Everytime I find a truly hysterical quote…its either Will Rogers, Fran Lebowitz or Jack Handy. The Father the Daughter and the Holy Ghost of humor.

Fran Lebowitz on Clothes; ”I’m deeply superficial.”

Quoting Lebowitz on Toni Morrison, “When Toni Morrison said, “Write the book you would want to read.” …She wasn’t talking to EVERYONE!”

“You’re the most judgemental person I know!”..was what Jerome Robbins said to Lebowitz when he pleaded with her to come to a rehearsal of his ballet and help him write it. When she said she knew nothing of writing ballets Robbins said, “You’re the most judgemental person I know, I’m just going to watch your face.” and that did it.

In the same video interview I found on YouTube, Lebowitz likened the Ballet Rehearsals to her desk and stated …”It would be as if all the words of the Dictionary were just lolling about my desk glaring at me and smoking…” just like the dancers…”   

The entire image just left me chortling away…what a lovely way to start the day, with Fran Lebowitz interview on anything! And I quote…

“The most common error made in matters of appearance is the belief that one should disdain the superficial and let the true beauty of one’s soul shine through. If there are places on your body where this is a possibility, you are not attractive, you are leaking.”      Fran Lebowitz

Here I am again, alas I am not continuing the previous to-be-continued blot but am here for an entirely different reason which I will get to very shortly-

Ever since I joined Shelfari, a FaceBook for bookworms, it’s really upped the speed at which I finish a book. What a novel idea, making lists and checking them off! I polished off Anansi Boys (Neil Gaiman, what a guy) today and am halfway through Sophie’s World. (So far it’s excellent and it’s a beautiful weaving of story/parallelogram of the history of philosophy.)

This brings me to the delicate topics of philosophy and religion. I will generally tell people, no, I’m not religious and try to stay away from any fanatics. Fanatics can be nice but I generally nod and say, I see. It’s so difficult to be politically correct, but I can say that humans have really fucked up their ability to co-exist with a continuous pursue their own set of beliefs in spite of so many variations.

I’ll just get straight to my qualms…

The big religions of the world (you know who you are) can be separated into basically two different sources – one Indo-European and the other Semitic. One pursuing the rebirth of life and the other Armageddon. My issue with this, they all basically came from the same source and can’t all be right, can they? Maybe they can be right based in terms of faith and spirituality (some people would fall to despair without some buoy or expectations beyond “this is it”), to which I say, go for it, to each their own, however, do not be fooled into thinking that whatever teaching is the end-all, be-all.

What I am trying to say is that they’re all myths and stories, penned by Man. The Bible and every other set of writing is stuff of legend… the Greatest Story Ever Told? How about the Greatest Lie Ever Told? I do not mean to turn down the teachings of compassion, kindness, brotherhood and all that yadda. Someone told me once that if there was no religion then man could not live peacefully (……….. do I really have to mention the Crusades?). I think religion used wisely is the same as not firing a gun. It’s how the tool is used by the wielder. Sometimes the person is bad, sometimes they’re not.

I believe I’m a good person and I have never needed any religion to tell me what was wrong or right. Conscience comes with being human, as long as there is kindness around you. I can’t say what I follow one way or another… I prefer to eliminate what I don’t and keep it at that. What I can say is I am very interested in being a meditative and an aware person. Humanist? I am a wanna-be at least.

______________________________________________

I probably am all over the place now but I want to share something that pertains in a very curious way to me– From Sophie’s World

“…the most important of the senses for Indo-Europeans was sight. How important hearing was to the Semitic cultures is just as interesting. It is no accident that the Jewish creed begins with the words: ‘Hear, O Israel!’ In the Old Testament we read how people ‘heard’ the word of the Lord, and the Jewish prophets usually began their sermons with the words: ‘Thus spake Jehovah (God.)’ ‘Hearing’ the word of God is also emphasized in Christanity. The religious ceremonies of Christanity, Judaism, Islam are all characterized by reading aloud or ‘reciting.’ “

I found that compelling because I am deaf and I had a friend of mine of the same ilk tell me (paraphrasing here)—- dude, this lady came up to me once and apologized. I asked her why and she told me that I could never hear the word of God.—

That really hit me in the weirdest way. Hearing the word of the Lord, to some people, has become more important than looking at others in a humane way. That’s pretty twisted.

_____________________________________________________

What’s the point is a question I often ask myself and I want to find one even though I’ve cursed myself with skepticism. To keep myself from becoming a pitiful nihilist, I’d like to look at everything with WONDER instead. Help me out?

Good job, everybody, for all the hard work put into contacting the media and getting them to come to the rally!

MDC members Freida Morrison, Melissa Rich, and Jeannette Johnson were present at the rally with Freida representing MDC, Melissa representing MDA, and Jeannette representing herself.

Here are the links to the media and please let us know if we missed any.

