Thejewishweek.com - If only it were just TV: Schools for the Deaf are closing.
On Monday, March 4th, the television show ‘Switched at Birth’ did something on mainstream TV that had never been done before. It ran an episode in sign language. Some viewers thought at first that the sound on their television was broken.
The show is an ABC Family drama that revolves around two teenagers who were switched at birth, one of whom is Deaf.
According to ABC Family, it is the first television series to have multiple Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing series regulars, and scenes shot entirely in American Sign Language.
Marlee Matlin guest stars. Because of this, the series not only exposes the American public to the Deaf community, it also has the power to educate us about important related issues: last week’s ASL episode focused on the failure of the American education system to serve many Deaf students who find themselves there because their own schools have closed.
The main story of ‘Switched at Birth's’ ASL episode focuses on the closing of such a school, and the protest created by the students to keep it open. Many students who are Deaf want to study in a school designed for them, where they can communicate directly with teachers and counselors, interact directly with their peers and participate fully in extracurricular activities – things most hearing students take for granted. ...READ MORE: http://www.thejewishweek.com/blogs/new-normal/if-only-it-were-just-tv-schools-deaf-are-closing
Our mission is to provide support to the Deaf community and to Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing individuals, families, and children who are or have been victims/survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual abuse.
If you or someone you know is in a DV situation and needs help, contact your local DV agency. There is nothing available nearby, contact Deaf Hope at hotline@deaf-hope.org from Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. More info at: http://Deaf-Hope.org.
Stop Domestic Violence Promo from Lavender Revolution - A social media movement to end violence against women. Watch on a tube: http://youtu.be/2_UclJCbDa0
A true story of audism from Aristotle time to now...why are we letting audism happening? Is it time for social change? Watch video: http://youtu.be/IWRnMzk3x1w
A satirical video about Judge having AG Bell arrested for crimes against Deaf humanity. Paul Kiel's Commentary about AG Bell, NAD and others at the end. Watch video: http://youtu.be/LzMNO1jqfkA
Is it reflective of health issues as a Deaf Community? Unfortunately also yes as health crisis is highly prevalent within the Deaf community.
NAD should add initiatives in creating task force to raise our socioeconomic status, utilize several social constructs such as self-efficacy, social cognitive, and self determination theories in developing creative solutions towards healthier behaviors, create task force to address poor health status within our community, AND take personal accountability as leaders in setting examples for others by getting healthier themselves.
Newtown - Sandy Hook Elementary School in American Sign Language video. Massacre of innocent children and teachers of Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown Connecticut.
Police reported multiple deaths, several wounded children and at least one injured teacher, according to the Hartford Courant.
One gunman is dead, authorities told ABC News. There are unconfirmed reports of a second suspect. Two guns were recovered from the shooter, according to CNN.
A hospital representative in Danbury told NBC that medical facilities admitted three victims from Sandy Hook School.
Reports say that the alleged shooter appeared in the buildings main office at about 9:40 a.m., approximately 30 minutes after the school day began.
Students were escorted out of the building single-file. There are approximately 626 students enrolled in kindergarten through 4th grade classes at Sandy Hook Elementary, with another 46 faculty members, Newtown Patch reported.
Well done and congratulations the social media of Deaf community for the efforts to reached a goal as the Obama administration to recognize American Sign Language. We made it! A big thank you from the ASL for America team! Please continue signing petition.
The petition to recognize ASL as an official school language. The Obama Administration to officially recognize American Sign Language as a community language and a language of instruction in schools.
Please continue signing and join us at http://ASLfor.us for more action.
Share this article and the ASL petition link with your friends and family through email, Twitter, Facebook, and more! Website with ALL videos and information related to the ASL petition is at http://ASLfor.us
The explanation of Deaf education reform act petition. The Obama administration to recognize American Sign Language. Here's the video clips of the petition information in ASL with captions. Deaf community have to ACT now to cherish ASL which is a part of Deaf culture.
Please sign the petition to recognize ASL as an official school language. The Obama Administration to officially recognize American Sign Language as a community language and a language of instruction in schools.
For more than a hundred years, American Sign Language (ASL) has been persecuted as a "lesser" language. It is a homegrown and complete language that has survived efforts to wipe it out.
Yet today, ASL is still considered "foreign" and not given the respect and protection it needs. Many states have passed laws allowing credit for ASL classes as a foreign language but they have stopped short of recognizing its benefits as a language of instruction in schools, despite studies proving its benefits for students.
Official federal recognition will finally give ASL the "welcome home" it needs. We need 25,000 by December 12, 2012.
Please sign the White House petition seeking the Obama Adminstration to officially recognize American Sign Language as a community language and language of instructions in schools across America! For more information about the petition, please visit the following site: http://wh.gov/9Amm
Adrean Clark created this petition to recognize ASL as community language and a language of instruction in schools. We need 25,000 by December 12, 2012!
Share this article and the ASL petition link with your friends and family through email, Twitter, Facebook, and more!
