Happy holidays from all of us at the National Association of the Deaf!
Through our hard work in 2011, we accomplished a great deal! As we approach 2012, we count on your donations to continue working to fulfill our mission of preserving, protecting and promoting the civil, human and linguistic rights of deaf and hard of hearing people.
Your donations help the NAD:
- Defend schools for the deaf.
- Expand the right of deaf and hard of hearing people to drive with Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDL).
- Promote the rights of deaf and hard of hearing people in landmark court cases, such as against Netflix.
- Ensure that consumers can now connect to banks such as Wells Fargo, BB&T, and Chase via Video Relay Service.
- Obtain captioning access on television, the Internet, airplanes, and sports stadiums and facilities.
- Advocate for U.S.A. ratification of the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CPRD).
- Shape young deaf and hard of hearing leaders of the future.
All of these efforts are investments in our mission and cause to achieve true equality for everyone. Thank you for all that you do for the NAD. Support the NAD at www.nad.org/donatenow to make the world a better place for everyone!
On behalf of the board and staff, my warmest wishes to you for the holiday season,
Bobbie Beth Scoggins
President
We give thanks to all of our supporters for helping us take giant steps toward a future of true equality for deaf and hard of hearing Americans in 2011.
This was a special year as we bid farewell to one of our great leaders, Nancy J. Bloch, who passionately served as our Chief Executive Officer for 19 years and welcomed new NAD CEO Howard A. Rosenblum in April. Howard hit the ground running in his new role, traveling extensively throughout the United States to countless events, including many State Association Conferences.
In this challenging year, we upheld our mission of preserving, protecting and promoting the civil, human and linguistic rights of deaf and hard of hearing people.
* NAD defended schools for the deaf through legal support, communication with legislators, appeal via media outlets, rallies, and mobilization of the community via our communication channels and social media outlets. While NAD efforts have yielded some results, the threat persists and we must continue the fight.
* NAD worked hard to expand the right of deaf and hard of hearing people to drive to include Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDL), and the Department of Transportation is strongly considering making this possible through exemptions.
* NAD vigorously defended the rights of deaf and hard of hearing professionals and consumers in several court cases. The NAD filed a landmark lawsuit against Netflix under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the first of its kind, alleging that its content delivered over the Internet must be captioned.
* NAD filed other important legal actions to ensure that: consumers can now connect to banks such as Wells Fargo, BB&T, and Chase via Video Relay Service; spectators can now access information on public address systems during sporting events at the Washington Redskins stadium; and consumers in various cases have improved communication access in hospitals and universities. With an eye towards the future, the NAD has taken legal action to make many aspects of American life accessible including a movie theater, a family resort, and the Boy Scouts.
* NAD worked with political groups to build support for U.S.A ratification of the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CPRD), an important human rights treaty which states that sign language is a human right and that education includes full acquisition of language, academic, practical and social knowledge.
* NAD proudly represented the U.S.A. at the XVI World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) in South Africa. The WFD is a global human rights organization with 130 country affiliates. We published The World Federation of the Deaf: A History by Jack R. Gannon which was an instant hit. If you would like to order your copy, please visit www.nad.org/wfdbook.
* NAD was intensely involved in advocating for the strongest regulations possible to mandate full compliance with the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. This new federal law makes it possible for us participate in the Internet age through captioned television programs on the Internet. The Federal Communications Commission will issue rules in early 2012 based on our advocacy efforts this year.
* Our successful advocacy activities includes community leaders on the local, state, and national level to carry out their outstanding work. NAD continued to build a strong network of advocates, train future leaders, and communicate current issues and advocacy strategies to consumers at the 2011 National Leadership Training Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
* NAD continued its proud tradition of developing young leaders of the future through its revered Youth Leadership Camp (YLC) and Jr. NAD programs. The quality of the students that attended the YLC in Stayton, Oregon and Jr. NAD conference at the California School for the Deaf - Riverside this year gave us great hope for our community.
