Extreme Makeover: Home edition is going to help the Oregon School for the Deaf build their Halloween Fundraiser called the Nightmare Factory.
The Seabeck Conference Center, in Seabeck Washington, is hosting an annual Deaf-Blind Retreat and expects participants from all over the World, including Japan and Holland.
The University of Washington is developing ASL friendly software to reduce the band width needed to video chat over mobile phones.
Visit our amazon store
Showing posts with label Deaf Culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Deaf Culture. Show all posts
Tuesday
Sign Language Message from Space
Tracy Caldwell Dyson recorded a signed message from space.The accompanying article states that ASL is the "fourth most commonly used language in the United States." Regretfully, Astronaut Dyson uses acombination of ASL phrases and English grammar.
However her message to the Deaf childred she recorded it for is priceless and one many in our community support: Deaf people can do anything but hear.
To learn more about the space station on which Astronaut Caldwell is serving, go to http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html
However her message to the Deaf childred she recorded it for is priceless and one many in our community support: Deaf people can do anything but hear.
To learn more about the space station on which Astronaut Caldwell is serving, go to http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html
Monday
I Love this book!
This is the story of a child with deaf grandparents, raised at the Lexington School for the Deaf where her parents lived and worked on site. She has unique insights as one of those "neither culture" people - raised in a deaf friendly environment but born hearing. She relates stories of becoming an interpreter, the frustrations of dating a Deaf man, and shares stories not her own as she follows the lives of two students from the school.
I hope you learn as much as I did about what I call the "tweener" culture of the 70's and beyond.
I hope you learn as much as I did about what I call the "tweener" culture of the 70's and beyond.
An old friend!
I was wandering around the Amazon site and found this book - it is surprising to find it is now 26 years old! It was one of the first books I ever read of the Deaf experience.
If you have not read it, I highly recommend it. There is an entire generation of people whose mothers had German measles (including my own mother). Many of them were born Deaf. It is worth reading about their experiences before the ADA was passed.
If you have not read it, I highly recommend it. There is an entire generation of people whose mothers had German measles (including my own mother). Many of them were born Deaf. It is worth reading about their experiences before the ADA was passed.
Wednesday
ASL Literature site
Every so often I get the opportunity to teach a class on music or literature. This summer was one of them.
In our ASL classes we talk about the 5 parameters of ASL. While it is true that changing just one parameter will change the meaning of the sign, the most common parameter used to rhyme seems to be hand shape.
In my research to update my materials I found a lovely site. It is a special ASL edition of an online magazine called "Slope". The home site looks as if it may not be updated very often, but as long as this archive is available, I recommend it. This site asserts that hand shapes are the heart and soul of ASL poetry.
Do be sure to click on the index of poets and editors - there are some real treasures.
In our ASL classes we talk about the 5 parameters of ASL. While it is true that changing just one parameter will change the meaning of the sign, the most common parameter used to rhyme seems to be hand shape.
In my research to update my materials I found a lovely site. It is a special ASL edition of an online magazine called "Slope". The home site looks as if it may not be updated very often, but as long as this archive is available, I recommend it. This site asserts that hand shapes are the heart and soul of ASL poetry.
Do be sure to click on the index of poets and editors - there are some real treasures.
Thursday
More about Disneyland Interpreters
There is a neat video along with this article from the Orange County Register. and an interview with a Disneyland employee who finally understood the Jungle Cruise.
While I would prefer that they ask the Deaf community for name signs, at least the one describing Mickey Mouse that Disney claims to have thought up is fairly standard.
While I would prefer that they ask the Deaf community for name signs, at least the one describing Mickey Mouse that Disney claims to have thought up is fairly standard.
Tuesday
The world changes again
I remember when TTY's became desk top models. I remember when relay began. I remember when sidekicks were introduced. I remember when VRS began.
All of them changed the world for my deaf friends. With each innovation, the "silent disability" became less isolating. No longer did they have to drive over to see if someone was home. No longer did they have to wait for special events to meet up with old friends. No longer did they have to live in isolation of a hearing-world job - they could at least complain about their bosses like the rest of us.
Now iphone 4 claims in real time to have video chat without any glitches. If this is true?
