Happy Halloween Signs

Rachel Coleman of Signing Time teaches a few Halloween signs here. Great for kids! 

Ra

"Hero" interpreted by Sean Berdy, produced by Sean Berdy and Jules Dameron

"We're Going to Be Friends" by the White Stripes (D-PAN does it again!)

D-PAN does it again. Here, is an interpretation of "We're Going to Be Friends" by the White Stripes

 
White Stripes “We’re Going To Be Friends”
Produced by D-PAN, the Deaf Professional Arts Network and Lucky Airlines.
www.d-pan.org

Video made possible by Sorenson Communications.

lyrics:
Fall is here, hear the yell
back to school, ring the bell
brand new shoes, walking blues
climb the fence, books and pens
I can tell that we’re going to be friends

Walk with me, Suzy Lee
through the park and by the tree
we will rest upon the ground
and look at all the bugs we found
then safely walk to school
without a sound

Well here we are, no one else
we walked to school all by ourselves
there’s dirt on our uniforms
from chasing all the ants and worms
we clean up and now its time to learn

Numbers, letters, learn to spell
nouns, and books, and show and tell
at playtime we will throw the ball
back to class, through the hall
teacher marks our height
against the wall

And we don’t notice any time pass
we don’t notice anything
we sit side by side in every class
teacher thinks that I sound funny
but she likes the way you sing

Tonight I’ll dream while I’m in bed
when silly thoughts go through my head
about the bugs and alphabet
and when I wake tomorrow I’ll bet
that you and I will walk together again
cause I can tell that we’re going to be friends

"Still Not Convinced Social Media is Important? Read Craig Fugate's Testimony

This is a post by Kim Stephens at idisaster 2.0

http://idisaster.wordpress.com/2011/10/25/still-not-convinced-social-media-is-important-read-craig-fugates-testimony/

Still not convinced Social Media is important? Read Craig Fugate’s Testimony by kim26stephens

Image via Wikipedia

Post by: Kim Stephens

Here is the link to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate's written statement of his testimony to the House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Repsonse and Communications. The topic was the progress since the enactment of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act (PKEMRA) five years ago.

On page 7 he states the importance of social media and mobile communications:

"Looking to the emergency communications of the future, FEMA is also developing a next- generation infrastructure for alert and warning capabilities, known as PLAN (Personal Localized Alerting Network). Cell phones are data centers, capable of quickly accessing and storing a large amount of information. One of the major lessons we learned from the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti was that even if the physical infrastructure of an area is completely destroyed, the cellular infrastructure may be able to bounce back quickly, allowing emergency managers to relay important disaster-related information and enabling the public to request help from local first responders. This new, free public safety system allows customers with an enabled mobile device to receive geographically targeted messages alerting them of imminent threats to safety in their area whether nearby cell phone towers are jammed or not.

We are also expanding our use of social media tools. Social media is an important part of the Whole Community approach because it helps facilitate the vital two-way communication between emergency management agencies and the public, and it allows us to quickly and specifically share information with state, local, territorial, and tribal governments as well as the public. FEMA uses multiple social media technologies like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to reach the public. Rather than asking the public to change the way they communicate to fit our system, we are adapting the way we do business to fit the way the public already communicates. We value social media tools not only because they allow us to send important disaster-related information to the people who need it, but also because they allow us to inco rporate critical updates from the individuals who experience the on-the-ground reality of a disaster."

Some Things Make No Sense to Me

Some things just don't make sense. Insurance will pay for a PAIR of glasses but NOT for a pair of hearing aids. If you or someone in your immediate family is an active duty service member, you get a pair of hearing aids. If you or a member of your family are retired military, you only get one hearing aid.

If you desire to have a cochlear implant, and the surgery IS risky, insurance will pay for that. I don't understand the reasoning behind this one at all, because a pair of hearing aids are a lot less expensive than an implant, plus, you get to keep whatever residual hearing you have left. From what I've been reading, the auditory nerve is cut during the proceedure and once you've had this surgery, there is NO turning back. Insurance will pay for this risky proceedure, but not for a pair of hearing aids.

I'd rather keep my residual hearing at the moment and simply have a pair of hearing aids, please. Of course, with my Social Security Disability benefits, they aren't going to let me have two, nor with my Fabulous Husband's military retirement benefits. No, I am not allowed to get two.