* We also made significant changes to the NAD Conference so that the event we host in 2012 will reflect a new vision and strategy for the NAD for the years to come. The 2012 NAD Conference will incorporate visual and cultural artists, who express the experiences and values of our community through their beautiful work. Further, we have enhanced the Conference's appeal for everyone including diverse groups, youth, and families. Please join us in Louisville, KY for the 51st Biennial NAD Conference from July 3-7, 2012! Visit http://nad.org/louisville for details and registration.
We're proud of what we've been able to do and we could not have done it without you. You invest in the NAD in many ways:
* As a volunteer.
* As a donor.
* As a committee member.
* As a sponsor.
* As a supporter.
* And by telling others, "I support the NAD."
All of these efforts are investments in our mission and cause to achieve true equality for everyone. Thank you for all that you do for the NAD.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, it is our hope is that you will continue to support NAD through your tax-deductible gift at www.nad.org/donatenow so that we can keep on making the world a better place for deaf and hard of hearing people.
On behalf of the board and staff, my warmest wishes to you for the holiday season,
Bobbie Beth Scoggins
President
Going to the hospital can be a frightening experience – especially if there is a communication breakdown.
When you are at a doctor’s office, a hospital, clinic, etc, it is very important that communication be effective so you can receive full information to help you make appropriate health care decisions for yourself or your loved ones/family. Doctors, nurses, dentists, specialists, therapists, and other health care providers also need to communicate effectively with you to provide effective and qualified health care services.
There are federal laws to protect your equal access and effective communication in health care services. These laws include Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Both of those laws require health care providers to make their services accessible to deaf and hard of hearing people. This obligation applies to not only the patient but anyone the health care provider would communicate with – including parents, guardians, companions, and members of the public. Health care providers must provide accommodations, such as qualified interpreters, CART, assistive listening devices, or other types when necessary.
The only exception is if the health care providers do not have to provide a specific type of accommodation (for example- interpreters) if they can demonstrate that doing so would be an undue burden (a significant difficulty or expense). This may be difficult for most health-care providers. It is important for you to request accommodations in advance when possible so the health care provider has enough time to arrange them. If the heath care provider can show undue burden for a specified type of accommodation, they still has the responsibility to provide alternative communication access services that would ensure effective communication.
Hospitals and other health care facilities, such as clinics, urgent care centers, rehabilitation therapy centers, long-term health care centers and nursing homes, should take action in advance to be prepared to communicate effectively with deaf or hard of hearing people.
If you have experienced difficulty in communication with your health care provider or see they have questions about providing services to deaf or hard of hearing people, ask your health care provider to contact the NAD Law and Advocacy Center.
You may also print out the NAD Memo on Questions and Answers for Health Care Providers to inform them about your rights.
You can also advocate for effective communication access by setting up meetings with your local health care providers with the deaf community leaders or writing newspaper articles, etc with additional information provided on the NAD website.
When you believe a health care provider has discriminated against you because you are deaf or hard of hearing, you have the right to file a complaint with the Department of Justice. You may also contact the NAD Law and Advocacy Center for assistance.
http://www.nad.org/issues/about-law-and-advocacy-center/file-complaint#discrimination-healthcare
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) has been very busy, and has attended many state conferences and rallies. We are also busy attending meetings with various government entities including the Department of Education, the Department of Labor, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Communications Commission. As we have been busy with these conferences, rallies, and meetings, there have been lively discussions about what the NAD has been doing via social media.
