DEAF WORKERS OF ORANGE COUNTY PROJECT -- DEAF WORKERS WEEKLY BULLETIN -- May 8, 1999 Greetings, Last weekend at the California Democratic Council was a blast for me and our deaf center. I lobbied for better enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the interpreter bill while I raised a handsome sum for our deaf center. Next weekend we have the Abilities Expo in the Anaheim Convention Center. I will be passing out flyers about our deaf center. Richard Roehm ---- CONGRESS MANDATED STUDY OF VICTIMS WITH DISABILITIES NOW FUNDED Many of you have followed the progress of U.S. Senate Bill 1976 "Crime Victims with Disabilities Awareness Act" (to see the full Bill, go to http://thomas.loc.gov and search the 105th Congress, then SB 1976). This Bill, signed by President Clinton in 1998, mandated the first-ever national study of crime victims with disabilities, and originally asked for $850,000 to complete the research (and other work mandated by the Bill). After a year of negotiating for this study, the U.S. Department of Justice has now awarded $175,000 for Phase I of this study, which essentially calls for papers to be commissioned to summarize key issues, and a national panel to be appointed to consider further research, policy, and legislative needs in this area. It also provides funding for about 20 persons to be flown to DC next November to participate in a meeting with Congressional staff and others to discuss the issues, and present the study's findings. The study began May 1st, and I was asked to be the Study Director (the grant was given to the National Research Council (NRC), and research arm of the U.S. Congress, and all funds go to their staff, travel for the meeting, and pay for the commissioned papers.). This is a "volunteer" position. I have agreed to do this, but know I will need lots of help from disability experts to make this effort successful. There are a lot of good folks working on the issue of victims with disabilities, but we are not well organized and most of us are not well funded. So, I ask your help initially in two areas: 1) What are the key topics that we need to commission "state of the art" reviews on. The budget allows for about 8 of these papers, authors to be paid $1500 each to write the 20-30 page review. Topics could include: the prevalence of the problem, theoretical explanations for which victims with disabilities have higher risks, model programs to respond to such victims, unique issues in police investigation and prosecution, personal safety training, and so on. 2) Who do we want to "appoint" to the working group to review the papers, and attend a 2-day meeting next Fall in Washington DC to discuss needed legislation, research, and programs. A final report is due to be delivered to the U.S. Congress, published by the National Research Council, next April 2000. The final report will summarize what we learned about the topic, and our recommendations. I think this is a very important symbolic and substantive step. It is the first national U.S. study on this topic - and the fact that it is going through the National Research Council is important, as this is a very prestigious group and Congress pays close attention to their report. Please send me suggestions of topics we should cover, and persons and agencies who should be involved. And PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO OTHERS YOU THINK COULD HELP. I am tremendously grateful for any help you can offer. I think we have an opportunity to do good work on behalf of crime victims with disabilities. Joan Petersilia, Ph.D. Professor, Criminology, Law & Society School of Social Ecology, SE II, Room 2317 University of California, Irvine Irvine, California 92697-7080 ---- VIDEO ON SUPERVISING AN EMPLOYEE WITH A DISABILITY RELEASED It's the training tool every agency needs---ideal for use with staff, community groups, business organizations, and most importantly, with employers looking for tips and reassurance as they begin to make new employees with disabilities part of their workforce. Supervising An Employee With A Disability is the new video-and-print diversity training package from award-winning producer Irene M. Ward & Associates. There are no gimmicks here, no revolutionary training techniques tailored exclusively for workers with disabilities. Instead, this dynamic yet down-to-earth package shows how the same kinds of techniques employers use to supervise other employees can work just as well with workers who happen to have disabilities. "We wanted to build on similarities, not differences," says Ward, the award-winning executive producer of the project. "People with disabilities don't learn any differently than anyone else. They might need an augmentative device or maybe a little more time, but basically they learn just like everyone else." Supervising An Employee With A Disability features a 25-minute video starring Greg Smith, host of the nationally-syndicated disability radio