DEAF WORKERS OF ORANGE COUNTY PROJECT -- DEAF WORKERS WEEKLY BULLETIN -- October 30, 1999 Greetings, I don't know much about the misleadingly named "California Coalition of Agencies Serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCASDHH)" known to many as "Deaf Coalition", but I do know that these anti-English "forces" are playing a losing game with California's history, that they're on their way out, that California society of people with hearing disabilities in the 21st Century will not tolerate anything or anyone which prevents the attainment of a good and abundant future which awaits themselves. Enabling Californians with hearing disabilities to enjoy a productive use of English whether it be face-to-face communication with hearing people, or on a cell phone, or on a computer is good, can only do good, and anybody who denounces this goodness is out of their heads. A powerful communicative bi-lingualism, fluent communicative command of both Sign Language, oral skills, and English, is where the real power is found! This is exactly what people with hearing disabilities need to build a solid future of abundant wealth in all dimensions politically, financially, personally, and spiritually. Anyone who puts down the real power of communicative bi-lingualism should be escorted to their own gulags where they can toil away with their anti-English rhetoric in a vast empty wasteland suitable to their souls and their own purposes. Californians with hearing disabilities need fulfillment at its richest, at its best. They do not need the nonsense of the anti-English CCASDHH crybabies among themselves. If you know anyone who is a member of or who works for any of these agencies or organizations under the CCASDHH flagship, call them and ask them to ask the agency to discontinue their membership to this ridiculous coalition that is leading people with hearing disabilities to the middle of nowhere where there is no hope, future, and productivity for people with hearing disabilities. Help us dismantle and remove the last vestiges of the "Deaf Coalition" that actively discourages fresh, new, and progressive leadersip among Californians with hearing disabilities. Richard Roehm ---- SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION SLATED TO HELP PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES GET OFF WELFARE AND INTO PRODUCTIVE WORK U.S. Small Business Administration NEWS RELEASE PRESS OFFICE Release Date: October 20, 1999 Contact: Patricia L. Young (202) 205-6740 Release Number: 99-87 Internet Address: www.sba.gov/news/ U.S. Small Business Administration and Social Security Administration Join Forces to Help Americans with Disabilities WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) have joined forces to help improve employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for Americans with disabilities. As part of President Clinton's Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities, the two federal agencies signed a partnership agreement to coordinate the efforts of SBA's Welfare-to-Work initiative and the SSA's Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs to help adults with disabilities find gainful employment or become entrepreneurs. Vice President Al Gore witnessed the signing ceremony today in the Indian Treaty Room of the Old Executive Office Building. "When the President created the Employment of Adults with Disabilities Task Force, the SBA became an enthusiastic and committed member," SBA Administrator A?da Alvarez said. "We have undertaken an aggressive outreach campaign to inform people with disabilities about SBA programs and services. The partnership with Social Security is another step forward to link small businesses seeking workers with Americans with disabilities." "As a nation, we are best served when all of our citizens have the opportunity to contribute their talent, ideas and energy to the workforce," Commissioner of Social Security Kenneth S. Apfel said. "President Clinton and Vice President Gore have made employment of persons with disabilities one of their highest priorities." As part of the agreement the SBA and SSA plan to advise their respective field offices of the important role each agency can play by coordinating the efforts of SBA's Welfare-to-Work initiative and the SSA's Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs. Each agency will encourage its field offices to cooperate at the local level, share information about businesses and non-profit organizations that train beneficiaries with disabilities, and work together on job fairs and other community outreach activities. The partnership agreement is the result of a presidential executive order, which created the President's Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities in 1998. The SBA and 10 other federal agencies are working together to develop small business and entrepreneurial activities for adults with disabilities and to increase the employment rates as close as possible to that of the general adult population. For more information on these