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Deaf Awareness Week Events Sept 12th-18th

Billy Koch — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 02:19:16 +0000

We, the Deaf Awareness Week 2010 are excited to present the deaf and hard of hearing community the new and upcoming Deaf Awareness Week events from September 12 – 18th, 2010. We have a week long events and are very excited with the planning for the week. Please feel free to see the week long events we have going on. We hope you will join us for this fun filled week!

Events

Sunday – Wednesday | More info at deafhouston.org
Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed
Sept 12th Deaf Awareness Week Kick Off Kemah Board Walk 3pm to closing direction (outdoor) – Water Fountain (indoor) – Joes Crab Shack There are free and paid parking (up to $10)	Sept 13th Multicultural & Diversity HCC Adminstration Bldg – Auditorium 3rd floor (Tall bldg where you see “HCC”) 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. direction	Sept 14th Astros vs Brewers Minute Maid Park 7:05 p.m. Order them online! Use HDA2010 for special code. For more info go to deafhouston.org. direction	Sept 15th None

Thursday – Saturday | More info at deafhouston.org
Thurs	Fri	Sat
Sept 16th Educational Day Lone Star College – CyFair Located at Theatre followed by the Conference Center 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m direction	Sept 17th DPHHH and Social Sherlock’s Pub on Grey Rd 7 p.m. to closing direction	Sept 18th Booth Day Multicultural Center 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. direction Banquet and Awards Night Westin Oaks Hotel 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. Adults Only direction

Booth – Sept 18th 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

We have a maximum of 40 booths for this event. If you need a booth, fill out the booth application and email daw@deafhouston.org to let us know you are interested. The event will be held at:

Multipurpose Center off West Grey
1475 West Gray
Houston, Texas 77019
Booth Application

Banquet – Sept 18th 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Update: Deadline to purchase ticket is Sept 11th. Hurry!
Come out to the Banquet and Awards Night – We will be presenting some awards to folks in Houston for their contribution to the Deaf Community. Only 200 seats available so – come on out and enjoy the DEAF Night. Tickets are $50.00 per person.
Buy your tickets now and RSVP to daw@deafhouston.org or billy.koch@ghdc.us/brad.porche@ghdc.us

Adults Only!
Dress code is BUSINESS CASUAL – Dress to impress!

Please see deafhouston.org for more information or follow @HoustonDAW on Twitter.

In Memory of Lucille Allen McAlister

Longster — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:31:39 +0000

Lucille Allen McAlister, age 73, a lifetime resident of Houston, passed away on July 31, 2010. Mrs. McAlister was born on Dec 7, 1936, in Houston, Texas, to Gordon Bailey Allen and Fannie Weinona Allen. She was very active in causes for people who were deaf and hard of hearing. Mrs. McAlister served three, three-year terms for the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Board for Evaluation of Interpreters and also served as an evaluator for the Certification Board from 1983 – 2008. She also taught sign language courses in Interpreter Training for Lee College, Houston Community College and North Harris County College. Additionally, Mrs. McAlister served on the Advisory Board for the Interpreter Training Programs at Lee College, North Harris County College and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She served on numerous task forces for the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Commission for the Dear and Hard of Hearing. Mrs. McAlister also served two terms as President of the Greater Houston Interpreters of the Deaf. While she worked in an educational setting for many years at all levels and in a variety of medical settings, her greatest love was in court interpreting.

Preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Gloria Slates; Mrs. McAlister is survived by her loving husband, Michael McAlister; son, David Lee Dudley and wife, Patty, of Macungie, Pennsylvania; step-daughters, Renee Marshall and husband, George, of Spring, Beth Bruce and husband, Steven, of Houston, and Katy McAlister, of Algonquin, Illinois; sister, Menefee Holdren; grandchildren, Tyler, Rachel and John Dudley, Chad and Amy Cegelski and Madeline McAlister; “favorite niece,” Kathleen Holdren and her children Lacey Webster and husband, Jason, Lindsay Ellis (Godchild) and husband, Chad, and Leslie Benbrook; nephews, David Lavon Brewer and wife, Wanda, and their children, Adam and Stacy and Richard Holdren and wife, Marilou, and their children, Marlow and Richmond; and numerous other friends, family and colleagues who will miss her.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 3, 2010, from 6 – 8 p.m. at Crespo & Jirrels Funeral Home. The service will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 4, 2010, in the Chapel of Crespo & Jirrels, with Pastor John Raddatz of Joy Lutheran Church officiating. Entombment will follow at Memory Gardens Mausoleum. Honoring the family as pallbearers will be Sonny Wukasch, Steven Bruce, Chad Cegelski, Robert Reichle, Maury Knape and George Marshall. For those desiring, memorial donations may be made in Lucille’s memory to Joy Lutheran Church Building Campaign, P. O. Box 23187, Houston, Texas 77228.

