Just kidding. The “equal access” part anyway. As a deaf viewer, if you tuned in to watch the much publicized GOP presidential debate, you probably gained very little from the ‘voice to text’ captions that were flashed across the screen. Unfortunately, this has become the norm and deaf viewers are left guessing and confused. Since […]
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Do You Hear What I Hear?
June 18, 2015
Two Photographs: Happy families watching their infants “hear” for the first time. The Media loves these stories. So wonderful that these children can now lead ‘normal’ lives and dodge the deafness bullet. A recent personal experience caused me to contemplate Cochlear Implant surgery and the effect it may have on the babies who do not […]
Deaf Friendly Applause!
June 1, 2015
Who is credited with introducing American Deaf culture to the practice of “hand waving” for applause? a. Laurent Clerc b. Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet c. Gerald “Bummy” Burstein d. Frederick Schreiber Not sure? Answer: “c” – Gerald “Bummy” Burstein The modern American Deaf culture practice of twisting the hands in the air evidently came […]
Common Myths About Deaf People
January 14, 2015
This list was actually compiled by an up and coming Sign Language Interpreter. “Caseykins” took sign language as a foreign language class and was amazed to learn so much about Deaf Culture and her own misconceptions. As she is hearing, she acknowledges that she has no idea what it is actually like to be […]
WHY Would I Want To Learn Sign Language?
November 24, 2014
Recently, I was asked this question. “Why are so many hearing people choosing to learn sign language ?” As a SODA, watching a sibling grow up with limited family interactions, diminished communications with ‘non-signing’ family members and relatives, the answer to this question seems obvious. But for those who recently find themselves growing curious, […]
How to Handicap a Deaf Person
October 21, 2014
Recently, an Amarillo school district has stirred up some controversy regarding the sign language system taught to deaf students in their district. The district is not teaching ASL, but instead is teaching the Morphemic Sign System (MSS). This system is only used in Amarillo and has many in the Deaf community ‘up in arms’ […]
Why Would Anybody Need a ‘Deaf’ Interpreter?
September 8, 2014
In March 2012, we posted a blog regarding Sign Language Interpreters who are Deaf and active members of the Deaf Community. Recently , this topic was addressed by an experienced hearing interpreter who specializes in the legal field. The Author is Anna Mindess, MA, CSC, SC:L, Anna has been a certified interpreter for over […]
Deaf in The Desert – Part II – Interpreting Services
July 23, 2014
Meet Betty. Betty Ludwick has been a Sign Language Interpreter in the Palm Springs area for many years. Betty is a hearing child of Deaf parents and worked as a teacher in the Palm Springs Unified School District for over 30 years. She has taught American Sign Language classes at College of the Desert, holds […]
Deaf in the Desert
June 12, 2014
Deaf in the Desert June 6, 2014 – Palm Desert, CA The Deaf Seniors Foundation of Palm Springs organized a ground breaking ‘Town Hall’ Meeting sponsored by U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D. THEME: “Challenges to Accessibility: Issues Affecting Members of the Deaf Community” Congressman Raul Ruiz extended an invitation to Coachella Valley professionals, educators, district […]
Statistics on Deafness and Hearing Loss
April 28, 2014
I recently came across statistics related to Deafness and hearing loss. These were compiled by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). I found a few to be surprising. For instance, “9 out of 10 children who are born deaf are born to parents who can hear’. Why did I assume that […]
August 10, 2015
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