Monday, August 31, 2009

Re-Posting - DBC/AFA - We Are Not Only the Ones Fussed About the Bell ..

This is the re-posting of blog entry which end up on the DR's Extras page. After the modification of the newspaper link.

There is the recent public outcry over the former Bell Telephone Laboratory, Inc inventor of "transistor" since the heir of William Shockley donated the forested 28-acres land tract to the city of Auburn, California to be named after the former Nobel Prize winner.

The main reason of citizens' protest after the city's decision to name the community park after the former Bell Laboratory worker, who was the leading individuals on the eugenics movement of the 1920s and 1930s in the United States.

So many of you have the doubts about the sincerity of the Deaf Bilingual Coalition (DBC) and Audism Free America (AFA) fight endlessly against the past and present and future shackles of audism and limited educational options for deaf kids. So we, the Deaf America are not only the ones!

Here is the article from the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) newspaper -

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125167291476670823.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Friday, August 28, 2009

Wv School for the Deaf Face Possible 1/2 Million Dollars Budget Cut

Governor Joe Manchin seek to streamline the state budget by getting rid of duplicous programs and too many school adminstrators lately.

The $13 million dollars budget for the WV School for the Deaf in Romney, WV, possibly faces
the 1/2 million dollars ($522,000+) budget cut this year.

The budget cut decision have not been finalized yet.

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLMDEAF blog

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Tim Rikker's "Letter to the Editor" of USA Today

Tim Rikker, one of the respectable finanical advisor in the West Coast (CA), wrote the letter to the editor of "USA Today" newspaper appear today on 8/26/09 on the issue of cochlear implant.

Here is his letter to the editor -

Ear implants
Timothy Riker - Sacramento
It's important to educate readers that cochlear implants are not the silver bullet that some in the health care industry are claiming ("Giant steps for ear implants," Life, Aug. 17).

As a deaf person who learned American Sign Language as an infant, I had the social foundation needed to make me a successful person academically and professionally. I am disappointed with health care professionals such as Debara Tucci, the associate professor of otolaryngology at Duke University Medical Center, who said children who receive cochlear implants "are mainstreamed in school. They do beautifully. These kids won't need sign language." These words implied that deaf people who use sign language and attend a school for the deaf are inferior.
American Sign Language is a language to be respected as equal to spoken languages. Deaf people are not to be looked down upon because they communicate in sign language.
Posted at 12:07 AM/ET, August 26, 2009 in Letter to the editor, Medical Issues - Letters
hostName = '.usatoday.com';
USA TODAY welcomes your views and encourages lively -- but civil -- discussions. Comments are unedited, but submissions reported as abusive may be removed. By posting a comment, you affirm that you are 13 years of age or older.

This "letter to the editor" version of Tim Rikker seems shortened than appeared in the USA Today's print edition.

SEE THAT???? We, deaf citizens of Deaf America and other places around the world needs to spill our black kettle to spread our deaf activism than just whining and sitting on our rear behinds.

YOU COULD DO THAT BY YOURSELF! PLEASE STOP WORRYING ABOUT YOUR ENGLISH WRITING SKILLS. JUST DO IT! MANY OF YOU ARE REALLY SMART THAN YOU WOULD GIVE YOURSELF. SMILE! OR YOU COULD SUBMIT YOUR VIDEO POSTING IN YOUR OWN LANGUAGE - AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE AND MAKE EDITORS OF MASS MEDIA TO WORK OFF THEIR ASSES TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU SAID TO THEM.
LOL!

ASlize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLMDEAF blog

Senator Ted Kennedy for Deaf People

Senator Ted Kennedy was well-known as "The Senate's Lion" within us, Americans which he endlessly fought for the educational justice and other civil rights issues greatly mobilized and defined the Deaf America and other deaf people around the world.

No questions about Senator Kennedy's direct responsibility for the real changes in deaf education within expanded options for disabled youngsters of pre-college programs, ex.
mainstream, I.D.E.A., I.E.P and greater educational fundings for multi-handicapped programs.

