DEAF WORKERS OF ORANGE COUNTY PROJECT -- DEAF WORKERS WEEKLY BULLETIN -- March 13, 1999 Greetings, Exciting week! Dillery, a mother with a disability, accused of child endangerment was found not guilty by jury. Sandusky, Ohio has some of the most hostile and inaccessible sidewalks failed to address the Americans with Disabilities Act in which caused Kelly Dillery to be caught carrying her daughter on the streets in her motorized wheelchair. During the trial, the disability supporters were constantly harassed by police and fire departments tried to intimidate them using city and fire safety codes. Even the judge would not allow the Americans with Disabilities Act become an issue in the trial. I am proud that Kelly Dillery stood up for her rights all the way to victory. I am also proud that Dillery's supporters, many on wheelchairs, stood up to the city's subtle hatred and intimidating tactics all the way to VICTORY! This shows that unity is power. If we unite to defend our rights, we will win. California makes a step toward the advancement of people with disabilities with the introduction of Senate Bill 846 which is known as Californians with Disabilities Act introduced by State Senator Martha Escutia of Montebello, California. With the recent political changes in California, the state will once again become a leader in advancing people with disabilities so they can become self sufficient and contribute to society. As chair of Democrats North Orange County Disability Committee, I will soon draft 1 more resolution on behalf of Californians with Disabilities. This is to protest the proposals by congress to eliminate Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) since the proponents have offered nothing to help those affected find work or fund training programs. Richard Roehm ---- IDEA REGULATIONS PUBLISHED IN FEDERAL REGISTER The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act regulations based on the 1997 reauthorization are published in today's Federal Register (March 12, 1999). Congratulations to Judy Heumann, Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), in the Department of Education, and all her staff, including Curtis Richards, Deputy Asst. Sec., and Tom Hehir, Director of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). You can access the regulations at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/IDEA/index.html. ---- WWW.DEAFWORKERS.ORG ACQUIRED FOR NEW DEAF WORKERS NATIONAL CAMPAIGN We have acquired a domain name and we now are asking for your help in completing the acquisition by submitting the $70 fee required. Host site is already in place. Helping out is easy like $5.00 from 14 people. Please pass this appeal around to people who may help us out. This campaign promises to be highly effective at empowering the Deaf community through unity. ---- COMPUTER OKAYED FOR TRIAL OF DEAF MAN ACCUSED OF DISTRIBUTING DRUGS By BARBARA ROSS Daily News Staff Writer A deaf homeless man charged with selling drugs to an undercover cop will be at the center of a high-tech trial in Manhattan next month. The trial of Jerome Wright, 34, will be one of the first in the state where computers will be used to provide a simultaneous transcription of everything said in court, according to a spokesman for the state Office of Court Administration. Wright was charged with selling drugs to an undercover cop in September. Police said the officer gave Wright $5 to buy him a nickel bag of cocaine and Wright obliged. However, Wright's lawyer, Daniel Gotlin, said his client "didn't understand" because he can't read lips very well. Gotlin said Wright is deaf because of a prison infection. Court officials confirmed he is totally deaf and unable to read lips or hand signs well enough to participate in his own defense. Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Micki Scherer yesterday agreed to let the court stenographer's notes be flashed onto a laptop screen so Wright can follow along. ---- PRIZE WINING DEAF FILM STARTS FREEDOM FILM FESTIVAL 1999 HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Freedom Film Festival 1999 started with Valery Todorovsky's "Land of the Deaf" from Russia. The freewheeling tale set in Moscow's crime underworld received the international jury prize in Seattle. This year's event, sponsored by the American Cinema Foundation, highlights new cinema from East Europe, Latin America and a tribute to German-based producer Regina Ziegler. ---- SUPREME COURT BACKS DISABLED LAW FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES Cedar Rapids Community School District v. Garret F. No. 96-1793 Full text: http://supct.