Deaf Contestant on “The Price is Right”

Kristine Cantrell Hall, Valencia, California, was chosen as a contestant on the popular T.V. game show, “The Price Is Right.” Kristine is probably the first deaf contestant ever to make it all the way to share the stage with Drew Carey and the lovely models. Her appearance will be broadcast on Monday, October 19th on CBS. Check local listings for the time and tune in to find out if she goes home with the grand prize! [Thanks to Tayler]

Apple Provide Universal Access for Disabilties

By JFLMad and Fookem

We were just talking about iPhone and new OSX Snow Leopard and we checked out in Apple website www.apple.com to see what Snow Leopard provide with new features. We were in awe when we discovered that Apple mentioned about the deaf accessibility of using the iChat video chat. Apple even mentioned HOVRS (now Purple) of using the relay video call. You can click the picture below to see the full information or go at http://www.apple.com/macosx/accessibility/.

Every Mac comes standard with a wide range of assistive technologies that help people with disabilities enjoy the power and simplicity of the Mac. We call this Universal Access, and it includes many features you won’t find in other operating systems at any price. In Mac OS X, they’re built right in.

Purple Communications invites you to Dream Bigger event with Howard Rosenblum

Howard Rosenblum
Disability Rights Attorney
and Communication
Access Advocate

Howard Rosenblum was born to hearing parents who believed strongly in encouraging their kids to identify who they wanted to be, and to pursue that dream with a passion, pushing aside any obstacles that surfaced along the way.

“They told me I could be whatever I wanted to be,” says Rosenblum. “A doctor, a lawyer, whatever. I should just strive for it.” When he was 12 years old, enamored with the newly introduced captioning on TV, Howard was presented with a choice.

“My parents wanted me to come to see a deaf attorney give a talk. That deaf attorney was the only one in the country at the time, and his reputation had grown because of a deaf man he’d defended for murder. “The case actually inspired a made-for-TV movie,” says Rosenblum. “I was interested, but what I really wanted to do was stay home and watch TV. I was still thrilled with captioning which had just become available on all the shows.”

Overcoming the pull of the television that day, Rosenblum attended the presentation, and it turned out to be the moment in his life when he knew clearly what he wanted to do.

Howard went on to become the only Deaf lawyer in the State of Illinois in 1992. In the years since, he’s worked as an attorney for Equip for Equality, doggedly pursuing accessibility rights for people with disabilities, educating, cajoling, and suing if necessary, all with an eye toward ensuring access for everywhere a person might go. Equip for Equality is the Illinois designated Protection & Advocacy agency mandated by Federal law. Now in its 10th year, the Midwest Center on Law and the Deaf (MCLD), the organization Rosenblum founded, has assisted thousands of deaf and hard of hearing people in attaining justice.

Asked what advice he’d have for future “big dreamers,” Rosenblum had this to say: “Don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot do it. There will always be naysayers. But you also have to figure out the realistic ways to achieve your dreams and go for it.”

Crowne Plaza Chicago-Northbrook
2875 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Northbrook, IL 60062

August 29, 2009
1:00PM

Join us at 1:00 PM for a Local Number Workshop and Purple Netbook demos (Also, we will have prizes to win Netbook. We will have 10 Netbooks for prizes. Maybe you will like to come and see if you can win the Netbook for free.)

—————————————————

Crowne Plaza Chicago-Northbrook
2875 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Northbrook, IL 60062

August 29, 2009
6:45 PM

http://hovrs.sparklist.com/t/19212/857340/555/0/

It’s only one time event. It probably will not happen again in Chicago. So everyone can get this opportunity to see the demo of P3/Netbook and celebrate Howard Rosenblum as our Trail Blazer. If he wins, he will donate 10k to MCLD.

ISD, ISVI to Stay Open Beyond July 1st

Good news!! ISD, ISVI to Stay Open Beyond July 1st. We had rally at the State Capitol in Springfield, IL yesterday and had over 5,000 human service supporters! That includes ISD, ISVI, and many other organizations! Will post the rally video clips later, stay tuned!!

read the full story in this link.

