DEAF WATCH----MARCH 1998 Greetings! Ten years ago this month, the Deaf community at Gallaudet University made a bold move to try influence the Gallaudet board into giving themselves an opportunity to prove they can run a school. They succeeded by forcing the board to accept late deafened I. King Jordan as the first Deaf president of the school. Back then this historic event was an inspiration not only to me but to the Deaf communities around the globe. Now with the festivities commemorating the tenth anniversary of this historic event rolling into action, I must say I wish I could share the same visions and excitement as Gallaudet. (** To sum it up, the newsletter has received various conflicting information from a plethora of sources and has mixed feelings with regards to the DPN anniversary. The details are being reviewed at this time and it is not a good idea to carry this information at this time. **) Deaf people already have enough obstacles to overcome in their quest for productive lives. Things like poor ADA enforcement, employers playing the discrimination game with a smile, and harassment from lack of effective communication in almost every aspect of human activity are all actively discouraging the Deaf community from seeking productive lives. We're already seeing judges chipping the teeth away from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with their mallets. Unless we take action, the courts will continue to gut the intentions of ADA. And recently U.S. congress is already threatening to roll back some of our protections. This could mean more obstacles for us. We dont need any more obstacles anywhere or at least at our 'home school' for goodness sakes! Deaf Watch Newsletter will celebrate DPN 10th anniversary through a number of activities designed to encourage employers to hire Deaf people and by promoting Deaf businesses and several other activities. Deaf Watch Newsletter is 100% committed to helping Deaf people lead productive lives. Lets all shift the focus of this anniversary celebration to the Deaf people who did all this for us. DEAF PEOPLE NOW! ************************************************************* NEW NAD CONFERENCE EXHIBIT RATES FOR DEAF-OWNED BUSINESSES ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR ORGANIZATIONAL AFFILIATES SILVER SPRING, MD -- The National Association of the Deaf (NAD), for the first time in conference history, will offer special exhibit booth rates to businesses owned by deaf and hard of hearing people. Attended by more than 3,000, the biennial NAD Conferences offer an excellent opportunity to showcase businesses owned by deaf and hard of hearing persons. Recognizing that the full, for-profit rate might not be within reach of such businesses, the NAD now offers reduced rates. This is one of many changes in connection with the 44th Biennial NAD Conference in San Antonio, July 7-11, 1998. The official name of the biennial meeting was changed from "convention" to "conference", along with a greater emphasis being placed on learning, information exchange, and greater participation in the future direction and focus of the NAD. COMMERCIAL RATE* (Deaf-Owned Businesses, Only) Before 12/31/97 -- $600/booth Before 4/15/98 -- $650/booth After 4/15/98 -- $700/booth *Deaf-owned businesses who reserved an exhibit booth prior to these new rates are requested to contact Mike Kane 301-587-4878 TTY; 301-587-1788 Voice; 301-587-1791 FAX; or via email, MikeKane83@aol.com. What are the Benefits of Exhibiting at the 1998 NAD Conference? o Showcase and promote your products o Showcase your services o Promote your organization o Promote your event o Network with exhibitors, conference participants, NAD members o Exchange information o Expand your visibility o Recruit members, customers Bob Harris, Harris Communications, had this comment about the new exhibitor rates, "This is a positive step in NAD's efforts to recognize, recruit, and encourage more deaf business owners to showcase their products and/or services. I have always told my deaf business colleagues that [the] NAD Conference is the best place to let conference attendees know about their companies." NAD ORGANIZATIONAL AFFILIATION OFFERED Additional NAD Conference discounts and benefits are available to corporate businesses that affiliate with the NAD. Affiliate membership is open to all for-profit entities having an interest in the welfare of deaf and hard of hearing Americans. Entities doing business in 10 or more states are categorized as "national" affiliates with an annual membership rate of $1,000. Those doing business in 10 or fewer states are classified as "state" affiliates with an annual membership rate of $500. Contact the NAD Headquarters for information on and benefits of becoming an organizational