At the next board meeting in Minneapolis on Sept. 18-19, the NAD Board will look at its social media policy to figure out how to handle social media such as Twitter, Facebook, and V/Blogs. This meeting will take place right after the NAD Leadership Training Conference (NLTC) on Sept 15-17, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
You are invited to attend the NLTC on Sept 15-17 and the Board meeting on Sept 18-19. Both events will be at the Millennium Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. For more information on the NLTC, go to http://www.nad.org/nltc
Hello, I am Howard Rosenblum, CEO of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). This is my first vlog, and it is about a crisis currently facing our deaf children, schools for the deaf, and our language, American Sign Language. In February, the NAD sent out an action alert to the deaf and hard of hearing community including a vlog by NAD President Bobbie Beth Scoggins describing a crisis facing several schools for the deaf. In our action alert, we urged the community to be vigilant, and to be involved with their schools for the deaf and state associations. We also urged everyone to inform your legislators of the importance of these schools for the future of our deaf children. Schools continue to face threats, including closure, diminished funding, and hiring and appointments of individuals who do not value ASL as an educational means. ASL is the core value of the NAD and its members.
The NAD, through its board members and staff, has worked hard through many avenues to protect state schools for the deaf. The NAD supports state and local organizations organized to protect schools for the deaf. The NAD has developed position statements that describe the need for state schools for deaf and hard of hearing children and marshaled resources in support of these positions. The NAD has provided legal support, contacted legislators, appealed to media outlets, joined rallies, and mobilized the community via our communication channels and social media outlets. While NAD efforts have yielded some results, the threat persists and we must continue the fight. Please click on the links in my blog on the NAD website to view videos and resources about our efforts on behalf of state schools for the deaf. I will describe some of the more urgent situations facing schools for the deaf and NAD activities by our members, volunteers, and staff to protect schools for the deaf. The NAD needs all of you to assist in this effort and we must all be unified in this effort together.
NAD Board and staff representatives attended and supported rallies to preserve and protect the state schools for the deaf. NAD President Bobbie Beth Scoggins attended rallies in Oklahoma and Kansas. NAD Region I Board Member Sean Gerlis, NAD Civil Rights Chair Alexis Kashar and I attended a rally in support of 4201 schools in New York. The NAD has provided legal expertise and support for the lawyers who filed the lawsuit to keep South Dakota School for the Deaf open, and continue to monitor the appeal to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. The NAD has also tweeted about challenges facing other schools that have deaf and hard of hearing programs such as the Utah School for the Deaf and Fargo High School in North Dakota. The NAD has also been corresponding with and providing support to various schools for the deaf and deaf programs about their situations.
On February 1, 2011, Governor Andrew Cuomo of NY decided to try to change an old law that required the State of NY to pay directly to private state schools educating deaf students. The Governor wanted to stop directly funding state schools and pay school districts after the fact for funding placement of students at 4201 schools. This was a huge concern because many local school districts are facing big cuts and might choose to keep deaf students at their schools instead of sending them to a 4201 school. Those local school districts have no experience with deaf students and would not have been able to educate these students. The NAD worked closely with the Superintendents of the 4201 schools in New York, sent a letter to the New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and sent a letter on behalf of NAD Celebrity Spokesperson Marlee Matlin to Governor Cuomo urging him to keep the 4201 system and preserve those schools. As previously stated, Gerlis, Kashar, and I attended the 4201 Rally to save the schools in Albany, NY on March 10, 2011. There was a large crowd with around 1,000 people. Several New York legislators attended and showed their support for our schools.
As a result of our collective efforts and the support received from legislators opposed to Governor Cuomo's budget, some (but not all) issues were resolved. 4201 schools and their authority to determine placements for deaf children are retained intact, but the funding would still go from the state to the school districts then to the 4201 schools. We remain concerned that the funding would flow through too slowly and the 4201 schools would have to close because of delayed funding. A blog by Alexis Kashar about this issue has been posted on the NAD website, "Did New York Schools for the Deaf Win or Lose?".
In April 2011, I sent a video to the “Deaf Schools in Crisis” Town Hall in the Bay Area of California, describing strategies to preserve state schools for the deaf.
In May 2011, the NAD responded to a crisis at Indiana School for the Deaf (ISD) by joining the local group that is collaborating to develop strategy that will push back against Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels’ appointment of two parents of deaf children out of four new appointees to the Indiana School for the Deaf Board. Those two parents do not have children who attend ISD and they have no connection to the school. According to the Indianapolis Star newspaper, one of these appointees is affiliated with Hear Indiana, a chapter of AGBell and is the parent of a mainstreamed deaf child. Another parent is the former director of the St. Joseph Institute, an Indianapolis school for preschool-age deaf children that focuses on speech and not ASL. He has a deaf son who is now mainstreamed.