There was a brief time when I had only one working hearing aid. I was constantly falling down, more than I do now, and I was constantly walking into things. I was off balance. As soon as my other hearing aid was repaired and I was wearing it in conjunction with the other one, I wasn't having the balance problem, and the dizziness was almost nil.

I believe people with hearing loss in both ears should be allowed the same benefits as those with vision impairments. Help us with BOTH ears, not just one. It's healthier and safer in the long run. You don't give a person with two bad eyes just one lens to see with, do you?

"Fun House"

Something else a little along the Halloween Theme, "Fun House" by Pink interpreted by the Harp Twins.

here is their page.  http://www.facebook.com/CamilleandKennerly

Just in time for Halloween

I just thought this was campy and funny, and my Zombie Loving friends get a kick out of this. CaptainValor on Youtube, aka Steve. His blog is at http://www.badphilosophy.com/blog/

ASL interpretation of Rhythm of Love By Dano Kaufmann

Wonderful interpretation by Dano Kaufman. He interpreted this song at his wife's request.


My head is stuck in the clouds
She begs me to come down
Says, "Boy, quit foolin' around"
I told her, "I love the view from up here
Warm sun and wind in my ear
We'll watch the world from above
As it turns to the rhythm of love"

We may only have tonight
But till the morning sun, you're mine
All mine
Play the music low
And sway to the rhythm of love

My heart beats like a drum
A guitar string to the strum
A beautiful song to be sung
She's got blue eyes deep like the sea
That roll back when she's laughing at me
She rises up like the tide
The moment her lips meet mine

We may only have tonight
But till the morning sun, you're mine
All mine
Play the music low
And sway to the rhythm of love

When the moon is low
We can dance in slow motion
And all your tears will subside
All your tears will dry

And long after I've gone
You'll still be humming along
And I will keep you in my mind
The way you make love so fine

We may only have tonight
But till the morning sun, you're mine
All mine
Play the music low
And sway to the rhythm of love
Play the music low
And sway to the rhythm of love
Yeah, sway to the rhythm of love

Gaullaudet's Favorite Poem

I love the expression of this poem by Terrylene and the message it conveys.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkgyFLkjzGk&feature=related

"Love Takes You to Heaven"

This is a very cute, creative number story by Terry Lene.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqd-8marnYc&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

Love ASL

Information, brief history of ASL, simple, but nicely done for an introduction:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClSvjZJYbLw&feature=related

Thriller (not for young children) Just in time for Halloweeen

ASL Thriller... made for the benefit of the Michigan School for the Deaf:

"Rhythm of Love" interpreted by Dano Kaufmann

This is so sweet. Mr. Kaufmann interpreted this for his wife for Valentine's Day.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWevjjlg8ag&feature=related

The Semi Truck Parked in My Brain With Its Motor Running

That's the only way I can accurately describe this.

Quite a number of years ago, I was awakened in the night by the sound of a Semi Truck parked out front of my house with its engine idling. I waited for the engine to turn off so I could get back to sleep. It was hugely annoying. After while, I couldn't stand it anymore and decided to go investigate why it was even in our residential neighborhood or how it fit on our tiny street with all the cars parked on both sides.

I got dressed and went out front. There was no truck parked there. I went around to the back. No truck parked there, either. I took a walk around the block. No truck anywhere, but the idling engine was with me the entire way.

When I spoke with a very young Ears, Nose and Throat specialist, he told me I was having audio hallucinations. That was all. When I told my dad what the doctor said, he told me I better not tell anyone about it because they would I was a hallucinating, crazy person. So I didn't talk about this except with one or two people very close to me..until the HLAA meeting Tuesday.

I attended my first meeting with Hearing Loss Association of America. We had a wonderful, informative speaker, Dr. Jason C. Schmitt, Au. D.  (Doctor of Audiology www.aeaudiology.org  ). He explained in terms I could understand about Tinnitus, also known as audio hallucinations. Just as amputees experience phantom limbs, some people with hearing loss experience phantom sounds. Tinnitus is something even people with good hearing experience. It is described by most as a buzzing, roaring, tones, or in rare cases, musical sounds. Most of the time it is intermittent, and rarely is it constant.

I will be sharing more about what I learned today in the future as a guest blogger over at Liz's Deaf Blog. Tonight, I just wanted to share my own personal experience publicly and ask if you've ever had Tinnitus and what is it like for you? Have you tried any of the therapies that are available?