The world just changed again. For the better.
All of them changed the world for my deaf friends. With each innovation, the "silent disability" became less isolating. No longer did they have to drive over to see if someone was home. No longer did they have to wait for special events to meet up with old friends. No longer did they have to live in isolation of a hearing-world job - they could at least complain about their bosses like the rest of us.
Now iphone 4 claims in real time to have video chat without any glitches. If this is true?
The world just changed again. For the better.
Monday
Miss Hawaii's Outstanding Teen
Lena Merrill, a 14 year old student at Hawaii's school for the Deaf and Blind, won the state competition for Miss Outstanding Teen. She will compete in august against the other state winners in the Miss Outstanding Teen portion of the Miss America pageant.
Years ago I knew a woman who had petitioned to participate and was denied because she could not do an interview without an interpreter. It is nice to see some changes in the pageant - even if Miss Merrill was still required to learn a dance routine to open her competition.
More of the story here
Years ago I knew a woman who had petitioned to participate and was denied because she could not do an interview without an interpreter. It is nice to see some changes in the pageant - even if Miss Merrill was still required to learn a dance routine to open her competition.
More of the story here
Wednesday
Deaf in the News.
Around the US and Around the world:
A Colorado nonprofit is partnering with an Afghan organization to build a school in Kabul for deaf children
Mexican Deaf lured into peddling in New York, create their own second chances.
Irritating as it is in this day and age for a woman to be labeled "Deaf-Mute" it is tragic that 6 years later, no one knows what happened to Porschette Charslyn Evans.
And in Sports news:
A Detroit area High School wins the Division 4 championship in part due to strong pitching by Brandon Holsworth
Matt Hamill won the Ultimate Fighter 11 finale despite being poked in the eye and breaking a hand mid fight.
A Colorado nonprofit is partnering with an Afghan organization to build a school in Kabul for deaf children
Mexican Deaf lured into peddling in New York, create their own second chances.
Irritating as it is in this day and age for a woman to be labeled "Deaf-Mute" it is tragic that 6 years later, no one knows what happened to Porschette Charslyn Evans.
And in Sports news:
A Detroit area High School wins the Division 4 championship in part due to strong pitching by Brandon Holsworth
Matt Hamill won the Ultimate Fighter 11 finale despite being poked in the eye and breaking a hand mid fight.
Thursday
Sign Language Interpreting at Disneyland Resort!
Traditionally one had to call ahead to arrange for shows to be interpreted. Now, two days a week each park has interpreters scheduled without prior notice.
Check out the details at the Disney official blog
Check out the details at the Disney official blog
Wednesday
Gallaudet: the Film
As you may have noted if you wandered by our site, we are in the process of rebuilding. My business partner just graduated from college - and so life has been a little busy. But we hope to relaunch in the fall with a cool new site (www.accentoninterpreting.com)
I also hope by then to have a more reliable way to post these blogs - here or elsewhere - and get them disseminated.
In the meantime, here is a beautiful film about Gallaudet by Gallaudet.
Enjoy it.
I did.
I also hope by then to have a more reliable way to post these blogs - here or elsewhere - and get them disseminated.
In the meantime, here is a beautiful film about Gallaudet by Gallaudet.
Enjoy it.
I did.
Monday
More Deaf News
- California State Government sued for lack of accommodation.
- Deaf Student Pursues Dream of Becoming a Doctor.
- More than 70 people who are deaf, hearing impaired or who work with the deaf gathered in the Hyatt Regency Buffalo to discuss the need for more comprehensive services for deaf and hearing-impaired Western New Yorkers.
- Finally: check out the Deaf Def rapper in Detroit.
- Deaf Student Pursues Dream of Becoming a Doctor.
- More than 70 people who are deaf, hearing impaired or who work with the deaf gathered in the Hyatt Regency Buffalo to discuss the need for more comprehensive services for deaf and hearing-impaired Western New Yorkers.
- Finally: check out the Deaf Def rapper in Detroit.
Wednesday
"My Deaf Family"
Marlee Matlin believes the English speaking world is ready for a reality show starring a Deaf family.
The networks seem to disagree. After lots of reports that several networks were interested, none gave the premise the go ahead as a show.
