Houston Deaf Network » Headlines

Volunteers Needed for DeafTax!

Incognito — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:26:28 +0000

With Tax season quickly approaching, the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities and IRS are partnering to offer Free Tax Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. In order for us to be successful, we need volunteers fluent in American Sign Langauge (ASL). The volunteers are asked to participated in a tax training course and take the test to become a certified tax preparer.

The training will be:
Wednesday and Thursday, Janaury 18 & 19, 2012
Time: 3pm to 6pm
Location: Metropoltian Multi-Service Center
1475 W. Gray St.
Houston, TX 77019

Please fill out the attached flyer if you are intersted in volunteering and send to Kaitlyn Tracy. Contact information below.

Kaitlyn Tracy at 281.936.0770 (VP) or e-mail: kaitlyn.tracy@houstontx.gov

V I T A Volunteer Interest Form 2012 (1).doc (59 KB)

Bayou City Performing Arts Concerts

Billy Koch — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:16:55 +0000

Starting with Christmas performance “Houston Holiday Hoedown” December 20,
2011

Tickets have been discounted for deaf attendees to $30.00 in package type C
package for the Bayou City Chorale. (This is single tickets only)

Please mark your purchase form with Deaf and place Zee Broussard’s name on
it also; this will ensure that your tickets will be discounted and placed In
the right section.

Please alert your Deaf friends and invite others to this event.

The concerts will be interpreted in Sign Language by Zee Broussard.

1029_2011-2012BCPASeasonTicketOrderForm.pdf (458 KB)

UPDATED- ASL FILMS – Versa Effect

Incognito — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:29:10 +0000

Synopsis: From their childhood years to working at a Deaf school in Texas, Jackie and Seth have always love to…HATE each other! The fact that they are working closely in the same school did not help matters. For all their bad blood with each other, something bad had happened to them: their bodies have been switched! What follows is a series of laugh-a-minute hijinks as Jackie and Seth struggle to get back to their bodies. Because of that, they have no choice but to work together in order to save themselves. With time running out, Jackie and Seth must find a way to get back in their bodies before they get stuck in the opposite sex of bodies forever! Versa Effect is the first comedy film directed by the venerable Mark Wood. Versa Effect is filmed in the vein of Freaky Friday that will be enjoyed by everyone of all ages!

Rosa Lee Timm
Russell harvard

Now Available at Austin, Bryan, & San Antonio…and now at Big Spring and Houston!
Rated-PG / 90 Minutes / No Audio

* Big Spring, Texas (New info!)
$11 Admission
Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 3:00 PM

MSC Auditorium
3200 Avenue C
Big Spring, Texas 79720

* Austin, Texas #1
Come to the Austin Premiere of ASL FILMS
$15 admission (including refreshment and drinks)

Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 4:00 PM (CC)
Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 7:00 PM (No CC)

Dougherty Arts Center
1110 Barton Spring Road
Austin, Texas 78704

* San Antonio, Texas
Come to the Texas Premiere of Russell latest movie

Russell will appear live!
$11 admission

Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 5:00 PM (CC)
Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 8:00 PM (No CC)

Social ASL starts at 4:00 PM

Blue Star Brewery
1414 South Alamo, Suite 105
San Antonio, Texas 78210

* Houston, Texas (New info!)
Friday, October 21, 2011 at 4:00 PM (CC)
Friday, October 21, 2011 at 7:00 PM (No CC)

Woodhaven Baptist Deaf Church
9920 Long Point
Houston, Texas 77055

* Bryan, Texas
$11 Admission

Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 5:00 PM (CC)
Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 8:00 PM (No CC)

Binn College
2423 Blinn Blvd.
Byran, Texas 77802

* Austin, Texas #2
$11 admission

Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 7:00 PM (No CC)

R.L. Auditorium @ TSD
1102 South Congress Ave
Austin, Texas 78704

Net Proceeds to Benefit the ABC ASL Tickets/Info: Theron Parker, ABCASL@yahoo.com.

Tickets will be sold at the door if available
DVDs will be available for sale

http://www.aslfilms.com

Deaf Texas Cruise!

Incognito — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:39:59 +0000

We are having a large deaf cruise next August 26, 2012 at Galveston, TX. Perfect place for all deaf Texans – the ship is closer to your home! You don’t need an airplane ticket to go there – save money – wow! We will sail on the new ship “CARNIVAL MAGIC” for a week to Western Caribbean. Starting price from $548 per person.

Go to our website for more information. Everyone is welcome! Attached file is PDF. format flyer to pass out to your family and friend. Spread the words! We would LOVE to have deaf people from Texas!

