think that you can avoid these potential grey areas by erring on the side of caution and taking a hands-off approach to social media, but that’s not going to win you any digital friends and followers. You should actively participate in your social communities – but if a message or tweet is somewhat dubious in its content, then it would be prudent to not reply, like or RT.

Blogs

The CAP Code also extends to commercial partnership sites. This means, that if you are undertaking blogger outreach as part of a campaign, then you should ensure that any commercial benefit received by the blogger is clearly out in the open. This should be the case anyway, and brands that have not historically followed this common sense approach have seen it backfire on them. Another example of this would be if a blogger, with the approval of your charity, is fund raising on their blog and you have editorial control over the content – particularly, if the blogger has been paid (monetarily or another benefit such as tickets to an event, link exchange, etc).

It would be advisable to ensure everything has an audit trail is out in the open so blog readers are informed upfront.

User Generated Content

In general, UGC does not fall under the ASA remit because its content is created by individuals rather than an organisation. However, if the organisation chose to incorporate UGC into its own marketing efforts then it definitely does fall into this new area. As it’s a rather grey area as UGC goes, it will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Discussion boards

Many of you will own and operate a discussion board for people to come together and give and receive peer support, so how does the ASA’s new remit impact a member discussion board? A forum can be considered as a marketing channel, so yes the content here too will be under the ASA’s digital umbrella, although it’s unlikely that this will include posts that aren’t directly related to donations, selling or fundraising. Similarly with UGC, this is a rather grey area that will probably only become clearer as enforcement of the rules play out. Many discussion board moderators are volunteers rather than employees, and may offer fellow users advice that is incorrect, vague, misleading (such as steering conversations towards fundraising) or unsubstantiated.

As your moderators represent the charity, you should ensure they are briefed as soon as possible on the new regulations, and at the very least ensure they use a disclaimer stating that their views and opinions expressed are their own within the forum signature. It is still unclear just how the ASA will consider active and non-active moderation of forums and UGC. Comments made by discussion board users would not fall under the CAP Code, even if moderately moderated (i.e for offensive comments). However, if a moderator was to start deleting for example, negative comments about the charity or promoted posts that encouraged donations, that would be included under the new regulations.

As with all aspects of these rules, it will only become more clear as examples start to come in and the ASA work to define clearer guidelines with quarterly reviews.

Repercussions

The ASA may choose to make examples of organisations not abiding by the new regulations early on, but it’s probably more likely that due to the limited resources of the organisation, penalties will be applied to those that are seen as continually breaching the rules or failure to cooperate to ASA instructions to rectify any incidents. To this end, the ASA has said that any failures to comply with the regulations may see the company named on a dedicated section of the ASA website. Having the cooperation of search engines (as well as a £200,000 contribution by Google), the ASA will also have the authorisation to remove any of your charity’s paid-for search advertising, and it may even take out its own advertising about your non-compliance. All of which have the potential to impact how and what is returned in natural search results about your charity.

Ownership

If you have a legal team or adviser, have them look over the new remit alongside the person or persons responsible for digital communications and marketing (including external representation); ensuring internally everyone is comfortable with how this will impact day-to-day communications and marketing activities online. Consider having a dedicated person responsible for compliance, both off and on your charity’s website. CAP is offering charities free training, webcasts and guidance via its website and Copy Advice service, so if you are in doubt, your first step should be to contact CopyAdvice and talk to them."

Do you know an UK charity telling porkies ? Complain HERE

We're off to see the Wizard....

"When your ear's an useless organ, then your hearing can't be normal,
And yet that's just the start,
You can be learning signin' language, adopt another culture,
If you only played the part..."

It rolls on, like an interminable juggernaut, who is deaf ? who isn't, who has the least decibels who has the most, who lives in a permanently grey world who doesn't. Who is deaf and who has pretentions and real claims of it. At my other 'home' another set of debates who is really deaf who isn't has emerged, do you have to actually BE deaf to get your label ? so I chip in my ten pence worth to add to the confusion, by stating as someone deaf who really has NO hearing (Sorry not even a CI to boast about), so please may I claim to be a deaf person and not suffer the 3rd degree all the time about it ? And got a dozen insisting they are too, despite hearing with aids etc, it's the same old, will there never be an end to it ? OK you have issues too, but they are not the same ones.... so why use the same argument ?

If all else fails and you prove you really are 100% deaf, they switch to attacking the 'medical' view regardless if you accept it or not even as an simple explanation of the physical aspect you can't hear. If you counter that by challenging the fact they are using that view to gain allowances from the state or using decibel stats to prove their claims, then the switch is to personal attacks, who'd be deaf today ? I've met, with due respect, less confused with dementia.... My exasperation went along the lines of:

"So they STILL Insist the deaf can hear.... is it because the lesser 'deaf' are afraid they will lose out ? I can assure them as a deaf person myself I don't get anything either, and probably a whole lot less than those making more noise.... even awareness is a lottery. Too many labels, too many definitions, too much confusion, which leads to too many challenging every decibel you may or may not have,and that's just 'peers'. The RNID (a British defunct deaf charity that got rid of its deaf membership and CEO), draws a very clear line between who is deaf and who isn't, why not challenge them ? If you have 100,000 deaf people (Which is the alleged 'official' BDA/RNIDstatistic), then by definition (!) the rest aren't surely ? You can't have your cake and eat it.

