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NOTE: This is an abbreviated version of the CSCDHH GA Newsletter. Articles not included have the article title in Italics. To get the full text of the newsletter, become a member of CSCDHH. Thank you!!
Community Service Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
1609 19th Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98122-2848
(206) 322-4996 V/TTY
(206) 720-3251 FAX
Interpreter Referral Service (206) 322-5551 V/TTY
CSCDHH Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri - 8:30am - 5:00pm; Wednesday - 11:00am - 7:30pm
CSCDHH GA
December 1996
1996 - Issue #12
I have found that as CSCDHH volunteer fundraising chairperson for the past two years the experience has been both wonderful and a learning one. It was a challenge coordinating the 'traditional' events which seemed most beneficial to CSCDHH as well as providing entertainment for those who wanted to offer their support to CSCDHH. CSCDHH had been fortunate through the years to receive cash contributions from individuals and donated items and gift certificates from local businesses, some which were used for the Bike/Walk-a-thon, Raffle Ticket Drawing, Signing Santa Breakfast and other events that supported CSCDHH.
In an attempt to keep the community informed of fundraising activities, articles were included in the GA providing information about the events. It was hoped that readers would be encouraged to come and participate in these events. For instance, the most popular fundraising event - the monthly Silent Games, held in Seattle and Auburn, was in hot demand by hearing individuals who wished to polish up their signing skills. Some of us watched and waited, like vultures over a dying animal, for anyone who produced a sound, and when they did, request that a penalty be paid. The semi-annual Deaf Bingo Night was another successful event for those who enjoy 'lite' gambling and cash prizes. Finally, CSCDHH's traditional Breakfast with Signing Santa provides wonderful holiday entertainment for deaf kids, who found the event to be their favorite. Other fundraising events included a Raffle Drawing, which advertised fantastic prize giveaways, and CSCDHH's Mariner's Night where many watched the Mariners' top hitter, Ken Griffey, Jr. and his best pals play against Kansas City.
It was fortunate to have had quite a number of volunteers work with to make these events successful over the past years. It was an exhilarating experience to observe motivated volunteers working with such eagerness to help achieve our goals to raise money to support programs at CSCDHH. Thus, my heart goes out to each and every volunteer who was willing to sacrifice their precious time to become actively involved. I would like to share my favorite personal quote that seemed to state why all of the volunteers and myself were willing to do what we did: "We give to feel worthy of ourselves."
I personally would like to say "Thank You" from the
bottom of my heart, to all of the volunteers for the work they've
done, and to all generous contributors for sending donations, and
most importantly, for believing in what we do. I wish each one of
you a wonderful Holiday and a prosperous New Year! I hope to see
you all again next year.
Saturday, December 14th
Signing Santa Breakfast 10:00am - 1:00pm CSCDHH
Silent Games South 7:00pm - 10:00pm Auburn High School
Saturday, January 4th
Silent Games South 7:00pm - 10:00pm Auburn High School
Saturday, January 18thSilent Games Night 7:00pm -
10:00pm CSCDHH Thursday, January 23rd 911/TTY
Community Workshop 6:30pm - 8:30pm CSCDHH
The Auburn Silent Games held at Auburn High School Performing Arts Center has now taken on a life of its own. On top of the party games we all know and love, the night also included a potluck featuring casseroles, salads, cookies and pies. Those who brought food had first pickings, but of course everyone ate their fill.
With a smaller crowd than the CSCDHH Silent Games, people were able to chat more with old friends as well as newcomers like Jon Espeseth and his wife, Glenice with their deaf daughter, Whitney. Hearing about Silent Games through friends, Glenice and Whitney had already attended twice already, but it was a first time for Jon. They want to meet more Deaf people so they could unlearn SEE (Signing Exact English) and learn ASL. Also wanting to meet Deaf people was someone from California who currently lives in Tacoma. I missed the chance to get her name but perhaps we'll meet her again.
A few people were present that had set up tables to sell crafts and other goodies. Maria Davis sold items from the Heart Warming Creations which she had been doing since last June. The decorations featured in the catalog help give houses and apartments a country feeling. Next to her, Christina Phillips set up a table featuring her favorite hobby, cross-stitching. She has cross-stitched for several years when her friends asked her "why not sell some." Her pictures and napkin rings would make good Christmas presents, too.
The CSCDHH Raffle drawing was also held. The prizes included hotel accommodations at a number of expensive hotels, roundtrip airline tickets, bus tours and bicycle rentals. Over 500 tickets were sold. Mike Richardson, a CSCDHH board member, sold some raffle tickets during the night, but Board member Debbie Lindsay still sold the most tickets. One of the winners, Loretta Watanabe, won 3rd prize which was roundtrip tickets to Oakland from Horizon Air.
