Jim's DEEP Thoughts

Advocacies for Deaf and hearing loss.
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Why many deaf people do not want to be a member of AG Bell's organization?Hearing loss experiences differ individually. There are those who have been born with hearing loss (like me). There are those who lost their hearing later in life. To many, hearing loss is more of a social and professional disability rather than a physical disability. Many keep forgetting tha...
Language Audism Education Tech Culture Mon, Apr 13 2009

Recession hits harder for deaf, hearing-impaired and...
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Those who run non-profit groups are feeling the pain of deep, wounding budget setbacks, including support from various supporters. Especially those who are disabled who rely on their income to support their disabilities are getting furlough, cutting pay or even facing lay-offs. I am facing my own 10-day unpaid furlough. I even lost almost $15,000 worth of retirement ...
Audism Legal Culture Sun, Apr 12 2009
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Golf club can cause a person to lose hearing????
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Golfers who use thin-faced titanium drivers may risk damage to their hearing, researchers said. They recommend that golfers wear ear plugs. Read more
Tue, Jan 06 2009

Deaf Juror dismissed In Ohio (Update)
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Hearing-impaired woman should not have been on jury, court says Does this mean that deaf jurors are disqualified from sitting on juries?
Language Audism Tech Legal Mon, Jan 05 2009

Mistrial caused by a Deaf Juror
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Yesterday,The Columbus Dispatch reported that Family outraged to learn of retrial The court concluded that boat owner Scott Speer of Fairlawn didn't receive a fair trial be cause a hearing-impaired woman was on the jury and she couldn't fully comprehend the vocal nuances in Speer's 911 call, a key piece of evidence in the case.This decision will create alot of feedbac...
Media Legal Sun, Jan 04 2009

Law against texting while Driving: Does this discriminate...
Jim's DEEP Thoughts The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 80 percent of vehicle crashes and 65 percent of close calls are caused in part by driver distraction. One of the growing problems in driving is text messaging. One example case is when five teenage girls were driving to a vacation home in upstate New York when their sport utility vehicle crashed head-on...
Language Audism Tech Legal Culture Thu, Jan 01 2009

Real Numbers for Deaf Individuals
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Sorenson Communications Now Providing Real Numbers for Deaf Individuals. Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) recent order requiring VRS providers to offer real numbers and Enhanced 911 (E911) to VRS users by Dec. 31, 2008.Read More
Tech Legal Tue, Dec 23 2008

Memories through Facebook
Jim's DEEP Thoughts I ran into many of my old classmates through Facebook. Its been between 20 and 40 years since I seen many of them. Ran into those who attended:Boston School for the DeafDuxbury High SchoolRochester Institute of Technology/NTIDNow... that's cyber reunion. :)
Culture Mon, Dec 22 2008

Deaf Newspaper reaches worldwide audience
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Ken Davis's newsroom is much quieter than most others. Davis runs a website called deafnewspaper.com, where he uploads sign language stories in video form.
Media Sun, Dec 14 2008

Deaf man wins business award
Jim's DEEP Thoughts This year's Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs has been won by a man whose company provides video conferencing for deaf people. Andrew Thomson will use the money to expand his business, Sign-now.com ,is a web-based means of enabling deaf people to communicate with the hearing world.
Media Tech Sun, Nov 30 2008

Speaking of Ignorance, Deaf & Blind Schools in Ohio
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Last year, State of Ohio was discussing merging their two campuses. Alumni are fighting a plan to create a single campus for the state schools for the deaf and the blind, saying mingling their student bodies will create safety and social problems. Even when their educational programs would remain separate? Currently, there are about 12 schools in the United States tea...
Education Fri, Nov 28 2008

Author William Gibson who wrote about Kelly Heller dies at...
Jim's DEEP Thoughts He wrote a true story of the deaf-blind Helen Keller's rescue from a world of ignorance, has died. More Story
Media Language Art and Storytelling Education Culture Fri, Nov 28 2008

Eye Contacts and Vibes
Jim's DEEP Thoughts I am not talking about people who have autism actively avoid eye contact but people who do NOT have autism. I am not talking about some cultures that looking someone in the eye is considered to be disrespectful and an invasion of privacy. There are some cultural groups that prefer not to make very much eye contact. That's different. I am talking about people I am fami...
Language Culture Wed, Nov 19 2008