You would think us in the UK with over 50 support groups would be ample examples of the total confusion.... and the fact they get nowhere, is down to that confusion. The issue of 'grey areas', is then no needs are defined, you have an 100,000 alternatives and another 8.999m with hearing loss as well. So no support gets organised. Of course these grey do areas exist, but 100% as is claimed ? We would never get access or support organised with that 'statistic'. It's not about support, which is non-extant anyway, but clarity. The fact is IF you have a total and profound deafness, there are no grey areas, you simply do not hear anything.. end off sorry...

Clarity might help those who are deaf /Deaf (tick your own boxes, I'm sure there are an 100K of them too), to find out who the hell you are supposed to be, and maybe stop lining Harlan Lane, Doug Alker, and Paddy Ladd's pockets with money.... as we follow some dubious yellow brick road to nowhere....and have to contend with deaf versus Deaf daily. Bring on the cure...."

SOS phone project

A programme to replace almost 1,400 Emergency Roadside Telephones (ERTs) along motorways and key A roads in the North West has been completed in Cumbria and north Lancashire. The project in the North West is part of a national programme to replace all 6,500 old-style ERTs along the strategic road network in England. The new phones replace the smaller orange box-style emergency telephones that have been a common sight along the Highways Agency’s motorways and major A roads.

The phones have been designed with a number of features that make them easier to use by the deaf and hard of hearing, the disabled and those who have difficulty communicating in spoken English. A text facility allows deaf people to communicate with the Regional Control Centre, and this can also be used by non-English speakers as it is available in five European languages in addition to English – Welsh, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

SOURCE

It aint all adoration when you're a Celeb...

Came across this recently, a total condemnation of Marlee Matlin, for 'letting the deaf down'.

Marlee Matlin gives the Deaf Community a bad image?

Response (1): "yeah, she's always doing bad stuff. She's sold out to the hearing too. She does nothing for the Deaf. That does not help either."

Response (2): "YES!! I saw her on a late night talk show once back in the 90's and in her interview with the host, he asked her to teach him some sign language. She proceeded to teach him ( without his suggestion , mind you, it was HER idea ) the signs for " ********" , "penis" 'Vagina" and several other completely inappropriate terms. It was so crude and very unladylike of her. He was OBVIOUSLY embarrassed by it and uncomfortable, to say the least. She was coming onto him the whole time and not making any bones about it. It was shameful. I felt for the guy. I've seen her several times in interviews and she's is just crass and blunt like that. I work with the disabled, and as a disabled woman myself, I find it a very poor representation for her to behave in such a manner. She really does give the deaf community a bad image. If she were the only deaf person the public were to know, they might think that all deaf people were sex-crazed maniacs. Shame on her. I wonder what her Mama thinks of her behavior?"

Marlee on Celebrity Apprentice.

Deaf don't need Social Workers they can use online terps.

An interesting take on the lack of social workers wanting to work with the deaf and having to learn sign language. Deaf Connections suggests they use a lap top and log in to the pros.... This comes at a time where social services are finding future workers did not want to work in the exclusive deaf area. It also mirrors the 'Wars' between Social Services and terps are still evident ! 15 years ago Social Services withdrew a lot from the deaf area, after deaf insisted an terp is a right and they didn't want the stigma of a social worker, whilst social workers argued, terps got more money for providing signing access than they did, indeed a number of social workers for the deaf switched TO interpreting. Thar's money in them thar signs....

What DC said: "Deaf people who use British Sign Language (BSL) have traditionally gone to their social worker whenever they had a problem. That is because the social worker understood the needs of deaf people and, more importantly could communicate fluently in BSL. (NOT actually true, many deaf were well aware 80% of deaf social workers hadn't qualifications in sign to an high enough degree).

The absence of post qualifying training has resulted in the absence of social workers willing to work with deaf people. Despite the desire to see a specialist social work service retained, we have to face reality and concentrate on how we can support deaf people more effectively. Taking into account that most of deaf people’s problems arise directly from their poor language skills and the resultant communication problems, it makes sense to concentrate on how to overcome these in the first instance.

The use of online interpreting services over the Internet provides a simple and low cost solution. By having a computer with a webcam and broadband access in the duty room, you can deal with any query immediately. Similarly, a social worker can take a netbook with a 3G dongle with them when visiting clients. North Lanarkshire Council have a very successful model which has been very effective in removing the deaf community’s dependence upon social work and shared the burden across the whole of the Council.

