Announcements:
TSA: Toll Free Helpline for Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Needs
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced the launch of TSA Cares today, a new helpline number designed to assist travelers with disabilities and medical conditions, prior to getting to the airport.
Click here (PDF) to learn more.
Harris Communications: Free CaptionCall Phones
Free CaptionCall® Caption-Enabled Phone! CaptionCall is a revolutionary new 40dB amplified phone designed to make telephone communication easier for anyone who has difficulty hearing on the phone, with superior sound quality and customizable audio settings. The large, easy-to-use touchscreen provides smooth scrolling captions so users can read what callers say.
Click here (PDF) to get the details.
HLAA Chapter Meetings (Bowling Green, KY)
Meetings to be held on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30PM.
Click here (PDF) to see their flyer for more information.
Conversational Sign Language Class (Elizabethtown, KY)
For Providers and Family Members of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals
Click here (PDF) to see the flyer for more information.
Community “Conversational” Sign Language Instruction (Louisville, KY)
Presented by The Center for Accessible Living, Inc
Click here (PDF) to see the flyer for more information.
RIT SpiRIT Writing Contest Open for Students with Hearing Loss
The Rochester Institute of Technology, National Technical Institute for the Deaf (RIT/NTID), is accepting submissions for its annual student writing contest. Students in 10-12 grade are eligible to submit essays on a variety of topics and styles. Winners have their choice of a scholarship and paid travel expenses to the Explore Your Future program, a summer career exploration program at RIT for students with hearing loss (a parent will also receive an all-expenses-paid two-day visit to RIT at the conclusion of the summer program), or a $500 cash prize.
Click here (WEB) for additional information or to enter the contest.
FREE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Click links below to learn more about each training opporunity
- Making Reading Fun and Accessible - The Shared Reading Project way
- Clerc Center webinars bring experts to your doorstep
- 15 Principles of Reading to Deaf Children - Now with Spanish Translation
- Nine Strategies for Improved Reading and Writing
Disability.gov
Disability.gov (www.disability.gov) is the federal government website for comprehensive information on disability programs and services in communities nationwide. The site links to more than 14,000 resources from federal, state and local government agencies; academic institutions; and nonprofit organizations.
Disability.gov is managed by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy in collaboration with 21 federal agency partners, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The site is organized into 10 main subject areas - Benefits, Civil Rights, Community Life, Education, Emergency Preparedness, Employment, Health, Housing, Technology and Transportation.
In the Technology section, you can find information on assistive and accessible technologies (such as communication devices, screen readers and equipment to improve mobility); emergency communications systems; the accessibility features of new technologies like digital books and smart phones; and guidelines and standards related to technology accessibility for people with disabilities. Use the Information by State drop-down menu, located on the left side of any page on Disability.gov, to find local resources that can help you pay for your assistive technology needs.
ASL Signed Video - Medicare Basics
This video in American Sign Language (ASL) provides an overview of Medicare, including Medicare Parts A, B, C & D. It also discusses Medicare-covered preventive services and the difference between the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
See the video... (WEB)
Free Webinar of ASL/English Bilingual Bimodal Education
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About ASL/English Bilingual Bimodal Education
Target audience: Parents of young deaf or hard of hearing children
January 12 and February 9, 2012, 7-8 p.m. (EST)
The Clerc Center will offer a two-part webinar for families in January and February 2012.
- Part 1 will provide an overview of ASL/English Bilingual Early Childhood Education and the research supporting its positive impact on ASL and spoken language acquisition.
- Part 2 will discuss how families can support their child's successful bilingual bimodal development.
This webinar is presented by Susanne Scott, cochlear implant bilingual specialist at the Clerc Center, and Dr. Laurene Simms, professor of education at Gallaudet University.
Visit http://bit.ly/ASLEngwebinar to register.
EHDI Conference in St. Louis
Parent Scholarships available to attend National Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) conference, March 5-6 2012 in St. Louis.
Conference Information (WEB)
Parent Stipend Application (PDF)
Procedures for waiving registration fee (PDF)
W-9 Form (PDF)
Deaf Truck Drivers Urged To Apply For CDL A And B Exemptions
News from NAD: Go to NAD's Web site
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is pleased to announce that as a result of its ongoing advocacy with the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) more than twenty deaf and hard of hearing truck drivers who submitted applications for an exemption from the DOT hearing requirements through the NAD in July 2011 are now being considered for full Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDL) including CDL A and B to drive vehicles with and without airbrakes.
The DOT through its regulations, has long required individuals seeking CDLs to satisfy Physical Qualification Standards before becoming eligible to receive a CDL. These Physical Qualification Standards include a requirement that unfairly barred deaf and hard of hearing people from driving commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce.