Ted Kennedy from the long history of Massachusseetts' views on social, economic and political progress lend the Deaf American community and other cultural and linguistic minorities like the deaf ASL users to be politically empowered with the deaf activism from the mid-1960s to the recent 2006 Gallaudet University protest.

The state of Massachussetts was the first state to create the commisison of the deaf to serve the deaf population in the Bay State which successfully led by Barbara Woods, a deaf activist.

Deaf Massachussett residents actually enjoyed such privileges like the state providers for medical interpreters which Ted Kennedy and the Kennedy family played pivotal roles in
the changing attitudes toward disabled individuals , except the cultural and linguistic minority of deaf signing people.

Back in the early 1980s, Lt. Governor John Kerry (U.S. Senator, now) helped the creation of TTY distribution under Governor Mike Dukakis. As the similar comparsion to deaf people enjoyed free videophones within the private company nowadays.

No idea of how Senator Ted Kennedy really embraced deaf people as part of cultural and linguistic minority, instead of seeing us as disabled group.

Political liberals are usually known for their support of transforming the deaf education into more "mainstreamed" options as compared to many political conservatives' support for the deaf residential schools back in the 1970s.

Senator Ted Kennedy and other liberals included President John Kennedy paved the way for the direct government programs from federal food stamps distribution to Social Security Income/Social Security Disability Income (SSI/SSDI) which entirely changed the Deaf America
from the aspects of self-reliance to the "from cradle to death of welfare allocations) among handful of deaf people, instead of encouraging them to seek the gainful employment.

On another hand, Senator Kennedy and other liberals helped millions and millions of Americans to get out of permanent poverty with the government's social entitlement programs.

More and more deaf individuals engaged in the concept of enterpretutial efforts in the 1990s and 2000s which deaf people finally get in the steps of corporate ladders within the TTY and video relay services for the deaf. Senator Kennedy and other government leaders made real possible for deaf people being economically independent.

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)

Monday, August 17, 2009

Where is the AFA? What's Up With Current Media Coverages on CI?

There is a brand-new media coverage on cochlear implant surgery for DEAF YOUNGSTERS in the 8/16 (Monday) edition of "USA Today" newspaper.

Hold on! Why the sudden presence of how amazing the cochlear implant surgery for deaf youngsters and babies SHOWED UP LATELY in the American media reportings in very short time frame?

The Sun Sentinel newspaper of South Florida (Fort Lauderdale) ran the feature story on the awe of cochlear implant surgery for deaf babies and youngsters last week ago. The story was reprinted from the Chicago Tribune newspaper, but the L.A. Times and Balitmore Sun newspapers also ran the stories on cochlear implant surgery for deaf babies and youngsters within same time frame.

Here is the enclosure from the "USA Today" -
Eyeing smaller, faster, smarter ear implants
Updated
Enlarge
By Doug Kapustin for USA TODAY
Dr. John Niparko, a cochlear implant specialist, examines Serena Rush, 6, who got cochlear implants about 4 years ago and now has about 70% hearing.
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES
HOW IT WORKS
By Mary Brophy Marcus, USA TODAY
Cochlear implants open deaf kids' ears to the world
L.A. Times newspaper enclosure -
The technology is 'close to a miracle,' a psychologist says. Can it work for little Tyler de Lara?
1
2
3
4
next
Related
Audio slide show: A miracle of sound
How the implant works
What will become of American Sign Language?
By Shari Roan
August 3, 2009

There is the university websposting on the subject of CI in St. Louis, MO -

Medical News Releases > Medical News Releases > Hearing impaired get better hearing with cochlear implant plus hearing aid By Gwen Ericson
Aug. 4, 2009 -- Adults with severe hearing loss benefit from pairing a cochlear implant in one ear with a hearing aid in the other ear, even though the sound signals from each device are very different, according to a study at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis published in the June issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Audiology.

Is there really the conspiracy of marketing the cochlear implant surgery on deaf babies and youngsters during the month of August and health care reform debates across America?

In the meantime, where the hell is the Audism Free America on the troubling trends of media news reportings on CI within short time frame?