In order to find that single dollar for that magic ticket, she found herself having to rummage through her coat sorting through such essentials like Halloween candies, Kleenex, and a beach rock. If she had only found five more dollars, she might have won all the prizes. Even so, she now can visit her daughter in Santa Barbara, California.
The evening rounded out with a few old favorites, including a musical chair game (where a few people collided trying to grab that last chair), Buzz, handshapes and something that looked like a human chain forming a live wire.
What's next? The next Auburn Silent Games will be on December
14th at 7:00pm. Don't forget to bring gifts and cookies. Another
CSCDHH event for kids and family will be the Signing Santa
Breakfast on December 14th from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Bring the
kids. For more information, contact CSCDHH at (206) 322-4996
V/TTY. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
In this month's letter, I'll be continuing where I left off last month, when I reviewed the 1996 Annual Meeting, and summarized some of my comments during that meeting. In the first part of my report, I discussed the long-term funding picture of CSCDHH and how the community needs to take charge to ensure that there will be a CSCDHH in the future.
At the 1995 Annual Meeting, Leon Curtis, Manager of the Washington Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, spoke about the importance of individual giving. He said that a tremendous percentage of funds raised by non-profits are from individuals! With United Way and government dollars diminishing, and with increased competition among non-profits for the shrinking pot of funds, CSCDHH will have to depend on a greater percentage of individual giving from the deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing and hearing persons that benefit from CSCDHH's programs and services.
Recently, I heard one person say, "Why should I give to CSCDHH? I don't benefit, none of CSCDHH's services are directly for me." This comes from the perception that CSCDHH service only people with problems; those without problems get nothing from CSCDHH except a newsletter. That simply is not true. For example: The Interpreter Referral Service provides a service for the entire community, referring interpreters for staff meetings, job interviews, court trials, weddings and funerals, workshops, conferences, meetings and many other situations. What if there was no Interpreter Referral Service? Who would match interpreter or communication skills with the needs of individual deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing persons? This service is very much in the "background" but provides the means for over 600 people per month to have communication access.
The 911-TTY Education Program and the Disaster Planning Project, both part of our Community Emergency Education Program, are programs that we hope you never have to use. But, it's nice to know it's there: training 911 operators how to communicate with TTY users during an emergency, and working with local, state and federal emergency planning people to make sure that our community is kept informed in accessible media during a natural or man-made catastrophe.
The Information & Referral Service, like the Interpreter Referral Service, is a program that serves the entire community. A mother suspects her child is deaf: who does she call to find out about services available? Who are the audiologists, who are the educators? What's the difference between oralism and sign language? Which method is appropriate in which situation? What programs are available for the parents? The answers that we are able to provide, and the resources available in our Northwest Library of the Deaf, can make the difference in a child's life. Other questions, such as information on guide dogs for the deaf, vocational programs for the deaf and others, find quick and knowledgeable answers from our Information & Referral Service.
The Community Advocate Program provides information and assistance to individuals and organizations so that communication access is easy to get. This program educates businesses, government and agencies to ensure that systems are in place, so that when it is important for you to have an interpreter, assistive listening device or real-time captioner, you won't be frustrated. And when you are frustrated because someone won't follow the law, we're here to help.
All of these programs are important to the community. So, if someone asks you, "Why should I give to CSCDHH, none of the programs directly benefit me?", you can answer, "To build a healthy community for all of us". We need funds for new equipment, for new programs, for a new building in the future.
Next month, in the final installment of my report to the community, I'll talk about other sources of income for CSCDHH.
We say good-bye and good luck to Chris Pounds, who is leaving her position as Interpreter Referral Service Specialist. Please welcome to CSCDHH two new temporary staff persons. Tom Hulseth will be the Community Advocate until a permanent person is hired early next year. Jan Beechinor will take a leave of absence from her duties on the Board of Trustees to establish the Volunteer Coordination office until a permanent person is hired. Please note elsewhere in this issue the job announcements for three open positions at CSCDHH.
And finally, our own GA newsletter editor, Natalie Brown, was
honored with a Community Service Award at the National Society of
Fund Raising Executives luncheon on November 12, 1996.
Congratulations, Natalie!
Volunteer Coordinator (Paid Position)
Interpreter Referral Specialist
Call Rebekka Berger at (206) 322-4996 V/TTY to get a job
announcement describing these positions. Hurry, the deadline has
been extended! All applications must be at CSCDHH by 5:00pm,
Friday, December 13, 1996.