Born: December 07, 1936
Died: July 31, 2010
Visitation: Tuesday, August 3, 2010, from 6 – 8 p.m. at Crespo & Jirrels
Services: Wednesday, August 4, 2010, at 10 a.m. in the Chapel of Crespo & Jirrels; entombment at Memory Gardens Mausoleum

Also visit: http://tributes.com/Lucille-McAlister
Memorials: For those desiring, memorial donations may be made in Lucille’s memory to Joy Lutheran Church Building Campaign, P. O. Box 23187, Houston, Texas 77228.
Cemetery: Memory Gardens (Map)
Location: Crespo and Jirrels Funeral and Cremation Services (Map)

Source

Memory of Billie Jean Macon

Ready, Set, Work! (Ages 16-18)

Incognito — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:54:11 +0000

Hands-on workshop for deaf students (Ages 16-18) to teach skills and tips to find and maintain employment.

Topics covered in Workshop:
• Professional Readiness
* Determining your Career Plan
* Dress for Success
* Cleaning Up Your Electronic Self
* Getting Your Paperwork Together
* Disability Disclosure

• The Job Hunt
* Where to Search for Jobs
* Applying for Jobs
* Interviewing Successfully

• Keeping the Job
* Probationary Periods
* Developing Good Work Habits

• Communication/Social/Interpersonal
* Communication Strategies
* Communicating on the Job without an interpreter

And More!

When/Location:
August 9t h – 12t h , 2010
Texas School for the Deaf (TSD)
Austin, Texas

Room/Board:
Students will stay on campus at TSD. Meals will be provided by TSD. Students
will be supervised on campus at all times.

Registration:
First come, first serve basis. Open to all high school deaf students 16-18 years old. Maximum number of participants: 25 students.

**All classes will be signed**

For more information please contact Shelley Oishi, Work Training Specialist at
Shelley.oishi@tsd.state.tx.us or call and leave a voice message 800-970-2036.
Videophone: 512-861-0221

Mayor Parker to attend Deaf PIP meeting

Incognito — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:15:06 +0000

The Houston Police Department Deaf Positive Interaction Program (PIP) meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 6 at 7:30 PM at Woodhaven Deaf Baptist Church (9920 Long Point). Jeff Anderson, Executive Director of Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, will speak about the deaf initiatives MOPD has been focusing on throughout the city.

Special Guest: Mayor Annise Parker
Mayor Parker is now attending PIP sessions throughout the city. She has chosen to come to the Deaf PIP meeting as her first one. Let us welcome her.

Please come to this meeting to hear about the work the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities has been doing for the deaf community. If anyone wants to volunteer to bring a dish or refreshments, please contact Officer James Sobota at James.Sobota@cityofhouston.net.

If you ahve any questions or concerns, please contact Office James Sobota at James.Sobota@cityofhouston.net
TDD: (713) 308-9071
Voice: (713) 308-9079
Woodhaven Deaf Baptist Church
9920 Long Point
Houston, TX 77055

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

DAW 2010 Meeting – June 26th 10am – 12pm

Bradley Porche — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 19:30:32 +0000

Our third meeting of the year to prepare for DAW 2010 will be held at Houston Community College – San Jacinto Building 2nd floor, Suite L321 from 10am to 12pm. on June 26th (Saturday).

If you are interested in volunteering and assisting please feel free to show up the meeting, or email us at daw@deafhouston.org. We’re looking forward to making 2010 a successful DAW event! And we can’t do it WITHOUT you!

Houston Community College
San Jacinto Building
2nd floor Suite L321
1300 Holman
Houston, Texas 77004
June 26th, 2010
10 am – 12pm

Please email brad.porche@ghdc.us for parking decal before Tuesday 6/22/10.

See you folks there!

See what I’m Saying: The Deaf Entertainers Documentary

Incognito — Fri, 21 May 2010 12:01:28 +0000

See What I’m Saying is a powerful and unique look at deaf entertainers that touches on the human nature of these unsung artists. Its universal appeal transcends the four intertwined stories, allowing audiences to peek inside deaf culture and see this vibrant community in a fascinating new light. The humor and the pathos are eloquently supported by Kubilay Üner’s soaring score and guided by director/producer Hilari Scarl’s unique vision.

