Canadian Hearing Society Workers On Strike

Services for Deaf Ontarians limited as Canadian Hearing Society begins strike today.

TORONTO, Ontario -- Canadian Hearing Society employees, including those in Windsor, walked off the job Sunday night as efforts to arrange their first collective agreement in four years broke down.

Employees at 21 locations across Ontario are bargaining for better wages and to stop proposed changes to their sick leave, according to CUPE national spokesperson Barbara Wilker-Frey.

The offices in Windsor and London remain open, but are being run by management staff. Limited services are available on site.

The union represents 227 frontline workers who serve about 36,000 people every year. Wilker-Frey said many employees know firsthand how tough a strike will be on those who rely on the society for its various services.

"It was a really difficult decision for the local to decide to go out on strike because many of our members are part of that very same community and use the very same services that they offer to the wider community," she explained.

In a written statement, a spokesperson for the CHS said the people the organization serves are "at the heart" of every decision they make.

"We are disappointed that the union has chosen to strike and we will continue to work to get them back to the bargaining table," said CHS vice-president Gary Malkowski. "In light of CUPE's decision to strike, our focus right now is to provide our clients with the best possible care and service under these disappointing circumstances."

The Canadian Hearing Society offers emergency translation for legal matters and healthcare, but those services will be severely cut back while the strike is ongoing.

Wilker-Frey said the union has not heard from the society since the strike began, but added CUPE is ready to get back to bargaining as soon as possible.

SOURCE - CBC News

Related Posts: #DeafCanadians

Deaf Relay Service Parody

Deaf relay at your service parody.

An inside look at the high-tech critical communication service provided to Deaf citizens so they can access any service in an uncensored environment. Directors: Jeanette Castillo, Diane Wilkins.

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Founded in 1977, Frameline is the nation's only nonprofit organization solely dedicated to the funding, exhibition, distribution and promotion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender media arts.

Frameline Voices is a new digital initiative that showcases diverse LGBT stories and expands access to films by and about people of color, transgender people, youth, and elders. More information: https://frameline.org - SOURCE.

Deaf Newcomers Signed O' Canada In ASL

Deaf Newcomers Signed O' Canada in American Sign Language. New program helps Deaf newcomers to Canada.

LONDON, Ontario -- Many newcomers to Canada and to London have challenges communicating in our city. But imagine the the challenge for those who don't understand English and who are also Deaf.

It's a huge barrier, that was closed with a celebration on Wednesday. The first participants in the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program were on hand for the official launch of the program supporting them.

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The Canadian Hearing Society launched new LINC program in London, Ontario to assist newcomers who are Deaf, deafened or hard of hearing. As part of the program launch and in celebration of International Week of the Deaf, students in the inaugural LINC program signed "O Canada" in American Sign Language (ASL).

Operated by the Canadian Hearing Society, with the support of government agencies and a local church, it was created due to a growing need in London.

While the number of Deaf and sign language-challenged immigrants in our city remains small - those here - often feel greatly isolated.

One participant in the new program spoke to us through an interpreters about his intial experience in the Forest City. Unable to speak English or French, or understand North American Sign Language, he admits it was frightening...

Read The Full Story.

Deaf411: Deaf-Friendly Cities In The U.S.

Deaf411 releases "Deaf-Friendly Cities in the United States"

NEW YORK CITY -- Deaf411 announcer Christine Kim announces availability of an online report, "Deaf-Friendly Cities in the United States", and outlines how the Deaf411 team researched and compiled this report.

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This free report can be viewed by signing up at deaf-friendly-cities/sign-up.

Let Deaf411 handle your customized marketing solutions and strategies that meet your needs. We work with organizations, businesses, government or service agencies to communicate with Deaf Americans.

Deaf consumers have buying power and surf online for resources and information to make informed decisions. Provide you with over four decades of experience in public relations, marketing, project management and business consulting.

Let us apply our hands-on experiences through specialized marketing strategies targeted at Deaf consumers. Visit website: www.deaf411.com.

Deaf Interpreters: The State of Inclusion

WATCH: Deaf Interpreter Professor, Nigel presented, StreetLeverage.

Nigel Howard talk explored some of the perceptions that challenge better integration of Deaf interpreters into the field and into daily practice. Most notably, the perception that ASL-English interpreters have that requesting to work with a Deaf interpreter is an indication of an inferior skill-set.

Additionally, he highlighted that the definitions ASL-English and Deaf interpreters hold of each other, correct or not, is the basis of their effectiveness working together and that both have equal responsibility for the processing of information and outcome of the communication. Recorded by Street Leverage.

Douglas College Instructor Builds Bridges Between Deaf and Hearing Communities:

For Nigel Howard, working at Douglas College is all about building bridges between the Deaf and hearing communities.

"I am the only Deaf instructor nationally who teaches courses about topics other than interpreters, sign language and Deaf culture," says Howard.

In addition to teaching for the Program of Sign Language Interpretation (INTR), Howard instructs classes on personal and professional development, wellness and community in other programs in the Faculty of Child, Family and Community Studies. While students are required to only use American Sign Language (ASL) in INTR classes, Howard lectures with an interpreter in his other courses.