affiliate. The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is the nation's largest constituency organization safeguarding the accessibility and civil rights of 28 million deaf and hard of hearing Americans in education, employment, health care, and telecommunications. A private, non-profit organization, the NAD is a dynamic federation of 51 state association affiliates including the District of Columbia, organizational affiliates, and direct members. Primary areas of focus include grassroots advocacy and empowerment, captioned media, deafness-related information and publications, legal assistance, policy development and research, public awareness, and youth leadership development. More information on the NAD can found on the World Wide Web at http://www.nad.org. ************************************************************* ADA AND IDEA THREATENED AGAIN IN CONGRESS!!!!!!! Reg Reform Endangers ADA, IDEA, Again! Once again Congress is looking to weaken our rights. The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee heard testimony on the Thompson/Levin regulatory "reform" bill for the second time on Tuesday, February 24th. As in the last hearing, Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) voiced opposition to broad, comprehensive regulatory reform in favor of a statute-by-statute approach. Lieberman he also expressed concern that the S.981 would push agencies to elevate cost considerations above public protection. Both Sens. Max Cleland (D-GA) and Daniel Akaka (D-HI) participated with helpful questions, asking about the bill's impact on the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Endangered Species Act respectively. The hearing began with testimony from Govs. George Voinovich (D-OH) and Ben Nelson (D-NE), who both testified in support of the bill on behalf of the National Governors' Association. Micheal Resnick, of the National School Boards Association. supported the bill, and opened up a whole new area of public interest concern -- the impact this bill would have on civil rights, human services, and education. He pointed out that the regulations implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act imposed significant cost on schools. The implication was that under S. 981, programs like IDEA would have less forceful regulations so that schools, rather than parents, would have greater control. His testimony made it clear that there would be many special interests that want to use the requirements under S. 981 to curtail or limit civil rights, such as those created by IDEA. Next comes markup, which will be held on Thursday, March 5, and is tentatively set for 2 p.m. For more info contact: Reece Rushing CSS Coordinator, OMB Watch Phone: 202-234-8494 Fax: 202-234-5150 E-mail: rushingr@rtknet.org -- Fred Fay Justice For All Moderator jfa@mailbot.com ************************************************************* DISABLED U.S. GOLFER WINS RIGHT TO USE CART ON PRO TOUR EUGENE, Ore. - A disabled golfer who "just wanted a chance to play" Wednesday won his legal battle for the right to use a cart in professional tournament events. U.S. Magistrate Thomas Coffin ruled that under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) the Professional Golfers Association Tour was obligated to make an exception from its rules for Casey Martin, a promising 25-year-old player who suffers from a circulation disorder that makes it extremely painful for him to walk. In enacting the 1990 law, "Congress intended to protect disabled individuals not only from intentional discrimination but also from indifference," Coffin said in explaining his decision after a six-day trial. The PGA Tour said it would appeal the decision, which also applies to its junior-level Nike Tour circuit, where Martin competes. "We believe strongly in the central role walking plays for all competitors in tournament championship golf," the organization said in a statement. "The PGA Tour believes that the ADA was not designed or intended to apply to competitors in professional sporting events." A jubilant Martin, whose case attracted an outpouring of support from disabled rights groups, said he hoped the ruling would embolden others to fight for equal opportunities. He reiterated his position that a cart will give him a fair chance but no an advantage over able-bodied golfers who can walk. "I just wanted a chance to play," said Martin. "I wouldn't have done this if I thought I'd have an advantage." Martin testified during the trial he has suffered since birth from Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome, a progressive condition that has caused his right leg to atrophy and ultimately could require its amputation. Unless he elevates the leg or wears two special compression socks, the blood pools in his knee and lower leg, making