and other SBA programs, call the SBA Answer Desk at 1-800-U-ASK-SBA, or visit the SBA's extensive website at www.sba.gov. ---- FCC RESHAPES FOR THE FUTURE ESTABLISHES NEW ENFORCEMENT BUREAU, CONSUMER INFORMATION BUREAU AND DISABILITIES RIGHTS OFFICE TO BE EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 8, 1999 Washington, DC * The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today announced the official creation of two new bureaus * the Enforcement Bureau and the Consumer Information Bureau * that will become effective November 8, 1999. FCC Chairman William Kennard made the announcement during testimony today before the House Telecommunications Subcommittee on the FCC's 5-Year Strategic Plan. The change will enhance the FCC's ability to serve the public by improving the effectiveness of the agency's enforcement program in an increasingly competitive communications marketplace. It also maximizes the ability of consumers to obtain quick, clear and consistent information about their rights under communications law. Kennard said, "Our decision to establish bureaus devoted exclusively to enforcement and consumer information signals the enormous importance of these functions in our transitions from an industry regulator to a market facilitator. This reorganization is the first step in a larger effort to streamline and modernize the FCC. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues at the Commission and in Congress to implement the additional measures that will be critical to redefining ourselves as we enter the 21st Century." Kennard said David H. Solomon has been named Bureau Chief of the Enforcement Bureau, which consolidates enforcement functions and personnel from the Commission's existing Common Carrier, Mass Media, Wireless Telecommunications, and Compliance and Information Bureau. Jane E. Mago and Bradford M. Berry will be Deputy Bureau Chiefs and Richard K. Welch will be Associate Bureau Chief. Solomon has been Deputy General Counsel since 1994. Kennard announced his intention to name Lorraine C. Miller to be Bureau Chief of the Consumer Information Bureau, which consolidates the FCC's Gettysburg Call Center, the Office of Public Affairs' Public Service and Reference Operating Divisions, most of the existing staff in the Wireless Telecommunications and Common Carrier Bureaus responsible for facilitating resolution of informal consumer complaints, and staff from other bureaus responsible for handling public information requests. Miller is presently Director of the Office of Congressional Relations at the Federal Trade Commission. Pamela Hairston and Karen Peltz Strauss will be Deputy Bureau Chiefs. Strauss is Legal Counsel for Telecommunications Policy at the National Association of the Deaf. The Consumer Information Bureau will also have a Disabilities Rights Office, which will provide guidance to the Commission on disability accessibility policy, to ensure that Americans with disabilities will benefit from the telecommunications revolution. Pam Gregory will be Chief of the Disabilities Rights Office. She is currently in the Office of Plans and Policy, and is the Acting Director of the Disabilities Issues Task Force. Meryl Icove, the previous Director of the Disabilities Issues Task Force, is on a leave of absence, and will return to the Commission to continue to work on disability policy. The Commission is retaining a small stand-alone Office of Media Relations responsible for interacting with members of the news media and for overseeing the agency's website. Joy Howell has been named Chief of the Office; Maureen Peratino and David Fiske will serve as Deputies. All three presently serve in the same capacities in the Office of Public Affairs, which will cease to exist once the reorganization is effective. News Media Contact: Rosemary Kimball (202) 418-0500 voice, (202) 418-2555 TTY. E-mail questions on disability and accessibility can be sent to access@fcc.gov. ---- HERE IS A SNEAK PREVIEW OF THE CALIFORNIA BALLOT PROPOSITIONS FOR MARCH 2000 BOND ACTS Bond Act Proposition 12 - AB 18 (Chapter 461, 1999). Villaraigosa. Bond: Parks, Water and Coastal Protection Act. (Note: SB 1147 revises certain provisions of AB 18) Bond Act Proposition 13 - AB 1584 (Chapter 725, 1999). Machado. Bond: Safe Drinking Water, Clean Water, Watershed Protection, and Flood Protection Act. Bond Act Proposition 14 - SB 3 (Chapter 726, 1999). Rainey. Bond: California Reading and Literacy Improvement and Public Library Construction and Renovation Bond Act of 2000. Bond Act Proposition 15 - AB 1391 (Chapter 727, 1999). Hertzberg. Bond: Forensic Laboratories. Bond Act Proposition 16 - SB 630 (Chapter 728, 1999). Dunn. Bond: Veterans' Homes. