Deaf Father Shot & Killed In Arizona

Family and friends seek justice after Deaf father shot and killed in West Phoenix.

PHOENIX -- Family and friends are asking for justice after a father and member of the Deaf community was shot and killed outside of a Phoenix apartment complex.

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It happened Monday morning near 59th Avenue and Indian School Road.

Family members say 23-year-old Gary Herrera stepped outside for a cigarette break when a car with two men inside pulled up.

Police say a friend heard a gunshot and the car fled. Herrera was taken to an area hospital but died shortly after.

"He was an amazing father," said Angelica Sanchez, who has a 3-year-old son with Herrera.

"Hurt, shocked, I have no words," Jill Quiyo, who says she helped raise Herrera, said.

Loved ones held a car wash on Saturday to raise money for funeral funds.

They're asking for whoever is responsible to come forward and turn themselves into police.

"Whoever has seen something, you know what happened," Quiyo said. "Please speak about it. Please. We need justice for Gary."

Phoenix police say they're looking for an older model four door sedan with faded red paint and two African American men.

They're offering a reward of up to $1,000. If you have information, please call the Phoenix Police Deparmtent or Silent Witness by calling: 480-WITNESS.

SOURCE - ABC15

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Parents Allegedly Murdered Adopted Deaf Son

Hearing parents accused of killing adopted Deaf son and covering it up: New York police.

GUILFORD, NY -- CBS News: A mother and father are accused of killing their teenage son and setting fire to their home to cover up the crime.

Ernest Franklin II, 35, and Heather Franklin, 33, are charged with second-degree murder, arson and tampering with physical evidence.

According to CBS affiliate WBNG, officials say a fire was reported around 1:15 a.m. March 1 at the family’s home in Guilford. The couple’s son, 16-year-old Jeffrey Franklin, was found dead inside. Sheriff Ernest Cutting says an autopsy determined the fire didn’t cause the teen’s death and that he was dead before the fire started.

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According to the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office, Jeffrey was adopted about seven years ago. He was Deaf and had special needs.

WBNG reports that when asked his plea by the judge, Ernest Franklin said “guilty,” but his public defender quickly corrected him, and changed the plea. Both Ernest and Heather pleaded “not guilty” and were sent to the Chenango County Jail without bail.

Authorities haven’t said how the boy was killed.

WBNG reports that a GoFundMe page was created shortly after the fire to help the parents with expenses. More than $11,000 was reportedly raised, but the page has been taken down.

In a statement, GoFundMe said:

“It’s important to remember that the platform is backed by the GoFundMe Guarantee, which means that in the rare case that GoFundMe, law enforcement or a user finds campaigns are misused, donors will get their money back. In this case, due to recent information released, GoFundMe will honor refunds to all donors.”

SOURCE - CBS News

Deaf Student of CSDR Killed by Gunman

California School for the Deaf, Riverside student killed by gunman after he and friends explain in a text, 'We can't hear you'

LOS ANGELES, California -- The family of a Deaf teen says he was killed Friday night when a gunman approached him and his Deaf friends in Moreno Valley, asked them questions and began shooting as they tried to explain that they couldn’t hear him.

Najai Welch said her brother, DeSean Welch, and his friends were watching a football game at Rancho Verde High School, where the unidentified gunman approached them and began asking questions.

A friend of the dead teen pulled out a cellphone and showed it to the man in effort to explain that they were Deaf and didn’t understand him.

She said the friend wrote, “We are Deaf. We can’t hear you. We don’t understand what you are saying to us.”

The gunman, she said, took the phone and typed out a message, saying he “bangs in this hood,” and then asked the victim if he knew someone who lived in Ontario.

Her brother and friends then left the football game and entered a minivan, Najai Welch said. The group was being followed as the van drove away, she said.

At 9:56 p.m., deputies received a report of shots fired in the intersection of Via De Anza and Camino San Simeon near the high school, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

When deputies arrived, they found evidence of a shooting but no victims.

At the same time, DeSean Welch’s friends flagged down deputies in the area of Lasselle Street and Iris Avenue, pleading for help because he had been struck by the gunfire.

The 18-year-old Victorville teen was taken to an area hospital, where he later died, deputies said.