One wondered how the deaf could communicate despite missing...
Jim's DEEP Thoughts A NEWER PERSPECTIVE I realized that there are so many things that regular people can do to help people with disabilities.
Media Language Culture Sun, Nov 16 2008

Fired for deafness
Jim's DEEP Thoughts A former custodian with the Westboro public schools has filed suit against the town and his former supervisor, claiming he was fired because he is deaf.Mr. The former custodian also attended the required training but was not provided with either an interpreter or any closed captioning on the Sorenson VRS. As a result, Mr. Smith was required to sit throughout the six-h...
Language Audism Education Legal Thu, Nov 13 2008

Deaf Organization in Ohio Spotlight
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Deaf Women of Ohio is a group of Deaf women who want to make a difference. The mission of Deaf Women of Ohio is to promote the interests of Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind women, through education, leadership, empowerment and community support.Its nice to have many different kinds of organizations for the deaf.
Language Culture Sun, Nov 09 2008

Economic Effects those with Disabilities including Deafness
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Within the economical world, the design of the deaf person's economic environment MAY BE viewed as disabling factor. In the cultural model, the Deaf belong to a culture in which they are neither infirm nor disabled. Other disabilities including those with Multiple Sclerosis are the same way. We all are ABLE and we all are able to be part of the economical system alo...
Language Tech Culture Sat, Oct 25 2008

Good news for deaf and hard of hearing on election night
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Captioned Radio Broadcast to Enable Millions of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing to Experience NPR's Live Coverage of Presidential Election for the First Time NPR News' extensive election night coverage will be simulcast in the new captioned radio format, providing accessible news and journalism to deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. A link to the broadcast also will be ava...
Media Tech Tue, Oct 21 2008

Do (romantic) relationships between Deaf and hearing people...
Jim's DEEP Thoughts My answer would be yes. I am deaf and my wife is hearing. Like any relationship, communication is the key. The hardest part of our relationship is when we spend time with groups of friends who are all Deaf and my wife ends up feeling left out and isolated. I have come to terms how to handle this with grace and understanding. Over the years, I have learned more about ...
Language Tech Thu, Oct 16 2008

Ruling prompts Packers to review deaf fans' interest
Jim's DEEP Thoughts A federal court ruling in Maryland is prompting the Green Bay Packers to evaluate how deaf fans experience a game at Lambeau Field.Relating to captioning for announcements and provide captioning from the television broadcast play-by-play on all stadium television sets.
Media Language Legal Mon, Oct 13 2008

ADA Law Expanded
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Last Thursday, the Senate approved major legislation that would expand protection against workplace discrimination for people with disabilities and overturn several Supreme Court rulings that have affected many. In the past decade, the courts decisions have created "catch 22" where people with serious conditions could be forced to choose between treating their condit...
Tech Legal Sun, Sep 14 2008

Thoughts about Election and Disabilities
Jim's DEEP Thoughts I was born with deafness and later in life I was diagnosed with MS. My step-daughter was born with cerebral palsy as well as learning disability and memory loss due to seizures when she was a child. My blood daughter has bipolar and other disorder disabilities. People with disabilities have faced many obstacles such as discrimination, attitudes, ignorance, stereotypin...
Legal Fri, Sep 12 2008

Henrietta deaf man goes to court to fight tickets; says he...
Jim's DEEP Thoughts I also think Mendon Ponds Park employees needs to be educated along with police employees.
Legal Sat, Aug 30 2008

Multiple Sclerosis and Hearing Loss (Deafness)
Jim's DEEP Thoughts I found an interesting article since I have both Multiple Sclerosis and deafness. I went to school with this girl named Muffy and she also have multiple sclerosis and severe hearing loss. More about Muffy and her famous mother lent her name and voice to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.I wondered how many out there who are hearing-impaired (or deaf) and havd Multiple Sc...
Wed, Aug 27 2008

What Happen to "ACCEPTING" reasonable accommodation?
Jim's DEEP Thoughts I will probably get alot of deaf and hearing people mad about this comment. In this recent article deaf couple seeking more than $50,000, plus punitive damages. Even though the Deputy Sheriff offered "reasonable accomendation" to communicate and was rejected by the couple. In the article, "Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher contends that Bahl was offered use of a text...
Media Education Legal Culture Sun, Aug 24 2008