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS Legislative Constitutional Amendment Proposition 17 - SCA 4 (Resolution Chapter 123, 1999). McPherson. Lotteries: Charitable Raffles. An act to amend Section 19 of Article IV, relating to charitable raffles. Legislative Constitutional Amendment Proposition 1A - SCA 11 (Resolution Chapter 142, 1999). Burton. Gambling. An act to amend Section 19 of Article IV, relating to gambling. (Note: AB 1099 requires SCA 11 to be denoted as Proposition 1A). LEGISLATIVE INITATIVE AMENDMENTS Legislative Initiative Amendment Proposition 18 - SB 1878 (Chapter 629, 1998). Kopp. Murder: Special Circumstances. An act to amend Section 190.2 of the Penal Code, relating to murder. Legislative Initiative Amendment Proposition 19 - SB 1690 (Chapter 760, 1998). Rainey. Peace Officers An act to amend sections of the penal code relating to peace officers. Legislative Initiative Amendment Proposition 20 - AB 1453 (Chapter 800, 1998). Cardenas. California State Lottery: Cardenas Textbook Act of 2000 An act to amend Section 8880.4 of the Government Code, relating to the state lottery. INITATIVE STATUTES Initiative Statute Proposition 21 - 802. (SA97RF0076). Juvenile Crime. Initiative Statute. Proponent: Pete Wilson, David La Bahn, c/o Richard D. Martland (916) 446-6752 Increases punishment for gang-related felonies; death penalty for gang-related murder; indeterminate life sentences for home-invasion robbery, carjacking, witness intimidation and drive-by shootings; creates crime of recruiting for gang activities; and authorizes wiretapping for gang activities. Requires adult trial for juveniles 14 or older charged with murder or specified sex offenses; eliminates informal probation for juveniles committing felonies. Requires registration of gang members committing felonies; allows disclosure of information on juveniles committing serious felonies; limits sealing of violent offenses committed by juveniles14 or older; requires statewide reporting of felony juvenile records. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: This measure would result in unknown major net costs to the state of at least hundreds of millions of dollars annually and one-time costs of at least several hundreds of millions. It would also result in unknown net costs to local governments of at least tens of millions of dollars annually, and tens of millions to hundreds of million dollars in one-time costs. Initiative Statute Proposition 22 - 819. (SA98RF0014). Definition of Marriage. Proponent: Senator William J. "Pete" Knight Adds a provision to the Family Code providing that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: This measure would likely have no direct fiscal effect on state and local governments. Initiative Statute Proposition 23 - 827. (SA98RF0021). "None of the Above" Ballot Option. Initiative Statute. Teri Shugart Erickson (650) 508-8682 and Alan F. Shugart (831) 479-7431 Provides that in general, special, primary and recall elections for President, Vice President, United States House of Representatives and Senate, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Controller, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Insurance Commissioner, Board of Equalization, State Assembly and State Senate, voters may vote for "none of the above" rather than a named candidate. Votes for "none of the above" shall be tallied and listed in official election results, but only votes for named candidates will count for purposes of determining the election result. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: This measure could result in minor costs for the state and for county governments to modify their vote-counting and election-reporting procedures as a result of adding the choice of none of the above to candidate election ballots. Initiative Constitutional Amendment. Proposition 24 - 839. (SA99RF0012). Legislators' Compensation. Reapportionment. Initiative Constitutional Amendment. Edward J. Costa (916) 482-6175 Amends Constitution to reduce legislators' salary to $75,000. Provides $75.00 per day maximum payment for legislators' travel and living expenses, for up to 120 days annually, while Legislature is in session. Allows Legislative adjustments to state officers' salaries and benefits when approved by voters. Requires forfeiture of legislators' compensation if budget not passed by June 15 of each year. Allows payment of forfeited compensation if Legislature passes and voters approve payment at next regular election. Provides for the state Supreme Court to reapportion legislative and Board of Equalization boundaries, subject to voters' approval. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: The measure could result in annual savings to the state of several million dollars and unknown potential costs in the future. The net fiscal impact is unknown, but probably not significant in the context of the overall state budget. Proposition 25 - 837. (SA99RF0010). Election Campaigns. Contributions and Spending Limits. Public Financing. Disclosures. Initiative Statute. Ron Unz (650) 853-0368 and Tony Miller (916) 447-2463 Expands campaign contribution disclosure requirements. Establishes contribution limits from single sources of $5,000 for statewide candidates, $3,000 for other candidates, $25,000 for political parties, and $50,000 total per election. Bans corporate contributions. Limits fundraising to period 12 months before primary election and ninety days after election. Provides public financing of campaign media advertisements and voter information packets for qualifying candidates and committees adopting spending limits ranging from $300,000 for assembly primary race to $10,000,000 for governor's race. Requires ballot pamphlet to list top contributors supporting and opposing ballot measures. