The Miracle Worker - Thoughts
Show of Hands With the recent news of casting Abigail Breslin in the iconic role of Helen Keller in the Broadway revivial of The Miracle Worker fueling controversial thoughts, I did some research and some thinking. I do understand both sides of the controversy of casting a sighted and hearing actor to portray a Deafblind character - the money issue and wanting 'star power'; the obj...
Fri, Nov 13 2009

Not Blind Or Deaf Enough To Play Helen Keller ?
At The Rim Abigail Breslin Is Not Blind Or Deaf Enough To Play Helen Keller. More rumblings with deaf people annoyed at hearing portraying them.... How deaf is deaf ?That's what an advocacy group called The Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts screamed after they heard Abigail Breslin is going to play Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker on Broadway. They believe the role should g...
Sat, Oct 31 2009

For Barry and the commenters
Waving With My Deaf Hands Before I begin, I want to say that I respect Barry’s perspective and thoughts on AFA. I learned something from both of the sides while debating this matter. I believe that it makes the whole community stronger and wiser. By the way, I just want to pick out one piece on the “attitude” and stretch it out. Barry keeps saying, “wrong approach” and “wrong attitude” toward...
Sat, Apr 04 2009

It's A Deaf, Deaf World!
Deaf Anthology It's a Deaf, Deaf WorldIt's a world of laughterA world of tearsIt's a world of hopesAnd a world of fearsThere's so much that we sharewith our ASLThat it's time we're awareof our Deaf CultureIt's a Deaf world after allIt's a Deaf world after allIt's a Deaf world after allIt's a Deaf world after allIt's a Deaf, Deaf worldThere is just one moonAnd one golden sunAnd a smi...
Fri, Mar 20 2009

Pepsi But Weird Weather Advertisement
Jack's eyes Produced by Jack Barr, Videotaped by Steve Geiger and Edited by Darrell Roby [link]
Sat, Dec 13 2008

WHAT HAPPENED AT INVESCO: Accessibility Problems
The Deaf Perspective This is not an easy post for me to write.The day of Barack Obama’s acceptance speech dawned on all of us and we were truly excited about it. Everything was historic about this day – the fact that an African American would get a nomination from a major political party for the first time on the day that Martin Luther King JR made his “I Have a Dream” speech 45 years ago...
Fri, Sep 05 2008

First Night of DNC 2008 Through Deaf Eyes
The Deaf Perspective Tonight we had the first series of speeches celebrating the Democratic Party and Barack Obama’s upcoming nomination. I was lucky enough to work inside the Pepsi Center, on the second floor! I could see a lot of what was going on and I had an interpreter with me so she interpreted all of the speeches. WOW! Let me give you my observations… The first comparison in m...
Tue, Aug 26 2008

DNC 2008: A Glimpse Inside the Pepsi Center Arena
The Deaf Perspective VIDEO:You can see just how many people are part of this and you can see what one of the media stations' set-up looks like in the hallway.Here's some numbers from DNC 2008:15,000 MEDIA PERSONNEL10,000 VOLUNTEERS35,000 ATTENDEES10 from Gallaudet University$16,000,000 projected positive impact on Denver economyIf you happen to know any deaf delegates or anybody else who ...
Tue, Aug 26 2008

EXCLUSIVE!! Interview with a Deaf CNN Worker
The Deaf Perspective Leah Katz-Hernandez interviews Joel Garcia, who works at CNN during the Democratic National Convention 2008.TRANSCRIPT:Leah Katz-Hernandez: Hello - I'm here now to interview a CNN worker, Joel Garcia. We are all very proud of him and eager to listen to your experience. Now, tell me about your work -- what do you do at CNN?Joel Garcia: I work as a Runner. That means th...
Mon, Aug 25 2008