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/96-1793.ZS.html The United States Supreme Court held (7-2; opinion by Stevens; dissent by Thomas and Kennedy) that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires the Cedar Rapids District to provide Garret F. with nursing services he requires during school hours. The IDEA authorizes federal financial assistance to states that agree to provide such children with special education and "related services" (20 USC ss 1400 et seq.). Garret F., a student, is wheelchair-bound and ventilator dependent. He requires a responsible individual nearby to attend his physical needs throughout the school day. The District had argued it was not required to provide one-on-one nursing care because the care was "medical services" not covered under the IDEA. The Supreme Court reasoned that "related services" broadly encompasses those supportive services to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education. ---- SENATORS KERRY AND MCCAIN INTRODUCES S.511 BILL TO IMPROVE VOTING ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Democrat John Kerry and Republican John McCain introduced the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act, Amendments last week. Senate S.511 will amend the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act to ensure the equal right of individuals with disabilities to vote: "Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation with my dear friend Senator John Kerry which would protect every American's fundamental right to vote. Our bill, "Improving Accessibility to Voting for Disabled and Elderly Americans" will ensure that every citizen who wants to vote will be able to vote despite physical disabilities. The McCain-Kerry bill would strengthen and redefined the existing law, "Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped." As many of my colleagues know, Congress implemented this law in 1984 in an attempt to ensure that all Americans has access to voter registration and polling places. At the time this was quite a progressive initiative since it was 15 years prior to the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act which as since helped opened the door for millions of disabled Americans in many aspects of their lives. As a Member of the House of Representatives, I proudly supported the original 1984 law and was confident that it would eliminate the barriers facing millions of disabled and elderly citizens when they exercise their basic right to vote. Unfortunately, it did not. While it was a step in the right direction it has not completely eradicated inaccessible polling facilities. According to the most recent Federal Election Commission report, which relies on self-reporting by local election officials during the 1992 election, there were at least 19,500 inaccessible polling places. This is not including 9,500 polling places which did not file reports. And since this information is based on self-reporting I am afraid that the actual number of inaccessible polling places may be much higher. It is deplorable that millions of disabled and elderly voters are not voting because they are faced with too many obstacles, including inaccessible polling places and ballots which are not accessible to blind or visually impaired voters. I find it particularly disconcerning that many of our nation's disabled veterans, the very men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country, are unable to cast their vote because of polling facilities which are not accessible. This is simply wrong. The right to vote is the heat and soul of our democracy, and we must work together to eliminate barriers preventing millions from participating in our democracy. As America works together for our journey into the new millennium we must ensure that our Democracy continues to include everyone and address the unique needs of each citizen. I am concerned about voter turnout in the last election cycle, 1998 was the lowest since 1942--only 36 percent of eligible voters participated. It is difficult to have representation of the people by the people if the majority of people are not participating. I find this lack of participation quite disturbing, particularly as our Nation prepares to enter the next century facing a multitude of important issues. What is even more disturbing is the number of citizens who wanted to participate in our election process but were unable to because of inaccessible polling facilities. This is why I am committed to working with Senator Kerry to get this bill passed so that every citizen, particularly the men and women who pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to preserve and protect our Nation, can participate in the voting process. I hope that my colleagues in the Senate will work with us to enact this important piece of legislation this year so that all Americans can exercise their right to vote with dignity and respect. This legislation is supported by the Paralyzed Veterans of America, American Foundation for the Blind, New Hampshire Disabilities Rights Center, New Hampshire Developmental Disabilities Council, Granite State Independent Living Foundation, and National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems. I would like to thank each of them for their commitment to protecting the rights of disabled and elderly Americans." Congressional Record dated Tuesday, March 2, 1999, Senate Section CR page S-2135 Thank you letters to the good Senator should go to Senator John McCain 241 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 john_mccain@mccain.senate.gov -- Fred Fay Chair, Justice For All jfa@mailbot.com HTTP://www.mailbot.com/justice ---- SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVES HEALTH COVERAGE FOR DISABLED WORKERS The Senate Finance Committee on March 4, 1999 approved, 16-2, legislation (S 331) that would continue health coverage for disabled people who return to work. GOP Whip Don Nickles, Okla., proposed four amendments to restrict such coverage to low-income disabled people, but withdrew them when he realized that he had no committee support. The bill would allow disabled workers who could not otherwise qualify for Medicaid, the joint