program, On A Roll. It also includes 36 camera-ready pages of print material, a 34-page Trainer Guide, and a second shorter tape, entitled Situations In The Workplace, containing a variety of brief training exercises. The package features actual supervisors and employees with disabilities sharing their experiences in the workplace. It is divided into four modules, taking supervisors step by step through orientation, training, and supervision, and how to effectively utilize an agency job specialist and other support personnel. >From Fortune 500 companies like Nationwide Insurance, to a prestigious city hospital, to a local print and design firm, Supervising An Employee with A Disability focuses on a broad range of businesses in the service, manufacturing, medical, and banking industries. In all these workplaces, we see that the same kinds of supervisory techniques with all employees is essential to successfully integrating people with disabilities into the workplace and making them effective, accepted members of the team. The video shows how various strategies are applicable to workers with a variety of physical and cognitive disabilities. From people with very significant disabilities who might arrive with a job specialist to workers with lesser disabilities who have applied directly for a job, these techniques work with everyone, including all workers with soft work histories. As Smith says, "Learning what to look for in anyone and playing off their strengths to bring out their best on the job is what good supervising is all about." The package can be used in a number of ways. For staff job specialists, it can provide strategies on how to develop natural supports in a specific work environment. The material can also be used to augment agency marketing efforts out in the community, both with small companies that don't have in-house training divisions, and with large companies, as part of their training division's diversity efforts or management curricula. All of the participatory print materials in Supervising An Employee With A Disability are designed for versatility, allowing trainers to pick and choose appropriate content for any audience. The materials can be used to provide anything from a basic overview in a half-hour presentation to a full-blown 3-day hands-on in-service. Key training points and learning objectives are spelled out in each module. Numerous exercises are included, as well as a wealth of supplementary information and resources. The Trainer Guide explains various ways to use the package, and is filled with training tips, suggestions, and discussion points. In conjunction with the Situations In the Workplace video, it also presents 21 workplace scenarios to help supervisors build problem-solving skills. Each videocassette comes in a fully accessible format, containing a closed-captioned version of the material, followed by an open captioned version with audio descriptor. The cost for the complete Supervising An Employee With A Disability training package is $195.00 plus $6.75 shipping and handling. It can be ordered from Program Development Associates by calling 800-543-2119 or by writing to PDA at PO Box 2308, Syracuse, NY 13220. They also have a web site at WWW.PDASSOC.COM. ---- FCC CHAIRMAN WILLIAM KENNARD NAMED TO PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE ON EMPLOYMENT OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES FCC Chairman William E. Kennard has been named to the Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities. The mission of the Task Force is to develop a coordinated and aggressive national policy to increase the employment rate of adults with disabilities to a level as close as possible to that of the general population. Chairman Kennard accepted the appointment saying, "I am delighted to have been asked to join this distinguished group. I look forward to working with the Task Force to improve the employment rate of Americans with disabilities. The ability to use telecommunications is essential to obtaining a job and performing it successfully. The telecommunications industry has the potential to significantly reduce the unemployment rate of adults with disabilities." The Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities was established on March 13, 1998. U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman is the Chair of the Task Force and Tony Coelho, Chaiman of the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities is the Vice Chair. Rebecca L. Ogle is Executive Director of the Task Force. The Task Force issued its first report to the president on November 15, 1998. Subsequent reports will also be submitted to the president on November 15, 1999, November 15, 2000 and July 26, 2002, the 10th anniversary of the effective date of the employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. ---- SENATOR FEINSTEIN PRESSESD FOR VOTE ON WORK INCENTIVES IMPROVEMENT ACT As Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) advises