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: The measure is likely to result in (1) state costs of more than $40 million annually, potentially offset to an unknown extent, and (2) local government costs of potentially more than $1 million annually. Proposition 26 - 833. (SA99RF0005). School Facilities. Bonds. Local Majority Vote. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute. Reed Hastings c/o Joseph Remcho and James C. Harrison (415) 398-6230 Authorizes school, community college districts, and county education offices that evaluate safety, class size, information technology needs to issue bonds for construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or replacement of school facilities if approved by majority of applicable district or county voters. Prohibits bond use for teacher, administrator salaries, other school operating expenses. Accountability requirements include annual performance, financial audits. Requires that facilities be available to public charter schools. Majority voter approval of bonds authorizes property taxes in excess of 1% of full cash value of assessed property to pay school bonds. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: The measure would result in the following major fiscal impacts: (1) Major annual savings in state debt service costs and annual increases of potentially a similar amount in local debt service costs for kindergarten through community college facilities. Additional costs to provide appropriate charter school facilities would vary by individual district. (2) Unknown annual state and local kindergarten through high school costs for renovation and construction of facilities for public charter schools. Initiative Statute. Proposition 27 - 767. (SA97RF0034). Elections. Term Limits Declarations for Congressional Candidates. Initiative Statute. Sally Reed Impastato (310) 458-1405 Permits candidates to voluntarily sign non-binding declaration of intention to serve no more than three terms in United States House of Representatives or two terms in United States Senate, or to declare their choice not to so limit their terms. Requires placement of information on ballots and state-sponsored voter education materials when authorized by candidates. Candidates may appear on official ballot without submitting either declaration. If candidate declaring term limits wins election, his/her declaration applies to future elections for same office. Calculation of terms excludes service prior to 1999. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Measure would result in probably minor costs for Secretary of State to prepare and collect candidate declarations regarding term limits. Measure would also result in probably minor costs to counties to add statements to ballots regarding term limits. Initiative Statute. Proposition 28 - 832. (SA99RF0004). Repeal of Additional Tobacco Surtax Enacted by Proposition 10. Initiative Statute. Ned Roscoe c/o Thomas W. Hiltachk (916) 442-7757 Repeals additional $.50 per pack tax on cigarettes and equivalent increase in state tax on tobacco products previously enacted by Proposition 10 at November 3, 1998, election. Provides for elimination of funding for Proposition 10 early childhood development and smoking prevention programs. Prohibits imposition of additional surtaxes on the distribution of cigarettes or tobacco products unless enacted by the state legislature. Provides that all additional tobacco taxes previously collected under Proposition 10 shall be appropriated and expended at which time the California Children and Families First Trust Fund shall terminate. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: This measure would have the following results: (1) a reduction in annual state special fund revenues of approximately $680 million that would otherwise be allocated for early childhood development programs and activities; (2) annual reductions in Proposition 99 revenues of less than several million dollars and in Breast Cancer Fund revenues of less than $1 million; (3) annual decreases in state General Fund revenues of approximately $20 million and local government general sales tax revenues of approximately $8 million; and (4) unknown long-term state and local costs associated with an anticipated increase in tobacco consumption and/or a decrease in expenditures for early childhood development programs. Referenda Referendum Proposition 29 - 824. (SA98RF0018). Referendum Vote to Overturn Previously Approved Gaming Compacts Proponents: Richard M. Milanovich (213) 624-6200 Referendum to overturn Chapter 409, Statutes of 1998, relating to Tribal-State Gaming Compacts. Chapter 409 ratifies 11 