WHERE:
AMC Studio 30 – Houston
2949 Dunvale Rd
Houston, TX 77063
(713) 977-4431

WHEN:
5/21/10 Friday: 11:00am, 1:20pm, 3:30pm, 5:50pm, 8:15pm, 10:30pm
5/22/10 Saturday: 12:40am, 11:00am, 1:20pm, 3:30pm, 5:50pm, 8:15pm, 10:30pm
5/23/10 Sunday: 11:00am, 1:20pm, 3:30pm, 5:50pm, 8:15pm, 10:30pm
5/24/10 Monday: 11:00am, 1:20pm, 3:30pm, 5:50pm, 8:15pm, 10:30pm
5/25/10 Tuesday: 11:00am, 1:20pm, 3:30pm, 5:50pm, 8:15pm, 10:30pm
5/26/10 Wednesday: 11:00am, 1:20pm, 3:30pm, 5:50pm, 8:15pm, 10:30pm
5/27/10 Thursday: 11:00am, 1:20pm, 3:30pm, 5:50pm, 8:15pm, 10:30pm

Source

UPDATE – Taste of Technology in Houston

Is God’s Love Important Enough for the Deaf to Know, Too?

leyelhudson — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 20:09:53 +0000

Let me start off by saying that having been an atheist, I realize that not all of you will agree with everything I am writing about, but understand that it comes out of a deep love for equality in the Deaf community. Yesterday, I had a conversation for the second time with a Director from the purported Christian organization Family Life. A few years ago, I pleaded with this organization to understand the value of providing professional sign language interpreters for their Weekend to Remember events. When I called yesterday to plead this case again, Carl Boykin who is the Director of Events responded that Family Life’s position on this issue has not changed. He tried to convince me that they understood the Deaf community’s position on this but I quickly informed him that their organization clearly did not understand or it would otherwise advocate to ensure that these events had professional interpreters. I described how the Deaf community has been discriminated against by various Christian and other religious entities for hundreds of years; I explained that many Deaf community members loathe the idea of attending church after being forced to go with their families without an interpreter to clarify the proceedings. I also explained how I realize that technically non-profit religious organizations are not all held to the standard of the Americans with Disabilities Act, but does that mean as Christians we should not rise above this? As Christians, does it take a governmental edict requiring us to love people to follow through? Has not God already commanded this of us in our own Holy Bible? I realize that there may be other ways legally of having interpreters provided (perhaps from the locations these events are being provided at), but why should it come to that? I explained to Mr. Boykin that by not providing professional interpreters, he was saying one of two things to the Deaf community:

The Deaf community is not important enough to hear Family Life’s message or
Family Life’s message is not important enough for the Deaf community to hear.

Period. Whether that is the intent behind their actions matters not since this is how the actions are perceived by the community.

He made certain to tell me that even though they do not provide interpreters, they do “other things.” When I asked what these “other things” were, he replied that they let interpreters volunteer their time sometimes at the conferences. I asked if his speakers, stage crew, light and sound crew, and other staff members volunteered their time as well, to which he replied no. Let me first say, that anyone who really knows me knows that I volunteer my interpreting services probably more often than I should, so I am not opposed to volunteering. It should not be expected, though. Interpreters provide a valuable service and it is a lot to ask of someone to give up two to three full work days as a volunteer. Not only this, but there is no quality control standard over most volunteers. Oftentimes this means an uncertified and/or unqualified signer is pulled in to interpret without any knowledge of our Code of Professional Conduct. These paying Deaf patrons want to know when they attend a conference over a sensitive matter such as marriage that they can trust their private matters to not be leaked back to the very small Deaf community. At least with a professional interpreter, they have a better chance of receiving this standard of service. Although volunteer interpreters can also be professional interpreters, oftentimes volunteer equates to unqualified.

Carl also informed me…wait for it, this is the kicker…that Family Life is gracious enough to waive the registration fees for the interpreters. Ummm…huh? I told him that would be the equivalent of the college I teach at waiving tuition fees for me to teach. Do they charge their other staff members registration fees? Of course they do not because the staff members are working. They should be paid, not pay to work. At a $129 per person or $258 per couple (not including hotel stay) registration fee, there is no reason that this organization could not afford to pay for interpreters. I reminded Carl that if they really had faith in God as an organization, they should trust that He will provide for their interpreting funds just as He has provided for many of their other initiatives.