Congress today (see below), it is time to ask the US Senate Majority Leader (Trent Lott, R-MS) to move the Work Incentives Improvement Act to the Senate floor for vote. It is time to honor the commitment of its 74 bipartisan Senate cosponsors. It is high time to get on with the people's business in Washington. Mississippi citizens with disabilities this week are coming together to ask Senator Lott to join Republican Senator Cochran (MS) and vote for WIIA. They present their case to Senator Lott on May 6 at his district offices at noon rallies in Jackson and Pascagoula, MS. Support these demonstrations that "people with disabilities want to work." Contact Senator Trent Lott this week and ask that the Senate be allowed to vote on WIIA. The Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities, SSA consumers and their associates request that Senator Lott "move the bill to the Senate floor for a vote!" If you have associates in or near these cities, or helpful media contacts, contact them or Mark Smith in Jackson at 601-969-4009. TIME: May 6, 1999 11:30AM - 2:30PM Central Time (12:30PM ET) PLACE: District offices in Jackson and Pascagoula, MS, of US Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott 245 East Capitol Jackson, MS and 3100 Pascagoula Street Pascagoula, MS EVENT: Community rallies and press conference to bring attention to the need for the US Senate to take up and pass WIIA. Show your support and solidarity by contacting Senator Lott this week: "The Senate Committee on Finance reported this bill to the full Senate on March 26. Bring up the 'Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999,' S. 331, for a floor vote." MEDIA: Anticipate interest and participation of local, regional and national media: Local Contact: MARK SMITH, Mississippi CCD Phone: 601-969-4009 FAX: 601-969-1662 email: MarkUncle@aol.com CONGRESS DIRECTORIES: http://www.senate.gov for Senators http://www.house.gov for Representatives or http://www.congress.org Capitol Telephone Switchboard: 202-224-3121 www.thomas.loc.gov - bills and bill summaries ---- CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN AGENDA ALIENATES MINORITIES California Republicans Lament the State of Their Party at Home. After losses in the 1998 gubernatorial and Senate races and with Democrats in control for the upcoming redistricting, California Republicans are bemoaning the state of their party. With House Democrats only six seats away from a national majority, Democrats are targeting six vulnerable Republicans in California, including former House Impeachment Manager James Rogan, who are in districts that have large Hispanic populations or elect mostly Democrats. A split between conservative and moderate Republicans and GOP support of Proposition 187 are blamed for the problems. "The [Republican] party has alienated Latinos and Asian-Americans because of Prop. 187," said Republican consultant Kevin Spillane. "They are the fastest-growing part of the electorate." ---- INTERPRETER WOES CONTINUE ON 04/29/99 -- Copyright (C) 1999 The Washington Post [Article 339936, 113 lines] At Colleges, Dearth of Interpreters for Deaf Frustration Grows for Hearing-Impaired Students By Tom Jackman Washington Post Staff Writer In the fall of 1996, at age 31, Mary Dorsey decided she was ready for college, and enrolled at Northern Virginia Community College's Alexandria campus. Deaf since birth, she requested and received sign language interpreters for her four classes, as required by law. Some days, she said, the interpreters were good. Some days, the interpreters weren't fluent in her language, American Sign Language. Some days, the interpreters didn't show up at all. Michael Royer, also deaf, went straight from high school to the community college's Annandale campus in the fall of 1997. Royer's interpreters often arrived late, or with a half-eaten breakfast in tow, he said. "And of course," Royer said of one, "she finished eating her breakfast while trying to sign-language-interpret a college-level course. Can you picture this?" Both Dorsey and Royer complained to college officials, then grew frustrated and gave up, saying they didn't think the situation would ever improve. Dorsey never went back to college. Royer moved to a school in New York with a special program for deaf students. The difficulties Dorsey and Royer faced in Northern Virginia are symptomatic of what experts say is a nationwide problem: As the number of deaf students entering mainstream schools has mushroomed, the number of qualified interpreters hasn't kept pace. A 1993 survey by the U.S. Department of Education found more than 20,000 deaf students in post-secondary institutions without specialized deaf programs, and officials estimate the number has grown to 25,000 or 30,000. "There are just not enough interpreters," said Ramon Rodriguez, of the Education Department's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. He said the department