Changing Telephone Requirements
In June 1996, the regulations for the Hearing Aid
Compatibility Act of 1988 were finalized. As of April 1, 1997,
hearing aid compatiable phones must have the letters HAC (for
hearing aid compatiable) permanently affixed to make them easily
identified. By November 1, 1998, in addition to being hearing aid
compatiable, all telephones manufactured in the United States,
including cordless phones, must have volume control. These
regulations will cover phones in hotels, motels, nursing homes,
and the workplace and the effective dates for these organizations
may vary. (SHHH, Winter 96-97)
Mr. Holland's Opus Available For Sale
Mr. Holland's Opus, the movie that addressed a father's
struggle to overcome his inability to share his passion for music
with his deaf son is now on sale at your local video store.
Academy Award nominee Richard Dreyfuss, portrayed Glenn Holland,
who just as he begins his career as a music teacher becomes a
father - ironically to a child who is born deaf. Consequently,
that which is central to Glenn Holland's life - namely his love
for the "beautiful noise" of music - is something that
he will never be able to share with his son Cole, or so he
thinks. By the end of the film, Glenn Holland realizes the
special needs and committment necessary to develop a relationship
with his son by learning how to communicate his love for music.
Mr. Holland's Opus which is closed captioned and rated PG is also
available for rental.
NewsWaves To Debut in January 1997
Beginning January 1997, NEWSWAVES for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People, a national newspaper will make its debut. The monthly newspaper will be published by Willard Publications, formed by Tom Willard, former editor of Silent News. NEWSWAVES will contain a variety of news and feature articles, photographs, illustrations, and advertisements.
The subscription rates in the United States are $18 for one year; $30 for two years; and $60 for five years. In order to receive the premiere issue, subscription orders must be placed by December 15th.
For more information, contact Willard Publications, 302 N
Goodman St #205A, Rochester, NY 14607; or call (716) 473-5240
TTY, (716) 473-6328 FAX; or email NEWSWAVES@aol.com.
Community Announcements
1993 SCCC English Classmates Sought Elwood Worth, is looking
for any English classmates who attended Seattle Central Community
College in 1993. Call Elwood at (206) 706-7428.
Foster Parents/Support Staff Needed
Seattle Mental Health's Deaf Services is looking to hire
foster parents and support staff to be a part of a therapeutic
team for a 14-year-old severely emotionally disturbed deaf boy.
For more information, call Kathy Freeman at (206) 860-5643 TTY.
Home Heating Assistance Available
The Energy Assistance Program, provided by the Seattle
Department of Housing and Human Services, is offering Seattle
area low income households assistance on home heating needs.
Energy Assistance Program (EAP) benefits range from $25 to as
much as $700 depending on the type of heat and other factors.
Many residents of subsidized public housing may not be eligible
due to their already receiving utility subsidy in their rent.
Furnance repair and replacement is also available for eligible
low income home owners. Applicants must meet the EAP requirements
to receive benefits. City of Seattle residents should call CAMP
(Central Area Motivation Program) at (206) 328-2356 to schedule
an appointment. Satellite offices serving West Seattle/White
Center and Lake City may be accessed by contacting CAMP.
Leads Club Being Formed
Leads Club is being formed for those who are in or want to
start a business. It will provide an effective system for
increasing your business. Leads is not a social club. Leads is a
business dedicated to increasing your business success and the
success of all members. There is no membership fee to join. For
more information, contact Steven Hougland, Fax (360) 733-4408 or
email: erich@az.com.
Jewish Family Services is offering a presentation by Tom
Hokanson, a retired Social Security administrator who represents
a national estate planning clearinghouse for people with
disabilities. The presentation, titled Estate Planning for People
with Disabilities, will be held at the Jessie Danz Building of
Jewish Family Services (1601 16th Ave, Seattle). Cost for
attending is $5 per person. For more information or to register,
contact Bill Drummond at (206) 461-3240 x228.
Bi-Bi Vision will be providing gift wrapping service for
purchases made at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore, University
Village in Seattle. Donations will be greatly appreciated and
help support Bi-Bi Vision. Contact Lori Seago at (206) 323-5770
V/TTY for more information.
ACT presents an ASL interpreted performance of A Christmas
Carol at its new Allen Arena (Kreielseimer Place, 700 Union,
Seattle). In A Christmas Carol the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge goes
through a change of heart after visits from the ghosts of
Christmas Past, Present, and Future. The performance begins at
7:30pm. Assistive listening devices are available free of charge.
For information, contact ACT Box Office at (206) 292-7676 V or
(206) 292-7665.
