Signmark

I love ASL videos and found these while looking around for some new music. Signmark (that's his name) is a Deaf rapper.....Enjoy!

What's The Answer?

I was intially very excited when Ashley came home with a packet of information from our state agency, the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired. It was an invitation for Ashley to attend a 4 week summer program called LIFE. LIFE stands for Learning Independence, Feeling Empowered.

The brochure said the program was to help students who are blind make the transition from high school to work or futher education. Experience would be provided in how to obtain and keep employment, how to navigate the world as a blind person, and provide opportunities for socialization and group interaction. Sounds great, eh?

Well it did until I started reading the list of qualifications. The one that concerned me the most stated that a student should..."be able to perform self-care activities with minimal supervision."

Ashley is deafblind, not just blind. She has medical issues, specifically seizures which can occur anytime day or night. Because of that, she must have someone very close by at all times. And, she must be monitored at night for seizures. The LIFE program would not provide that kind of support.

This is an issue that I have also faced with Ronnie. There do not seem to be programs that support people, especially young people, who have both a sensory disability and a physical disability/medical issues.

I have never been successful finding a camp for Ronnie. I can find Deaf camps and they aren't accessible for wheelchairs. I can find accessible camps and they can't provide a fulltime interpreter. So he has never gone to camp.

Now I am facing the same thing with Ashley. If she were just blind, she would be welcomed at project LIFE. But because she has significan medical issues which must be attended to, she cannot.

What's the answer...?

Singing With Their Hands

Last Friday, the New York Times published an article called "Singing With Their Hands" which chronicles the growth of ASL music videos. I've posted several before, all from the Deaf Performers Network.

“Searches for ‘ASL’ over the past few months are the highest we’ve seen them,” said Kevin Allocca, the YouTube trends manager. “And 40 percent of all videos tagged ‘sign language’ on YouTube were posted in just the past year.”

One of my favorites is by Sean Berdy, the actor from the TV show Switched at Birth. He does a sign rendition of Enrique Iglesias’s “Hero.”



One of the more prolific posters of sign videos is Michael Chase DiMartino. His YouTube Channel, called Mr. Chase's Sign Channel, is full of fun music like:



Check out some of these - it's like Karaoke for the Deaf!!

Miss Deaf America Snubbed

I searched and searched the wide web for a video of Miss Deaf America signing America The Beautiful at last Sunday's Super Bowl. I know she was there - well, I assume she really was there - but I don't know for sure because she was never on camera - or even anywhere near Kelly Clarkson while she sang the same song.

Rachel Mazique, the 2011 Miss Deaf America, had this to say about the snub:

“I truly hope that this becomes a teachable moment for everyone involved, and that American Sign Language renditions of these iconic songs are broadcast in future Super Bowls rather than being a token gesture.”

A group of her supporters are asking that NBC grant her an interview on the Today Show, and have started a petition in support of that request. There are already over 5000 signatures. If you would like to add your name, here is the link.

And apparently this same thing happened last year. Let's make sure that next year is different...

Can You Hear Me Now? NO!

One of the activities my family has always enjoyed around the holidays is going to movies. It's the time of year that new movies are released, especially family movies. But because we live in an area that ignores the needs, wants and rights of people who are deaf or hearing-impaired, we no longer get to enjoy one of our favorite activities.

Two theaters in our area play ONE captioned movie at a time. One of those theaters is about 15 miles away and the other is about 25 miles away. During this winter break from school, the theaters are not playing captioned family movies. And, both theaters play the same movie.

So, we are left with the choice of taking Ashley and Ronnie to a movie that is not captioned or not going to the movies at all. We usually always choose the latter option.

Come on, Regal Theaters, you have the monopoly in our area. Would it be so difficult to show a couple of movies on more than two screens?

See What I'm Saying

I spent almost an hour reading articles from the New York Times about abuse in group homes. I had thought about sharing those with you, but decided that for Friday, I needed something more uplifting, something that wouldn't make me cry. So here is the music video for the movie See What I'm Saying. I really, really want to see the movie...

Doing It Right

Want an example of inclusion at its best? Watch the Amazing Race on Sunday nights.



This season’s race brings back racers from previous seasons – teams who did not win, but came very close to winning. And, two of my favorite teams are back!

Luke is Deaf and is racing with his mother, Margie. Zev is racing with his brother, Justin. Zev is diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.

The really glorious thing? Not one iota of special attention is given to either team. They race, they stumble, they argue, they laugh, they look silly – just like every other team in the race. The show doesn’t spotlight them, advertising their ‘token’ disabled person. The host makes no big deal about it, but does impress me greatly just because he learned some sign language to be able to communicate with Luke. And that’s all the host does – communicate. He doesn’t draw attention to his signing – he doesn’t make a spectacle of Luke. He doesn’t comment about Zev’s Autism. They are two teams racing, just like all the other teams.