Apparently the networks believe we are more interested in families who swap wives than a family who is culturally and linguistically different from main street USA, yet struggling with the same American issues we all face.
I disagree. I think Marlee has tapped into something we all need: a way to recognize ourselves in our differences.
Stop by her you-tube channel and see the pilot. If you agree, won't you write a letter to a studio and and tell them so? I don't know which one Marlee would prefer, but she has always had a great relationship with NBC (Home to The West Wing and Reasonable Doubts), so I would like to start there.
Or click her twitter link at the top of the page and ask her which she would prefer.
As she says, "Let's make some noise!"
The networks seem to disagree. After lots of reports that several networks were interested, none gave the premise the go ahead as a show.
Apparently the networks believe we are more interested in families who swap wives than a family who is culturally and linguistically different from main street USA, yet struggling with the same American issues we all face.
I disagree. I think Marlee has tapped into something we all need: a way to recognize ourselves in our differences.
Stop by her you-tube channel and see the pilot. If you agree, won't you write a letter to a studio and and tell them so? I don't know which one Marlee would prefer, but she has always had a great relationship with NBC (Home to The West Wing and Reasonable Doubts), so I would like to start there.
Or click her twitter link at the top of the page and ask her which she would prefer.
As she says, "Let's make some noise!"
Monday
Deaf Sports in the news
The US Deaf Sports Federation and Deaf Nation are conducting the first ever USA Deaf Tennis Open: July 15 to 19, 2010 at Las Vegas Hilton Tennis Center and Lorenzi Park Tennis Center in Las Vegas, Nevada
The next Winter Deaflympics are being held in Slovakia, February 18-26, 2011. Sports include: Alpine Skiing; Cross Country Skiing; Curling; Ice Hockey; Snowboard.
And Vancouver, who recently hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics will also host the Deaflympics, in February, 2015.
The next Winter Deaflympics are being held in Slovakia, February 18-26, 2011. Sports include: Alpine Skiing; Cross Country Skiing; Curling; Ice Hockey; Snowboard.
And Vancouver, who recently hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics will also host the Deaflympics, in February, 2015.
More Deaf News
I know I said I would get back to Repetitive Motion Injury- but there is lots of stuff going on!
First of all, The Catholic Church has been accused of repeatedly looking the other way while priests abused deaf children. There are stories in Italy and the United States.
A Philadelphia agency that provides services to the Deaf and hard of Hearing has lost most of its staff and its interim executive director. This leaves many going without assistance they have had for over 14 years.
New Kids on the Block star Joey McIntyre has released to the press that his second son was born deaf in December of last year. Right now hearing aids are helping the family to adjust.
And finally, a piece of fun news: The Oregon Shakespeare festival is providing open captions during 11 shows. It may help that Howie Sego is starring as the Ghost of Hamlet's father.
So if the news will let me - next week we will get back to identifying the warning signals of repetitive motion injury.
First of all, The Catholic Church has been accused of repeatedly looking the other way while priests abused deaf children. There are stories in Italy and the United States.
A Philadelphia agency that provides services to the Deaf and hard of Hearing has lost most of its staff and its interim executive director. This leaves many going without assistance they have had for over 14 years.
New Kids on the Block star Joey McIntyre has released to the press that his second son was born deaf in December of last year. Right now hearing aids are helping the family to adjust.
And finally, a piece of fun news: The Oregon Shakespeare festival is providing open captions during 11 shows. It may help that Howie Sego is starring as the Ghost of Hamlet's father.
So if the news will let me - next week we will get back to identifying the warning signals of repetitive motion injury.
Saturday
You tube adding captions!
Up until now only those who added captions prior to posting their videos were able to have their products accessible to the Deaf. With new speech recognition technology, you tube will try to automatically caption every video.
It could prove entertaining. For example, rumor has it that Ella Morton from Rocketboom said "Hi, I'm Ella Morton" and the captioning said "Hi I'm abortion" - but I can't get any captions to load sigh. Anyway, it is a great idea. I hope it works!
It could prove entertaining. For example, rumor has it that Ella Morton from Rocketboom said "Hi, I'm Ella Morton" and the captioning said "Hi I'm abortion" - but I can't get any captions to load sigh. Anyway, it is a great idea. I hope it works!