Lansing State Journal, December 4, 2009: http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20091204/NEWS06/312030006/-1/correction

The State News, December 4, 2009: http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/12/students_faculty_gather_to_show_support_for_deaf_education_program

Detroit Free Press, December 5, 2009: http://api.flickr.com/services/feeds/photos_public.gne?id=45305578@N05&lang=en-us&format=rss_200

WILX.com, video, not captioned: http://www.wilx.com/video/?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=4359154&flvUri=&partnerclipid=

Melissa & Jeannette were interviewed by Darren Cunningham, WLNS TV channel 6:
http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=11623637

closed caption version: http://foxyurl.com/Mv5

Thanks to Bill Creswell for his volunteering to caption the video.

Additionally, we now have a flickr account for the Michigan Deaf Community and the photos taken by Darren Brown are up for viewing:
MSU Rally – Save Deaf Education/ASL Classes

Please also note that we now have another section for flickr on this page (bottom on the right corner).

Best,
MDC Committee

State News:

The Board of Trustees will be meeting on Friday December 11th at 9:30 AM in the Board Room on the 4th floor of the Administration Building. If you wish to make comments to the Board you need to fill out a form. See below. Note that interpreters can be requested.Public Participation in Meetings

Request to Address the Board

General Procedures

The Board regards the opportunity for expression of public views on issues before the Board as an important part of its deliberations. The Board generally hears remarks without comment. However, if, after a presentation to the Board, Trustees choose to ask questions of, or briefly thank, the person or persons who made the presentation, the Board will limit such questions and remarks to a total of five minutes.

To accommodate such expression, the Board reserves a portion of its regular meeting for individuals and groups who wish to address the Board. A completed Request to Address form should be submitted to the Secretary of the Board of Trustees prior to speaking. The presiding officer will recognize persons who have provided the required information. To ensure the proper recognition of speakers, any change in the original information should be provided to the Secretary of the Board of Trustees as soon as possible.

Individual presentations are limited to 5 minutes and the total time for presentations on any item or topic is limited to 15 minutes unless an extension of time is approved by the Board. When a group of persons shares the same interest, it is recommended that a representative be chosen to present its point of view. When the Board believes that adequate public input has been obtained on any issue, testimony may be closed by majority vote.

Required Information (Please type or print)

1. Name:

Telephone Number:

Address:

2. Relationship to the University (please check the most appropriate category):

___Student ___Faculty ___Staff ___Alum Other (Please specify)

3. Name of Group (omit if not applicable):

4. Topic on which you wish to speak:

Please indicate if you will speak ___pro ___con or ___neutrally on this topic.

5. List the University units with which you have discussed this topic previously and the action taken by each office.

6. If you have written statements or position papers you would like Board members to receive, please provide 13 copies to the Office of the Secretary of the Board of Trustees, 450 Administration Building, for distribution.

Do you have materials to be distributed to Board members: ___Yes ___No

Michigan State University is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting the Office of the Secretary of the Board of Trustees by 12:00 noon the day prior to the Board meeting, or the Michigan Relay Service at (800) 649-3777. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.

Office of the Secretary of the Board of Trustees
450 Administration Building
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: (517) 353-4647
Fax: (517) 355-4670

I’m hoping to do some reporting on my America trip in the near future, perhaps before I fly back to Israel, but in the meantime, I offer this:

So, I’m in DC on Friday, going to visit my brother and his girlfriend (and more importantly, their new puppy). Their building is at the intersection of 16th and Columbia, a few blocks from the Columbia Heights metro station. N—–, my brother, had told me there would be a security guard inside who would open the door for me, but there was no one in sight when I arrived other than a blind man with a walking stick using the call box to call up to whoever he knew and be buzzed in. I followed after him.

He tapped his way towards the elevators, slower than someone who was not blind would have done, naturally. “Do you need help?” I asked him. My tone was polite but neutral, in no way condescending, and in no way deserving of his answer: “I’m blind, not a ‘tard”. Then after a pause: “Help with what?”

I’m thinking to myself Well, how ’bout you’re fucking blind, that reason enough? but instead I tell him “I just thought I’d ask”. I called the elevator. The rightmost of three opened up, and he made his way straight for it, working with his extra-honed sense of hearing, I suppose. “After you,” I said, though I thought it would have been amusing to bump into him and yell Hey, watch where you’re going! After all, he’s not a ‘tard. He’s just as capable of doing anything as I am. Why should I yield to him, why should I not expect him to yield to me?

As I got off the elevator, I spoke the work “jackass” at a volume which I believe was loud enough to be heard. Afterwards, I wished I had said “asshole,” but you can’t win ‘em all.

Alright, so let’s discuss: Does a Good Samaritan offer help to a blind person or not? Does the offer imply that I believe he requires my help? Can he have replied with the same politeness, “Thank you, but I can manage on my own?” My mother thinks this guy may have simply been a jerk. Surely he was that, but I think it’s something more. I think this man and many like him are wound up and hypersensitized by our ultra-PC culture, a culture that deludes disabled people into believing that they can do everything everyone else can, that they’re just like anyone else.