federal-state health insurance plan for the poor, to buy into the program, at state discretion. The bill also would extend beneficiaries' Part A Medicare coverage, which covers hospital costs, from the current three years to 10 years. Many disabled individuals are deterred from returning to work for fear of losing their Medicare or Medicaid health coverage, to which they are entitled so long as they are on the disability benefit rolls. Nickles voted against the bill. ---- REPUBLICANS ATTACK CIVIL LIBERTIES BY INTRODUCING AN INTERNET BILL THAT WOULD FORCE SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES TO TRADE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FOR INTERNET ACCESS AID Proposed Internet legislation would misuse the power of the federal government's purse strings to restrict adult and student Constitutional rights and substitute government-imposed censorship for the judgment of local parents and teachers on how to manage online access, People For the American Way Foundation warned today. In hearings before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, People For the American Way Foundation's Legal Director Elliot Mincberg spoke out against such legislation, including S.97, a bill sponsored by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) that would require any school receiving federal discounts for Internet service to impose censoring software on school computers. "The Internet offers students, teachers and librarians vast treasures waiting to be mined," Mincberg said. "It is appropriate for school officials and parents on a local level to develop acceptable use policies for accessing the Internet. But it is entirely inappropriate for the federal government to use the power of its purse strings to force local schools to accept an onerous censorship policy." The 1996 Telecommunications Act requires the federal government to offer discounted Internet access to schools, a discount called E- rate access. The proposed legislation would attach unacceptable string to that aid by focing schools, as a condition of receiving the discount, to impose censoring filters aimed at blocking material deemed "harmful to minors." Mincberg explained that the legislation is misguided for three reasons. First, the courts consistently have struck down government attempts to restrict Internet access as violations of the First Amendment. Second, mandatory filtering requirements would discourage local officials from developing more sensible and effective alternatives. And third, federally mandated filtering would lead to numerous lawsuits across the country and erode local control. "Mandatory Internet filtering in public libraries and schools, particularly if mandated by the federal government as a condition on E-rate access, raises serious legal and constitutional problems and threatens to frustrate the tremendous potential of the Internet," Mincberg testified. PFAWF has a long history of opposing Internet censorship and served as co-counsel and co-plaintiff in the Communications Decency Act, which was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1997. More recently, PFAW Foundation represented a group of Loudoun County, Virginia citizens who successfully challenged a public library Internet censorship policy in federal court. ---- DEAF CULTURE GAINS GROUND Deaf Activists Make Themselves Heard - A Fight To Protect Sign Language Westminster, MD (CBS) For years, deaf people felt like second-class citizens. Now, deaf culture is experiencing a renaissance, reports CBS News Correspondent Russ Mitchell The deaf civil rights movement really began 11 years ago, when angry deaf students at the nation s leading deaf college, Gallaudet University in Washington D.C., forced the appointment of their first deaf president. "We fought through the oppression and we survived." Says Professor Rachel Stone, who is deaf, and teaches a graduate class in deaf culture at Western Maryland College, in Westminster, MD. "People felt energized," says Stone. "People felt that their self-esteem, their pride, was expanding because of that movement." Now, deaf issues are as mainstream as network TV. On ER, a doctor decides his deaf son, Reece, will learn sign as his first language. Says Dennis Smith, one of Stone's students: "Hearing people will never accept us. We are different, period." These students say that deaf people are not hearing people with broken ears. And although many of them learned to speak when young, now they choose not to. "Why do we have to do the speech emphasis?," asks Stone. "It's always been to fit into the hearing world and we don t need to do that anymore." They say, like other minority groups, they have their own values, their own identity, and their own social behaviors. But the defining issue of this movement is the fight to keep their own language, American Sign Language (ASL), which has its own grammar and own syntax. It even has regional accents. "ASL is not just a language," says Stone. "It includes a culture. People who use that language are in that culture. It s a special group of people." For Stone, ASL is her native tongue, the language she learned as a deaf child of deaf parents. English is her second language - the one she uses to read and write. Stone is an example of what s called bilingual-bicultural: fluent in both languages - ASL and English - and familiar with both worlds. Technology, like cochlear implants, sort