Luke and Zev are both funny young guys. Luke finally gets a chance to drive, and is all smiles as he gives a big thumbs up to the camera. He talks about one of the other teams – two beautiful young women – and calls then his race girlfriends.

When one of the challenges faced by all teams is to draw on their inner artist, Justin says Zev will be great at that because he is artistic. Zev says, “Autistic too!” The two young men cut up constantly and you can see in Justin’s eyes how much he admires and loves his brother.

I am thrilled to see people with disabilities on a mainstream television show where their disability is not the focus of the show. This, in my opinion, is inclusion at its best.

Deaf Like Me

I know it may not seem like such a big deal to most people, but when Ronnie sees a Deaf person signing on TV, he gets so excited. We saw this commercial for the first time this past weekend. Another interesting aspect of this was that the commercial aired during Amazing Race where one of the contestants is a young man who is Deaf.

Score One for MickeyD's

I found this on YouTube and just had to share. I don't believe it is ASL, but it is something very similar. I just like the easy flow of the commercial and the thought of universal communication, even if it is about fast food!

"Holy Cr*p, That's Amazing"

I found these videos over the weekend and love, love, love them, especially the classroom one...

Exciting Times

It seems to me that technology to assist people with disabilities has really taken a huge step forward recently. Almost every day, I read a new article or blog post about a technological advance that is improving the lives of people with disabilities.

Since I have both a Deaf child and a Deafblind child, I am always interested in things that can help them. I've been keeping a list of articles when I find them, and today have decided to share them. It really is an exciting time! Although we have a long, long way to go, I truly believe my childrens' lives will be greatly enriched by the application of technology.

Read how Austin Seraphin believed his life changed the day he bought his new IPhone.

Visit the Alabama School for the Deaf, and it's impossible to miss the signs of a revolution that many hearing people simply never noticed.

Can the Deaf enjoy music? Indeed they can!

Do you think a Braille GPS device would help a Blind person as they travel through city sidewalks? The jury is still out on this one, but hopefully it is just the starting point for futher product development.

I do most of my shopping online these days, especially during busy holiday times. Will my Blind daughter ever be able to do the same thing? Just maybe...

And finally, some Korean designers have crafted a Braille Stapler that they claim will revolutionize the way a Deafblind person communicates with the world. Ashley is Deafblind, so this piqued my interest. But, sorry Korean designers, I'm just not seeing it yet...

How To Speak Deaf

Since Ronnie joined our family, we have had lots of situations, mostly medical, in which an interpreter is present. It's always interesting to notice the reactions of the hearing people in the group, especially people who are there to relay and solicit information from Ronnie. What I have learned is that a lot of people don't quite understand how to have a conversation with a Deaf person and that person's interpreter.

So here are some tips that I found at Deaf News Today for communicating with people who are Deaf or hearing-impaired. If any of you have other tips, I would love to hear them.

• Make sure you have eye contact with the person before speaking


• If there is an interpreter, speak to and look at the deaf person not the interpreter


• Face the person to whom you are speaking (that helps with lip-reading)


• Stand in good lighting and avoid standing so that light is on the face of the Hearing-impaired person


• Avoid background noise whenever possible


• Move your mouth to articulate but don’t exaggerate


• Speak a little louder and slower than normal but don’t shout or drag


• Keep your hands away from your face and particularly your mouth


• Use lots of facial expressions and body movements


• If something is unclear, rather than just repeating the same thing, rephrase thoughts in shorter and simple sentences

Who's Right?

Have you seen this news story?

Emma is 8 years old, and her parents are not married. Emma is deaf, as is her father, but Emma also has cochlear implants. Emma's mother has taken Emma's father to court, hoping that the court will force the dad to make Emma use her implants when she visits him. Currently, both Emma and her father communicate via sign language.

Emma's mom, in court documents "has stressed the importance of wearing the devices at all times for continued progress with her hearing and speech."

Emma's father said, "I’m willing to have her do whatever makes her comfortable. I want to give my daughter her own choices in life."

Emma, when she is with her father, says she wants to "be deaf like daddy."

How would you handle this situation? I don't believe there is a right or wrong answer, but I wonder what the court will ultimately decide. I know that for me and my deaf children, being deaf is not a disability.

I am not a proponent of cochlear implants for my children, but I do not judge parents who make that choice for their children. When I feel my children can make their own decisions about cochlear implants, I will do whatever I can to support those decisions.

What are your thoughts?

See What I'm Saying

The New York Times describes the movie as "Complex, candid and all-but essential viewing for hearing audiences, Hilari Scarl's intrepid debut feature, 'See What I'm Saying: The Deaf Entertainers Documentary,' educates without lecturing and engages without effort."

Check out the movie trailer:



Everything I've read about the trailer says that it just doesn't do justice to the movie. I explored a little more and found these Hulu interviews with the stars of the movie. The movie is playing selected theaters, and I sincerely hope that it will soon be playing in my city...