Gina Davis
Great Deaf Vacations
www.greatdeafvacations.com

Carnival Magic Flyer 2012 PDF.pdf (790 KB)

GHDC 2nd Annual Awards / Banquet Night – UPDATE

Billy Koch — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:35:19 +0000

Greater Houston Deaf Connection is proud to host the 2nd Annual Deaf Awareness Banquet Night. Buffet dinner will be served, as well we will be recognizing contributing members/organizations from the Greater Houston area. GHDC is also proud to bring in New York City’s own ASL Performer – Doug Ridloff to perform for us during this event.

To gather more information in regards to the event – stop by http://www.deafhouston.org/ghdc-banquet/

Tickets are selling at $60.00 per person – please RSVP by September 28th, 2011. So buy your tickets soon! We still have TICKETS available for this fantastic event! Don’t miss out!

See Video of Doug Ridloff – Capital D

DATE: October 1, 2011
TIME: 6:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
ADDRESS:
3000 NASA Parkway
Houston, Texas
WEBSITE: http://www.deafhouston.org

CONTACT PERSON NAME: Billy Koch
CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS: billy.koch@gmail.com

2nd Annual GHDC Awards/Banquet Night

Billy Koch — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 19:08:16 +0000

Are you ready for an evening of recognition and awards? Are you ready to watch a deaf performer perform at the event! Well that is what we have in the store for you! Greater Houston Deaf Connections is proud to host the 2nd annual Deaf Awareness Awards/Banquet Night on October 1, 2011! We have some exciting times lined up! We will have a buffet style meal, then recognize individuals, organizations within the Greater Houston area – (based on YOUR submissions not ours!). And then we will have a performance from Doug Ridloff – a deaf ASL performer who has traveled all over America with his act!

Visit DeafHouston.org for more information on Banquet

See Video of Doug Ridloff – Capital D

Recruiting new contestants…

Incognito — Tue, 31 May 2011 13:54:18 +0000

Guess what!! We are still recruiting new contestants. The deadline has been extended to June 17, 2011.

The Miss Deaf Texas Ambassador program is not a beauty pageant, but a tradition that has been going on for 35 years providing a forum for the Deaf Texas ladies to express their opinions, talent and intelligence. It will be a positive experience for the deaf and hearing community to enjoy watching the program. The winner of the Miss Deaf Texas title will be awarded the Tara McAvoy Scholarship of $1000.00.

For ladies who are interested in becoming a contestant:

Please sign up on http://www.missdeaftexas.com
We have a fun retreat planned for the week of July 19-23.

We are looking for a lady to represent:
Miss Deaf San Antonio
Miss Deaf Galveston
Miss Deaf Pearland
Miss Deaf Sugarland
Miss Deaf Kingwood
Miss Deaf Deer Park
Miss Deaf Pasadena
Miss Deaf Conroe
Miss Deaf Woodlands
Miss Deaf Tomball

Miss Deaf Texas Competition information
Date: July 23, 2011

Location:
Lone Star College Center for the Arts
9191 Barker-Cypress Road
Cypress, TX 77433

Time: 2:00-5:00
(Reception will follow in the College Center Conference room.)

Please let Amanda Tuite know if you are interested in sponsoring a contestant for the Miss Deaf Texas retreat & pageant. Email Amanda Tuite at MissDeafTexas98@gmail.com

We will be honored to have you all attend the Miss Deaf Texas Ambassador program in July!

*********************************
To contribute to the Tara McAvoy Scholarship, please contact MDTAP Treasurer, Amy Rincon at mdtreceipt@gmail.com
*********************************
It’s not too late to promote your club, organization, or business in our beautiful program book. Please contact Amanda Tuite at Missdeaftexas98@gmail.com

HPD in Hot Pursuit of Accessible Communications

Incognito — Mon, 09 May 2011 18:34:02 +0000

April 2011 – Deaf Link, a Texas-based accessible communications company, is pleased to recognize the Houston Police Department for providing video remote interpreting (VRI) technology for ASL users in the city of Houston. This addition of VRI along with existing community interpreting agreements provides the HPD and Houston residents with a cost effective and time efficient solution in providing ASL accessibility.

Houston is the nation’s 4th largest city, with over two million residents.

Mike Houston of Deaf Link has been assisting HPD with implementing this access along with providing ASL cultural education, “We have been fortunate to work closely with Officer James Sobota, the point person for the HPD VRI project who himself possesses knowledge of basic sign language. HPD has raised the bar on including a large segment of society often overlooked, citizens who rely on ASL to communicate. Now with VRI and onsite interpreter agencies and internal training, HPD has elevated its commitment to serve and protect all citizens including those who rely on ASL”.

Officer Sobota added, “The HPD has established VRI units at 17 locations throughout the city. While interviewing many companies in the country, Deaf Link stood out with experience and service. Deaf Link was able to assist us from the first inquired phone call all the way to installation.”