Further, HEAR Indiana in a recent e-newsletter about the Indiana School for the Deaf Board appointments explains that the ISD budget has more than $18 million then asks its members, “Do you feel like local school districts should have a piece of the pie?”
Supporters of the Indiana School for the Deaf as well as NAD are concerned that these new Board members whose children do not attend ISD are more interested in diverting funds from ISD to mainstreaming programs than the betterment of ISD, as well as their interest in promoting listening and speech at the expense of American Sign Language in the educational programming at ISD.
This is a clear conflict of interest for those parents to sit on the ISD Board. The State already funds mainstreaming programs. The Governor should not have appointed parents who have no interest in investing in the future of ISD and its programs tailored specifically to deaf and hard of hearing children who use American Sign Language. The NAD is working closely with the Indiana Association of the Deaf (IAD) and the Parent Teachers Counselors Organization (PTCO) to find ways to rescind those appointments and ensure that the ISD board only consists of people who support ISD.
It is important that we all unite and work together to protect our deaf schools. The NAD depends on the entire deaf and hard of hearing community to support the NAD mission and keep each other informed about deaf schools that are at risk. We are also working with the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf (CEASD) to develop political strategies on the federal and state levels to preserve our deaf schools.
The NAD has always been a staunch advocate for deaf schools and will continue to preserve, protect and promote deaf schools. Please join us in this ongoing fight to keep the schools open with full access to American Sign Language for our deaf children.
Thank you for reading this blog.
Links:
Howard Rosenblum Speech at 4201 New York Rally
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykj7WrZ6tYc
NAD President Bobbie Beth Scoggins: Act Now to Protect Schools for the Deaf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6c1NFuFDEk
http://nad.org/news/2011/2/nad-praises-california-dept-ed-video-asl
Position Statement on Inclusion
http://nad.org/issues/education/k-12/inclusion
Position Statement on American Sign Language (2008)
http://nad.org/issues/american-sign-language/position-statement-american-sign-language-2008
Position Statement on Schools for the Deaf
http://nad.org/issues/education/k-12/position-statement-schools-deaf
Dual Language Development and Use in the Educational Environment Position Statement
http://nad.org/issues/education/k-12/dual-language-development-and-use-educational-environment-position-statement
2011 has been a year of state budget cuts, and schools for the deaf in many states have faced severe cuts or the risk of closure. New York, with the largest number of state supported schools for the deaf, a total of 8, was one of those states at risk. New York’s Governor proposed that the state stop funding the state supported schools for the deaf through a line-item appropriation in the state budget. The New York deaf community came together at a rally in the state’s Capitol in Albany to protest the Governor’s proposal. At this rally, many state legislators spoke out against the Governor’s proposal. But were the state schools saved? Did those schools win or lose the funding battle? The answer is not clear.
When the dust cleared from all the protests and the negotiations between the legislature and the Governor, what was left standing appears to be a structure that is a combination of both Governor Cuomo’s proposal and the previous funding system. Some would say that this structure is a compromise. However, many questions remain. The 4201 School Association, which represents the state supported schools for the deaf in New York along with some schools for the blind and physically challenged, is still working with the state education department to hammer out many details. This blog summarizes the results of the proposed cuts and the results.
1. Governor’s Proposal: Stop State Direct Funding to the State Supported Schools for the Deaf:
Result: Direct funding to state supported schools for the deaf through a line-item appropriation in the state budget was eliminated on April 1, 2010. This is different from years past where the state funded the schools for the deaf directly, bypassing local school districts. State supported schools for the deaf did not have to rely on the local school districts for funding under the previous structure. Under the new plan, the state would not be responsible if a school is unable to sustain itself solely from local school district funding.