Leah Katz-Hernandez: The Benefits of Volunteering
The Deaf Perspective TRANSCRIPTHi. Now we are at the Pepsi Center. It's where the whole convention will happen at. See all this! I want to emphasize, THAT is the reason why you should get involved with the political campaigns, volunteer, and more -- because you will get ACCESS. Whoa -- see, all these people are bustling about; it's pretty busy here with all the preparation for the BIG con...
Sun, Aug 24 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

What programming of DCN may offer?
Deaf Channel Org. Blog There is so many programming that would be a good fit on DCN:1) News2) Comedian3) Soap Opera4) Deaf related Advertisement5) Story Teller6) Reality ShowWho or Company would be a good candidate that would be suit for DCN, based on each listed subject(above)?NEWS:Deaf Newspaper(KEN)Deaf News Networkwho else that would be an ideal candidate...Come...
Tue, May 13 2008

Deaf Anthology #59: "Travelogues"
Deaf Anthology Joan: "More tavelogues, this one from the Middle East."Several Deaf Gallaudet alumni recently tour travel to the Middle East. In Egypt, we visited the Pyramids. The Sphinx guarded the area. Hank Young was our interpreter. One night we were on the Nile cruise and were entertained by a belly-dancer. We took a drive out to Alexandria. We took an overnight train to Luxor ...
Mon, May 12 2008

Skype BSL Commercial
Grumpy Old Deafies Below is a BSL based commercial for Skype, who had commissioned Remark!: You can watch it in full glory here. Fantastic collaboration, and good to see BSL being used as a marketing tool. Deaf people after all do use Skype as a communication tool. Source: Skype Remark! Skype Commercial See also: Sign language in advertising Pepsi Superbowl Advert More ASL...
Wed, May 07 2008

My senses sans one
Raining in the Northwest I taste the saltI smell the oceanI feel the sunI ......cannot hear the windI ......cannot hear the waves crashingI.......cannot hear the barking of the sandI taste the sugar from my PepsiI smell the aluminumI feel the fizz on my tongueI ......cannot hear the "pop" as I open the lidI ......cannot hear the sizzle as the bubbles riseI ......cannot hear myself gulping dow...
Tue, May 06 2008

More ASL Pepsi advertising
Grumpy Old Deafies (I'm not sure why this one done by Keith Wann and Justin Callaway didn't seem to get as much attention as the other one? Perhaps they're meant to link together or something. I don't know how USA advertising works?) Anyway - always good to see more ASL out there in the big wide world :o) Jen
Wed, Apr 16 2008

AG Bell Vs National Association for the Deaf
submit by: Trina Whitlock A debate between two organizations for those with hearing loss Pepsis deaf super bowl commercial created controversy generating positive and negative responses from the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and the National Association of the Deaf
Wed, Apr 16 2008

GARY BROOKS, HOST OF NEW "DEAF CHALLENGE!"
Deaf Anthology DEF: "This is Gary Brooks, host of our new exciting game show, Deaf Challenge, the rules are simple, accept the challenge, win great prizes, but first this commercial."Commercial: (It's late, everyone asleep, except the lone Deaf driver, apparently lost, a patrol car with siren flashing pulls him over)Deaf driver: "I'm looking for Bob's House, I've been blowing my hor...
Wed, Apr 02 2008

John Sr: "I got the flyer from the Long Island Club of the...
Deaf Anthology John Sr: "I got the flyer from the Long Island Club of the Deaf and we are planning on a Deaf day at the New York World's Fair, they will have several interpreters accompany us. We'll drive into Manhattan, meet my brother, then take the subway. We'll take the kids."Judy: "My mother agreed to take care of Johnny, he's too young."Jackie: "All my friends from ASD will be...
Sat, Mar 29 2008

A Comment about Captions Being Unbiased
Kalalau's Korner Hi Carl!My name is Courtney Setina. I am 21 years old and I am an ASL 4 student. I try to get in as much practice as I can so that hopefully, one day, I can become a better signer. I recently watched your video about captions being unbiased....I think that is a really good point. This issue had never really occured to me. I like how you brought up an example of the el...
Wed, Feb 27 2008