No Dragon Training For Us

My boys asked me to take them to a movie this weekend. The movie they suggested was How To Train Your Dragon, and I was just pleased that it wasn't a violent or otherwise objectionable movie.

Imagine my surprise when I found out that NONE of the movie theatres in my city have closed captioning or any other type of accommodation for people who are deaf. Really - we called every single one. It wasn't that they just didn't have it for the movie we wanted to see - every one of them said their theaters have no such technology.

I don't live in a small town. I live in the capitol of my state - a medium sized city with lots of movie theaters. I know there are a lot of deaf people that live in this city because we go to silent lunches and dinners with them. I've never asked those people about movies because I naively assumed there would be accommodations, but you can bet I will ask at the next lunch or dinner we attend.

Really, is this legal? Can anyone enlighten me?

"My Deaf Family"

I'm a fan of all the TLC family shows like Little People Big World, 19 Kids and Counting, and Table for Twelve. I just watched a video done by Marlee Matlin for a show similar to those. So far she hasn't found a network willing to pick up the show, but watch this 10 minute video from YouTube and tell me if you would like to see this pilot become a regular show:

Hear Today, Gone Tomorrow

What little bit of hearing my dear Ashley had is starting to deteriorate. Two years ago, the audiologist recorded a profound loss in her right ear and a severe loss in her left. But, she could still hear loud noises, and seemed to hear the voices of some people, people I think whose tone and cadence she had become accustomed to.

She’s always relied a lot on Tadoma, and if a person will get close enough to her, she can also read lips a little. But recently, I’m noticing that she is missing things she used to be able to hear. And the worst thing of all, the few words that she could almost say are now nearly unrecognizable.

I can’t remember the last time I heard ‘Gip’, her way of saying her brother’s name, Chip. ‘Hi’ - or her version ‘HUH’ - is seldom uttered anymore, although we do still hear ‘Bye’ pretty clearly. She also will still say ‘Oooh Mae’, her way of saying her dear aide’s name Amy.

But the saddest loss? I’m not hearing ‘Mom Mom’ very often, and her ‘I lu’ for ‘I love you’ is slowly slipping away.

Yes, she signs all those things. Yes, her signing has improved even as her hearing as deteriorated. But, I’m really going to miss the sweet little voice of my daughter.

Maybe I shouldn’t be so sad….but I am.

One Step Closer

I met Johnny for the first time this past Friday. He and his foster mother and his social worker met my social worker and me at the halfway point between our two homes.

Johnny and I were both nervous, but I think he let more of his nervousness show. Of course, who wouldn't be nervous knowing that once again you are probably going to be moving to a new house with a new Mom and new siblings. Such much new in such a young life must be quite daunting.

But our time together was good. We talked - we laughed - I brought him a gift and a Valentine's Day card, and he brought some pictures, one of his awards, and his latest wood shop project to show me. When I was talking to his foster mother, I could see him checking me out, and once I let him know I saw that and he grinned.

I think he will fit in quite well with our family. Johnny is 15 years old, has spina bifida and is profoundly deaf. He's got an infectious smile and a mischievous grin. He like Star Wars, pizza and the color black. He does not like Chinese food (unfortunately, that is the one are in which we are not compatible!).

Social Services and I only have one last detail to work out. Keep your fingers crossed, because it looks like Johnny could come home within 6-8 weeks!!

My Funny Valentine

It's almost Valentine's Day, and again I need ideas on what to get Ashley.

She has a very limited range of foods that she will eat, so candy is out of the question.

Since she is blind, a greeting card doesn't catch her eye (get it - catch her eye, bad joke).

She might like flowers but only if they are edible.

Maybe one of these teeshirts from CafePress:


It say "Kiss My A**" in Braille and is very indicative of her teenage attitude these days.

Or maybe this one since she is so fascinated with her new womanly body:


It says "Boobies" in Braille.

So she can wear it to school, and since it screams the truth about her, I think I will just stick with this shirt that shows the ASL sign for Princess:



Who's your Valentine this year, and how will you be celebrating??

Friday News Reel

Can you hear with your skin? Or perhaps see with your ears? Researchers at MIT think so. Check out this article – it’s pretty short – but packed full with interesting information about what our future might hold.

Using All Our Senses

If you are deaf and a passenger on a plane, how do you know what instructions and information the airline staff is giving you? If the plane you are on has landed but you aren’t allowed to disembark for an hour, would you get nervous and maybe agitated because you couldn’t hear what is happening?

Students at the Rochester School for the Deaf have been in that situation, and have come up with an idea on how to make things much better, not only for deaf passengers but for all passengers. Check out their idea here:

Students Develop Innovative Plan

And finally, because it is Friday, I thought we needed a little entertainment to kick off our weekend:

Rhapsody

Enjoy and do something fun this weekend!