Tuesday
Deaf News : "See What I'm Saying"
See What I'm Saying: The Deaf Entertainers Documentary" is opening at the Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles March 18, 2010.
A unique look at Deaf entertainment, this documentary focuses on the wide diversity of Deaf Culture. It includes an all Deaf rock band, a Deaf comic, and a teacher from Julliard who lost his home due to a misunderstanding.
Here's the trailer, available on You-tube:
You can also follow them on twitter or Facebook - links available at their website:
www.seewhatimsayingmovie.com
A unique look at Deaf entertainment, this documentary focuses on the wide diversity of Deaf Culture. It includes an all Deaf rock band, a Deaf comic, and a teacher from Julliard who lost his home due to a misunderstanding.
Here's the trailer, available on You-tube:
You can also follow them on twitter or Facebook - links available at their website:
www.seewhatimsayingmovie.com
Thursday
Friday
Have you seen Glee?
I do not usually post links to singing television shows. After all, music is a point of contention to various parts of the Deaf community.
The apparently imaginary Haverbrook School for the Deaf had their show choir perform on GLEE. The song was "Imagine" by John Lennon. There are a variety of responses already to the episode ranging from irritation that the Glee kids joined in the singing to protests about the lyrics of the song.
What did I like? I like that the Glee kids seemed to get the unity of the song and joined in (apparently plot-wise it was to remind the Glee kids about the simplicity of beautiful music). I liked that some of the deaf signed left handed and some right handed. I liked that although over all the song was in English order, it remained true to the meaning of the song.
What did I not like so much? That the Glee kids could "learn to sign along" on the fly. And I do see the point of some who say it looked like the "real singers" had to fix the deaf voice singing.
But over all it was a lovely scene, that had little to do with the rest of the episode (in my humble opinion), and I hope you wander by.
Hulu shows only 5 episodes at a time and this one aired last week, so there are about 3 weeks left for it to remain available. And yes, it is captioned.
Oh and if anyone knows if this is a real school choir and not just a bunch of deaf actors put together for the scene, let me know?
The apparently imaginary Haverbrook School for the Deaf had their show choir perform on GLEE. The song was "Imagine" by John Lennon. There are a variety of responses already to the episode ranging from irritation that the Glee kids joined in the singing to protests about the lyrics of the song.
What did I like? I like that the Glee kids seemed to get the unity of the song and joined in (apparently plot-wise it was to remind the Glee kids about the simplicity of beautiful music). I liked that some of the deaf signed left handed and some right handed. I liked that although over all the song was in English order, it remained true to the meaning of the song.
What did I not like so much? That the Glee kids could "learn to sign along" on the fly. And I do see the point of some who say it looked like the "real singers" had to fix the deaf voice singing.
But over all it was a lovely scene, that had little to do with the rest of the episode (in my humble opinion), and I hope you wander by.
Hulu shows only 5 episodes at a time and this one aired last week, so there are about 3 weeks left for it to remain available. And yes, it is captioned.
Oh and if anyone knows if this is a real school choir and not just a bunch of deaf actors put together for the scene, let me know?
Monday
Disney Disappoints
You have no idea how hard it is for me to acknowledge this. I love all things Disney.
But this is not just poor marketing - it is oppressive and insulting.
Disney Removes Closed Captioning from Up Rental Release.
In order to increase sales revenue, disney removed "special features" from the rental releases of "UP" sent to Red box, BlockBuster and Net Flix. There may be others. While all of us acknowledge that "special features" includes games and outtakes, apparently Disney has decided subtitles and closed captioning are also "special".
The only way to get this movie captioned is to purchase a full retail version.
All I can ask is "What where they thinking?"
But this is not just poor marketing - it is oppressive and insulting.
Disney Removes Closed Captioning from Up Rental Release.
In order to increase sales revenue, disney removed "special features" from the rental releases of "UP" sent to Red box, BlockBuster and Net Flix. There may be others. While all of us acknowledge that "special features" includes games and outtakes, apparently Disney has decided subtitles and closed captioning are also "special".
The only way to get this movie captioned is to purchase a full retail version.
All I can ask is "What where they thinking?"
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