Deaf Girl's Video Trailer (Amy Sargent)

I know what is next on my reading list. Check out this delightfully funny video trailer by Deaf Girl Amy Sargent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfk0pnt9fDQ

Be sure to check out her home page here:  http://deafgirlamy.com/

First Responders Need Deaf Community and Hard of Hearing Feedback

There is a great discussion going on over at http://idisaster.wordpress.com/2011/10/14/tornados-and-the-deaf-community-are-you-reaching-all-of-your-citizens/   in how to reach our Deaf and Hard of Hearing citizens in the event of emergencies. Read their research and information and post some suggestions that may be helpful to come up with some good solutions.

Emergency Management on Reaching the Deaf in times of Disaster

Here is a GREAT post written about how First Responders are looking to reach the most overlooked population of citizens, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, in the event of a disaster or emergency. I am pleased to have not only been quoted in the article, but they also linked to my "story".
"Tornados and the Deaf Community: Are You Reaching All Your Citizens?"

http://idisaster.wordpress.com/2011/10/14/tornados-and-the-deaf-community-are-you-reaching-all-of-your-citizens/

Hamilton Mobile Cap Tel App for Android is now available!

I got this notice from Hamilton Cap Tel today announcing the Mobile App for Android cell phone users. I love my CapTel IPhone App. If you are having trouble hearing on your cell phone, this is the relay App for you. It allows you to use your own voice, and they type to you what the person on the other end of the call is saying to you.

	We have expanded the current Hamilton Mobile CapTel App for Android to include compatibility with Tablets using the Android mobile technology platform. Hamilton CapTel is dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that make your phone conversations simple and accessible. Using the Hamilton Mobile CapTel App for Android on your Tablet and any telephone (i.e. landline, office, mobile phone, etc.) you can read captions of what is said on the screen of your Tablet while listening and talking on your preferred telephone. There is no cost to use Hamilton Mobile CapTel, and the app is free to download. Simply visit the Android Market, search "Hamilton Mobile CapTel" or click here. For more information about using Hamilton Mobile CapTel with your Android-based Smartphone or Tablet, visitHamilton Mobile CapTel. The Hamilton Mobile CapTel App for Android Tablets is compatible with Android version 2.1 or higher, including Honeycomb. Voice and data plans are required when using Hamilton Mobile CapTel.

Free Captioned Phone: October Only

I received this email and wanted to pass this along for anyone who is not on an email list for this kind of information. For October ONLY, CaptionCall is offering one of their phones FREE to anyone who has a hearing loss. This would be a great opportunity for you to help your older friend or relative who is no longer hearing the phone as well as they used to. Or how about yourself? Is it getting more difficult for you to hear children, women, soft spoken people on the phone? Do you use the phone less because of this? Here is something that may help you. Here is the email I got:

Hello Everyone!

 We are happy to tell you that a new phone for persons with hearing loss is available now at no cost!

This is the short sweet version of great news!

• if you have hearing loss, a high speed Internet connection, and a landline phone, you can have a CaptionCall phone to use in your home or at work.

• During October, 2011 through a special offer, there is no cost. There is no shipping fee and no charge for captioned messages. No extra charge to Internet or phone bills.

• www.CaptionCall.com is the Web site and 1-877-557-2227 is the phone number

• Enter Promo code HS1060 when ready to order

• The phone is available at no-cost till Ocober 31, 2011. After that, the cost will be $49 or more.

Cathy Zimmerman

Hear Fayette Program
Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Uniontown, PA
724-736-2000 (captioned)
http://www.stvincentdepauluniontown.org/?page_id=262

"End of the Beginning"

This is a GREAT duet!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfgLQgZ8ssk&feature=related

ASL interpreted "Say Hey (I Love You)

This is just ... sweet... Dano Kaufman interprets Michael Franti and the Spearhead "Say Hey (I Love You)"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkDpqBvdcws&feature=related
This one goes out to you and yours, worldwide

I say, hey, I be gone today
But I be back around the way
Seems like everywhere I go
The more I see, the less I know
But I know one thing that I love you, baby girl
I love you, I love you, I love you

I've been a lot of places all around the way
I've seen a lot of joy, and I've seen a lot of pain
But I don't want to write a love song for the world
I just want to write a song about a boy and a girl