For the love of God, man, you do not have the use of your eyes. “I’m not a ‘tard,” you say — exactly! A retard would see the fucking elevator and make for it much faster than you ever will, you miserable prick.

Aside from the jerk hypothesis, and the poisonous PC influence, it’s also quite possible that the man is very dissatisfied with his permanent physical disability which prevents him from doing many things that most people can do, and has become embittered; and with bitterness often comes hostility, even towards people who mean well. In this case, he is to be pitied as well as despised.

Well, I resisted the temptation to go all Larry David on him, but I fumed about it for awhile afterwards. When I got upstairs I told N—– and his girlfriend about it. N—– immediately said “No!”, indicating one never offers help to blind people. I argued, and told him about a time I offered help to a blind girl on the street in Jerusalem, and R—-, his girlfriend, nodded agreement (she’s very quiet).

So I ask you — do we stop offering old ladies laden with groceries help crossing the street because in our day and age many old ladies are still quite active and ambulatory? How about Helen Keller? Better just to leave her alone, wouldn’t want to hurt her feelings.

The very next day, yesterday, I was walking home from the Wheaton metro when I was accosted by a young man gesticulating wildly and grunting like someone who actually is mentally disabled. But when he tapped his mouth and cupped his ears, I understood. What a coincidence! God was telling me that I had been right.

The young deaf-mute made a sign with his hands, assuming, perhaps, that I understood his special language. He held out the index and middle fingers of one hand, together, and gave a couple quick strokes from the palm towards the fingers’ ends with his other index finger. Or something like that. I both said and indicated bodily that I did not understand. Now, fortunately it snowed yesterday, and the guy bent over and wrote in the snow “mta”. I still wasn’t sure what he wanted. I suppose he meant Maryland Transit Authority, but they don’t operate buses in Montgomery County, as far as I know. After I gave another apologetic shrug, he leaned over again and wrote “train”. Ah. I indicated that he should go straight and then make a right, while saying “that way and that way” as if that would make a difference. He walked off, grunting more. He sounded frustrated, as if I should have understood him sooner, but likely he’s hardly aware of the sounds he makes, and their tones.

I felt vindicated.

Long ago and far away, when I was just a little girl every year my Father’s Union (the F.O.P. ; the Fraternal Order of Police)  had two major get togethers a year for families and politicians. They had a Clambake at Thistledown in the fall for the older crowd right before elections and during the summer for the kids they had a huge free picnic at a local Amusement Park. It would either be at Chippewa Lake Park or Euclid Beach Park or Geauga Lake Park, but where ever it was it was sure to be a blast! Both for the kids and the adults, all the free hot dogs and beer and pop that you could handle. All the free Ice Cream you could eat…it was heaven on a stick. Then every possible type of tilt a whirl ride to top it all off. I could never understand just how my Mother could resist both the going out to the Picnic with us or the inevitable ride home. But she did, each year my sister Kate or Maureen or Margaret or Anne would ride shotgun while we attended these kids prayers answered filled summer fest parties. You were greeted at the entrance gates like little princes and princesses of the day. You would walk up to the table to register for all the free drawings for bikes and other great toys and into your hot little sweaty kid hands would be jammed a huge Cowboy hat filled with goodies and little toys for you to start your adventures with. Dad would inform you just where and when we’d meet up to eat and off you’d go for the time of your life. We went with our buddies to ride the rides and Dad went with his to the free beer tent to tell tall tales and roast those weenies. Oh, and I forgot all the peanuts you could ever want either. This was a Labor Day ritual, on or near that day the Union (F.O.P. ; The Fraternal Order of Police) would rent out a park and we’d have the run of it. Any ride…it was the best. The ones I really remember always happened at Chippewa Lake Park. 

I can remember years later, July 20th, 1969 being my last visit to that park. My sister Kate and her friend the Widow Cox (not really a widow but a divorcee who delighted in the idea of being a widow to that particular man and insisted on being called “the Widow Cox”), rented a great little cabin on Chippewa Lake and took all us kids down there with them. It was also the date of my 1st date. My sister Margaret had a friend down to visit us at the park and he and I walked about the park  just making small talk. The last hurrah was so different, Neil Armstrong walked on the moon that night and I walked about with my first date and later there were flying dressers and poker games to attend to. What a night. That last night at Chippewa was just that wild. 

I found some really cool websites with how the park looks now…  www.forgottenoh.com and www.Illicitohio.com , neat sites that take you back in time. Enjoy!

Transcript:

Hello everyone, I am Freida Morrison. There is 4 generation of Deaf in my family. I went through 3 different methods of Deaf Education when I was growing up.