Although the NAD has long fought for equal access and opportunities for deaf truckers, this is the first time the United States Department of Transportation has agreed to consider waiving its hearing requirements for deaf drivers. The exemption applicants included deaf and hard of hearing men and women from all over the United States. The exemption applicants hope to win the right to obtain Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) to drive trucks nationwide.
If you would like to apply for an exemption from the DOT hearing requirements, it is not too late and the NAD is here to help. This program is offered by the NAD free of charge to deaf and hard of hearing drivers. The NAD will submit applications to DOT on behalf of all qualified drivers for full and equal CDLs to drive vehicles with and without airbrakes!
Deaf truckers who would like to apply for an exemption from the DOT hearing requirement should contact the NAD. Each driver will be asked to complete an application, and provide a copy of their state driving record and state driver’s license.
Justice Department Reaches Americans with Disabilities Act Settlement with H&R Block
WASHINGTON - The Justice Department today announced a comprehensive settlement agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with HRB Tax Group Inc., H&R Block Tax Services LLC and HRB Advance LLC (H&R Block) to ensure effective communication with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing in the provision of income tax preparation services and courses at more than 11,000 owned and franchised offices nationwide.
The settlement agreement, which resolves an ADA complaint filed by an individual who is deaf, requires, among other things, that H&R Block furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services, including sign language interpreter services, when necessary to afford a person who is deaf or hard of hearing equal access to the goods, services and accommodations made available to others.
“By signing this agreement, H&R Block has affirmed its commitment to providing effective communication with people who are deaf and hard of hearing not only at their tax preparation offices in San Antonio, where the complaint originated, but at their locations across the country,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “The agreement will ensure that individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing have equal access to tax preparation services at more than 11,000 offices nationwide.”
The agreement requires that H&R Block:
- Provide auxiliary aids and services, including qualified sign language interpreters, to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing when necessary to ensure effective communication of its tax preparation services, programs and courses;
- Adopt and enforce a policy on effective communication with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing for all H&R Block offices nationwide, post the policy on its websites and in its employee manuals, and distribute the policy to current and new employees and contractors;
- Establish and maintain a list of sign language interpreter providers;
- Post and maintain in a conspicuous location in all reception areas of H&R Block offices a notice stating that individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing have a right under the ADA to request a sign language or oral interpreter or other form of auxiliary aid or service if needed;
- Provide staff training on the ADA and H&R Block’s obligations to provide effective communication to individuals with disabilities;
- Monitor franchisees' compliance with this requirement consistent with monitoring of compliance with the franchise agreements and other requirements of federal, state or local laws; and
- Pay $5,000 damages to the individual who filed an ADA complaint and a $20,000 civil penalty.
The ADA prohibits discrimination against customers with disabilities by businesses that serve the public. Among other things, the ADA requires tax preparation services, accountants, lawyers, doctors and other businesses to provide equal access to customers who are deaf or hard of hearing. When services such as tax preparation involve important, lengthy or complex oral communications with customers, businesses are generally required to provide qualified sign language interpreters and other auxiliary aids, free of charge, to individuals who are deaf, are hard of hearing or have speech disabilities. Other auxiliary aids may include the use of relay services for telephone communication, exchanging notes for brief and uncomplicated communications, providing assistive listening systems and receivers in classes for attendees who are hard of hearing, and providing captioned videos. The appropriate auxiliary aid to be provided depends on a variety of factors including the nature, length and importance of the communication; the communication skills and knowledge of the individual who is deaf or hard of hearing; and the individual’s stated need for a particular type of auxiliary aid.
Auxiliary aids must also be provided for individuals who are blind or have low vision, such as materials in Braille, large print or accessible electronic formats such as email or HTML, qualified readers and assistance in filling out forms.
Those interested in finding out more about this agreement or businesses’ effective communication obligations under the ADA may call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD), or access its ADA website at www.ada.gov. ADA complaints may be filed by email to ada.complaint@usdoj.gov.
The White House • 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW • Washington DC 20500 • 202-456-1111
Project Endeavor
Project Endeavor brings Internet access to America's deaf and hard of hearing community.
Qualified deaf and hard of hearing people can purchase a 12-month high-speed Internet plan (also known as broadband or
cable) and a notebook computer for one low price.
Go to Project Endeavor for more information.
Kentucky Voices for Health
Starting July 1, Kentuckians with Pre-Existing Conditions Will Have Access to Quality, Affordable Health Coverage
Read the press release... (PDF)
Hearing with Our Brain
Karen Lichtefeld of the HLAKentuckiana chapter shares her personal story in the Hearing Loss Association Magazine's current issue following her difficult diagnosis and treatment of NF2(Neurofibromatosis Typell)/acoustic neuroma. Nationwide she is one of a very few recipients of a new procedure called PABI (Penetrating Auditory Brain Stem Implant) which allows her to hear.