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLMDEAF blog
rlmdeaf@hotmail.com

Someone Left Open Message for Viable, Inc.

I got many anonymous messages left on my blog posting in regard to the Viable, Inc lately. I ever got numerous email inquiries from deaf foreigners overseas about the current status of
Viable, Inc. whether the company is still running or not, etc.

So here is the anonymous comment for Mr. John Yeh and Viable, Inc. -

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Why the FBI Looked Into Viable's Rate Billing Trai...": Needless to say more about Viable's dire situation, I am wondering if other VRS companies, such as Sorenson, CSDVRS, HORVS, etc, have ever considered a possibility of taking over the sinking Viable company and save Viable reputation. In this case, it could expedite payments to unpaid Viable employees in order to avoid multiple lawsuits that have been filed by disgruntled and unpaid employees.Also, it would still keep the Viable server running (MUST) in behalf of all Viable customers who have paid and used their VPADs and VPAD+s. The capabilities of VPAD and VPAD+ rely entirely on the Viable server. Without the Viable server, VPADs and VPAD+s would become obsolete. The Viable server is a heart of the Viable body. It would be catastrophe for all Viable customers.I hope that John Yeh will read this comment and consider a possibility of a company takeover by other VRS companies only if Viable situation is dire. I think Sorenson is the best business to buy Viable because Sorenson has tremendous funds and could keep the Viable server alive for VPADs and VPAD+s customer. Also, Sorenson would expand its customer base!. Yes, it may hurt Viable pride if Viable is taken over but Viable has to swallow a bitter pill for its sake.Anonymous

I am just being neutral on the Viable, Inc and have nothing to do with the Viable, Inc. I do find this anonymous's open message for Viable, Inc to be unbelievably arrogant and improper. I do not appreciate of being the messenger for the Viable, Inc.

Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLMDEAF blog
rlmdeaf@hotmail.com

Monday, August 10, 2009

What Marlee Maltin Doing with the "Hearing Angel" Foundation?

After seeing the 1/4 color newspaper ads on the upper right corner of USA Today's "Life" section with the pic of Marlee Matlin with quote - "Be someone's Hearing Angel" . It runs by
the Starkley Hearing Foundation.

I checked out the http://www.hearingangel.org/ to see if Marlee Matlin is being duped by the foundation or use her likeness without her authorization. This foundation seems responsible
for spreading the "audism" in other countries with the emphasis of hearing aids use.

Is that much better than implanting deaf kids and toddlers with cochlear implant (CI) devices by providing the hearing tests and hearing aid devices?

You decide -


What is a Hearing Angel?
Impact
Getting Involved
Supporters
News & Events
Understanding Hearing Loss
About Us

Make a Difference > Share Story A Life Changed > Read Story
Hearing Facts
Hundreds of millions of people worldwide have moderate to profound hearing loss in both ears.
People with untreated hearing loss can suffer from depression, isolation and withdrawal.
Children with hearing loss have difficulty learning and gaining the self-esteem to succeed in school and life.
Donate Now
Hearing Angel: Marlee Matlin
Donate Online
Donate by Phone
In Honor of a Loved One
Planned Giving
Donate by Mail

I understand first-hand what it's like to live in silence. But for millions of children, only a hearing aid separates them from hearing everything the world has to offer. Become a Hearing Angel - together we can make miracles happen.
Visit Marlee Matlin's Official Website
See More Supporters Become a Hearing Angel
About SHF
Stories
FAQs

ASlize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLMDEAF blog

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Another Deaf Celebrity Will Join "Dancing With Stars"

Guess who?? The confirmed news reports about the well-known deaf celebrity will appears on the ABC-TV's "Dancing with Stars".

I wonder if this deaf celebrity will reinforce the image of "oralist deaf" and "non-signing" deaf people or what?