• Self-contained classroom (that time period – all oral – no sign language program
• Mainstreaming without interpreter
• Residential school (MSD)

How did it affect us the deaf people?

(For example) I struggled to read and write English at the appropriate age. When I finally understood English a little better, I taught myself to understand English better by using my native language, ASL.

Research show Deaf children from Deaf family learn fast and succeed in adult life- Do you know why? It is because of ASL.

95% of Deaf children come from hearing parents- Only 5% of those hearing parents know sign language. This mean 90% of Deaf children have lifelong struggle learning. Do you know why? It is because of lack of exposure to sign language when growing up. Growing up without or minimal sign language often result in emotional /behavioral problems- Do you know why? Because of lifelong struggle-they become frustrated and angry when no one understands them. These issues can be easily prevented by using ASL at very early age.

I would like to comment about the letter from Dean, Dr. Carole Arnes. It amazes me she has no clue about the differences between EMU and MSU despite of her PhD. You can’t compare EMU with MSU when their philosophy is the opposite. EMU strongly believe in oral method while MSU train teachers based on sign language method.

We are currently in 21st century. It is sad that we, deaf community still have to re-educate her and other people about the differences between oral and sign language. I am asking you, the deaf community to look around and our state. Are you getting tired of having to re-educate them again and again? Do they really listen to us?

NO DEAF CHILD LEFT BEHIND! It is very important for our future deaf and hard of hearing children.

I HAVE A DREAM by MLK
We, the Deaf community have a dream…. all deaf and hearing communities respect each other and can communicate with no barrier! How to do that? Currently, we have a better method of education for our deaf and hard of hearing children by teaching ASL/English Bilingual Education. That way, we can be united in many ways.

On behalf of Michigan Deaf Community (MDC), we are in full support of continuing Deaf Education program and ASL classes here at MSU.

Thank you to Katie Hosmer, the rally host
Thank you to the crowd….show the support
Remember, we are not done…..keep fighting and be a watchdog.

We’ve often written about the problem of hearing loss at work.

The site Hear-it, also published November 12^th, a very interesting article on this subject. We return this article in full below :

“Workers with untreated mild or moderate hearing loss suffer from psychological and social problems in the workplace.

Working adults with mild or moderate hearing loss may be adversely affected at work unless they use hearing aids, according to an Italian study.

The study was based on a comparison of 73 people with hearing loss and 96 people with normal hearing. The two groups were similar in their composition with respect to gender, age and occupation.

Those with hearing loss experienced greater problems in the workplace, emotionally as well as socially. This was demonstrated by a higher prevalence of signs of depression, anxiety, sensitivity and hostility in the hearing impaired group than in the group of people with normal hearing.

The emotional effects of hearing loss generally resulted in hearing impaired workers having difficulty functioning in socially challenging situations commonly found at work.

For many, the result was a vicious circle, as difficulty fitting into the social environment at work often led to a sense of isolation and inferiority. This, in turn, adversely affected the general health and quality of life of those with hearing loss.

Based on these findings, workers with mild and moderate hearing loss have good reason to consider investing in a hearing aid. A number of studies have found that hearing aids offer considerable benefits in terms of quality of life. But equally important is an open dialogue between individual hearing impaired worker, co-workers and management in order for all of them to help maintain the best possible conditions for a healthy and productive work environment.”

Source : ”Psychological Profile and Social Behaviour of Working Adults with Mild or Moderate Hearing Loss”, Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital., April 2008.

The FCC has announced a workshop to review the VRS program in light of the November 19 arrests: Link to FCC Press Release

I will comment on this when I have a chance. It’s actually the first time I’m posting to my blog from my iPhone – so, obviously, I’m both pressed for time and marveling at this technological capability at the same time…

Oticon ConnectLine system Streamer

Have a problem hearing your favorite TV show? As a follow-up on the wildly popular Bluetooth Hearing Aids post, thought the readers would like to know about a new product for bluetooth hearing aid lovers. Oticon has launched a new high-tech wireless device that helps hearing aid users sync up to their favorite technology. It’s called the Oticon ConnectLine system. Bluetooth technology has already been known for successfully syncing up to cell phones, music players, and PCs. However, the Oticon ConnectLine system now offers a solution for those who wish to stream audio from their TV and landline phones directly to their hearing aids.

Oticon ConnectLine Phone Adaptor

There are two components offered in the system: the ConnectLine Phone Adaptor and the ConnectLine TV Adaptor. Connecting these systems is a small device that the hearing aid wearer wears called the Streamer. The small device syncs with either Adaptor. For example, once the TV Adaptor connects to the audio output of a TV, the user can do a one-time pairing that allows the devices to connect. This in turn allows the user to hear anywhere within a 30-foot range, similar to how the iCom device works with a cellphone. Same method works for the Phone Adaptor.