of a bionic hearing aid, is available - and improving. But these students say there's nothing wrong with the way they were born. "Why fix it?," says Sammy Oates. "Leave it. Leave our natural beauty. Let it be." That's deaf pride - and that s the attitude Rachel Stone wants the hearing world to understand and respect. Says Stone: "It's OK to be deaf. It's OK to use sign language. Don't stop us from using it or from behaving like a deaf person." USA-L News ---- NEZ'S CYBER MALL SUPPORTS THE DEAF COMMUNITY Nez's Cyber Mall is a fundraiser project that will help support the newly created Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center. This mall has been designed with accessibility in mind. All commissions generated by sales activity within this mall will be used to support the Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center. Nez's Cyber Mall can be found at: Http://www.i-sphere.com/eyedeaf/deafmall.htm ---- JUSTICE RELATED JOB OPENING CALIFORNIANS FOR JUSTICE EDUCATION FUND: 1010 S. Flower Street, suite 218, Los Angeles, CA 90015, (213) 747-4495 1611 Telegraph Avenue, suite 206, Oakland, CA 94612, (510) 452-2728 JOB AVAILABLE: Executive Director SALARY: Negotiable based on experience BENEFITS: Full medical and dental coverage, with generous vacation package JOB LOCATION: Los Angeles or Oakland DEADLINE: Applications due March 15, 1999. Start date is April 15, 1999 BACKGROUND: Californians for Justice (CFJ) is seeking a dynamic individual to serve as a full-time Executive Director. CFJ is a statewide membership organization whose mission is to advance racial, political, environmental and economic justice in California. CFJ's strategies include: organizing to build power among California's emerging majority of people of color, women, poor and young people of all colors; developing skills and critical analysis through political education and trainings; building strategic alliances, and; reframing the public debate on critical issues. CFJ is nationally recognized for its electoral organizing expertise in communities of color and for its multiracial organizing to advance a livable wage public job creation campaign in California. POSITION SUMMARY: The Executive Director is responsible for leading the implementation of CFJ plans and strategies as defined by a constituency-elected Board and leadership. The ED will work closely with the Statewide Organizing Director, Development Director, and Operations Director, and various board-designated committees. CFJ currently has regional offices in Los Angeles, Oakland, and San Jose. TO APPLY: Please send cover letter and resume to: Mr. Steven J. Mack, Chairperson CFJ Board of Directors Californians for Justice 1611 Telegraph Avenue, Suite 206 Oakland, CA 94612 PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: EXTERNAL RELATIONS & BUILDING ALLIANCES * represent the organization in key national and statewide coalitions and campaigns * serve as an organizational spokesperson, including regular interaction with the media * promote organizational vision and political agenda in various external activities * maintain and expand relationships with organizations in the state dedicated to common agenda FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT * oversee management and expansion of CFJ fundraising base * represent CFJ in fundraising meetings with institutional and individual donors * oversee and create efficient operations and financial management systems * prepare regular reports on financial health of organization to the Board of Directors STAFF MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT * supervise Statewide Organizing , Development and Operations Directors * develop workplans and priorities with staff, including staff development programs * conduct timely evaluations of staff and projects * works with staff and Board to identify emerging policy issues and organizing opportunities * lead regular assessments of CFJ's role in advancing its mission in the changing political climate REQUIREMENTS: * at least 5 years in supervisory position with a non-profit organization * passion for justice * electoral, community and/or labor organizing experience is a must * significant fundraising experience with foundations and individual donors * ability to provide assertive and positive leadership to an organization with a large mandate * knowledge of California political climate and trends * excellent interpersonal, written and oral skills CFJ is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. ---- UTAH CHARTER DEAF SCHOOL HAS JOB OPENINGS Jean Massieu School and Utah Deaf Education and Literacy, Inc (UDEAL), now have a www site -- if you have access to the Internet, look it up! http://www.jeanmassieu.org We are now advertising for teachers and teacher aides. The job announcement is on the www site, but email back, too, if you are interested or have questions. Spread the word too! ---- CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY HAS JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEAF This is no cloak and dagger joke but Deaf Workers has been asked that any students with disabilities or who are deaf, who would be interested in working for the CIA or participating in a co-op program contact Elizabeth for more information. Elizabeth R. Anthony Deaf and People with Disabilities Program Manager Office of Equal Employjment Opportunity Central Intellignece Agency