Deafness and Disability
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Many obstacles such as discrimination, attitudes, ignorance, stereotyping, or alienation are still around me whether I realized them or not. They are not going to effect or control my life. For me to really understand "quality of life" is to effectively use knowledge and technology to improve my own quality of life. Often when we think of the disabled, we often thinks...
Culture Sat, Aug 16 2008

Slowly RETURNING
Jim's DEEP Thoughts I am not sure if I decided enough was enough and that I had to give this blog some attention now. Being so busy with work, moving into new house, looking for a new home church and trying to spent more time with God. This is probably one of the most difficult to do for me as a blogger to do after straying off-schedule. I need to focus what my future topics would be. 1....
Audism Art and Storytelling Thu, Aug 14 2008

open board meetings at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf in...
Jim's DEEP Thoughts 10 similar schools across New York would be forced to open their board meetings to the public under legislation introduced by............ This is good news and about time. Let's hope this will happen.
Education Legal Wed, May 28 2008

Alumni of RIT/NTID:Removal of AG Bell Plaque
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Its funny, I used lived in Bell Hall Dormitory which is next to Lyndon Baines Johnson building when I attended RIT/NTID. I graduated from RIT/NTID (Rochester Institute of Technology)back in 1981. Lately, there have been many conversations and actions about removing AGBell plague and renaming a dormitory. Before Superbowl game, Pepsi chose to air a 60-second commercia...
Thu, May 22 2008

Harry G. Lang: Honeoye Falls resident, a professor at...
Jim's DEEP Thoughts the 2008 Robert F. Panara Award for contributions to deaf education at a statewide conference held in Rochester earlier this month. (Panara, 87, presented the award.)Harry G. Lang writes about education and history in the deaf population
Media Higher Education Mon, May 19 2008

Consultants relating to Deaf Education
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Louisiana State Department of Education officials have chosen three consultants to recommend changes at the Louisiana School for the Deaf following the arrests on indecent behavior charges of 5 people connected to the school. See StoryI am really curious what changes they are looking into? I know its about improving the safety of this school but almost every school h...
Tech Sat, May 10 2008

Karen and Steak 'n Shake
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Karen who I have nominated for Gratitude with Attitude Award is still not getting answers from Steak 'n Shake which you can read more about it in Disaboom. I won't be visiting Steak n Shake until the company do something about their situation for their customers with disabilities.
Language Audism Tech Wed, May 07 2008

Grant provides $25,000 for hearing aids
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation gave the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing grant of $25,000 to help provide hearing devices and other assistive technology for deaf and hearing-impaired individuals who cannot afford to pay for them on their own.The same foundation that gave WGBH $1 Million to support the public broadcaster's work in maki...
Media Language Tech Wed, May 07 2008

May is "Better Speech and Hearing Month"
Jim's DEEP Thoughts I have been thinking of the comments regarding my post Disability Harassment Some of the comments were: When I was a kid, only the deaf kids at Mark Keppel school (ASL) bullied me while Field (oral) school deafies didn't. Students never bullied a hearing aid user at Maryland School. It was at Gallaudet when the user experienced the first ridicule and was asked, "Why h...
Higher Education Language Audism Education Culture Tue, May 06 2008

Hearing loss affects all forms of relationships
Jim's DEEP Thoughts A survey indicates that 48 percent of the respondents feel that their marriages have suffered because of their spouses' hearing loss. About 57 percent feel their spouse is reluctant to get his or her hearing checked and 46 percent feel that denial is the number one reason their significant other is hesitant to get his or her hearing checked. Hearing loss is one of the...
Tech Mon, May 05 2008

Spotlight Business run by people with Disabilities
Jim's DEEP Thoughts I have been thinking that I might create a "Spotlight" businesses run by people with disabilities especially Deaf and Multiple Sclerosis. I would prefer find businesses in Ohio but I am more than happy to post about any businesses in the United States. I will post "Spotlight Business run by people with Disabilities" as I whenever I come across a business which could ...
Culture Sun, May 04 2008

Focusing on having humor with an attitude...
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Humor is a powerful emotional medicine that can lower stress and dissolve negative situations. A healthy sense of humor is related to being able to laugh at oneself and one's life. Laughing at oneself can be a way of accepting and respecting oneself. When I was younger dealing with my deafness. It was not my deafness that was causing me problems. The sources of my pro...
Tech Sat, May 03 2008