However, emails and calls still needed for a budget and we need to do some work to be sure it doesn’t happen again. Please continue sign our petition (click here) and we will mail it in few days.

Thank you,
Fookembug Editors

Sign the Petition for Illinois School for the Deaf

Help State Representative Jim Watson Tell Governor Quinn to “Quit Playing Political Games with the Children and Families in Our Community!” Your Support is Needed to Save Illinois School for the Deaf and Illinois School for the Visually Impaired.

Please fill out this petition to voice your support for ISD, ISVI, and all the families and special needs children that would be devastated by the closure of these facilities. Rep. Watson will personally deliver the petitions to Governor Quinn.

Please sign your name, city, state , what year you graduated, or supporter

Click: http://fookembug.wordpress.com/2009/06/18/sign-the-petition-for-illinois-school-for-the-deaf/#respond to sign in.

Spread the words to your family and friends. We NEED your support! Thank you, the Fookembug Editors.

Illinois School for the Deaf in Danger of CLOSING!

BY KATIE ANDERSON
Journal-Courier

The governor is serious this time, says Sen. Deanna Demuzio when talking about cuts that could close the doors to the Illinois School for the Deaf and the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired.

If Illinois lawmakers can’t pass a full budget by the end of the month, the state will face devastatingly deep cuts and Jacksonville will be hit hard.

Gov. Pat Quinn released a statement Tuesday listing the Illinois School for the Deaf and the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired among state services that will be closed if the state can not get past its $9.2 billion budget impasse.

The announcements also predicted the closing of six of nine state-operated psychiatric hospitals, four of nine state-operated developmental centers and 42 of 120 DHS Family and Community Resource Centers.

“It tells you something about the amount of crisis that we’re in,” said Sen. Deanna Demuzio.

In addition to forcing visually impaired and deaf or hard of hearing students to find alternative education centers, the shuttering of ISD and ISVI would mean more than 350 employees in Jacksonville would lose their jobs.

“People think, this is usual, they’re playing games,” Sen. Demuzio said.

Yes, that has happened in the past, but we’re now down to what like 10 days? And I don’t think people realize the severity of this.”

A spokeswoman from the governor’s office said the announcements today are not scare tactics.

“What we’re doing is trying to make sure Illinois citizens understand the budget that was passed,” the spokeswoman said. “The General Assembly passed a 50 percent budget and funded services provided by community organizations at 50 percent, a 5 billion dollar cut essentially with an additional 4.2 billion dollar shortfall.”

“I think what the governor is trying to do is make people understand how bad the budget is, rather than just go ahead and implement these closures and changes,” she the spokeswoman said.

Stay tuned for more updates news later in this week.

PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT OF ISD STAYING OPEN!

NEED YOUR HELP! There will be no interpreter service for cruises….

Dear Cruise Travelers,

 Many of you have enjoyed the marvelous interpreter service that Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises provided in the past. Thus, you were able to discover remote destinations, learn about the history and culture, and enjoy the onboard entertainment. Although the ADA does not apply to regions like Europe, Asia, Australia, or South America, the two cruise lines went above and beyond for many years and provided interpreters for all destinations that their ships were sailing to. No other cruise line provided this service to so many destinations so consistently for individuals and groups as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises did. They deserve a lot of praise for doing so.

 

Recently, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises decided to discontinue interpreter service for cruises that do not start or terminate or do not have at least one port of call in the U.S. or Canada in the itinerary. That means that there will be no interpreter service for cruises at destinations like Europe, Asia, Australia, or South America in the future unless the cruise starts or terminates in the U.S. or Canada like transatlantic sailings.

 

Frustrated about this decision, I talked to Royal Caribbean’s President & CEO, Adam Goldstein, and went to Royal Caribbean’s office for a meeting to discuss the issue. I was told that the companies have to pay several thousand dollars for each interpreter who will work on a cruise overseas (air, hotel, incidentals, transportation, tips, compensation, interpreter agency fee etc.). The cruise lines feel that they provided a service way above and beyond and did not receive enough recognition for doing so. Therefore, they decided to provide the service only in a scale that is requested by the ADA including Canada and transatlantic sailings if the sailing starts or terminates in the U.S.