The Northwest American Sign Language Teacher's Association
(NWASLTA) and Abused Deaf Women's Advocacy Services (ADWAS) is
sponsoring professional workshops, titled Visual Readiness in ASL
Classes and Laughing Makes ASL Learning Easy: Incorporating Humor
in ASL Classes by E. Lynn Jacobowitz, Assistant Professor in the
Department of American Sign Language, Linguistics and
Interpretation at Gallaudet University. The workshops will be
held at ADWAS from 9:30am and 2:45pm respectively. Registration
deadline is December 3, 1996 and registration is $35 per person.
Contact ADWAS at (206) 726-0093 TTY for more information.
I-5 NW Association of Signers will be holding their monthly
bowling and social at the Hollywood Bowl (4030 NE Halsey St,
Portland) from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. All signing and non-signing
people are invited. Everyone is encouraged to wear greed, red, or
gold for the holidays. Cost: Adults - $1.75 per game, $1.50
shoes; Children - $1.50 per game, $1.00 shoes. For more
information, contact David and Cindy Campbell, 3209 NW Oar Dr,
Lincoln City, OR 97367; call (541) 996-9614 V/TTY or (541)
996-9617 FAX or email: ninedown@ix.netcom.com.
Seattle Arts and Lectures presents a lecture, titled Why Not
To Write a Memoir, by Mary Karr at the 5th Avenue Theatre (1308
5th Ave, Seattle) beginning at 7:30pm. Karr has won Pushcart
Prizes for both her poetry and essays. The Liars' Club - Karr's
brilliant, nightmarish, darkly comic story of her East Texas
childhood as the daughter of an alcoholic mother and oil worker
father - was a National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist,
selected as one of the best books of 1995 by Time and The New
Yorker. To arrange for sign language interpretation, the Seattle
Arts and Lectures office need to be contacted by December 2nd.
For more information, call (206) 621-2230.
The Bathhouse Theatre (7312 W Greenlake Dr N, Seattle) will
presents an ASL interpreted performance of The Gin Game beginning
at 7:30pm. The Gin Game, a Pultizer Prize-winning play is a
poignant comedy about Weller Martin and Fonsia Dorsey, residents
of a retirement home who are bound together by circumstances
beyond their control. Over the course of several weeks, they play
a serious gin rummy games, during which they confront their
feelings about growing older. Tickets are $20 for adults, $16 for
students and seniors. For tickets and information, call the
Bathhouse Box Office at (206) 524-9108.
CSCDHH's Signing Santa Breakfast begins at 10:00am. See
enclosed flyer for more details.
Deaf Connection will be having their monthly meeting at
CSCDHH's Signing Santa Breakfast at CSCDHH's Laurent Clerc Hall
(1609 19th Ave, Seattle) from 10:00am to 12 Noon. CSCDHH needs to
be notified in advance as to the number of adults and children
attending. Contact Chris Opie at (206) 547-8339 V/TTY regarding
Deaf Connection or CSCDHH at (206) 322-4996 V/TTY regarding
Signing Santa Breakfast (flyer enclosed).
Silent Games South at Auburn High School begins at 7:00pm.
See flyer for more details.
An ASL interpreted performance of Singin' in the Rain will be
held at the 5th Avenue Theatre starting at 7:30pm. Assistive
listening devices are also available. Tickets are specially
priced at $19. Contact the 5th Avenue Theatre Box Office at (206)
625-0235 V for ticket or assistive listening device reservations.
Limited tickets reserved for seating near interpreters.
Group Theatre (305 Harrison St, Seattle) is presenting an ASL
interpreted performance of Voices of Christmas at 7:30pm. Voices
of Christmas is a lively and touching celebration of world
holiday song, dance and story that is ideal for the entire
family. Tickets are priced at $20 for adults and $17 for students
and seniors. Contact (206) 441-1299 for more information.
Intiman Theatre (Playhouse, Seattle Center) presents an ASL
interpreted performance of Having Our Say. Having Our Say is
based on the true story of two African-American sisters, Sadie
and Betsy Delaney, who both are over 100 years old. The sisters
and their stories are unforgettable. The performance begins at
7:00pm and tickets are $24. Call Intiman Box Office for more
details at (206) 269-1900.
Lakewood Theatre (10101 Plaza Dr, Lakewood) is presenting an
ASL interpreted performance of Roald Dahl's charming children's
classic Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. A magic chocolate
factory, a mystical island and a search for a golden ticket make
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory a super sweet adventure. Come
watch as a group of lucky children with golden tickets tour the
mysterious Willy Wonka Candy Factory...where everyone is in for a
big surprise! Only a good heart and a generous soul can win the
keys to this candy land. The performance starts at 8:00pm. Call
(206) 588-0042 for tickets and information.