Telecommunication Access Program
Testing Sites Now Available
The Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KCDHH) is pleased to announce that three Telecommunication Access Program (TAP) testing sites are now open across the state.
More details...
IRS Videos in ASL Available on YouTube
With tax season in full swing, did you know that deaf and hard of hearing consumers can find answers to their tax questions directly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in American Sign Language (ASL)?
The IRS has built a YouTube channel complete with a series of ASL videos—that are also voiced and captioned—on a myriad of tax topics, including e-File and Direct Deposit, Free File and Fillable Forms, Education Tax Credits, Unemployment Compensation and Home Energy Credits. ASL videos on many more important subjects for taxpayers will be added as they become available.
Just go to the IRS YouTube channel to see ASL videos that will help you complete your taxes this year. You can post and share these videos through your websites, vlogs or other social network venues. Click on the subscriptions button at the top of the YouTube page and you can find out right away when future videos become available.
U of L hopes to lessen critical need for interpreters for deaf
By Nancy C. Rodriguez. An estimated 77,000 Kentuckians depend primarily on American Sign Language to communicate — but the state currently has only 182 certified interpreters; it should have 310, according to the state’s Commission the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Read more in: The Courier-Journal
SAFE Patrol
If you are a deaf or hard of hearing traveller on one of Kentucky's major highways and if you have a pager or any other means to send out an email, you can now be less apprehensive about your car breaking down, leaving you stranded without help. SAFE Patrol is standing by and ready to help, free of charge.
Read more about this... (PDF)
Education and Workforce Development Cabinet
New Executive Director named to KCDHH
The Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KCDHH) is pleased to announce the selection of its new executive director, Ms. Virginia L. Moore, effective September 1, 2009. Ms. Moore, a long-standing employee of the agency, assumes this post after having served as Deputy Executive Director since November 2008.
Read more... (PDF)
H1N1 (Swine flu) Fact Sheet
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services: Department for Public Health has released a H1N1 Fact Sheet.
H1N1 Fact Sheet (PDF)
DeafMD Signed Video
Find a local deaf friendly doctor
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services LENDING LIBRARY
The Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health,
Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities: Do you need information on hearing loss and how it impacts treatment??
More information... (PDF)
Health Alert - Home Safety Guidelines to Aid with Recent Flooding
Read the guidelines... (PDF)
Deaf Off Drugs and Alcohol offers deaf 12 Step & support meetings led by deaf facilitators.
More information... (PDF)
Research Study: Help Test the Usability of a New Assistive Listening Device!
Learn more... (PDF)
Eastern Kentucky University creates a department of Sign Language and Interpreter Education
Officials at Eastern Kentucky University recently announced the formation of a Department of Sign Language and Interpreter Education. The following story appeared in the Lexington Herald-Leader.
NAD partners with IRS for new economic stimulus PSAs
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is partnering with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to produce four new PSA videos dealing with the economic stimulus package. A total of seven videos are now available. To view them please click on the links below.
Instructions on How to Fill Out Form 1040-A
How to Reach the IRS with Questions
For Taxpayers Who Normally Don't File
ASL videos provide facts about cancer
The University of California at San Diego has produced a series of videos in ASL that provide facts and detection methods for various tyeps of cancer. Topics covered in the videos include breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, uterine cancer, prostate and testicular cancer. For more information about the series click here.Learn more about ADA issues through ASL podcasts
The Southeast ADA Center has posted several podcasts online to help consumers understand the Americans with Disabilities Act. The podcasts are broadcast using ASL.
FCC releases report on E-911
In case of an emergency, dialing 911 from an IP relay or VRS is easier than one might think. Thanks to a new report and order from the FCC it is now possible to dial 911 through VRS or IP relay. This pair of videos explain the process.
As spring approaches the possibility of severe weather increases dramatically. Sign up now to protect yourself by having severe weather watches and warnings sent to you via email.
ASL Public Service Announcements
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is looking for feedback from deaf and hard of hearing individuals related to their ASL Public Service Announcements (PSA) which are posted on their website.
Please view the PSA's and leave your feeback so the CDC will be encouraged to continue this service!
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/psa.asp
"The Training of Realtime Writers Act of 2007" Please help support this bill! (PDF)
Housing friendly to deaf and hard of hearing planned
Beginning in the fall of 2008, seniors in Kentucky will have more affordable housing options when Franciscan Senior Estates is complete. The 54-unit apartment building plans to have 12 with special features for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
TDD Users Contacting the Governor's Office
For TDD users who wish to contact the Governor's Office, please use the following number - 502-564-9551.