Kaitlyn Tracey with the Houston Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities had this to say in praise, “We applaud the efforts of the Houston Police Department and Officer James Sobota in recognizing the need for accessible communication at police stations. This is a large step forward for the deaf community and the city of Houston and hopefully will serve as a platform for future accommodations for the deaf community throughout the country.”

Paul Rutowski, President of the Texas Association of the Deaf (TAD), also had high praise, “TAD appreciates HPD’s efforts in bringing better communication between HPD and the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Community by providing Sign Language interpreters, be it live in person or via modern technology such as VRI.”

VRI has been around for almost 10 years, but not until the recent ADA Amendment Act of 2008 has it been officially recognized as an accommodation solution. VRI is not meant to replace community interpreters – it is a tool that allows a limited resource (interpreters) to be managed more effectively, providing an increased range of access for ASL users across the spectrum of daily living, often unscheduled. “Life is more than just a phone call,” says Scott Bailey of Deaf Link, “having VRI access allows us to fully participate in whatever life brings our way. I’d love to see VRI everywhere; it would be like having an interpreter in my pocket. It’s still very important that businesses and consumers understand the difference between VRI and VRS.”

Lets all applaud the HPD for being proactive in providing ADA and Civil Rights accommodations. Too often ASL users must “fight city hall” in obtaining this kind of access – not in Houston, not this time. One small step for Houston, one giant step for ASL access. Does your police department or city hall provide this kind of access?

For more information about HPD’s VRI access, contact:
Officer James Sobota – James.Sobota@cityofhouston.net
For more information about Video Remote Interpreting, contact: info@deaflink.com

Keith Wann One Man Show! brought to you by GHID and GHDC

Incognito — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 01:39:45 +0000

Greater Houston Deaf Connections and Greater Houston Interpreters for the Deaf have teamed up to bring you Keith Wann One Man Show.

Come and enjoy a night of storytelling and Deaf Culture. Laugh with Keith as he takes you on a hilarious “visual” journey to describe his childhood experiences. Come learn about the Deaf and Hearing Worlds and how they often clash with the help of a mischievous child of deaf adults…

Keith Wann is an acclaimed American Sign Language (ASL) performing artist who has been captivating and amusing audiences with his controlled chaos and total pandemonium comedy explosions on stage, often leaving his laughing audiences gasping for breath. Wann has quickly established a reputation for his wacky, off-the-wall stories that ring true with CODAs everywhere and are equally funny for other members of the Deaf community.

Sunday, April 17 · 6:00pm – 9:00pm
M.O. Campbell Educational Center
1865 Aldine Bender Rd

The doors open at 6:00 PM show starts at 6:30.

Advance purchase tickets are $18. Tickets at the door are $20.
This is event is proudly sponsored by Sign Shares

For additional information – visit Keith Wann facebook event

GHID WORKSHOP Ethical Considerations: Interpersonal Abuse and Individuals Who Are Deaf

Incognito — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 17:48:56 +0000

Our presenters from Safe Place and Advocacy, Inc have designed a full day of training for ASL interpreters. The training will provide interpreters an opportunity to learn more about the dynamics of violence perpetrated against Deaf individuals. In addition, the effects of these dynamics on the interpreter when called to situations involving sexual or domestic violence will also be addressed. This training will support participants in applying the interpreter Code of Ethics in situations encountered when responding to incidences of domestic and sexual violence. Attorneys with Advocacy, Inc. will co-facilitate the training and co-facilitate processing of scenarios. The scenarios are specifically designed to provide opportunities to brainstorm responses that keep both the Deaf survivor’s and the interpreter’s well-being at the forefront in interpreting situations based on the NAD/RID Code of Ethics.

Participants will:

1. Form an increased knowledge base regarding the dynamics of violence perpetrated against Deaf individuals in the interpreter’s work with survivors of abuse/violence.
2. Describe areas where personal barriers may arise in providing effective interpreter services for Deaf survivors of violence.
3. Identify the potential impact that traumatic experiences such as violence and abuse can have on both clients and interpreters.
4. Apply critical thinking skills used in potential settings that interpreters may encounter using the application of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Code of Professional Conduct. Specific attention will be given to issues related to confidentiality, professional boundaries and secondary trauma/self-care.

This workshop was developed by licensed professional Deaf services counselors and attorneys including Faye Kuo, a Deaf attorney previously with Advocacy, Inc in Austin, Texas.

(Primary focus is interpreters on the job, however, this workshop will offer an in-depth look into the unique dynamic of abuse of Deaf individuals and is beneficial for all who work with Deaf populations specifically mental health counselors, educators, social workers, and law enforcement.)

RID and BEI Ethics CEU’s will be provided for .6 hours at the some knowledge level
http://www.ghid.tsid.org/profdev.htm
For more information or to register check out ghid.tsid.org or contact Jo Westbury terpwestbury@gmail.com