Now, the time is getting near for the ASL Weekend on May 20-21 2011, I know many of you have been involved working as a deaf mentor at the ASL weekend.  This year, we are making a small change for all the deaf people who want to be involved with this kind of job: be a deaf camp counselor.  Here are the guidelines what you will be doing:

 As a Deaf Camp Counselor – your job duties will include:

• Being head of the table – sit at the end of the table for each meal; breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday.
• Interact with the hearing students during the workshops and after workshops
• Interact with students after the entertainments on Friday and Saturday nights

   You will be paid during that weekend plus free room and board.  ONLY 20 people will be hired so please sign up as fast as you can.  Deadline is on April 31^st or first come, first serve !

 If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at Rebyington@aol.com or 414-376- 6640 VP    

Thank you.

 Ron Byington

Submitted by admin on Wed, 11/17/2010 – 19:35
Greg Hlibok was tapped by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski to lead the FCC Disability Rights Office (DRO) which is responsible for telecommunications relay services (TRS), access to telecommunications equipment and services by persons with disabilities, access to emergency information, closed captioning and more. The DRO also provides expert advice and assistance to other FCC Bureaus and Offices, federal agencies, consumers, and industry, in order to support the Commission’s goal of increasing the accessibility of telecommunications services and technologies for persons with disabilities. Further, the DRO has a significant role in carrying out the mandates of the new Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 signed into law by President Barack Obama on October 8, 2010, an effort spearheaded by the NAD and other organizations that are members of the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT).
“As the new Chief of the Disability Rights Office, Greg, who is deaf, is the first person in this important role who directly experiences the same policies that he will develop and implement. The NAD congratulates FCC Chairman Genachowski for selecting a highly qualified person with a disability who will lead the DRO through significant advances in telecommunications and technology for people with disabilities and Greg for this incredible honor,” said NAD President Bobbie Beth Scoggins. “This is a significant milestone during the 20th anniversary year of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Our community has a litany of challenges that this FCC administration has worked hard to address, including the National Broadband Plan to connect the country to the Internet, achieving functionally equivalent telecommunications relay services, and emerging closed captioning issues. We look forward to Greg’s leadership on these issues.”
For more information about Greg Hlibok’s selection as the next DRO Chief, please see:
http://www.fcc.gov/ftp/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2010/db1116/DOC-302803A1.pdf

Submitted by admin on Thu, 11/18/2010 – 21:32
On Wednesday, November 10, 2010, the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), along with other disability rights advocates met with Tom Perez, the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ described significant advances that they have made in defending the rights of people with disabilities through various litigation and settlement agreements. We shared that we are pleased that the DOJ is investing more in enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and reaching out to the cross-disability community; however, more work needed to be done to preserve the rights of deaf and hard of hearing community. The NAD requested that the DOJ to respond to financial institutions that refuse telecommunications relay calls, insufficient captioning in movie theaters, and lack of captioning and other effective communication auxiliary aids in sports stadiums. We look forward to working closely with the DOJ on the concerns we discussed, in addition to several other crucial issues affecting the deaf and hard of hearing community

http://bit.ly/i3qAK6

Submitted by admin on Tue, 11/23/2010 – 01:43
On Thursday, November 18, 2010, the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) joined other advocates, legislators, parents, students, and friends to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). This revolutionary law made free appropriate public education a civil right for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and other children with disabilities. Under the IDEA, states are required to ensure that each child has equal access to public education. 
At the celebration, hosted by the U.S. Department of Education, several prominent individuals reflected on their fight to enact the IDEA. Opening remarks were made by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, who commented on the progress made in the past 35 years and acknowledged that the work is far from done. Senator Tom Harkin, a longtime champion for disability rights, recalled his experience in making the IDEA a law. Representative George Miller, another disability rights supporter, shared his memories of learning about the poor state of special education prior to the IDEA and being determined to change the system for the better.
The event also consisted of two panels. The first panel included leading advocates who played a role in implementing the IDEA and other advocates who are determined to improve the status of special education. The celebration concluded with a group of young professionals who explained how the IDEA had enabled them to be successful today.
The NAD was honored to be included in this celebration of the IDEA. The NAD is committed to advocating for the unique educational needs of deaf and hard of hearing children that the IDEA has not adequately addressed. The event served as a reminder of how dedicated individuals can make a difference and as an inspiration to all of us interested in ensuring our children’s rights to equal education.

http://bit.ly/gLW9Qv

Submitted by admin on Tue, 11/23/2010 – 16:11
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) reached a settlement with the Alabama Board of Pharmacy (ALBOP) in the case of Barbara Jane Howard, a qualified deaf pharmacist. Ms. Howard filed a complaint in federal court alleging she was denied the right to accept prescription orders through relay service calls on the job. The NAD is pleased to have this matter resolved.
Howard, who graduated with honors from her pharmacy program, was qualified to perform her duties at Wal-Mart when the ALBOP denied her the right to use relay services on the job.  ALBOP claimed that only a pharmacist or registered intern could accept prescription orders; not a relay service operator. Ms. Howard claimed that ALBOP had violated her rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Under the settlement agreement, Ms. Howard will be able to use relay services on the job.
“Telecommunications relay services enables deaf and hard of hearing people to access and use the nation’s telephone system. The ability to access and use the telephone system is critical for employment and other areas of daily life,” said NAD President Bobbie Beth Scoggins. “Deaf and hard of hearing professionals have the right to succeed as highly trained professionals. Professionals, such as pharmacists and attorneys, should not be restricted in any way just because they happen to be deaf or hard of hearing.”