New commerial with ASL is on NOW!!! IT NOT Pepsi !!
Deaf Sims's Web Log I want to let everyone what I just saw... I wasn't sure if anyone else saw it too. There is another ASL commercial. Its not any soda commercial or McDonald commercial. Its brand new Commercial it look like the decided to raise their level to next level!!!! I am so thrilled! I am sure all you will be shock to hear this... since over any years we had issues with ASL and...
Tue, Feb 26 2008

Bernard Bragg’s Take on Pepsi / AGBell
Tayler Mayer Bernard Bragg came over today to work together on his new website that will be released shortly. He showed me a DVD he will soon be releasing titled “Bragg on Bragg”. In it are short clips and commentaries showing and narrating his life and works in theater. Selected clips will be on the website. One clip [...]
Mon, Feb 25 2008

Buy Pepsi's Declining Stock Now to Keep AgBAD (AGBELL)...
RLMDEAF Pepsi Cola company faced the declined stock values due to the softened economy and consumer taste changes. If you want to show your support and loyalty to the Pepsi Cola. That is very best time to buy up the Pepsi stocks at very good deal. Contact your stock brokers and financial planners NOW before the AgBAD (AGBell) people taking the boardroom control of the Pepsi ...
Wed, Feb 20 2008

Been wondering when or if AG Bell will fix the their own...
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Ever since the superbowl game, I have been wondering (still wondering) if AGBell responded to the National Association of the Deaf (NAD)'s letter to Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AGBell) about their comments on their letter to PepsiCo.To this day, I have not seen any responses from AG Bell. A few days after the letter was posted i...
Sun, Feb 17 2008

AGBAD Recognises ASL! (a small step forward?)
Auslan Resources Approx 2 minute video in ASL, followed by summary: Summary:The discussion regarding AGBell/AgBAD's letter to PepsiCo... I agree with NAD, it was a really disappointing letter. The general consensus is that the letter looks down on ASL by implying that deaf people who use ASL are not successful in the hearing community.In Jay's vlog, he discussed the names of perso...
Fri, Feb 15 2008

Pepsi's Advertisement
LoveMyBostons's Xanga Just want to share my thought with you all after reading all those blogs/vlogs about "Bob's House," and letters from NAD and AGBAD. I applaud Pepsi for using the deaf joke with deaf actors for the Super Bowl commercial. However, since then, I have not seen that advertisement on TV. I have seen others, such as Gatorade G2, Budweiser, Career B...
Fri, Feb 15 2008

Pepsi's Advertisement
via link submit Have you all seen Pepsi's ad "Bob's House" since Super Bowl??
Thu, Feb 14 2008

Hiatus & PepsiCo thoughts
What is Normal? So apparently, one of the drawbacks to having a job that requires me to focus on writing, editing and working with web site projects means that I have no motivation for focusing on my own blogs. A friend of a friend last night asked whether I had a blog. I directed him to this one, then looked at it myself. April 22, 2007. That's the date of the last blog I posted. ...
Tue, Feb 12 2008

More on the AGBell Letter to Pepsi
Bionic Ear Just learned National Association of the Deaf (NAD) wrote a letter [pdf file] [Letter and video in NAD blog] to Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing regarding AGBell's letter to Pepsi. Here's the backstory, if...
Tue, Feb 12 2008

NAD and AGBAD
The Raging Hands As you all probably heard of what is happening between NAD and AGBAD, I want to commend Bobbie Beth Scoggins on what she did on NAD'S behalf. I personally am disgusted with the letter that AGBAD wrote to Pepsi Co. because AGBAD does not accurately represent the true core vision and values of the Deaf community. NAD is the true representative of the Deaf Community. I t...
Sun, Feb 10 2008

Deaf and hearing loss communities
SayWhatClub Weblog Since Pepsico created a commercial for the Superbowl involving the Deaf community and using sign language in that particular commercial, the AG Bell auditory school of thought (i like calling it that) wrote a letter to Pepsico expressing disappointment. Personally, I did not view this commercial necessarily as a victory as much as I saw it as a clear recognition of [....
Sat, Feb 09 2008