I believe the time has come for all Local Authorities to look at Online Interpreting and consider using video technology to overcome the communication barrier with deaf people. Sign on Screen is an online interpreting facility which makes access to a qualified British Sign Language interpreter available to anyone, anywhere at any time. The end of the dedicated deaf social worker services is in sight ? "

SOURCE

Police arrest deaf man for signing.

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE ! (The other one was an British Prime Minister)....

Police officers who mistook a deaf man's frantic signing for rude gestures have been criticised by magistrates for arresting both him and his brother.

Shaun Phuprate, 22, had raised two of his fingers to his ear in the internationally recognised sign for 'I am deaf'. But the infuriated constables, Steve Hawkins and Richie Smith, were convinced he was giving them a V-sign. They had attempted to speak to Mr Phuprate, who is deaf and dumb, after he forced a car to stop as he crossed a road in his home town of Sunderland while eating pizza.

Mr Phuprate, who had been celebrating his 22nd birthday, was eventually bundled into a patrol car, along with his 20-year-old brother Michael, who tried to intervene. Mr Phuprate was charged with being drunk and disorderly and his brother with causing harassment, alarm or distress following the incident in March. He told Sunderland magistrates through an interpreter: 'The police officer got out of his car, but I couldn't understand what he was saying.

'I lifted my hand next to my head to try to tell the policeman I was deaf. My fingers were actually together, but he obviously thought I was giving him a V-sign. I repeated it again and that just seemed to make him even angrier.' He added: ' I had been out celebrating my birthday and I had obviously had a few drinks, but we had done nothing. I was dragged around, thrown into a police car and locked in a cell. I was humiliated.' Michael Phuprate said he had tried to explain that his brother was deaf and dumb, but the officer told him: 'Do you think I am stupid?'

He then pointed out that his brother was unable to communicate with the police officers because they were holding his arms. 'I told him that if he released his arms he would be able to answer, but the officer refused. 'I couldn't believe what I was hearing, so I began to get angry. The next thing I was being grabbed as well,' he told the court.

The magistrates threw out the case, saying Mr Phuprate could not possibly have understood any caution that was given or the reasons for his arrest and describing his brother's response as 'understandable'. A police spokesman said: 'We have looked in detail at the circumstances of this case and believe that the arrest was lawful and justified.'

SOURCE

New Mike array to help Hard of Hearing

The quality of life for hard-of-hearing people could be significantly improved following the development of an intelligent microphone system by the University of Surrey, that not only reduces background noise, but also has the ability to pick out individual voices.

The ‘Mic Array’ is the brainchild of Dr Banu Gunel, who invented the technology while based in the University of Surrey’s Centre for Communications Systems Research. The patented device works with the aid of innovative sound-separation technology in a specially-designed microphone which picks up all sounds in a room and allows the individual to select the one they want to listen to - minimising other sounds.

“The biggest problem for hard-of-hearing people is hearing more than one sound, or voice, at the same time,” said Dr Gunel, now a visiting research fellow at the University of Surrey. “Our technology uses noise separation software to allow people to focus on one voice and effectively ‘turn off’ background noise."

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What are 'Mike arrays ?

Future of Deaflympics in doubt ?

(ATR) The future of the Deaflympic movement is in peril, according to the new CEO of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf.

In an exclusive interview with Around the Rings, Mark Dolley says “securing the future of the Deaflympics” is his top priority. “I’m under no illusion as to the size of the task ahead.”

Earlier in February, the ICSD learned that the head organizer of the 2011 Winter Deaflympics in Vysoké Tatry, Slovakia had embezzled organizing committee funds and the games had to be canceled. The 2013 Summer Deaflympics, scheduled to take place in Athens are also in a precarious situation due to the current Greek financial crisis.

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We removed the D, it's negative...

How an British charity justified removing the D from its title.

(1) Hard of Hearing don't like it.
(2) Deaf people loathe the charity itself.
(3) 'Deaf' is negative, ergo so must be the people with it.
(4) 97% of the RNID members do not want to be associated with deafness or deaf people.

On support "We do train interpreters for 'them' (This is income for the RNID), and deaf live in care homes and need looking after (This is the medical model in full flow).

Fire Service cards to help deaf people..

Firefighters to use special cards to communicate with deaf people in emergencies. FIREFIGHTERS have been equipped with pocket sized 'emergency signs' cards to help them communicate with the deaf community in Cheshire.



Containing basic sign language graphics, they are designed to help firefighters and the deaf community to understand each other quickly and effectively in an emergency. Evan Morris, Head of Community Safety said: "We are always looking to ways to better the service we give to the deaf community and these cards will help to provide a valuable link between residents who are deaf or hard of hearing and our fire crews."



"The cards are available to people from the deaf community from any local Deafness Support Network centre, or fire station. Alternatively text 07624 808 300 and one will be sent out to you."

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