it feel "like it's going to blow up," Martin testified. He also suffers sharp pains in his knee, ankle and back because the condition has rendered one leg slightly longer than the other. Martin began using a cart while competing in NCAA college events, which provide for medical exceptions. Last month, riding in a cart under a temporary order from Coffin, Martin won the Nike Tour's Lakeland Classic event in Florida and promptly snagged an endorsement contract from Nike. Since then the publicity about his plight has generated other endorsement offers and even talk of a movie deal. "I hope Tom Cruise will play me," he joked. During the trial pro golfing greats Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, testifying by videotape, argued that walking is an integral part of championship golf, testing the stamina of competitors over many days and in varying conditions. But Martin and other pro golfers testified that a cart does not confer any advantage, saying that walking the four or five miles (six to eight km) of a typical round allows golfers to establish a rhythm and control their emotions. Coffin's decision applies only to PGA Tour events in the United States and not to major events such as the Masters and U.S. Open, which are governed by other organizations. Now that the trial is over, Martin plans to move from his hometown of Eugene to the San Francisco Bay Area and prepare for his next tournament, the Greater Austin Open in Texas. "I hope the PGA would reconsider its position on appealing the case, put it all behind them and let Casey play good golf," Martin's lawyer William Wiswall said following the ruling. "If they'll just embrace him, they'll find out he will be a great draw." By Brett Campbell ************************************************************* DEAF WATCH WEBSITE HAS NEW ADDITIONS 1) Orange County and Deaf Workers of Orange County have been fortified resources. 2) Jobs for Deaf page has been added. 3) 2 new surveys have been added to the Your Opinion Counts page. 4) Employer of the month page has been added. ************************************************************* DEAF UNDERDOG BEATS THE ODDS After playing baseball for 14 years, Kevin Boudreau Jr. went from junior varsity to varsity player in one year for the Bloomfield Hills Lahser. After being toyed with and picked on by his teammates in his 7th grade year, he went on to establish himself as a contributing teammember of Bloomfield Hills Middle School. Kevin was the starting shortstop in 9th grade on the freshman team and batted .300, as a sophomore he batted .391 as the starting Centerfielder for the junior varsity, and .343 as a junior. He won the most improved player award his junior year. Kevin was recently accepted by Gallaudet University for the Fall of 1998. He hopes to become a physical education teacher for the Deaf and Hearing impaired students. He has plans to play on the Gallaudet baseball team. He prides his Bloomfield Hills Lahser number 36 after Curtis Pride, a Deaf outfielder for the Boston Red Sox. His real pride lies in that he didn't quit when baseball became a real challenge. ************************************************************* AWARD-WINNING BLACK DEAF FILMMAKER TO SHOW WORK AT 1998 ANNUAL ASL/DEAF CULTURE LECTURE SERIES Charlottesville, Virginia-- The 1998 Annual ASL/Deaf Culture Lecture Series got off to an exciting start last week, when Ted Supalla fascinated the audience with his research into the evolution of American Sign Language which was highlighted by showing rare archival films of deaf people signing. On Monday, March 2, the Lecture Series will continue its focus on Deaf Cinema when Ann Marie "Jade" Bryan, discusses "Using Film to Create Change in Our Community." Bryan, an up-and-coming black deaf filmmaker, has written, produced, and directed two short award-winning films: "Cutting the Edge of a Free Bird" and "Listen to the Hands of Our People." She will be showing clips from both and discussing them during her lecture. Bryan, who was born in Jamaica, has lived in New York since the age of five. She has a BFA in film from New York University and has shown her work at a variety of film festivals. She is the founder of DeafVision Filmworks and Jade Films, Inc. Last summer, she worked under Jonathan Demme on the film "Beloved" starring Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover. The Lecture Series will also feature Dawn Skwersky on March 24 and Lawrence Fleischer on April 16. All lectures will begin at 7 p.m. in McLeod Hall Auditorium on the University of Virginia campus. They are free and open to the public. Voice-over English interpretation will be provided for non-signing members of the audience. The Annual ASL/Deaf Culture Lecture Series has become a much-anticipated event in recent