was considering alternatives for deaf students, such as computer-based note-taking systems. Sarah Geer, a lawyer for the National Association for the Deaf, said the group gets "calls, faxes, e-mails from deaf people every day" complaining of the shortage. "It's an extremely frustrating experience to sit in a classroom where other students are taking notes and participating, and you, as a deaf student, can't keep up," Geer said. The shortage affects even schools with special programs for the deaf. In February, 80 deaf students rallied at California State University-Northridge to protest the interpreter shortage. The school, which hosts the National Center on Deafness, enrolls more than 250 deaf and hard-of-hearing students, but "it's always a struggle to get as many of the highest-skill-level interpreters as possible," university spokesman John Chandler said. At one time, hearing-impaired students wanting a post-secondary education had only a few choices, such as Gallaudet University for the deaf in Washington. But in 1973, Congress passed the Rehabilitation Act, requiring every educational institution receiving federal funds to provide interpreting services to deaf students, not only in classes but also in teacher conferences and any school-sponsored activity. And the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, which mandated equal access for the disabled in public and private institutions, greatly expanded the deaf community's awareness of its rights to classroom assistance. "I think ADA's really increased the demand, and increased the opportunities," said Janet Merrick, who helps coordinate interpreters at Montgomery College in Maryland. She said the college now has about 35 deaf students each semester, taking between 250 and 325 hours of classes each week. Merrick said Montgomery College offers classes in American Sign Language and hopes to start an interpreter training program. Four-year schools tend to attract fewer hearing-impaired students than do community colleges but have the same problem finding interpreters, said Christy Willis, director of disability support services at George Washington University. Even Gallaudet, where most instructors know sign language, is "constantly seeking new interpreters" for a variety of programs, said Phyllis Rogers, supervisor of the school's interpreting services. College officials say sign language interpreters do not come cheap. Alice Hedley, counselor for special services at Northern Virginia, said the college pays between $30 and $60 an hour. And if a class lasts longer than an hour, a second interpreter is required. To interpret at the college level requires two years of learning a sign language, and then another two years of specialty training, according to Nancy Kowalski, president of American Sign Language Interpreters in Rockville. Once an interpreter becomes certified by either of two national groups, the opportunities are excellent. Since ADA's passage, more government agencies and private businesses are seeking sign language interpreters than ever before. "I have jobs I'm turning down," Kowalski said. In Northern Virginia, some advocates for the deaf dispute the schools' claims of a shortage. "Colleges have had more than 25 years to get their act together," said Cheryl Heppner, executive director of the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons. "I think the problem is they don't know how to evaluate skills or where to look for qualified people." Northern Virginia Community College contracts with private agencies, Hedley said, and she acknowledged that one recent company had sometimes sent unqualified interpreters, so the college switched to American Sign Language Interpreters in the middle of last fall's semester. But, she said, "all of the agencies have difficulty filling our requests" because of the large number of deaf students, with 15 on the Alexandria campus alone, and about another dozen on the other four campuses combined. Hedley said when students have a problem with an interpreter, she tries to find them another. Most deaf students are satisfied, she said, but "I find I have some students who are very, very difficult to satisfy." Royer said, via e-mail, that when he learned that one of his interpreters wasn't certified: "I began to wonder if she was translating everything the professor was teaching." When he complained, Royer said, he was told the college need only provide an interpreter, not necessarily a certified one. Eventually, he received a tuition refund. Another student, Nan Sanders, said she wanted to take a class that involved watching lectures on cable television, but none of them were captioned. The college said it would provide captioned versions but was unable to do so, and Sanders eventually got a refund, too. "I was so discouraged with their `service' I have not tried again," she said via e-mail. Hedley said the college was working to improve access to cable programs. One student, Margo