Najai Welch thinks the shooting was a case of mistaken identity. She said her brother was never involved in gangs or anything criminal. He was focused on sports and loved basketball, which he hoped to play professionally.

“My brother didn’t deserve that,” she said. “He was a good kid.”

News of the teen’s death left many in the Deaf community stunned.

DeSean Welch attended California School for the Deaf Riverside, and played varsity basketball, according to the school’s athletic department.

Memorials for the teen circulated on social media, and at least one team held a moment of silence for him during its game.

The school’s alumni association said its members were mourning the fallen teen’s death.

“We do not support any violence toward anyone regardless of their backgrounds, their actions or their characters,” the group said in a statement. “We believe anything can be resolved or find solutions. Unfortunately it did not happen with DeSean Welch.”

A family member has created a fundraiser to help pay for his funeral expenses.

Najai Welch is hopeful detectives will find the gunman.

“I just want him to turn himself in,” she said.

SOURCE - Los Angeles Times

UPDATE: According to police, the man shot at the car, killing the teen after being shown a text that read "We are deaf, can't hear you, don't understand what you’re saying to us." - Police Searching For Killer Of Deaf High School Basketball Star.

Deaf Lesbian Couple Recovering & Being Helped

Deaf lesbian couple who were attacked with a bat: 'We're sacred to walk the streets' in California.

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CA. -- The Deaf lesbian couple who were beaten with a baseball bat in Desert Hot Springs on March 22, have come forward to SDGLN to voice concerns about their safety and to thank the community for their support.

Deanna (Dee), 37, and Cathren (Cat), 30, are recovering from injuries they received on Tuesday when suspect Shaunda Lane allegedly became upset because she didn’t understand the women’s sign language.

Dee and Cat used hand signing to ask Lane to leave their property, but were attacked by Lane with a baseball bat according to a police report.

Lane is currently behind bars facing attempted murder charges. Local police say they are not investigating the case as a hate crime.

Since the attack the women have been trying to get their lives back in order and the community has rallied together to help them. A Go Fund Me account has been set up to help the couple recover financially.

“I really would like to thank the supporters who are my family and Deaf friends, even Deaf teachers, even hearing friends, also hearing families…who already knew who we are, for rest of our lives,” said Dee in the letter to SDGLN.

Both Dee and Cat suffered severe injuries; Dee a broken hand and concussion.

A Good Samaritan who only wishes to be identified as Team Mom has stepped in to help the couple as they recover from shock.

Dee is grateful to Team Mom and her continued support, “Team Mom (has) been checking on us almost every day to see if we (are) doing ok, and bring everything that we need. We love her so much. We thank…GOD every day for her,” wrote Cat.

After the attack, the couple’s apartment was broken into and their cellphones and other items were stolen or vandalized. Dee expressed some of the things that the donations will go toward. She says they are very scared of living in Desert Hot Springs now and they need money to move.

Additionally they need help with, “medical bills which my Medi-Care isn't good; have to transfer from Indiana to…California. Transportations; with no car which during night time is not safe to walk and things were missing at home when it was robbed.”

Team Mom opened up her apartment to the couple after their attack and Dee is very grateful for her kindness.

“Team Mom has made sure that we have food, clothes money etc... we love that there are people like her in the world,” she writes. “Team Mom lives in a small apartment and still took us in for our safety. She does so much to have so little. Thanks Team Mom for accepting us for who we are. I'm honored to have my Team Mom. Many thanks.”

Team Mom is asking for help within the Deaf and LGBT communities to aid these women in getting their lives back in order.

“My city has two Deaf females that were beaten within inches of their life with a baseball bat and robbed,” Team Mom writes to SDGLN. “They don't have anything now! Can you help make them feel beautiful again? Contact the community and a few others you may know. To help support the deaf victims to get back on their feet.”

Dee says they are still anxious about their assailant, and worry about her getting released from jail.

"We are still not feeling safe completely because we heard Shaunda (Lane) is trying to act like she is not guilty for attempted murder," she writes. "Need (to) talk to detective this Monday to make sure she stays in prison with no bail."

Help Deanna and Cathren with donations through their Go Fund Me page HERE.