Oticon ConnectLine TV Adaptor

The ConnectLine System currently only works with the following hearing aids: Oticon Dual, Epoq and Vigo Connect. For more information about the new wireless options from Oticon, visit OticonUSA.

I personally haven’t tried the system, but if you have, how is the sound quality? I’m curious if the streaming audio truly is high-quality without interruptions.

Harmonya Technology Inc. wins the great final of DEVTECH50, the greatest competition in entrepreneurship technology in Quebec organized by Pôle Quebec Chaudière Appalaches. The company restarts with the grand prize “Mallette” and was also awarded the Essor Strategies prize to the team who has demonstrated the best marketing strategy. Harmonya is the manufacturer of the 7th Sense.

NFL rookie Connor Barwin was born almost completely deaf. As a toddler, he went through five surgeries before gaining hearing in his right ear. He still has little hearing in his left ear. Although he learned to read lips Barwin never learned sign language and he spent years avoiding talking about his hearing but now speaks to deaf students about his struggles. After attending and playing football at Cincinnati, he became a second-round draft pick of the Houston Texans. Barwin plays defensive end and is not sitting on the bench. He’s been in every game so far this season and has two sacks for the Texans.

Read More at DeafNewsToday.com

Pro Footballer Started Life Deaf
Deaf News Today
Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:35:00 GMT

A new closed-captioning system is being introduced on Broadway for the first time. The West End production of Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London is offering the AirScript system. It displays subtitle translations in multiple languages through wireless link to widescreen personal handset devices in real time. Not only are translations offered in English but also French, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, Japanese and Chinese. The devices can be rented for a fee.

Read More at DeafNewsToday.com

1st Time in London Theater
Deaf News Today
Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:23:00 GMT

If you have a cochlear implant you should not get an MRI – at least with one of the newer machines. Researchers say the 3T scanners can cause permanent damage to the hearing devices because they are much more powerful than earlier versions. More details are in the Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery.

Read More at DeafNewsToday.com

Implants and MRIs
Deaf News Today
Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:35:00 GMT

A new cell phone will allow deaf people to communicate in sign language in the same way hearing people use phones to talk. Cornell University researchers say their new device comes out a program started four years ago called Mobile ASL. While the technology is not available yet for the general public, prototypes are now in the hands of some two dozen deaf people in Seattle. Unlike video conferencing software that may offer fuzzy visual connections, Mobile ASL is designed to send clear video using existing bandwidth in real-time. The scientists were able to also solve issues related to battery life by varying the frames per second based on whether the user is watching or signing.

Read More at DeafNewsToday.com

Cell Phone for Deaf
Deaf News Today
Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:30:00 GMT

Livestream, in partnership with PLYmedia, now offers live subtitling service for live streaming events. It’s not cheap at $850 for three hours of live captioning, but it’s an option. How many users can afford it considering many use the free version of Livestream. The company might want to consider alternate pricing for captioning videos AFTER they’ve aired.

Read more about LiveStream Subtitles and see an example video.

How can those who rely on captions find out what live events will be captioned? They might not be on the event’s mailing list. The Livestream guide needs to add a new search category for captions/subtitles. I’ve contacted the company about this.

One nitpick. One of the benefits says, “Reach the 36 million Americans that suffer from some form of hearing loss.” Many deaf and hearing impaired folks will tell you we’re not suffering. Some are quite proud. For some, it is what it is.

Livestream Announces Live Subtitling Service
(author unknown)
Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:02:25 GMT

Serotek is offering a free mini Accessible Event server if you sign up by the end of the year. Noramlly, their basic plan costs $9.95 per day or $39.95 per month. The free server will be active indefinitely and supports up to three participants. Also, the paid personal plan now offers 10 participant slots instead of five for the same price. Accessible Event offers a rich voice and video chat experience which also displays web pages and documents from the presenter on the participants’ screen. You must reserve your server by December 31.

Accessible Event Becomes Somewhat Free Event if You Sign Up Now
(author unknown)
Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:06:36 GMT

What if you or they could create a thingy (computer program?) that would produce a scan or current replica of your body type and you could dress the image, hologram, virtual reality thingy in the wedding dresses “ad infinitum”. It would become “a must have” for most bride-to-be’s and could also be used any time to try virtually any clothes on, with out the browbeating friends or crazed advisors or exhausting trips to various store locations far far away…what an idea…to shop to your hearts delight…designer wear, Kmart whatever…in the privacy of your own home, with a current image of your body on the screen. Able to see from virtually any angle how the thing looks . Now there’s an Idea!

(its all WORDS, its all WORDS…if you get the right words people get the right idea.)