years. The series has brought a wide variety of talented Deaf scholars and performers to Central Virginia to discuss such topics as Deaf history and culture; the linguistics of American Sign Language (ASL); ASL poetry, theater, and storytelling; Deaf artwork; and so forth. This year's program is co-sponsored by: the UVA American Sign Language Program; the UVA College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Board; the UVA Drama Dept.; the UVA Graduate Student Council; the UVA Office of the Vice President and Provost; the Parents’ Program of the UVA Fund; the UVA Psychology Dept.; the UVA Women's Center; the Virginia Association of the Deaf (VAD); the Skyline and Greater Richmond chapters of VAD; the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind-Staunton; and the Charlottesville Optimist Club. For more information, contact either of the co-directors: Lisa J. Berke (TTY: 804-295-8871; Voice Relay: 1-800-828-1140; e-mail: ljb9r@virginia.edu) or Chris Krentz (e-mail: ck9m@virginia.edu), or send a fax to 924-1350. ************************************************************* MORE DEAF SLAVERY FOUND IN TEXAS EL PASO, Texas, Feb. 13 (UPI) Two women from Fabens, Texas, have been charged with involuntary servitude, accused by federal authorities of holding four Mexican nationals, including two deaf-mutes, against their will. The story is at : http://biz.yahoo.com/upi/98/02/13/general_state_and_regional_news/usservitu_2.html ************************************************************* RESOURCE OF THE MONTH: ADA Consultants / Network Consulting This website is a promising resource for Deaf and Disabled individuals seeking legal representation. It's presently in construction now and it is set to carry a database of ADA attorneys throughout the United States. This is one resource we all have been waiting for! Url : http://www.istal.com/smoke/index.htm ************************************************************* Disability Lawsuit List. $1.4 million for disability discrimination was awarded by a Sacramento jury for failing to accommodate an engineer who was disabled by multiple sclerosis, and then harassing her into quitting. Richards v. Ch2m Hill, Inc., Sacramento County Sup. Ct., No. CV538663, 7-14-97 ************************************************************* This month's recipients of the Deaf Watch GOLD Award. Satchers Designs (http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Union/5568/index.html) The Lair of the Leather Goddess (http://members.aol.com/Aethelflae) Good one to check out! Let's give these sites a round of applause and a visit too!! ************************************************************* This month's recipients of the Deaf Watch Award. Royal Ulster Constabulary (http://www.ruc.police.uk/) Great site! Other police sites should follow this example! ************************************************************* "You should believe that you can do something and have the courage to try." George Magnum (Deaf Wheel of Fortune player) ************************************************************* "My possibilities are endless." Travis Roy former Boston University's hockey player paralyzed from his debut game injury that ended his hockey career. ************************************************************* Letters from readers. I am writing a research paper on deaf education in a deaf school vs. deaf eduation in a hearing school. I am having difficulties finding published material on this topic. Can you recommend and editorial newspapers, new letters, magazines or books? I need advocates for both sides. I would appreciate any leads you can give me. Please e-mail me at DorsettDsn@aol.com Thank you, Hilda ------------------------------------------------------------- - DEAF WATCH - Federal ID Number : 33-0765412 - Circulation by EMAIL : 300 Subscribers - Chief Editor/Editor : Richard Roehm - Orange County, California - Internet : Deaf@activist.com - Nesmuth@hwsys.com - ICQ #: 7389913 | Handle: SilentKnight - DEAF WATCH Http://www.deafwatch.com - Http://home.hwsys.com/users/roehm/deaf.htm - Visit Http://home.hwsys.com/users/roehm/nez.htm ---------------------------------------------------------- - Education is the best gift that lasts a lifetime! - Help someone subscribe to The Deaf Watch Newsletter ---------------------------------------------------------- - SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION - To be added to the mailing list, send "SUBSCRIBE" - To be deleted from the mailing list send "DELETE" - to this address NESMUTH@HWSYS.COM - Please include the subject line of newsletter. - - Mailing lists are never sold/given to anyone. ------------------------------------------------------------- - Need to stay on the net? 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