Junkies on the corner, always calling my name
And the kids on the corner playing ghetto games
When I saw you getting down, girl, I hoped it was you
And when I looked into your eyes, I knew it was true

I say, hey, I be gone today
But I be back around the way
Seems like everywhere I go
The more I see, the less I know
But I know one thing that I love you, baby girl
I love you, I love you, I love you

Now I'm not a highly metaphysical man
But I know when the stars are aligned you can
Bump into a person in the middle of the road
Look into their eyes, and you suddenly know

Rocking in the dance hall, moving with you
Dancing in the night in the middle of June
My momma told me don't lose you
'Cause the best luck I had was you

I say, hey, I be gone today
But I be back around the way
It seems like everywhere I go
The more I see, the less I know
But I know one thing that I love you, baby girl
I love you, I love you, I love you

And I say, rocking in the dance, hall moving with you
I say, hey momma, hey momma, close to you
Rocking in the dance hall, moving with you
I say, hey, trippa, trippa, got to shoot

Rocking in the dance hall, moving with you
I say, hey momma, close to you
Rocking in the dance hall, moving with you
I say, hey momma, hey momma, hey momma, hey momma
Hey momma, hey momma, hey momma, hey momma

My momma told me don't lose you
'Cause the best luck I had was you
And I know one thing that I love you

I say, hey, I be gone today
But I'll be back around the way
It seems like everywhere I go
The more I see, the less I know

I say, hey, I be gone today
But I'll be back around the way
It seems like everywhere I go
The more I see, the less I know
But I know one thing that I love you, baby girl
I love you, I love you, I love you

I love you, I love you, I love you
I love you, I love you, I love you
I love you, I love you, I love you

Rocking in the dance hall, moving with you
I say, hey papa, hey papa, hey momma, hey momma
Rocking in the dance hall, moving with you
Come on, hey papa, hey papa, come to shoot
(Hey mama, hey mama)

A Poem of "Deaf"

"Deaf" a poem



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t1RrYvFG_Y
This lovely young woman's page is
http://www.facebook.com/pages/SuroalGals/54152412529?ref=ts

Using Sign Language in the Classroom

As I surf the net, I'm finding more and more people discovering the benefits of using Sign Language. This is an interesting story how an innovative teacher, Rick Morris discovered how he could be more efficient and help his students.

http://www.educationoasis.com/resources/Articles/sign_language.htm

Signs are to the eyes, what words are to the ears

I like what Northwest's American Sign Language Club did during Deaf Awareness week.

http://www.nwmissourinews.com/features/the_vibe/article_fc7b5096-f52d-11e0-bc17-0019bb30f31a.html

Political Correctness and Signs

This is an interesting article about the how politically correct signs are taking the place of the more offensive ones.
http://www.rense.com/general50/chre.htm

Signs from Space

I love this! Signs from the Space Station by NASA Astronaut Caldwell Dyson. How did I miss this in the news?
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition24/sign_in_space.html

Signmark - Our Life (Deaf Rap)

This is by a Deaf Finnish artist. "Open  your eyes, open your mind". I like this. It's about time we see the Deaf acknowledged instead of ignored or overlooked. Excellent lyrics and expression.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYwX45ZDe_4

Keith Wann and the Very Hungry Caterpillar in ASL

Kids love this interpretive performance of  "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Keith Wann. So do I. There are Captions for those just learning ASL.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmbpJpI6Uko&feature=related

"Why Do Deaf People Sound Funny?"

This is an excellent description Suzie Jones shares here from her personal experience of being deaf.
http://deafcomm.wordpress.com/2011/10/07/why-do-deaf-people-sound-funny/?blogsub=confirming#subscribe-blog

Keith Wann: Interpretive Performance "From This Moment On"

Just...b e a u t i f u l !!  You don't need captions to see the message of this beautiful, visually lyrical expression.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlKjakTfMko

A Feel Good video : 2nd Video of Sarah Churman

Here is Sarah Churman's appearance on the Ellen show. I love seeing corporations stepping up and helping families like this. Ellen did this so graciously well. Watch it. You'll be inspired at the goodness of people!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=h7xn_0iVksc

What Steve Jobs Did for Me

Many of us are giving tribute to what Steve Jobs has done for them. I would like to share my own tribute toward his legacy as well.