I asked Mr. Boykin this, “If you were on trial in a court in China, do you think it would be sufficient if you were provided a volunteer English interpreter?” The answer is of course not, especially with imprisonment or worse at stake. How much more imperative is it for someone to have clear communication when it come to saving a marriage and to the eternal life and death message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Can you tell me, according to the Christian faith, any message of import above that of salvation? I think not.

Sadly, after all of this, I realized that my time and breath had been wasted because Mr. Boykin’s response was just to say that it was an “unfortunate situation.” I let him know that it was unfortunate because Family Life would no longer have my support, the support of my family, the support of my extended family, nor that of many of my friends. How can I support an organization which so blatantly is discriminating against an entire people group? It pains me to speak ill words of a Christian organization because, having been an atheist until the age of nineteen, I know that these types of incidents are exactly what turn people further away from the Christian faith and misrepresent the whole. Despite that, I think it is important to bring all things to the light to allow people to see and make judgments for themselves. Thanks for listening and perhaps one day this Christian organization and others like it will learn what it means to love.

Leyel Hudson
Interpreter and Professor of Interpreting
leyelhudson@gmail.com

Business Convention and Expo of the Deaf!

Incognito — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 12:51:00 +0000

There is a fast growing number of Deaf Professionals and Deaf Entrepreneurs who are looking for qualified ASL interpreters who have the knowledge, skills, and experience in business, marketing, sales, entrepreneurship, finance, real estates, negotiation and other areas that will help attract hearing clients for their Deaf business.

We are thrilled to announce that RID has approved CEU credits workshops in business and personal development related topics.

Not only that: you will also have a great opportunity to meet with Deaf professionals, business experts and new Deaf customers for your own interpreting business venture. You will also enjoy breakfast and lunch meals, networking with other participants and gather new ideas for your professional and personal growth!

Do not wait, go to http://deafbusiness.org

…And register for workshops. ASL Interpreters who completed at least 7 workshops will be added on Deaf Business ASL Interpreter Directory and Friendly Business Interpreters Network statewide and nationwide.

Free Tax Preparation for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals living in Houston!

Incognito — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 21:48:32 +0000

Free Tax Preparation for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals living in Houston! Deaf and Hard of Hearing volunteers help you prepare your taxes!

This event is for those who make a family income of $49,000 or less or individual income of $29,000 or less. If you meet the above requirements and would like to partake in this event, please e-mail Kaitlyn Tracy at Kaitlyn.Tracy@cityofhouston.net

WHEN:
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010

TIMES:
12noon- 3PM

WHERE:
Lillian Beard Deaf Connection Center
9920 Long Point
Houston 77055

Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities

Longster — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:48:09 +0000

One of the important functions that The Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities is charged to do in its enabling law is to make recommendations to the Governor and legislature each biennium on issues related to Texans with disabilities.

The Committee structures its work into ten broad issue areas. They are Access, Communication, Education, Emergency Management, Health, Housing, Recreation and the Arts, Transportation, Veterans and Workforce.

The Committee wants to hear from its citizens with disabilities, family members, caregivers and professionals in the field of disability issues. We want to know what YOU think are the major needs and issues facing Texans with disabilities. Your feedback is needed and welcomed.

If you have any data that you want to include with your comments that helps bolster your feedback, please do include it or a link to it with your survey comments. The survey will be posted until September 30, 2010. The information will then be consolidated and considered as the Committee drafts its biennial policy recommendations for the 82nd Legislative Session which begins in January 2011.

This survey is anonymous. Please distribute widely to your community. Thank you for your participation in this important survey. YOUR OPINION Matters!

This survey is available in:
* English:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/citizeninput

* Spanish:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/encuesta_de_ciudadanos

It is also available in Word, in large print, by U.S. mail, by telephone, and by RELAY Texas 711. Call our office at 512-463-5739 for assistance or email us at GCPD@governor.state.tx.us

Angela English, LPC, LMFT
Executive Director
Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities
512-463-5742 or Relay Texas 711
aenglish@governor.state.tx.us
http://governor.state.tx.us/disabilities

ADA listserve:
http://listserv.tamu.edu/archives/texadac-l.html

Joyce Williamson
National President
Visually Impaired Employee Workforce (VIEW)