SOURCE - SDGLN

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The Deaf Talent Project - GoFundMe

WATCH [CC] - GoFundMe - The Deaf Talent Project for the community.

We are a Deaf fimmaking team and there is nothing we are more passionate about than seeing the accurate representation of the Deaf on the media and equal access to jobs for all peoples with disabilities in the entertainment industry.

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This is why we support the #DeafTalent movement and this is why we are working to create a #DeafTalent PSA where Deaf talent in front of and behind a the camera can show the world their skills. Our project will showcase popular Deaf professionals in entertainmnet fields such as: acting, directing, modeling, writing, dancing etc. connecting them and thier work with the public. Now we need your help! Donate to help the project: HERE.

In order to make a high quality product that does justice to the talent of it's 100% Deaf cast and crew we need to fundraise money to rent filming equipment, studios space, food for the cast and crew, flying out some of the name talent signed onto the project, and marketing to make sure this project gets in front of the people who make decisions in the industry.

So, please donate whatever you can to help us achieve our goal! If you can't donate funds but have another way of helping us spread the world about Deaf talent whether it be through food donations, connections to publicity for the project, or simply by sharing this campaign every little bit helps! Donate to help the project: https://www.gofundme.com/deaftalent. We are so grateful for all of your love and support! Read More.

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The ASL Radio Show - Light Up The Daily Moth

This is a GoFundMe campaign to raise $25,000 to light up the Daily Moth and ensure that it has a permanent part in our community.

The Deaf host ASL radio show, Alex Abenchuchan: "The word, "Deaf" is our own brand of human. It's something that identifies and connects all of us. We can and do celebrate our culture and our community every day."

That's why Abenchuchan started the Daily Moth, an online show that delivers news in video using American Sign Language. He cover trending stories and Deaf topics with a twist of humor and Deaf culture in new shows posted Mondays through Thursdays.

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Many look at "deaf" as a medical term, as a kind of disability, or use this word to imply someone is ignoring you or is closed off from the world. This causes the persisting myth that we need to be cured or that sign language is an inferior language. Feel free to donate Daily Moth - Donations Here.

The Daily Moth - The Deaf Host ASL Radio Show

Why does this happen? Because our community is constantly defined by those who aren't a part of the Deaf way of living. We are framed as a helpless group of people that needs help and therapy in order to be successful. And whatever few opportunities come our way, those with privilege take away.

How do we change this? We change this by taking back our own representation, by knowing what's going on in the world, especially events that directly impact our way of living. We change this by being inspired by those who blaze trails and by supporting those who are oppressed. The collective strength of our community is more than enough to blast through any barriers and build new platforms.

I'm asking you to partner with me in this campaign to raise $25,000 to keep the Daily Moth running for another year.

I'm asking every regular viewer of this show to donate whatever you can to light up the Daily Moth and keep the shows coming in 2016!

This figure is based on operating costs and the minimum salary necessary for me to remain independent and committed to bringing daily shows to you. I will pursue advertisements and other revenue opportunities, but I can't start doing that without the foundation of your support. Donations Here

Partner with the Moth today and share this campaign with all of your family and friends. Thank you for all of your support. To donate and for more information, go to https://gofundme.com/dailymoth and https://dailymoth.com. Stay with the light!

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Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/alex-abenchuchan
Website: https://dailymoth.com

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Campaign: Build a Deaf School in Monze, Zambia

WATCH [CC] - GoFundMe campaign "Deaf Perspective" featuring Lauren Hostovsky: Charity to build a Deaf school in Monze, Zambia.

Lauren Hostovsky has a dream: she wants the Deaf students in Monze, Zambia to go to a school of their own. Watch this week’s episode of Deaf Perspective and check out her fundraising page, https://gofundme.com/deafschoolzambia.

Lauren Hostovsky: As you may or may not know, only two percent of Deaf people worldwide have access to education in sign language. How are Deaf children supposed to learn?

Many Deaf and Hard of Hearing children the world over do not have access to education, often because they are viewed as mentally challenged, unimportant, mute. This appeal is about making the world a better and safer place for Deaf children everywhere, but specifically in a very special place called Monze, Zambia.