(Picture courtesy of www.signlanguagespecialists.com)

Bridging the communication gap with the hearing world has always been at the forefront of deaf and hard-of-hearing people’s efforts to utilize technologies to communicate with hearing people. Thus, it is so appropriate that, in the context of recent news, my first real post on my new blog would be about Video Relay Services (VRS), a type of videocommunications technology that has made a major difference in my life and career by enabling me to use the telephone almost like a hearing person. Just before Thanksgiving, 26 people in the VRS industry, several of whom I know, were arrested by the FBI on charges of defrauding the U.S. Government of $50 million through false claims of reimbursement for VRS operations. The impact of this news may put VRS under greater scrutiny, as the funds that make VRS a reality are mostly subsidized by you and me to the tune of approximately $0.50 per telephone bill — money that may have gone directly into the hands of alleged criminals.

Since Alexander Graham Bell invented it in 1876, the telephone has been a blessing and curse for deaf and hard-of-hearing people. Bell, long active in education for the deaf, developed the telephone by accident, as part of an effort to enable deaf people to hear sounds better. Paradoxically, the adoption of the telephone across the world resulted in an increased sense of isolation among deaf people, as those with hearing increasingly relied on telephones as a primary means of communication for both business and entertainment to the point where the phone became a basic part of people’s lives.

Today, many deaf people view the telephone as an obstacle to their ability to communicate with hearing people in the world at large. They have embraced new technologies that were created to get around the telephone, such as TTY’s, amplifiers, and e-mail. Video relay services, popularly known as VRS, are the latest technological achievement, taking advantage of the power of broadband Internet. Through videocommunications technology that is streamed over the Internet, VRS enables deaf and hard-of-hearing callers to communicate over the telephone with voice telephone users. Sign language interpreters appear on a computer screen, translating every word the hearing caller is saying to the deaf person.

VRS has significantly changed the way I work, for the better. As someone who has established a career in the highly communicative world of finance and business strategy where the typical job description requires excellent oral and phone communication skills, not being able to use the telephone and follow meetings have been major challenges that call for creativity and ingenuity. Until I started using VRS extensively in 2004, I utilized various arrangements that enabled me to follow meeting conversations and use the phone for limited calls. They were not the best solutions, they were clumsy and awkward (and in the business world, off-putting), but they were the best available out there. Now, I can carry on conversations outside the confines of my office (where before I relied on e-mail communication which was far less personable), listen in on conference calls, and even make a training presentation by phone to 80 people around the world which is what I did at American Express. I am not a skilled phone communicator, yet — a lifetime of not using the phone will do that to you — but I am learning on the job and it has been eye-opening.

VRS became a commercial reality in 2002, with the mass adoption of broadband Internet and the establishment by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of a fund administered by the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA). NECA collects revenue from a specific tax on U.S. telecommunications companies and redistributes it to corporations that provide and operate VRS services based on the amount of call minutes used. In many cases, the telecommunications companies pass the tax on to consumers, disclosed on telephone bills as a “surcharge for funds for deaf & hard of hearing services.” (Hence the $0.50 on your bill.) VRS companies in the United States who are eligible to receive these funds include Sorenson VRS, Purple Communications, and ZVRS.

VRS has its roots in text-relay services (TRS), which were first employed on TTY’s in the mid-1980’s and migrated to the Internet in the late 1990’s with the adoption of Internet Protocol Relay (IP Relay). TRS and IP Relay services utilized typists who transcribed the hearing caller’s words on the screen letter-for-letter for the deaf caller to read via TTY (phone line) or computer (via Internet). Like VRS companies, TRS companies were funded by revenue from NECA.

When TRS was implemented, NECA set a rate of approximately $1.50 per minute to reimburse operators for their TRS services to deaf and hard-of-hearing callers. When VRS went interstate in 2002, the FCC approved NECA reimbursements for this new market and set a higher rate of between $6.50 and $7.00 a minute due to the substantial operating costs of administering video-based call centers. These amounts, which work out to $390-$420 an hour, are set on an annual basis by NECA, based on an understanding of the costs of running the relay services, with the intent of giving companies participating in the program a level of profit that would be reinvested in the business to ensure continued operation of the relay services.

Demand for VRS among deaf/HH callers boomed soon after implementation of the NECA program. As demand continues to increase, many startups have jumped into the fray, most of them without certification by the FCC, but with the expectation of being certified in the future so they would start receiving revenue from NECA.

With no previous precedent for monitoring video-based relay calls to ensure that the reimbursable minutes submitted to NECA are legitimate, the VRS industry is very much like the Wild West, with minimal policing by the FCC and the potential for fraudsters to take advantage of the attractive $400-per-hour rate. Now that the VRS fraud case is national news, some deaf people are justifiably worried that the FCC will reconsider the NECA reimbursement program and implement restrictions which could put many VRS companies out of business. Some people who otherwise have not heard of VRS might conclude that this is not a good use of the taxes levied on telecommunications companies and call for this program to be discontinued, especially as the U.S. works its way out of a nasty recession and is dealing with major government deficits.