 

After my meeting at Royal Caribbean’s office with no positive outcome regarding the interpreter policy, I sent letters to Adam Goldstein and Dan Hanrahan, President & CEO of Celebrity Cruises. I asked them to reverse their decision and continue to provide interpreters for all their cruises if requested. However, I am only one voice. Since the deaf community is a lot more powerful with several million people in the U.S., I would like to ask you, the deaf travelers, to send a letter to the cruise lines’ CEOs, Adam Goldstein and Dan Hanrahan, to express your dissatisfaction about the policy change. Write a personal letter to the addresses listed below and let them know how important it is for you to have interpreters on all cruises, not only at the destinations that are covered by the ADA. If you do not feel comfortable writing a letter, you can use the two sample letters shown below. Feel free, to change the letters if desired. I hope that you will join and help to make the life for the deaf traveler easier.

 

If you have a professional travel agent, ask the agent to contact the CEOs and ask for a policy change. Your travel agent should be an advocate for you.

 

 ———————————————————————————————

April 30, 2009

 

Mr. Adam Goldstein

President & CEO

Royal Caribbean International

 

1050 Caribbean Way

Miami FL 33132-2096

 

 

Dear Mr. Goldstein,

In the past, thousands of deaf people enjoyed the excellent interpreter service provided world wide by Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. Having interpreters on a cruise makes it possible to be treated equally with hearing passengers. Interpreters are for us the key to the hearing world and allow us to enjoy the cruises and the shore excursions as much as the hearing people do. Finally, we had the privilege to understand the tour guides, to learn about the history and culture of foreign countries, to understand the onboard work shops, and to enjoy the nightly entertainment. We were part of a world that respected us despite the fact that our ears are filled with silence. How much we appreciated this outstanding and comprehensive service is reflected in the number of deaf cruise passengers who went on a vacation with your cruise lines year after year. Even an entire ship, the Freedom of the Seas, was chartered for a deaf only cruise.

 

We, the deaf community, understand that this service has a hefty price tag especially for cruises outside of the U.S. It was so great to know that there are two companies who opened up our silent world to all the fun and excitement of cruising and went above and beyond the ADA by providing interpreter service for all destinations. You did not deprive us from learning what the world has to offer and you helped us to broaden our knowledge. How disappointed were we when we recently learned that this service will no longer be offered by your companies for sailings that do not start or terminate or have at least one port in the U.S. or Canada . Our daily life is full of struggle for our rights anchored in the U.S. legal system such as the ADA . It was so nice that your companies understood our needs and provided the interpreters without having to fight for it every time. With your recent policy change, the world has changed for us again in a negative way. Try to put yourself in the shoes of a deaf person to see what it is like to be left out if you live in a world of silence. It is like sitting in the back of a tour bus while the tour guide is talking in the front of the bus without a microphone. How much will you enjoy the tour if you do not understand anything? Or it is like watching TV without sound. What can you understand? That is exactly what the deaf community is experiencing in daily life.

 

We, the deaf community, are a group of several million people in the U.S. We would like to ask Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises to continue their marvelous interpreter service for all cruises within and beyond the ADA requirements. We understand that maybe some adjustments have to be done because of the present economical problems in our country. Your companies have always been the leaders in innovation. Royal Caribbean proclaims itself as the Nation of Why Not? So, let the deaf passengers be an equal and respected member of your Nation and reverse the recent decision regarding the interpreter policy.

 

Sincerely,

 

 ———————————————————————————————

April 30, 2009

 

Mr. Dan Hanrahan

President & CEO

Celebrity Cruises

1050 Caribbean Way

Miami FL 33132-2096

 

Dear Mr. Hanrahan,

In the past, thousands of deaf people enjoyed the excellent interpreter service provided world wide by Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. Having interpreters on a cruise makes it possible to be treated equally with hearing passengers. Interpreters are for us the key to the hearing world and allow us to enjoy the cruises and the shore excursions as much as the hearing people do. Finally, we had the privilege to understand the tour guides, to learn about the history and culture of foreign countries, to understand the onboard work shops, and to enjoy the nightly entertainment. We were part of a world that respected us despite the fact that our ears are filled with silence. How much we appreciated this outstanding and comprehensive service is reflected in the number of deaf cruise passengers who went on a vacation with your cruise lines year after year. Even an entire ship, the Freedom of the Seas, was chartered for a deaf only cruise.