"There's a pretty progressive attitude here at Douglas College," says Howard.

Howard, who has taught at the college for about 12 years, enjoys elements of both INTR and other courses.

"I get to see both cultures and languages working in this setting. The variety helps me become flexible. I see what's out there in the world in other programs and bring it back to INTR. You need to be skilled in both cultures and languages to move between them," says Howard.

INTR is "my contribution to the students and to the community. I give to them and they give back to the Deaf community," he says... Read The Full Story.

Related Posts: #DeafCanadians

Medical Services - Understanding Deaf Culture

WATCH: Medical Services Interpretation: Understanding Deaf Culture.

Participants will learn how to provide culturally sensitive and competent mental health services to members of the Deaf community through gaining a better understanding of the culture and its specific needs.

Participants will also gain a better understanding of sign language and how this can affect the process of communication in mental health treatment.

Participants will learn how Americans with Disabilities Act applies to working with Deaf individuals in mental health settings as well as how to work more effectively with interpreter in these settings.

Objectives: The cultural aspects of the Deaf community that are necessary to understand in order to effectively provide mental health counseling and to make proper diagnoses, Information regarding commonly held myths about the Deaf community, How ADA applies to this population, How to effectively communicate in the therapeutic process using a sign language interpreters,

Elijah Buchholz, LPC, is the Director of Deaf Services for the Missouri Department of Mental Health. For the past six years, Buchholz has provided mental health and substance abuse services to the Deaf community. He has conducted numerous trainings for both mental health clinicians and interpreters across Missouri and Kansas.

Related:
Haley Educating The Hearing People About The Deaf World
Advices To Parents With Deaf Children. ASL
To Educate Hearing Parents of Deaf Child
Educate For Hearing Parents With Deaf Childrens/Toddlers
Importance of Educating Hearing Parents
Interview With Hearing Parents Of A Deaf Son
ASL Rose: Two Deaf Babies

Yosemite Deaf Services: Driving in Yosemite

Deaf services explains how to explore in Yosemite National Park.

YOSEMITE, California -- Driving around Yosemite is much different than driving around the rest of California. Here are some things to remember if you are planning to explore Yosemite by car. Here's the ASL video with captions.

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Deaf Services in Yosemite National Park:

Watch this short video to learn about the Deaf services program in Yosemite.

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Follow @YosemiteDeafService:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/yosemitedeafservice
YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/yosemitedeafservice
Website: https://nps.gov/yose

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#DeafCommunity - #DeafTravel - #DeafPeople

Deaf Community Sues Welfare For Lack Of Interpreters

The US judge eyeing deal to aid state's Deaf, intellectually disabled human service system clients.

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania -- A federal judge is being asked to approve a settlement of a class-action lawsuit that would ramp up the state's responsibility to individuals who are Deaf and intellectually disabled.

A key provision of the proposed deal U.S. Middle District Chief Judge Yvette Kane is weighing would require the state Department of Public Welfare to hire sign language interpreters and other specialists to improve communications with Deaf and intellectually disabled clients in the human services system.

About 250 such clients have been identified so far in the state's system of group homes and other service providers, according to filings in the case. Also, DPW would have to pay $450,000 to the Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania, which filed the lawsuit against DPW in 2010 on behalf of a disabled client identified in court papers only as Harry M.

In seeking approval of the settlement, the rights network stated that DPW officials also have signed off on the proposed deal. The rights network claimed in its lawsuit that the state is not properly helping intellectually disabled Pennsylvanians who are Deaf, because service providers often cannot effectively communicate with them.

Clients who would be affected by the settlement receive services from their home counties through the state-funded Home and Community-Based Waiver, also known as the Consolidated Waiver program... Read The Full Story.

Deaf Hawaiian Community Rally In Honolulu

The Deaf Hawaiian community shouts 'We Need Deaf Services!'

HONOLULU, Hawaii -- Rally at the Hawaii State Capitol in downtown Honolulu on Oahu island in Hawaii, Feb 8, 2013.

The Deaf and the Hard of Hearing in Hawaii are trying to stop cuts to living assistance and an interpreter referral service.

Hawaii Deaf Services Informations:
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Service Center, Inc. (DHHSC): https://www.dhhsc.org
Deaf Services: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/125306534/DEAF-SERVICES
Hawaii Interpreting Services (HIS): http://interpretinghawaii.com/
Special programs - Division of Vocational Rehabilitation: http://hawaiivr.org/services/special.php

Deaf Services In Yosemite National Park

Deaf Services in Yosemite National Park in American Sign Language.

YOSEMITE, California -- Watch this short video to learn about the Deaf services program in Yosemite.

Yosemite Deaf Services: Driving in Yosemite: Driving around Yosemite is much different than driving around the rest of California. Here are some things to remember if you are planning to explore Yosemite by car.

Deaf Services in Yosemite National Park Info: https://nps.gov/yose.

Follow @YosemiteDeafService:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/yosemitedeafservice.
YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/yosemitedeafservice.
Website: https://nps.gov/yose.

Related Posts:
#DeafCommunity - #DeafTravel - #DeafPeople