This is no help to the deaf and hard-of-hearing people who rely on the VRS system to communicate with the hearing world. What is sorely needed in this industry is accountability, of which little existed until the FBI got involved. As the VRS fraud indictments resolve themselves through the legal system, the good news coming out of all this is that, based on what I have heard from those in the know, VRS companies are implementing stricter policies governing the submission of reimbursable minutes to the U.S. Government, and paying stronger attention to other VRS issues such as the quality and training of the sign language interpreters themselves.

If there is no effort to improve accountability in the VRS industry, it’s not just you who will get cheated out of your telephone bill money even if it is just 50 cents. Deaf and hard-of-hearing people would get cheated out of the right to equal access by telephone that hearing people take for granted. That, at least to me, is worth more than 50 cents.

As most of you know this Friday is the rally in front of Hannah Adminstration building at 10am. Katie Hosmer sent out a message to everyone early today asking you wear as much green as possible. Of course we wish everyone could be there but understand that this might not be possible. However, if you are unable to come to the rally you can still show your support by wearing green on friday wherever you may be!

Katie Lynne Sweers
MSU Student, Deaf Education Major

So, as I’m in the lab of the ASB building, I’m blogging from internet explorer and i’m pretty sure that for just that reason, this blog is going to be exceptionally terrible. However, as I’m mostly excited that I’m headed to Austin tomorrow, I’m slightly in an uplifty spirit.

I’m going by plane, which is pretty much the only way I ever go to Austin. I honestly don’t see why more people don’t fly. I mean, driving takes like 5 hours to get from the valley to Austin and flying takes only 45 minutes. Counter-argument invalid. Plus, I always fly SouthWest, so I don’t have to worry about some stupid people being all “oh thank GAWD I don’t have to board last like the people in economy”. Fuck you, those people.

Now, back to the gist (jist?) of the post, Sign language.

In my ASL 1 class, we were split into 5 groups some weeks ago in order to present a children’s story in sign in class. We’ve literally had about a month or so to work on the powerpoint and to learn the signs in the book and whatnot. Just last night,  I posted the embedded video on my YouTube account and send a link to the other people in my group, just as a last minute “how do you sign this” kind of video, as today was supposed to be the day we presented. Literally seconds after I send them the link, I got a barrage of texts from ALL of them asking what pages they were supposed to learn and what parts I was going to sign and how to sign shit. They were supposed to know ages ago, but as no one was in direct lead of the group, not even I knew. So I, being sane, took the liberty of being safe rather than sorry and learned to sign the whole video, thus the YouTube video.

I guess I was supposed to take charge. See, I don’t exactly like being in charge, essentially because there is always that one person in the group that is completely arrogant  and incapable and believes that they can handle a bunch of fellow lazy pupils that don’t feel like talking to one another at all. Then there’s the person in the group that is capable, but really just doesn’t want to do it unless as the absolutely last gun-to-the-temple last resort. Thats me.  Luckily this time, another capable wallflower took the reins and gave everyone a few lines to perform and told them to learn it, as we were supposed to present today.

Well, we didn’t. One painful thing about having a deaf ASL teacher is that, not only are you learning a new language entirely, but you’re learning it from a person that can’t exactly explain clearly in your spoken language. So, we’re left with alot lost in translation. That said, no one in the entire class (any of the groups) re-printed out the powerpoint and translation sheets as he supposedly asked us to do. So, we’re all left to present on Monday. Which is a giant thorn in the ass, as I’m going to be in Austin on monday and attendance is required.

So, trying hopefully to still be able to work something out, I wrote down on a piece of paper that I’m going to be out of town on monday. He seemed surprised and asked if I had other classes on monday, I said “just this one” exaggerating my expressions, and he said “oooooh”, then I wrote terribly and quickly that I had made a YouTube video of me signing the story, and he immediately understood and said my group could play it on monday for me to get my credit, or at least I think he said that. Either way, that’s what I understood.

Sign language is hard man.

Anywho, I already have 26 views today at 3:30p even though I just posted it up at like 11p last night. Interesting what goes quick on YouTube, ey?

right, and I finally made my new YouTube account in an effort to step away from always having some part of my name in my SN’s. (how uncreative). So, as soon as I get some decent video’s up i’ll THINK about posting either the video or a link or just putting the links on the sidebar. For now, my RolyVola account is going to be used for randomness for school (such as the above ASL vid) and home vids where I could care less about the quality. Oh, and my tongue twister vid and my group interview stuff went underground until further ado. That basically means I set it to private and i’ll put it up later when people at work forget about it.

I know that goes completely against the whole “get noticed on youtube” philosophy. But, as it is, I’m only really shy when people I actually know are watching my vids and then show it to other people I know. It’s the same with singing. I was in choir for ages, but the one time my grandma asked me to sing her a song, I made her sit on the couch in the living room looking away and I stood halfway in the hallway with my back towards her, shutting my eyes as if i was standing in front of Medusa. No joke. It’s pretty sad.

Well then,

Good day chaps.

