Sign Language Interpreters – ASL Interpreters

  Remember the movie “The Miracle Worker”? I always thought it was about Helen Keller. But guess what?  It’s really about her teacher Anne Sullivan. Over the years, we’ve learned a lot about Helen Keller and her incredible story. But what about Anne? April 14, 1866…….almost 150 years ago, Anne was born in Feeding Hills, […]

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, […]

  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’ […]

   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 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 […]

Last week, I attended a presentation offered by the Riverside County Department of Mental Health. The focus of this presentation was “Depression” and a Sign Language Interpreter was provided for those attending from the Deaf Community. The Department of Mental Health provided dinner and the first hour was devoted to dining and mingling and seeing […]

Wow……I guess we should join the chorus of voices commenting on the ‘fake’ interpreter highlighted at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service. I haven’t seen this much attention focused on Deaf issues since “Deaf President Now” at Gallaudet back in 1988!  The initial rumblings began early and suddenly the story is on Page One around the world! […]

What’s the difference between “Hard of Hearing” and “Deaf” ? In contemplating this question, it occurs to me that many labels are actually degrees on a spectrum of experience.  If you imagine that the range is from zero to ten, with zero being “no hearing whatsoever….at any time….with any device….complete silence. Then ‘ten’ would equal […]

   The Name Game Recent news has brought our attention to our language and terms we use to describe each other. Countless labels involving race or gender are widely known and deemed to be distasteful, insulting,   or just politically incorrect. Many in the Deaf community have fought tirelessly over the years to change the […]

  Go ahead and ‘Google’  “How do deaf people………………………………?”  and you’ll discover how many hearing people are curious about managing life with ‘no’ or ‘diminished’ sound. How do deaf people “hear” doorbells? How do deaf people use alarm clocks? You get the idea. Over the years, new technology has provided innovative ideas . Here are […]