Delaware School for the Deaf (DSD) made a video demonstrating how to use the newest visor card. Deaf Outreach helped update the original card. Visor Card Applications can be found at the Delaware Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DODHH) at https://labor.delaware.gov/divisions/dvr/dodhh.
March 29 – Appoquinimink Library (flyer seen above)
April 25 – Milford Library
May 7 – Capitol School District Office
More details at https://picofdel.org/event/together-we-can.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled unanimously that a deaf student may pursue his lawsuit for money damages against a Michigan school district that allegedly failed for years to provide him with adequate sign language assistance.
The court held in Luna Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools that a procedural requirement under the main federal special education law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, does not bar the student’s claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
The decision will allow the now-27-year-old student, Miguel Luna Perez, to pursue damages under the ADA. And it will make it easier for other students with disabilities and their families to bypass often slow-moving administrative proceedings under the IDEA when their chief claim is for damages under other federal laws such as the ADA or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Daily Moth also ran a similar story at https://www.dailymoth.com/blog/supreme-court-unanimously-sides-with-deaf-michigan-student.
| The new Federal Communications Commission rule will require all prison phone companies to provide video communication services for deaf and hard of hearing prisoners. |
For four years, while incarcerated in Maryland state prison, Alphonso Taylor, 49, said he was the only deaf man in his unit. And he had no way to call or communicate with his loved ones outside of prison, who used sign language.
“I feel really alone,” he told advocates in a September 2020 videophone call from a Baltimore County jail. “I’m constantly holding back a rage from deprivation of information.”
During the pandemic, phone calls became an even more vital lifeline for people in prison. But many deaf incarcerated people were still cut off from meaningful communication, as few had access to the technology needed to sign with family at home.
In a major step in the fight over accommodations for deaf people behind bars, the Federal Communications Commission will soon require all prison phone companies to provide video communication services for deaf and hard of hearing prisoners. The new order, which goes into effect in January 2024, also applies to people in jails, immigration detention, juvenile detention, and secure mental health facilities nationwide.
“Incarcerated people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, or who have a speech disability are in a prison within a prison,” wrote Jessica Rosenworcel, chairwoman of the FCC, announcing the new rule last September.
Read on at https://www.themarshallproject.org/2023/03/21/deaf-prison-fcc-video-calls.
If you missed seeing the movie “CODA” the Best Picture of the 2022 Oscars, you can see it this Friday March 31st at 6 00 pm at Sussex Central High School in Georgetown. Free admission. Donations accepted. Sponsored by the ASL club
Note: CODA = Child Of Deaf Adult
– Thank you Barbara White/DDSC for sharing the news!
SALT LAKE CITY – (March 27, 2023) Today, Sorenson, the leading language services provider of inclusive communication services for Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and diverse people, has teamed up with Zoom Video Communications, Inc. to bring the first app that allows hosts to request American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters to provide interpretation services on Zoom’s communication and collaboration platform. Sorenson for Zoom is available from the Zoom App Marketplace, allowing meeting hosts to seamlessly integrate an ASL interpreter into Zoom Meetings as an active video participant, making virtual meetings more convenient and inclusive for people who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing.
Who: Everyone including you (everyone is automatically a member)
What: If you have any changes or additions for our bylaws, now is the time to do so
When (deadline): April 1, 2023 or so
Where: our bylaws can be found at https://www.delawaredeaf.org/about-us/bylaws
Why: Statewide elections/conference is coming up soon which is the only time Bylaws are updated under Article 9.01
How (Submissions): Use https://www.delawaredeaf.org/contact-us or give it to Keith Robertson who is collecting bylaw changes
* One other note: We are also accepting nominations/applications for board officers. You can throw names in up to the time of elections. We are not all about work so think about it and come on over!
DAD is continuing their meeting from last Saturday as it was tabled/put on hold for St. Patrick’s fundraiser.
Where: Via Zoom
When: Tuesday, March 22, 2023 at 6:30pm
What: Finish up DAD meeting, public comments are always welcome at the end of every meeting
Registration required, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvfuqrrzksHdzab81Q_2qJzf2qBJcPaTBi to get the zoom link.
ST Pats Flyer 2023.2 (PDF version)