tribal-state compacts concluded pursuant to federal law; provides procedures for ratifying future compacts; acknowledges tribes' right to negotiate different compacts; declares Governor responsible for negotiation of compacts; authorizes Governor to waive state's immunity to suit by tribes. Initiatives that have submitted signatures to qualify for the March 7, 2000 Primary Election ballot The following initiatives have submitted petitions for signature verification to the county election officials. There are specific timelines set out in statute that they must abide; however, as a general rule this process usually takes about two months from the time that the signatures are turned in. 830. (SA99RF0002). Public Works Projects. Use of Private Contractors for Engineering and Architectural Services. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute. Summary Date: 03/24/99. Circulation Deadline: 08/23/99. Signatures Required: 670,816 James P. Corn (916) 447-0700 Overrides constitutional restrictions to allow state, local contracting with private entities for engineering and architectural services in all phases of public works projects; exempts such services from constitutional requirement to use civil service workforce. Requires competitive selection process for awarding contracts. Mandates compliance with rules regarding conflicts of interest, political contributions, unlawful activities. Subjects contracts for engineering and architectural services to standard accounting practices, with financial and performance audits where necessary. Requires two-thirds vote of each house for legislative amendments. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: This measure would result in an unknown impact on state contracting costs for architectural and engineering services, depending on future state decisions regarding the amount of work to be performed under contracts with private firms and their costs relative to civil service costs. 849. (SA99RF0025). Tribal Gaming. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute. Summary Date: 08/05/99. Circulation Deadline: 01/03/00. Signatures Required: 670,816 Richard M. Milanovich c/o Jeffrey E. Langan Esq. (213) 624-6200 Amends Constitution to exempt gaming activities and facilities operated on Indian lands according to federal law from prohibition against lotteries and casino gambling. Authorizes tribal gaming to include specified card games, lottery games, slot machines, and other games if later authorized by Legislature. Reenacts 1998 initiative measure (Proposition 5) that mandates specific tribal-state gaming compact terms and conditions. Future restriction of gaming on Indian lands subject to voter approval. Declares this measure and ballot referendum related to tribal gaming do not conflict and, if both approved, should be reconciled to greatest possible extent. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: This measure would have no fiscal effect on state and local governments unless the state Supreme Court rules Proposition 5, the above-referenced 1998 initiative measure, unconstitutional. In this case, this measure would probably have a limited effect on state and local revenues in the near term, with potential longer-term significant annual revenue increase to the extent there is a large diversion of gambling activity from other states to California. ---- OAKLAND CENTER WILL DISTRIBUTE EQUIPMENT FOR DEAF, DISABLED By Vanessa Hua OF THE EXAMINER STAFF Strengthening the bridge across the communications divide, state officials said Tuesday they would expand a program that provides critical telephone equipment and services to the deaf and disabled. >From its new headquarters at 505 14th St. in Oakland, the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program will administer and distribute free equipment and services to assist people who are hard-of-hearing, deaf, speech-disabled or blind, or have cognitive disabilities. For example, those who have impaired speech can connect to a specially trained operator who can understand them and then relay the message. Those who are blind and deaf can send and receive messages in braille. Other equipment includes volume-amplified telephones and flashing and vibrating call alerts for the hard-of-hearing. By next June, the program -- with a proposed $16 million budget increase to $69 million -- hopes to open six walk-in centers statewide and two mobile demonstration centers, hire two more outreach workers and set up a centralized call center for questions and referrals. Currently, local phone companies Pacific Bell, GTE and the California Telephone Company administer the program in their service areas. A 0.18 percent surcharge on toll calls finances the costs. But next summer, the program aims to centralize these efforts, by shifting the warehousing, accounting and other costs under one administration. "We'll be able to have a much more cohesive program after the consolidation," said Shelley Bergum, executive director of the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunication Program. "In the long run, we'll save money and be able to do more." The California Public Utilities Commission had determined that a centralized program would better serve consumers, officials said. As local telephone service moves into competition, the commission said that a neutral third party should provide equipment and services, said Timothy Sullivan, a telecommunications advisor at the CPUC. Plus, the service could become more economical with a statewide center. The CPUC is expected to vote on the program's proposed $69.million budget in December. Advocates for the disabled stressed the importance of the program, which enables independence through communication. "It's important to ensure isolation doesn't happen," said Jan Garrett, executive director of the Center for Independent Living in Berkeley. "People need to be able to get in contact with services and their community." Not enough people take advantage of the program, despite its existence since 1979, social workers said. Although 400,000 people use the program, there are an estimated 3 million Californians with disabilities who could benefit from the service. "Too many people don't know about it still," said Helen Sloss Luey, executive director of the Hearing Society of Bay Area, a nonprofit group that provides direct services and referrals. "It's wonderful that more outreach will be available." Consumers interested in getting a telecommunications device for the deaf and disabled can call 1-800-770-7794, ext. 18, or contact their local telephone company through next summer. To apply for the program, requesters must provide a note from a doctor or audiologist designating the disability. ©1999 San Francisco Examiner ---- PHONES FOR THE DISABLED, STATE TO FULFILL NEED FOR SPECIAL DEVICES BY LISA FERNANDEZ Mercury News Staff Writer Deaf, hard-of-hearing and disabled phone users may get more efficient customer help and better outreach under a plan to consolidate these services under the state, officials said Tuesday. The services are now offered by private phone companies, such as Pacific Bell and GTE. But in the wake of telecommunications deregulation laws, the California Public Utilities Commission said the state must take over the job of handing out special phone equipment to the 400,000 Californians who now use the volume-amplified phones, text telephones, telebraille systems and vibrating or flashing call alert devices. The equipment is free to customers and is paid for by the 0.18 percent surcharge on toll calls made within the state. In taking over the services, the state-run Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program, headquartered in Oakland, hopes to boost its customer base from 400,000 to 3 million -- the number of estimated residents statewide who are deaf, disabled or hard-of-hearing. But officials acknowledge they do not yet have a specific plan for getting the numbers up. "Obviously it can't happen all in one year. But we hope it will happen over the course of several years," said Shelley Bergum, Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program executive director, following a Tuesday grand opening ceremony of the program's new state headquarters on 14th Street in Oakland. She said the CPUC voted on the change in 1997 because commissioners thought it was excessive to make the growing number of phone companies each provide the equipment and build warehouses to store the special telephone devices. "More power to them," said Henry Klopping, superintendent of the California School for the Deaf in Fremont, when he heard of the plan on Tuesday. "I'm hoping that it will be better because it doesn't look like there's many new changes (in the centralized plan.) They certainly need a marketing plan, though." Under the consolidated state program, there will continue to be six walk-in centers and two mobile sites in rural parts for customers to pick up their equipment. Customers can also get the devices mailed home to them. The days of delivery likely will remain the same or be faster by a day or two. And in the long run, the number of staffers statewide -- 80 -- should remain the same, too. The only real difference, officials say, is that employees will now be working for the state, not the phone companies. Those laid off by the phone companies could be absorbed by the state. "Our goal here is to have this change be as transparent as possible to our customers," Bergum said. But if the program can boost its current annual budget from $53 million to $69 million next year, officials hope to deliver even better service and increase the current users to 3 million by hiring two new outreach workers bringing the total to 12. The deaf and disabled program already is working on compiling a better, streamlined database that officials say will be a beneficial marketing tool. Applications for phone equipment now will managed by the same office in Oakland, and will be coded for easy categorization. For instance, workers will be able to see if applicants found out about the program at an exhibit, word of mouth or a newspaper ad, and then can target those areas more specifically, Bergum said. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED For an application to receive free phone equipment for the deaf, disabled or hard-of-hearing, call (800) 770-7794 ext. 18. Contact Lisa Fernandez at lfernandez@sjmercury.com or (510) 790-7316. ©1999 Mercury Center ---- HOW MANY DRIVERS WITH HEARING DISABILITIES ARE PROTECTED SHOULD THEY HAVE A CAR BREAKDOWN ON THE HIGHWAY? (Santa Ana, California) Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center takes leadership in addressing some of the problems motorists with hearing/speech disabilities face when they have car breakdowns or any other roadside emergencies. Many roadside call boxes throughout the United States remain inaccessible to people with hearing/speech disabilities. Our partnership with a Connecticut activist for people with hearing disabilities and inventor of this marvel makes it possible for us to help people with hearing disabilities live a safer and secure life on modern day society. THE TDD-CELLULAR TELEPHONE ACOUSTICAL ADAPTOR is a marvelous attachment that makes using a cell phone on a TDD easier and reduces garbling. Your battery operated cell phone along with the acoustical adaptor all together with your battery operated TDD, provides instant access to emergency resources should a car breakdown occur or any other roadside emergencies. The adaptor is recommended for use with analog cell phones. The analog signal from analog cell phones is correctly interpreted by TDD's modem for excellent reception-transmissions of a modem signal. Digital cell phones will send signals that will be interpreted by the TDD's modem as garbage. This dont happen when an analog cell phone is used. Digital cell phone technology was developed for improved aural reception for hearing people and has no relevance to deaf users. Recommended for use with a low cost "emergency use" program offered by cell phone companies. They can cost as little as $10.00 a month and includes a good analog cell phones for as low as $30.00 or less in a package deal from the cell phone service provider. Keep 2 cigarette lighter adaptors in the car one for TDD and the other for the cell phone. Use the cell phone only in emergencies otherwise it defeats the 'low cost' effectiveness. It is an adaptor that resembles a telephone handset with a flat top to fit your cell phone in. Color varies but we're looking to using RED due to the nature of it's intended use only in emergency situations. Notify police immediately by calling 911, or any telephone number for immediate assistance. Hearing people use cell phones for this purpose. Now, drivers with hearing disabilities can, too!. NOT TO BE USED WHILE DRIVING CAR. More information on this product can be found at http://www.deafadvocacy/product.htm ---- OCDAC WEBSTORE SUPPORTS THE DEAF COMMUNITY OCDAC WebStore is packed with items for use by people with hearing disabilities and a few extras. OCDAC WebStore can be found at: Http://www.deafadvocacy.com/product.htm ---- JOB ANNOUNCEMENT ASSISTANT SCHEDULER FOR SENATOR BOXER October 22, 1999 United States Senator Barbara Boxer has an immediate opening for an assistant scheduler in her San Francisco Office. This is a full-time, 40-hour per week, entry-level position that includes a full range of benefits. Applicants must demonstrate strong verbal and writtencommunication skills. Experience working with elected officials is desired but not required. Applicants must be mature and able to represent the Senator in a manner that reflects positively on her and the entire organization. The primary duties of the assistant scheduler include: - Answer incoming scheduling requests by phone - Field and route written scheduling requests - Coordinate briefing materials for the Senator - Assist in preparation of press packets for Bay Area events Please apply by mailing or faxing a cover letter and resume as soon as possible to: Nicole Kaneko Office of Senator Barbara Boxer 1700 Montgomery Street, Suite 240 San Francisco, CA 94111 Fax: 415/956-6701 Please, no calls. Position is considered open until filled. Senator Barbara Boxer is an equal opportunity employer. ============================================================== DEAF WORKERS OF ORANGE COUNTY Orange County, California Richard Roehm President Internet : Deaf@activist.com Deaf_Workers_OC@usa.net Website Nesmuth@worldnet.att.net Http://www.i-sphere.com/eyedeaf/dwoc.htm =============================================================== Feel free to redistribute this newsletter in it's entirety and if you are planning to add a mailing list as a subscriber then let me know for my records. Thank you. =============================================================== Deaf Workers of Orange County will continue to aggressively pursue justice, fairness, and equality for the Deaf Community. =============================================================== Education is the best gift that lasts a lifetime! 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