Laughing Saturday
The Deaf Sherlock G'day Everyone!I spent an hour on the floor *LAUGHING* myself apart. (*LOL again*, ah ahem!) OK, let me show you the reason why: [link] reason why I looked at the "Jesus Christ light switch" article because it got me curious. But the light switch wasn't the one thing that made me laugh, it was the comments! Some of them were so... ah you gotta see for yourself. As a...
Sat, Feb 09 2008

Deficit Thinking Is Returned
Kalalau's Korner Let's return to the main discussion of deficit thinking. I refuse to be shy about it because it's happening right now.Rudeness in word and deed as it appears in the letter from the Alexander Graham Bell Association of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (AGBAD) criticizing the Pepsi Cola Company actually tests the limit of tolerance. Discussions end up in rigid stances-in th...
Sat, Feb 09 2008

May The Schwartz Be With You!
Mike McConnell I sometimes get a bit surprised or have an eyebrow raised whenever someone tries to use his or her professional stature to try and evoke an appeal using emotions by twisting certain things here and there. And at the same time take advantage of the human mind to try and invoke negative feelings subconsciously so. But isn’t that what lawyers do anyway? Ok, I’ll refrain ...
Fri, Feb 08 2008

The Titanic AGBELL!/ OMG.. Blooper?
The Deaf Sherlock G'day Everyone!Not since last year's protests (Summer 2007) by the Deaf Bilingual Coalition at an Alexander Graham Bell conference could have been a "managed Public Relations " disaster for AGBELL. Especially when the Marriott Hotel manager sided with AGBELL and yanking the protest flyers from a deaf girl's hands. (Note: that same manager is now working for the White ...
Fri, Feb 08 2008

The War on American Sign Language
Kalalau's Korner The war on American Sign Language (ASL), centered today in the hearing supremacy organization, Alexander Graham Bell Association of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (AGB), has raised two concerns about the Deaf community. Neither has to do with language and culture of the Deaf.What has emerged is that the hearing supremacy is an organized racist group, powerful enough in ...
Fri, Feb 08 2008

Bob's House
Say What? I've been watching some interesting things on the deaf blogsphere. If you will recall, PepsiCo created a Pre-SuperBowl commercial involving Deaf men using ASL titled “Bob's House.” (Click to view video again) It was created with members of PepsiCo's EnAble group — employees dedicated to creating a more inclusive environment for peop...
Fri, Feb 08 2008

Letter from Law Professor to PepsiCO
Tayler Mayer Michael Schwartz, Esq., Assistant Professor and Director of the Disability Rights Clinic at Syracuse University College of Law, wrote a letter to PepsiCO's chair and CEO, Indra K. Nooyi, regarding AGBell's letter. Download PDF
Fri, Feb 08 2008

PEPSI DEAF SUPER BOWL BLOOPER: "WE ARE GOING TO MISS THE...
Deaf Anthology I wonder if anyone of you millions of people watching the Super Bowl missed the blooper that was very obvious. Even the first time I watch the commercial, I didn't even catch it.I suggest everyone watch the Pepsi-Cola Deaf Super Bowl commercial again and see if you can spot the blooper.First of all, everyone on the street are probably already asleep, so it is late at ...
Fri, Feb 08 2008

Suggestion for NAD
Sean Gerlis President Scoggins & NAD Board, Beautiful!! Well written letter!!! Since AGBell had posted their public letter to PepsiCo at their website, they made quite contemning ASL users. Surely enough, they (AGBell & PepsiCo) heard a lot of comments from the ASL Community against their public letter to PepsiCo, AGBell suddenly removed their public letter from their web...
Fri, Feb 08 2008