 

We, the deaf community, understand that this service has a hefty price tag especially for cruises outside of the U.S. It was so great to know that there are two companies who opened up our silent world to all the fun and excitement of cruising and went above and beyond the ADA by providing interpreter service for all destinations. You did not deprive us from learning what the world has to offer and you helped us to broaden our knowledge. How disappointed were we when we recently learned that this service will no longer be offered by your companies for sailings that do not start or terminate or have at least one port in the U.S. or Canada . Our daily life is full of struggle for our rights anchored in the U.S. legal system such as the ADA . It was so nice that your companies understood our needs and provided the interpreters without having to fight for it every time. With your recent policy change, the world has changed for us again in a negative way. Try to put yourself in the shoes of a deaf person to see what it is like to be left out if you live in a world of silence. It is like sitting in the back of a tour bus while the tour guide is talking in the front of the bus without a microphone. How much will you enjoy the tour if you do not understand anything? Or it is like watching TV without sound. What can you understand? That is exactly what the deaf community is experiencing in daily life.

 

We, the deaf community, are a group of several million people in the U.S. We would like to ask Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises to continue their marvelous interpreter service for all cruises within and beyond the ADA requirements. We understand that maybe some adjustments have to be done because of the present economical problems in our country. Your companies have always been the leaders in innovation. Royal Caribbean proclaims itself as the Nation of Why Not? So, let the deaf passengers be an equal and respected member of your Nation and reverse the recent decision regarding the interpreter policy.

 

Sincerely,

 

———————————————————————————————-

( From: kerstin@kerstinstravel.comHibiscus at Travel 2148 Radnor Rd. Juno Beach FL 33426 phone: 561-748-8766 fax: 561-493-7045)

 

 

Winners Named in National Math Competition at RIT/NTID

Math competition winners announced
For Immediate Release
Contact: Greg.Livadas@rit.edu
(585) 475-6217 (V/TTY)

Winners Named in National Math Competition at RIT/NTID

Rochester, N.Y. – More than 90 students with hearing loss from 13 states participated in the RIT Math Competition for Students with Hearing Loss. The competition, featuring MATHCOUNTS problems, was held April 4 at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf on the RIT campus in Rochester, New York.
This competition – specifically for middle school students who are deaf or hard of hearing – is designed to promote math as fun and engaging.
The competition had three rounds that tested speed, accuracy, teamwork and additional “mathletic” skills. All winners received a plaque and trophy; first-place winners also received $100; second-place winners received $75 and third-place winners received $50.

Top scorers
• First place: Ted Zoerner, Venado Middle School, Irvine, Calif.
• Second place: Vivian Chen, Haggard Middle School, Plano, Texas.
• Third place: Jason Antal, Florida School for the Deaf, St. Augustine, Fla.

Top Teams
• First place: Texas School for the Deaf, Austin (Maggie Kopp, Ilan Ben-Moshe, John McClymond and Chad Cummings).
• Second place: Haggard Middle School, Plano, Texas (Vivian Chen, Casey Lyon, Sam Bowerman and Margaret Teague).
• Third place: Venado Middle School, Irvine, Calif. (Ted Zoerner, Tyler Pugeda and Carly Zwick).

Top Scorer
• Maggie Kopp, Texas School for the Deaf, Austin.

Team with most spirit
• Top Team: Illinois School for the Deaf, Jacksonville (Austin Bernal, Rebecca Hoffman, Jacob Bowen and Lorenzo Turner).
• Honorable mention: Texas School for the Deaf, Austin (Maggie Kopp, Ilan Ben-Moshe, John McClymond and Chad Cummings).