2. Governor’s Proposal: School Districts to Pay Cost of the Tuition
Result: Local school districts are responsible for paying the full tuition at state supported schools for the deaf but the state will reimburse the districts for some of it. The exact amount of reimbursement is not clear. Some state officials state it will be based on a mix of formulas. This number will vary from district to district. It is also unclear when the school districts will be reimbursed the full amount owed to them by the state, even though the school districts are responsible for paying the state supported schools for the deaf for each student’s tuition.
This situation presents a challenge for local school districts by requiring them to fund the tuition for the state supported schools in the midst of their own struggles with deep budget cuts. Many local school districts’ budgets for this year do not include specific funding for the schools for the deaf. Consequently, many local school districts may face difficulties funding the tuition.
Furthermore, under the current legislation, it is understood that the state education department will be developing the tuition rate for all state supported schools for the deaf. This is different from previous years where the schools for the deaf set their own rates. The schools for the deaf do not yet know the tuition rate for 2011-2012 and many of those schools face challenges in planning for the upcoming school year due to the unknowns.
3. Governor’s Proposal: To Remove The Right of the State Supported Schools for the Deaf to Assess Deaf Students and to Develop Their Individualized Educational Programs (IEP).
Result: State supported schools for the deaf retain the power to conduct IEP meetings and to assess deaf students. School districts, as in years past, may still assert or offer a different placement such as one in the local district. There are procedural safeguards provided by federal law that parents may use in the event they disagree with any placement or service change or proposal. However, parents must be willing to assert their rights should a local school district propose to change their child’s placement.
The challenges of economics, politics, and education are severe. Government is often reactive and often fails to address many challenges logically. Unfortunately, education is not exempt from this reactive reach. For instance, in New York, large cuts in state education funding have been implemented statewide and such cuts will have a major impact on state supported schools for the deaf. State supported schools for the deaf are now entirely dependent on school districts for ongoing funding for the 2011-2012 school year. With the major cuts imposed by the state, many local school districts may be hard pressed to find cash to fund the tuition upfront. As a result, some schools for the deaf may face financial difficulties if the school districts are unable to pay in a consistent and timely manner. It remains to be seen how things will play out in the coming months.
Overall verdict: If there is one lesson to be learned from this crisis, it is the need to be as visible and vocal as possible at a time when education for deaf and hard of hearing children is being threatened. The New York deaf community and its supporters throughout the country was seen and heard loud and clear in Albany. This activism made a difference and resulted in the continuation of the state supported system, albeit in a different structure for the time being. However, the fight is not over. We must continue to be vigilant in New York and throughout the country. It is up to us to monitor the situation in each of our states and be ready to organize at a moment’s notice should any threat to our children’s education arise at any time.
The future of our children’s education lies in our hands.
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is pleased to announce that its second annual Spring Fundraising Gala in Berkeley, California set to take place on Saturday, May 14, 2011 was met with an overwhelming amount of support from the deaf and hard of hearing community, especially in the Bay Area and corporations that support our organization's mission. The event sold out in advance of its deadline.
The theme of this year's gala is "Celebrating a New Era of Leadership" in recognition of new leadership at the NAD with incoming Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Howard Rosenblum. The program features NAD President Bobbie Beth Scoggins, Marlee Matlin, Academy Award winning actress, NAD CEO Howard Rosenblum, rock star TL Forsberg, nationally-known comedian CJ Jones, and Hollywood celebrities Anthony Natale and Shoshannah Stern.
The NAD would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support for our second annual NAD Spring Gala.
Platinum
Google
Silver
CBS
Purple Communications
Bronze
Adobe
AT&T
Blackberry
Convo
NFL
RIT/NTID
Sorenson Communications
Copper
DeafVision
Gallaudet University
Hamilton Relay
Tracfone
ZVRS
"We thank everyone for coming to support the NAD and our tireless work over the decades. This will be a special evening where we all come together to aspire towards a stronger future where ASL is respected as a language and accessibility is provided everywhere across the country," said NAD President Bobbie Beth Scoggins.