Without Steve Jobs, I would not be portable communication-wise for one thing. For Deaf and Hard of Hearing people, telephones were tricky. We were tied to landlines, for one thing. We have to use special equipment for phones with text or video for visual communication. Years ago, all we had were TTY, TDD machines that weren't on every street corner. We couldn't just ring someone up from anywhere. We were limited. We couldn't even use a cordless phone. Some of you reading this may not remember those "old days" but for those of us who do, we can't thank Steve Jobs enough.

With my IPhone, I can be anywhere and be instantly in touch with my husband. I no longer worry about being on the road and my car breaking down, having to wave down a complete stranger to help me, or make a simple phone call for me. I don't have to worry about trying to communicate this to a complete stranger, I can contact my husband or one of my friends. Even if a payphone were right there on the corner, finding one with a tty or ttd attached to its underside is unlikely in that event. They are few and far between, usually located at the back of major store chains only.

I remember once either at the San Francisco Airport or LAX, I needed to call to let my family know of my flight delays. There were pay phones available right in front of me, but the ttd phone was in area I had no access to from the security area I had to remain in. Today I never have to worry about that happening. I have accessibility at my fingertips.

With my Iphone, I can access relay operators to assist my calls with hearing people.
I can access an app for subtitles, or captions, at new movies in the theater so I can have idea of what's being said.

I can go on, but these are just a couple of ways Steve Jobs made the world more accessible to me as a deaf person.

My life and my world changed with this technology and the creative inventions of Steve Jobs. This is just a small example of my own personal experience. What example can you share about the impact this man has left on you?

Free Captioned Phone Available for October Only !

I received this email and wanted to pass this along for anyone who is not on an email list for this kind of information. For October ONLY, CaptionCall is offering one of their phones FREE to anyone who has a hearing loss. This would be a great opportunity for you to help your older friend or relative who is no longer hearing the phone as well as they used to. Or how about yourself? Is it getting more difficult for you to hear children, women, soft spoken people on the phone? Do you use the phone less because of this? Here is something that may help you. Here is the email I got:

Hello Everyone!

 We are happy to tell you that a new phone for persons with hearing loss is available now at no cost!

This is the short sweet version of great news!

• if you have hearing loss, a high speed Internet connection, and a landline phone, you can have a CaptionCall phone to use in your home or at work.

• During October, 2011 through a special offer, there is no cost. There is no shipping fee and no charge for captioned messages. No extra charge to Internet or phone bills.

• www.CaptionCall.com is the Web site and 1-877-557-2227 is the phone number

• Enter Promo code HS1060 when ready to order

• The phone is available at no-cost till Ocober 31, 2011. After that, the cost will be $49 or more.

Cathy Zimmerman

Hear Fayette Program
Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Uniontown, PA
724-736-2000 (captioned)
http://www.stvincentdepauluniontown.org/?page_id=262

"After Donations, No Cash, No Dog" The World Newspaper

This is simply an appalling story. I wish I had the means to help this young woman, Amber Steenbock get the dog suited for her, or at best, the money refunded so she can go to another agency for a Service Dog.

http://theworldlink.com/news/local/article_554dc8bc-b929-5d1f-9695-8c5295195088.html

My View of the Commotion Surrounding the Video of Sarah Churman

I am concerned about how so many of us are treating this woman's experience.

I have a friend, Deaf since birth, who reads lips better than I. She speaks well, and most people would not know she is Deaf. She has had to sign for me what others were saying to me, and help me follow the conversation.  I used to be able to hear well when I was young, now I am deaf.  We are all at different communication levels and needs. What works for some, will not for others.

We should be be happy for this woman in the video to have found something that successfully works for her. This is her choice, and we should respect that, just as we would want our own choice respected if our choice were NOT try this technology.

We should not think that because a person makes a choice different from our own that it is a personal attack on our own preference or lifestyle choice.

We are free to make these choices and to follow the pursuit of our happiness. We should respect this same freedom for others. This is a protected right.

Congratulations, Sarah Churman! I'm so pleased with your success and happiness.

"The Variables of Hearing" by Hearing Sparks

Megan does an excellent job of explaining how we may hear on thing one time, and not the next. I also like the comments below her post that are enlightening as well.

http://hearingsparks.blogspot.com/2011/09/variables-of-hearing.html

Cute Video for VRS

This is just the cutest commercial!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYwX45ZDe_4