MATHCOUNTS is a national enrichment, coaching and competition program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement through grassroots involvement in every U.S. state and territory. This competition was partially underwritten by a generous grant from the Sprint Foundation.
RIT is internationally recognized as a leader in computing, engineering, imaging technology, fine and applied arts, and for providing unparalleled access and support services for students with hearing loss. NTID, one of RIT’s eight colleges, enables its 1,300 deaf and hard-of-hearing college students from around the world to study, live and socialize with 15,000 hearing students. U.S. News and World Report has consistently ranked RIT among the nation’s leading comprehensive universities. Visit www.rit.edu/NTID/newsroom for more NTID news.

MEDIA NOTE: Photographs of the winners listed above are available.

Marlee Matlin’s experiences with abuse, drugs and violence

Marlee Matlin writes a book (I’ll scream later) about her experiences with abuse, drugs and violence.

Marlee Matlin entered our lives as the deaf pupil turned custodian audiences fell in love with in Children of a Lesser God, a role for which she became the youngest woman ever to win a Best Actress Oscar. More than twenty years after her stunning big screen debut, the Golden Globe- and Emmy-nominated actress is an inspirational force of nature — a mother, an activist, and a role model for millions of deaf and hard-of-hearing people around the world.

In I’ll Scream Later, Marlee takes readers on the frank and touching journey of her life, from the frightening loss of her hearing at eighteen months old to the highs and lows of Hollywood, her battles with addiction, and the unexpected challenges of being thrust into the spotlight as an emissary for the deaf community. She speaks candidly for the first time about the troubles of her youth, the passionate and tumultuous two-year relationship with Oscar winner William Hurt that dovetailed with a stint in rehab, and her subsequent romances with heartthrobs like Rob Lowe, Richard Dean Anderson, and David E. Kelley.
Though she became famous at the age of twenty-one, Marlee struggled all her life to connect with people, fighting against anyone who tried to hold her back. Her own mother often hid behind their communication barrier, and Marlee turned to drugs before she even started high school. However, she found in acting — with the encouragement of her mentor, Henry Winkler— a discipline, a drive, and a talent for understanding the human condition that belied her age and her inability to hear. By the time Hollywood embraced her, she had almost no formal training, a fact that caused many other deaf actors to give her the cold shoulder, even as she was looked upon as a spokesperson for their community.

She has played memorable roles on wildly popular television shows such as Seinfeld, The West Wing, and The L Word, danced a show-stopping cha-cha-cha on Dancing with the Stars, and now, with uncompromising honesty and humor, Marlee shares the story of her life — an enduring tale that is an unforgettable lesson in following your dreams.

Actress Marlee Matlin appears on CNN’s “Larry King Live” on Monday night to talk about her sexual abuse. [Read more...]

For Chicago people, Border Books on 16th St. in OakBrook at 7 pm, Marlee Matlin will be there to sign the book tomorrow night (Friday, April 17th). So, it is your chance to meet her in person.

Local Schedule Appearances (For booksigning)

April 17th – Borders #20, Oak Brook, IL
April 18th – Monteverde Academy, Orlando, FL
April 19th – NTID, Rochester, NY
April 20th – Unique Lives, Denver
April 21st – Cal State Northridge, CA
April 26th – LA Times Book Festival, CA
April 27th – Unique Lives, San Jose
May 6th – Star Ceremony, Hollywood Walk of Fame, CA
May 8th – Barnes & Noble #2089, The Grove, LA

Spread the words to your friends.

ASL FILM IS COMING TO COLORADO April 18th

The Legend of the Mountain Man film will be shown at

Pinnacle Charter School, 1001 W. 84th Ave, Federal Height, Colorado.

Movie Rated PG. $10 Admission. April 18th 3pm-5pm and 7pm-9pm. 

 You can buy a ticket online at www.veditzcenter@org until April 15th. Also, you may buy a ticket from the salespeople anytime until April 18th, contact Bucky at bucky@veditzcenter.org  and he will tell you where to buy a ticket.

For more information about this film at The Legend of the Mountain Man Offical Site:

http://www.aslfilms.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=66&Itemid=71