As of now, this is the list of confirmed Deaf speakers (in random order):

David Sanderson – MSD-State Admininstrative Manager
Sheryl Emery – DODHH Director
Natalie Grupido – teacher at MSD
Tyler Naeyaert – MSD student
Melissa Rich – Michigan Deaf Association representative
Cathy Leonard – prospective Deaf Ed student
Mary Klein – Deaf citizen
Trent Wade – Deaf citizen
Jahan Farzam-Behboodi – Deaf citizen

Confirmed hearing speakers:

Katie Hosmer – Deaf Ed Student
Sarah Clark – Deaf Ed Student
Cidney Alexandra Goldston – Deaf Ed Student
Marianne Tritten – ASL Living- Learing Option floor mentor
Mitch Holaly – President of Signing Spartans
Brandy Jensen – Housing contact at Snyder Phillips (works with ASL LLO)
Cece Winkler – principal at MSD
Harold Johnson – Co-director of Deaf Ed program

I, (Katie Hosmer, Deaf Ed major) will start off the rally. We are hoping to alternate Deaf and hearing speakers.

If your name is NOT on this list and should be, or you would like to speak, please let me know as soon as possible.

SPEAKERS: If you are able to arrive around 9:30am, that would give us time to organize the order. If you are unable to, don’t worry, just come up to the front and we will squeeze you in

Let me know if you have any questions!

Katie Hosmer
email: hosmerka@msu.edu
FB contact: http://www.facebook.com/hosmerka

I just received received an email stating:

“The Provost will not allow the vet tech program to close due to the massive “push back” from the community and all around the world”

KEEP PUSHING!! WE NEED AS MANY PEOPLE TO COME AS POSSIBLE!!!

If they have a chance, SO DO WE!

– Friday Updates –

I realize we’ll need to dress warmly, but if you can, please wear your ASL Floor t-shirts (if you have them), or as much green as you can!

Also:

Here is a map of MSU campus and the Hannah Administration Building (Click visitor parking on the left for parking options)

http://maps.msu.edu/interactive/index.php?location=hab

Thanks!

Katie Hosmer

Hey everyone,

Just a reminder that our rally is THIS FRIDAY AT 10AM!!! Please contact me if you have any questions or need directions.

Please, PLEASE spread the word to as many people as you possibly can this week.

This will be an event you will not regret attending! We have people coming from all over the United States to show their support.

We have over 550 confirmed guests who should be receiving this message right now… Are you really coming? Are you committed to saving education for deaf children in Michigan and throughout the United States?

I can only hope your answers are yes. If we have 550 Facebook supporters on top of everyone else that is coming… just imagine our strength!

Thank you again for your continuous support. Each and every one of you is vital to this campaign! — I cannot stress that enough.

Hope to see you Friday!

Katie Hosmer
November 29 at 9:00pm
email: hosmerka@msu.edu
FB contact: http://www.facebook.com/hosmerka

Rally Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=186125242180
Join KEEP DEAF-ED MAJOR AT MSU! group on FB: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=180527046260

UPDATE: As of today, there are 667 confirmed attendees for the rally this Friday! And 2,499 members of the group!

UPDATE II: As of 7:45pm EST, 678 confirmed attendees and 2,519 members!

Keep it coming and spread the word!

Hope to see you at the rally!

to be loved a whole life long. And to say…God bless, Jerry Herman and all songwriters that leave such love in their wake…

Over this weekend I watched a kid’s movie called “Wall-e” that just left me in tears and laughter. In the movie a song from the ”Hello Dolly” musical was used. The song is so keenly poignant to illustrate just how little it takes to be loved forever. The line is..

“It only takes a moment…to be loved a whole life long.”

with a melody so joyful as to be enthralling it simply reduces the listeners to a state of wonder and awe by its simplicity in fact. I wonder if that songwriter (Mr. Jerry Herman) had any clue as to the millions and millions of people he was giving relief and compassion and hope to? That song and others like it remind me just how precious the Poets and Songwriters are…the next time you hear any song that gives you such hope and compassion and understanding say a silent prayer that songwriter…their work will live centuries after them and continue to do good. God bless the songwriters.

I would that the creator of “Greensleeves” slept in peace and is blessed…as all poets and writers who leave peace and love behind them should be. Songwriting, now here’s a profession that makes a difference and saves souls through soothing compassion, and sometimes laughter but the goal remains the same…to ease others way.

I had forgotten just how lovely life can be till this song reminded me of falling in love all over again and how wonderful it is…and now I find myself humming his other amazing song this time of year,

 ”We need a little Christmas”… from Auntie Mame. This lovely man’s legacy will be his ability to lull us into relaxing long enough to understand just how simple the important things in life really are. Bless you Mr. Herman, for entertaining and teaching us all with beautiful music and lyrics that explain the simplicity the really important things in life to us. Bless the songwriters.

We need a little more Mr. Jerry Herman!