In the village of Monze, Zambia, we are trying to build a school for over 60 Deaf and Hard of Hearing children whose parents and guardians have no resources to give them the proper education, health care and adequate living conditions needed to ensure their survival. We want to build a school in which to instruct and house these children, but also to create the kinds of self-sustaining projects that will be necessary to keep the school up and running once it has been constructed.

The Zambian government does not care about these children, and their parents are often uneducated and helpless. There is currently only one teacher working with the children of Monze, Zambia. Her name is Lisa Zahra, and she has been working tirelessly to provide appropriate education and protection for these Deaf and Hard of Hearing children.

Right now we need $3000 to help cover the cost of renting a classroom for one year for these children. Please help to raise the money needed to provide a classroom and instructional supplies and food for these children for the current school year... Read More: https://gofundme.com/deafschoolzambia

Learn about Deaf Education & Arts for African Families: http://www.deaaf.org

Deaf Canadian's Gallaudet Dream

Winnipeg family faces $200K bill to send Deaf son to the US university.

WINNIPEG -- Manitoba family appeals to province to help fund Deaf students to go to only Deaf university in world.

A Manitoba family is calling on the provincial government to better fund schooling for Deaf students after they incurred thousands of dollars of debt for just one year of university for their son.

Last year, 18-year-old Cody Zimmer left his home in Winnipeg to attend Gallaudet University in Washington D.C., the world's only university exclusively for Deaf students.

"My vision of what it might be like was completely obliterated  - it was so much more than what I expected," said Cody. "I made so many friends so quickly. I was involved in sports and soccer. It was just such a quick year because it was so exciting. It felt like a blink and it was done."

But his education came with a hefty price tag. One year of undergraduate study cost his family $56,000 (including tuition, dorm fees and health insurance.)

And financial assistance was limited; Cody's application and appeal to have the full cost covered were denied by the province. Instead, he got about $10,000.

"They would support him in going [to Gallaudet], however, they'll only pay at the level of what tuition would be at the University of Manitoba," said Rick Zimmer, Cody's father.

The province used to fund the cost of Deaf students attending Gallaudet completely, but they've since reduced the amount of money students can apply for and instead encourage them to go to a Manitoba school and use interpreters.

Officials with the Manitoba government said the province runs a $1.9-million-a-year program called marketAbilities, "that provides the same amount of funding to a student pursuing training out of province as would be available to the student if they chose to study in Manitoba. Courses that have no equivalent in Manitoba may be fully funded."... CBC News with Closed Captioning.

Why fundraising campaign? - April 14, 1997 Cody Zimmer was born and from that moment I knew he was bound for greatness. You see Cody is Deaf and he comes from a long line of Deaf family members and I knew from the moment we found out he was Deaf that he was going to change the world.

Cody and his family have spent countless hours advocating for basic human rights that Deaf people are denied. It is now time for Cody to pursue his dream of going to university. Cody wanted to go to a university where everyone shares his culture and language. Unfortunately there is only one university in the world that provides this opporunity That university is Gallaudet and it is located in Washington D.C. Read more: Cody's Gallaudet Dream - gofundme.com

Cody Zimmer's fundraising website:
http://www.gofundme.com/w5nz8g8

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WFD - A Voice For Deaf Refugees

World Federation of the Deaf - A Voice for Deaf Refugees in American Sign Language by Isidore Niyongabo.

This video is about the first initiative to promote proper identification and humanitarian services for Deaf people in refugees camp, particularly those in developing countries.

It is a narrative debriefing of the first phase of this campaign as the the Author will travel to Republic of Turkey to present his research and findings at the World Federation of the Deaf World Congress in July 2015.

The purpose of this video if to raise funds for the first phase of this project.

Friends, colleagues and future unknown donnors, could you imagine being a Deaf person in living in refugee or displaced camps or striving through natural disasters or war zone in developing countries? Well, I have lived half my life through and I know first-hand how hard it can be. During my Graduate studies at the University of San Diego's Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, I was given the provileges to explore the current situation faced by other millions of Deaf men, women and children in developing countries.

There are unnacounted millions of Deaf refugees all over the world and currently, the United Nations High Commissariat on Refugees (UNHCR) and almost all international humanitarian organizations do not possess any system or procedures to properly identify refugees who are Deaf and provide them with proper humanitarian services or protections... Read The Full Story.