DBC Thanks PepsiCo; Chides AGBell
Ella's Flashlight Play Quicktime version (6:24) This is an ASL translation of the letter to PepsiCo by the Deaf Bilingual Coalition. A copy of the letter originally written in English and the AGBell's letter in question can be found at DBC's website: [link]
Thu, Feb 07 2008

Would AGBell Respect Deaf who uses ASL?
Jim's DEEP Thoughts National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Responds to AGBell's letter to Pepsico. I am curious to know if AG Bell will or will not publicly apologize to the deaf community for their lack of respect for deaf people who use ASL. This is about understanding we have the freedom to do what we believe in while at the same time, respect how they practice their beliefs such as u...
Thu, Feb 07 2008

Break Out the Popcorn. It is NAD vs. AGBell.
Berke Outspoken On my way home today, I got word that the NAD had sent a "scathing" letter to AGBell in regard to their deplorable letter to Pepsi. And to think it all started with a television commercial....The NAD letter is professionally written with carefully chosen words, but when you look at specific language you can tell the depth of anger that the writer(s) felt. For example:...
Thu, Feb 07 2008

AGBell: Damage Control, But No Apology
Mishka Zena February 7, --- In This --- Member Response to Pepsi Super Bowl                                         --- Last week, AG Bell President Karen                                          Youdelman and Executive Director                                            Alexander T. Graham sent a letter to                                        Pepsi executives regarding its ...
Thu, Feb 07 2008

NO TOLERANCE...Why Boycott?
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear First of all, I'm annoyed because Sofia spilled a large bottle of water on my copy of Josh Swiller's THE UNHEARD and it's been sitting on the radiator drying, so I haven't had a chance to continue reading...Pa-oh-tie...I'm feeling oddly flirty today (also because the commenters are begging me to bring it on and I just bought a short skirt at the market!) despite the f...
Thu, Feb 07 2008

What should the Deaf Culture do about
Jim's DEEP Thoughts AG Bell's 2008 convention that will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 27-30, 2008? Is it true that this is the largest gathering of families with deaf and hard of hearing children in the world?Should we let AG Bell know that we disagree with their concept of deafness? Will there be any Deaf people who lives in the area who might show up to "protest"? Added: 11:0...
Wed, Feb 06 2008

Defness, Hearing-loss, Multiple Sclerosis and other...
Jim's DEEP Thoughts Continuing the Alexander Graham Bell Deaf Association's letter to Pepsi which have brought hurts and complains from the Deaf community. I did some "searches" around the internet, most medias and organizations were praising the commercial while I saw only ONE against which was Alexander Graham Bell Deaf Associaition. On January 24th, CNNMoney.Com had an article about t...
Tue, Feb 05 2008

DBC Letter to Pepsi
Deaf Bilingual Coalition Here is the version of the letter:February 5, 2008Ms. Julie HampSenior Vice PresidentPepsiCo Communications700 Anderson Hill RoadPurchase, NY 10577Dear Ms. Hamp,On behalf of the Deaf Bilingual Coalition (DBC), we would like to thank Pepsi for airing the “Bob’s House” commercial and for generously replying to the countless number of correspondence items the global Deaf...
Tue, Feb 05 2008

PEPSI RESPONDED TO MY LETTER
Deaf Cinematic FilmBlog Dear Aidan,Thank you so much for taking the time to contact us at Pepsi-Cola and for your kind words about our very special commercial, “Bob’s House.”We couldn’t be more proud of this commercial and the people whose creativity, sensitivity, and effort went into making a truly groundbreaking television experience. The spot was developed by and features some of our own...
Tue, Feb 05 2008

PEPSI LANZÓ ANUNCIO MUDO EN LA SUPER BOWL
TecnoSord Ayer, durante la previa del Super Bowl, Pepsi presentó un anuncio que no contenia ningún sonido, absolutamente silencioso. La idea, que tiene su origen en la comunidad de sordos, es, en la superficie, jugarle una broma al espectador. Pero el objetivo real es recortarse plenamente en la tanda. El aviso fue creado por un miembro de [...]
Tue, Feb 05 2008