Disability Harassment
Jim's DEEP Thoughts When growing up with my old hearing-aids that were very visible, I have faced my own bullies when I was in middle school but I have learned to endure and survived. In high school, I was not bullied once because I simply learned to stand up for myself and became respected by my fellow students. What really helped is that I was an athlete who made varsity soccer team as...
Audism Education Fri, May 02 2008

Deafness is a culture or disability or both?
Jim's DEEP Thoughts This post is mostly for parents of deaf children who are trying to understand deafness. In the past few years, the phrase "disabled people" have been changed "people with disabilities". A disability is a body function is impaired compare to the usual normal healthy abilities of a body and within a body, including physical impairment, sensory impairment, cognitive impa...
Language Culture Thu, May 01 2008

An example of a parent of a deaf child asking the right...
Jim's DEEP Thoughts A parent have written a very good letter to AG Bell regarding cochlear plants forhis child (born April 20, 2008) who was found to have profound hearing loss. Surgery is the main thing that concerns him and his wife that they want answers before pursuing this. I am very curious if AG Bell will respond to him and his wife in clear, accurate, and perhaps unbiased informa...
Thu, May 01 2008

Deaf411 Launches "Deaf-Friendly Cities in the U.S."
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Project What Does a City Need to Accommodate Deaf Residents? Deaf411 will research and compile information on which cities are deaf-friendly. Is your city friendly to Deaf residents? Go to Deaf411 Online
Language Culture Wed, Apr 30 2008

Unbiased Organization for Parents of Deaf and Hearing Loss...
Jim's DEEP Thoughts I have been reading more about the organization I have learned in the past few months. This organzation will REPLACE AG Bell for parents who are seeking sound advices of what to do with their children who suffered hearing loss. This is a parent-driven organization. The members are very diverse who are very open minded and willing to learn everything unconditionally wh...
Language Tue, Apr 29 2008

Fellow Blogger on Magazine Cover
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Abbie of “Chronicles of a Bionic Woman is on the cover of the Hearing Loss Magazine's May/June 2008 issue. You can see the issue and download article in pdf format in Cindy Dyer's blog.I am impressed with the cover and the article. I think you might enjoy this as well.
Tech Tue, Apr 29 2008

Members of Cultures such as Deaf clubs.....
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Hi,After posting yesterday about American Sign Language(ASL)Only, I have had many thoughts and more thoughts after reading the comments from ASL Only post.One comment from Shel90 who said: I agree...my question is why do AGBAD and other oral-only organizations insist on English-only. It seems like these organizations and people who support them have that "only-me" att...
Culture Sat, Apr 26 2008

I would love to see AG Bell members
Jim's DEEP Thoughts come in our blogs and make their own thoughts known to us so that we can start communicating with them. NOT arguing or threatening them because those will make matter worst. I believe that they might be afraid to share their side because of some extremists will them. I have seen that happened in blogging world in the past and there is no way we can control the extr...
Culture Sat, Apr 26 2008

ASL-only issue
Jim's DEEP Thoughts American Sign Language(ASL)is a language used by the Deaf culture and there are so many people using ASL today that ASL is probably the fourth most commonly used language in the United States. Within the Deaf community, there have been talk about having "ASL-only" community (online or in person). "ASL-only" cannot be done in the United States because the United State'...
Language Culture Fri, Apr 25 2008

Update: St. Mary’s School for the Deaf
Jim's DEEP Thoughts McCarthy will lead St. Mary’s trustees
Education Wed, Apr 23 2008

Accepting the changing of the Deaf Culture like any other...
Jim's DEEP Thoughts After watching the movie last weekend, there were many conversations about it and the Deaf culture itself. I am thinking: How do we deal with opinionated individuals who are not willing to be open-minded about their Deaf culture's traditions, belief systems, and behaviors that will change no matter what? I love cultures and I admire people who support their cultures....
Culture Tue, Apr 22 2008

Dear Abby: Card and Deafness
Jim's DEEP Thoughts In today's paper, Dear Abby received a letter relating to Deafness. You can read it here Card would be handy to explain deafness
Culture Mon, Apr 21 2008

Old Deaf culture and New Deaf culture
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Last night, my wife and I were watching the movie called Hallmark’s Sweet Nothing in My Ear, I realized something and told my wife that I am seeing the "Old Deaf culture and New Deaf culture" in this movie. I believe this movie is accurate in many ways. I was watching carefully of one character who played the deaf grandfather in the movie and he has portrayed many o...
Media Culture Mon, Apr 21 2008