LaRue, said interpreting at Northern Virginia had improved in recent months "since I have interpreters who are certified." But for many colleges, the problem of locating enough interpreters may not end any time soon. Janet Bailey, an interpreter and founder of Sign Language Associates in Silver Spring, said interpreters in the Washington area can choose to work a governmental function, or a business meeting, perhaps get paid more and not have to lock themselves into a regularly scheduled class that may require technical expertise. Even with comparable pay and decent scheduling, Bailey said, colleges "can only do so much" to recruit interpreters. ---- 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 ---- CBS CORPORATION REQUESTS CLARIFICATION OF COMMISSION'S CLOSED CAPTIONING RULES The Commission has received a Request for Clarification from CBS Corporation asking that the Commission clarify the obligations of those program providers that used electronic newsroom (ENR) captioning during the first six months of 1997 and will not be permitted to count ENR captioning toward the applicable captioning benchmark requirements beginning January 1, 2000. CBS Corporation seeks an Order clarifying that these program providers, while encouraged to switch to real-time captioning, will be permitted to continue to use ENR captioning to fulfill their obligation to caption substantially the same amount of live programming as they captioned using this method in 1997, as long as they otherwise comply with applicable captioning benchmark requirements. See In re Closed Captioning and Video Description of Video Programming (MM 95-176), FCC 98-236 (released October 2, 1998), FCC 97-279 (released August 22, 1997). The Request for Clarification is available for public inspection in the Main Federal Communications Commission File Room: Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 The Request for Clarification also is available electronically on the Commission's website at http://www.fcc.gov/dtf/caption.html. Copies of the Request for Clarification and other pleadings are available for purchase from: ITS, Inc. 1231 20th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 (202) 857-3800 (202) 857-3805 facsimile http://www.itsi.com Parties may file responses to the Request for Clarification on or before June 2, 1999 and replies on or before June 12, 1999. Please place docket number MM 95-176 on all filings. Media Contact: Morgan Broman at (202) 418-2358 Cable Services Bureau Contact: Imani K. Ellis-Cheek at (202) 418-1028 TTY: (202) 418-7172 ---- *PERMIT-BUT-DISCLOSE* EX PARTE PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED FOR TTY WAIVER REQUESTS CC Docket No. 94-102 For the reasons set forth below, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau concludes that it is in the public interest to change the ex parte status of the *TTY waiver request* pro-ceedings from *restricted* procedures set forth in Section 1.1208 of the Commission's Rules to the *permit-but-disclose* procedures set forth in Section 1.1206 of the Rules.1 In the E911 First Report and Order2 the Commission required that, as of October 1, 1997, all covered wireless carriers must be capable of transmitting 911 calls from individuals with speech or hearing disabilities through means other than mobile radio handsets, e.g., through the use of text telephone (TTY) devices. Carriers operating digital wireless systems have not been able to meet this requirement because digital systems are not able to accurately pass the Baudot-encoded audio tones produced by TTY devices. As a result, in November 1998, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau released an Order announcing that it would accept petitions for waiver of Commission rules that require carriers to provide for communi-cations by TTY devices on wireless digital networks.3 In response, the Commission received over 100 petitions seeking waiver of these rules. Subsequently, the Commission released an Order indicating that all parties filing waiver petitions would receive *temporar! y waivers,* and that each party's waiver petition subsequently would be evaluated to determine if justification existed for the grant of a permanent waiver. These petitions are currently pending.4 Section 1.1208 of the Commission's Rules states that for ex parte purposes, unless oth-erwise provided by the Commission or its staff, requests for waiver of the Commission's rules are subject to treatment by the Commission as restricted proceedings. In the case of TTY waiver requests filed by Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) carriers, the proceedings do not currently involve manufacturers of CMRS or TTY equipment, nor do they include consumers with hearing or speech disabilities that use TTYs. Because of the policy implications and potential impact of these proceedings on persons who are not parties to the waiver proceedings, we believe it would be in the public interest to