Experience an action-packed journey of nonstop learning and personal enrichment. Empower yourself and others. Explore South Africa. Represent the United States of America! The National Association of the Deaf and Deaf Youth USA are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the fifth World Federation of the Deaf Youth Section (WFDYS) Youth Camp in Durban, South Africa, from July 6-14, 2011.
The Youth Camp will take place at the Karridene Protea Holiday Resort, located 20 minutes south of Durban, South Africa where the XVI World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf will take place from July 18-24, 2011. The Camp offers a life-changing cultural exchange and leadership program for young deaf and hard of hearing individuals from countries all over the world. The Camp brings young individuals together to share ideas, build essential leadership tools, and explore all possibilities for personal and professional development. For further information about the Camp, please visit, www.wfd2011.com/wfdys/.
The NAD and DYUSA seeks applicants to represent the United States at the WFDYS Youth Camp. Click here to download the WFD Youth Camp application. The application deadline is April 24, 2011. If you have any questions, please contact NAD Youth Programs using our contact form at http://nad.org/forms/contact-nad (select "Youth Leadership").
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) will welcome new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Howard Rosenblum the second annual NAD Spring Benefit Gala set to take place on Saturday, May 14 at the beautiful Hotel Shattuck Plaza in Berkeley, California from 5:00 to 10:00 pm.
Video transcript:
Daniel: Hi!
Julie: Oh Hi!
Daniel: What’s up? Why are you on your pager?
Julie: I’m coordinating all the details for the Gala. You just missed two people.
Daniel: Who?
Julie: CJ Jones who will be our MC
Daniel: Cool
Julie: TL Forsberg who will be our performer! Drats, they just left!
Daniel: No worries. It’s fine as on May 14th, I will see them.
Julie: Yay! I’m thrilled you are coming.
--
Daniel: How are you?
Natty: Good. How are you?
Daniel: Thank you thank you.
Daniel: I am excited about NAD’s upcoming Gala. Are you planning to go?
Natty: Yes. Did you know that Marlee Matlin grew up with Howard? They will be there.
Daniel: Will they share their childhood stories with us?
Natty: Yes, I sure am curious!
Daniel: Same as me. Looking forward.
Natty: Me too.
--
Daniel: Hello.
Tara: You love being with celebrities, right?
Daniel: Oh yes, that is my dream I'm aiming for.
Tara: Did you know that there will be an auction to win time with them for breakfast tomorrow morning?
Daniel: How much should I auction for?
Tara: Name your price.
Daniel: Oh, you’re challenging me.
--
N-A-D!
Support, Support, Support
Howard, Howard
Sue, Sue, Sue
Howard, Howard
Act, Act, Act
Howard, Howard
Change, Change, Change
Howard, Howard
Lead, Lead, Lead!!
###
Hello! My name is Jon Kessel. I have a question for you. What are your plans for this summer? No plans? Thinking about something fun and educational?
Absolutely, I have a perfect plan for you. It is NAD Youth Leadership Camp. It will take place from June 22 through July 20, 2011 in Stayton, Oregon, at Camp Taloali. The Camp features 111 acres of forested land, cabins, and river. It is located in the foothills of Oregon’s Cascade Mountains. Quite beautiful.
NAD YLC is designed to offer deaf and hard of hearing high school students opportunities to develop leadership skills. Students must be in 10th or 11th grade. With all the leadership development training, NAD is dedicated to providing essential tools.
Such topics include advocacy, empowerment, group dynamics, current issues, outdoor activities, and much more. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Campers and staff applications forms are online at:
http://nad.org/ylccamper
The camper application deadline is March 31, 2011. Very soon.
Interested in working at YLC? Oh, yes, I would strongly recommend you to apply. The staff application deadline is April 6, 2011. The deadline is fast-approaching, please apply today!
http://nad.org/ylcstaff
Good luck.
National Association of the Deaf | 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 820, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3819