Washington, DC 20505 703.482.9171 703.482.9177 fax eranthony@hotmail.com --------------------- Letters: Hi everybody, Some of you have requested that I keep you up-to-date regarding the letters I wrote in November to GU president IKJ and the follow-up letter to US Attorney General Janet Reno. This was the letter I wrote to IKJ regarding (among other things) the conflict of interest of using federal taxpayer disability dollars (at Gallaudet) to pay salaries, research and travel on individuals who are actually hindering medical and technological research and developments on deafness. I followed this up with a letter to Janet Reno and encouraged her to look into the matter. There has been no response to this from IKJ although I do have reliable information that IKJ did in fact get my letter. A spokesperson for the Justice Department said that I should expect a response from them later this year. My letter to IKJ was also published in at least one deafness-related publication. (Thanks.) I followed this up with a press release to all major deafness-related publications as well as many mainstream media contacts. This press release was also sent to numerous "movers and shakers" in the deafness field. The press release also included a copy of both the IKJ and Reno letters. [If you did not get this press release and would like to see it, please email me your address.] This press release has stirred up some interest, but it is too early to judge the eventual outcome. In late March, I will follow-up with a colleague's suggestion that a copy of the IKJ letter be sent to all members of the US Congress as well as the US Senators. This step is already underway. The final step is for YOU to call your elected officials, or your favorite deafness-related publication and TWIST SOME ARMS! Calling the Gallaudet Board of Directors and the Justice Department will help too! Ask for them to conduct an inquiry. Ask your favorite publication to do their own story/investigation into the matter (nothing is more important to them than pleasing their readers!). (I subscribe to more than a few of these publications and this is just the kind of hard-hitting investigative story I would like to read about!) It is YOUR money that is being spent in this rather reckless manner and if we do not voice our concerns, it will be continued to be spent the way THEY feel fit! There is only so much one person can do, so the ball is now in your court! Thanks everybody, Tom Bertling --------------------- I am Jeffrey M. DeBlasio. Sometimes I am a disabled media artist. Sometimes I am a media artist who is disabled. Sometimes I am simply a media artist. Soon my mutltimedia exhibit, Sounds & Images for the Lying Truth-Seeker (S.I.L.T.) will be on display in its installational form. Part of this installation is a website version of S.I.L.T. located at silt.net or http://www.silt.net - Please support the underground and visit this website. Learn about me and my artwork. I ask you to forward this message to everyone you know with an email account, so that my art and silt.net can be seen by as many eyes as possible. A mass chain emailing is one of the primary ways for the underground culture to spread the word and support one another. Exploit these powers of the internet by supporting those unknown. many thanks. -jEFFREY ------------ The United States Postal Service is currently issuing a series of stamps entitled "Celebrate the Century", commemorating important events of recent decades. They have already "done" the 1950s, '60s,and '70s. In May, 1999, the Postal Service will ask postal customers to go to their website at www.usps.com and vote on several proposed subjects for stamps in that series commemorating key events of the 1990s. They will not accept write-in votes, but only votes on the five or six nominated events. For many of us, the obvious number one event of the 1990s was the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. We should all write letters to the U.S. Postmaster General, Postmaster General William Henderson U.S. Postal Service 475 L'Enfant Plaza S.W. Washington, DC 20260-0010 and tell him that we want to see an ADA stamp issued in the year 2000, the Tenth Anniversary Year of the Passage of the ADA. If we send our letters RIGHT AWAY, there will still be a chance of the ADA appearing on the list of historical events to be chosen by the votes of the people. Please write, and urge your friends and members of local and national organizations to write. The Postal Service is just now taking votes on issues of the 1980 for commemoration on postage stamps in this series. Among the subjects chosen for philatelic celebration next year are television talk shows and sporting events. If they can honor those things with their own stamps, the ADA should be a roll-in.. david ------ Hello! I am looking for Deaf Clubs in San Diego for a friend of mine who is Deaf and might be moving to the area. I am having trouble locating anything. If you know of any, please e-mail me at: hd0016@uop.edu Thanks SO Much! Heather Davis ============================================================== 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 =============================================================== Circulation Information Direct Email subscribers : 71 Indirect Email Subscribers : 39 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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