treat these proceedings as permit-but-disclose proceedings under the ex parte rules.5 Therefore, subsequent to the release of this Public Notice, ex parte presentations that are made with respect to the issues involved in the subject waiver requests will be allowed but must be disclosed in accord! ance with the requirements of Section 1.1206(b) of the Commission's Rules.6 Specifically, Section 1.1206(b) of the Commission's Rules provides, among other things, that all parties making ex parte presentations shall file any written ex parte presentations and summaries of oral ex parte presentations in all of the TTY waiver proceedings. Two copies of any written ex parte presentations made, or, if oral, an original and one copy of a memorandum that summarizes the oral ex parte presentation, must be submitted to the Secretary for inclusion in the public record, with two copies to the Commissioners or Commission employees involved in the oral presentation. These memoranda must contain a summary of the substance of the ex parte presentation and not merely a listing of the subjects discussed. All such filings should be clearly captioned as ex parte presentations, should reference CC Docket Number 94-102 the docket number of the Wireless E911 proceeding, and must be filed no later than the next business day after the presentation. By the Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. ---- DEAF SENIORS ENJOY DINGO AT THE WYNDHOLME VILLAGE PAVILION Baltimore, Maryland — May 4, 1999 — On Friday, April 30, more than twenty deaf and hard- of-hearing seniors, including several future residents, gathered at the Wyndholme Village Pavilion for the afternoon. They enjoyed an afternoon of socializing, refreshments, and played Dingo, a popular card game. The executive vice-president of operations, Barbara Willigan, opened the event with gratitude for the support the seniors have shown through their generous loans and purchases of residences at Wyndholme. Over $200,000 has been pledged by members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community from all over the nation to show support for Wyndholme Village. Reservations for Watson House residences are being taken on a first-come, first-serve basis, so if you have an interest in Wyndholme it is important that you make a deposit as soon as possible. The first 41 buyers have the added incentive of the pre-construction savings of $10,000 in addition to a limited time $10,000 upgrade package. The seniors plan to bring along friends to the next game on Wednesday, May 19. The prize value for the next game will start at $175. Future resident and avid Dingo player, Erick Fleischer brought two friends along with him to last week's game. He stated, "Next time I plan to bring more of my friends, it's always a great time at the Wyndholme Village Pavilion." Developer and managing partner of Wyndholme Village, Jim Lancelotta, said a few words to the seniors during the intermission of the game. Mr. Lancelotta expressed, "Thanks to all the support of the deaf community, Wyndholme Village is serving the needs of deaf seniors and construction of the first building will soon begin." This is the first event of the spring season. With warmer days ahead, the Wyndholme team expect more visitors and have activities planned through the fall.. Other organizations, such as the Silent Oriole Club, have already reserved the pavilion for their upcoming monthly activities. Dusti Ferry, the activities coordinator at Wyndholme encourages people to call now if they would like to use the facility for a picnic, retreat or club meeting. Many seniors are looking forward to the upcoming Deaf Senior Expo at Wyndholme Village. The exposition will be held on Saturday, June 19, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Wyndholme Pavilion, 5205 Frederick Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland. This event will feature sixteen exhibitors and food vendors. To find out how you can participate in this event, please call Cari Varveri at 1-800-242-9963 TTY or (410) 644-4100 voice for information. ----------- Letters from readers: I am looking for information on problems people face in dealing with the public with regard to their disabilities. This can include discrimination, misunderstandings, lack of resources or services, and difficulties of dealing with people who do not understand your disability. The information will be used in my newest book, Disabled Body Politic. The purpose of the book is to foster a better understanding of the disabled by the non-disabled community. This is YOUR chance to air your grievances in the hope of making a difference. You may send your materials tape recorded or typewritten to: Harry Martin. Author 2314 River Park Circle, #2111 Orlando, FL 32817-4828 hmartin740@aol.com ============================================================== 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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