Actress Marlee Maltin already done her hard work to bring the favorable image of deaf people to the "Dancing with Stars". *waving hands*

Should we, Deaf America be truly concerned about the incoming deaf celebrity appearance on this fall's "Dancing with Stars"?

http://wonderwall.msn.com/movies/Field-Guide-Celebrity-Skin-for-July-21-3504.gallery?GT1=28135#m=PrP5L5i3cli&wallState=2__/tv/dancing-with-the-incredible-hulk-1519151.story

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLMDEAF blog

Don't the Audistic Society See Real Benefits in Deaf People?

(Enclosed the very shocking article) Many of us, deaf people are very familar with the existence of audism when come to the job search for basic entry-level employment postitons. For example, non-college degree deaf individuals are automatically ruled out for the postiton like receptionist (not able to hear or answer the incoming phone calls) or lifeguards (the audists' pathetic excuses about lifeguards must have the ability to hear out any incoming screams from the would-be swimming victims, etc). LOOK AT THIS NEW YORK POST ARTICLE -
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08042009/news/regionalnews/queens/washed_up__ipod_guard_whistled_182908.htm

Every of us surely know about any deaf lifeguards would get fired instantly if those deaf lifeguards spend very quick conversation with people in American Sign Language (ASL) on the beach scene or watching DVD on the portable DVD player.

I am really glad that the NYC government including Mayor Mike Bloomberg taking real serious with the non-acceptance for any hearing lifeguard shortchange hir own lifesaving duties.

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLMDEAF blog

Sunday, August 2, 2009

83 Years Old Deaf Sexual Predator Lives Underneath Miami Freeway

Last week's Newsweek magazine, 7/25/09 edition, mentioned the 83 years old deaf male sexual predator reside underneath the Miami freeway with other sexual predators.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/208518/page/1 (mentionable of deaf guy on the eighth paragraph).

For months, the Miami Herald and Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale and South Florida) newspapers endlessly reported the existence of sexual predators camped outside the Miami
freeway due to the state of Florida's tough rules for where sexual predators could live.

I only could find several deaf sexual offender being registered within the Florida Sexual Offender Registry.



Another newspaper article mentioned the name of 83 years old deaf sexual predator -

Let's take a look at the cut and copy portion of newspaper article -






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Sex Offenders Set Up Camp

The Julia Tuttle becomes a colony. Politicians pass the buck.



Click here to view a slideshow of the bridge community.



The oldest offender is 82-year-old Manuel Perea, an arrival of just a few weeks ago. Perea, who is deaf, was sent to live under the Julia Tuttle after being arrested for his second sex offense, allegedly fondling three children while handing them a puppy on the street. He was fitted with a GPS unit, but can barely hear someone screaming into his ear, let alone the soft beeping of the box.



About a third of the men are harnessed with GPS monitors — despite the fact that they have no regular access to electricity to charge the batteries. If the generator is working, Ortiz usually obliges; otherwise the men either allow their boxes to shut down — technically a violation of their probations that could land them in jail — or resort to more extreme measures. One offender sometimes walks across the causeway to Wendy's, where he surreptitiously charges his box from a booth.



"What are you going to do with an 82-year-old guy who's a dirty old man?" says his lawyer, Ted Mastos, a former circuit court judge and state prosecutor. "The guy's got a problem — he's done it before. He's a problem, we recognize that, and that's the reason we entered a plea. But in our wildest dreams we never thought this would have happened.... His son is a very responsible guy and he's done yeoman service to try and find a place for his father," Mastos says. "And now an 82-year-old man has to die under a bridge, and nobody cares."



Manuel Perea walks a mile and a half along the causeway every night with slow, painstaking steps, carefully lifting his legs over the railing and descending under the bridge, politely waving a large wrinkled hand at the rest of the bridge dwellers as he passes by. Each night he slowly unpacks his bedding, lays it out on a concrete block, and goes to sleep. In the mornings, it takes him more than a half-hour to pack up the bedding.



"How the fuck can they put an 82-year-old man down here?" Ricardo asks one night, as the old man walks by, waving as usual. "That first night he got here, I hear beep beep beep.... I go, 'Fuck, it's the old man.' He can't even hear the box when it's right next to him."



"It's comedy," Ricardo murmurs, watching the old man's retreating shadow. "It's comedy and tragedy at the same time."