Silent Games South at Auburn High School from 7:00pm to
10:00pm. More details in January's issue.
Silent Games Night at CSCDHH from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. Details
in January.
Seattle Children's Theatre presents a sign language
interpreted performance of Pinocchio, a world premiere musical.
Pinocchio, the puppet, longs to become a real little boy. But
unlike real little boys, he doesn't like to work, or tell the
truth, or follow good advice, or do as he's told, or go to
school. On top of all that, he has a wooden head, no ears and
feet that won't behave. Pinnochio will begin at 2:00pm and costs
$17.50 for adults and $11.50 for students and seniors to attend.
To reserve tickets or get more information, call (206) 441-3322
V/TTY.
CSCDHH will be presenting a 911/TTY Community Workshop from
6:30pm to 8:30pm at CSCDHH's Laurent Clerc Hall. The workshop
will discuss topics ranging from how 911 works and how to call
911 to what to do or not do when calling 911 and how to file
complaints. More information to be included in January's GA.. For
information, call Janel Stromme at (206) 322-4996 TTY.
AT&T Community Forum at CSCDHH beginning at 7:00pm. See
advertisement in this issue of the GA.
In the November issue of the GA, the name of one of the cast
members interviewed for the Seattle Children's Theatre
production, The Taste of Sunrise: Tuc's Story, was incorrectly
listed as Ashton Sanderson. The name should have read Nathan
Elliott. CSCDHH apologizes for any inconvenience caused by this
error.
December 26, 1996 will mark the 211st birthday anniversary of
Laurent Clerc. Test your knowledge of this important figure in
the Deaf community as well as American history.
How old was Laurent Clerc when he arrived in America on a ship from France on August 9, 1816?
What did Clerc do while in France?
Whose idea was it that Clerc come to America?
Who was the woman that Clerc married?
Why is the American School for the Deaf, established April
15, 1817, in Hartford, Connecticut, important in American
history?
Answers:
Clerc was 30 years old when he arrived in America.
Clerc taught at his alma mater in Paris. It was Thomas H.
Gallaudet's idea. Gallaudet was convinced that it was Clerc who
was best qualified to teach deaf children and young adults at the
new school planned in America.
Clerc married Elizabeth Boardman, his former student. It was
the first recorded marriage between two deaf people in the United
States.
The American School for the Deaf was the first public school
in North America designed to formally educate people with a
disability. The next such school, Perkins School for the Blind,
was founded by Samuel Howe in 1832. It wasn't until 1839 that the
first public school for 'normal' (hearing and sighted students)
was founded by Horace Mann. Both Howe and Mann visited schools
for the deaf in Europe and compared them with schools for the
deaf in America in order to learn more about developing effective
public educational institutions. (FOLDA-USA, 11/6/96)
General Description
The Community Service Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
(CSCDHH) of Seattle, Washington is opening a .75 FTE (30
hours/week) Community Advocate position. There is a strong
possibility the the position will be full-time (40 hours/week) at
the time of hire or shortly thereafter. The person hired for this
position will provide training opportunities and advocacy for
deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing people in Seattle and the
region. Responsibilities include a) advocating for communication
access, b) promoting recognition and understanding of the
community's cultural, linguistic and accessibility needs, and c)
coordinating activities and/or providing training to enhance the
ability of community members to empower themselves and live
independently.
General Description
The Community Service Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CSCDHH) of Seattle, Washington has openings for full- and part-time Interpreter Referral Specialists. Qualified applicants will also be placed on a register for anticipated future expansion of positions.
CSCDHH maintains the Interpreter Referral Service (IRS),
which receives requests from individuals/consumers, agencies,
businesses and courts, primarily in King, Snohomish and Whatcom
counties, and then contacts and refers certified interpreters as
vendors to provide service for the requests. The IRS contracts
with local agencies and businesses to provide interpreting
services for deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing individuals, as
well as providing 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a week service for
hospital emergency rooms in King County. During a typical month
over 500 contacts are received with 95% of the requests being
filled from a pool of 90 freelance interpreters. The IRS is
staffed by the Interpreter/Referral Coordinator and full- and
part-time Interpreter Referral Specialists.
General Description
The Community Service Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
(CSCDHH) of Seattle, Washington is opening a .50 FTE (20
hours/week) Volunteer Coordinator position. The person hired for
this position will be responsible for organizing and maintaining
a volunteer program, including program design, volunteer
recruitment, program implementation, and volunteer recognition.
Volunteers are used in a variety of activities that benefit the
community, CSCDHH and the volunteer.
Application Deadline 5 PM, Friday, December 13, 1996. Faxed,
late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
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