WASHINGTON - Deaf Advocates Urging The Obama Administration To Recognize ASL. Here's the video clips of the petition information in ASL with captions.
Please sign the petition to recognize ASL as an official school language. The Obama Administration to officially recognize American Sign Language as a community language and a language of instruction in schools.
For more than a hundred years, American Sign Language (ASL) has been persecuted as a "lesser" language. It is a homegrown and complete language that has survived efforts to wipe it out.
Yet today, ASL is still considered "foreign" and not given the respect and protection it needs. Many states have passed laws allowing credit for ASL classes as a foreign language but they have stopped short of recognizing its benefits as a language of instruction in schools, despite studies proving its benefits for students.
Official federal recognition will finally give ASL the "welcome home" it needs. We need 25,000 by December 12, 2012.
Website with ALL videos and information related to the ASL petition is at http://ASLfor.us
Adrean Clark created this petition to recognize ASL as community language and a language of instruction in schools. We need 25,000 by December 12, 2012!
"I don't mind fun poked at me, as I poke back," the Dancing with the Stars alum tweeted Sunday. "But at the language, that millions use? It feels childish and insulting."
NEW YORK (CNN) - Fans want Bloomberg's Sandy signer' Lydia Callis back. When New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg appeared at a news conference Wednesday without Lydia Callis at his side, fans of the sign language interpreter immediately expressed their disappointment via Twitter.
"Wait, where is Lydia Callis???? (aka our favorite sign language interpreter)" @abbygardner tweeted.
"Watching Bloomberg's latest briefing. So sad Lydia Callis is not the sign language interpreter #Sandy" tweeted @kyledoyle.
"Damn they change the #signlanguagelady ... WE WANT LYDIA CALLIS BACK !!!!" @JoeyStugotz6 posted.
LOS ANGELES - Chelesa Lately TV show under fire for mocks sign language.
Late-night host Chelsea Handler (of the Chelsea Lately Show, on E! Network) has found herself in the center of controversy, due to this skit (air date: Oct 30, 2012) which many members of the ASL-users community say mocks and makes fun of the language they use to communicate: ASL (American Sign Language). In the skit, a member of the cast mocks Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's ASL Interpreter Lydia Callis, who translated for the Mayor's Hurricane Sandy press conferences, as seen on YouTube video.
And what some with hearing (like Chelsea) would consider as "over-exaggerated" facial expressions and body movements are used for a good reason, not to "editorialize" or to be "passionate", but to communicate linguistic elements that those with hearing convey by way of vocal inflection, pitch, rhythm, pace, etc, and take for granted.
(Also check out the comments section below the article, as they provide further information which is important to understand the issue.)
E! Entertainment Television corporate lawyers probably will feel compelled to file a DMCA take-down notice with YouTube (as is their right, as they own the copyright), but I WILL file a DMCA counter-notice, demanding they file suit in Federal Court for copyright infringement. If they need to have a Judge lecture them on the basics of the principle of "fair use" exceptions allowed under U.S. Federal Copyright law, then they can be my guest.
On the other hand, I'm willing to consider relinquishing my right to this "fair use" (public commentary) if the "Chelsea Lately Show" offers a public apology for whatever insult and harm they have caused, perhaps with a statement educating their viewers as to why ASL interpreters must use non-gestural components as a part of ASL, to be broadcast on the Chelsey Lately show in an opening monologue, with a message that is deemed acceptable by representatives of the Deaf community (eg Deaf Nation).
Vlog with closed captioned, who not understand in ASL. Discussion of the reasons Lydia Callis (interpreter for Mayor Bloomberg during Hurricane Sandy) has become so "famous" and the language attitudes behind this. A comparison to language attitudes surrounding Chinese is made.
(Sorry my signing isn't the best... CODA...) But here's what I'd like to say to Chelsea Handler if I could! PS- I added CC for those who can't understand.
Discussing my thoughts on issues surrounding TV Show - Chelesa Lately's skit on Hurricane Sandy's Breakout Star: Lydia Callis, NY Mayor Bloomberg's Sign Language Interpreter. Making fun of American Sign Language (ASL) in national spotlight is definitely lame and politically-incorrect despite unexpected and pricesless promotion of our beloved and respectful language recently. An interpreter's main role is to convey information rather than become a celebrity for the ignorant. Deaf people are aware of such mainstream fasincation with interpreters and our "beautiful" language. So I bring up the question that is OK to laugh at or laugh with and basically shrug this off? I think this whole publicity stunt is a turkey. I forgot to mention in my vlog: What if this was a terrorist attack rather than a weather crisis in NYC? OK to laugh at or with Lydia's national exposure? I think not.
Lydia Callis, the interpreter for Mayor Bloomberg during Hurricane Sandy, became famous on internet overnight because of her facial expressions. A number of Deaf people have expressed their objection against those who mock the interpreter and American Sign Language, especially the comedian Chelsea Handler. How should we, as Deaf individuals, response to such mockery of our culture and language?
I do have to use my voice so the hearing people can watch this too. I hope they understand too, because that was just uncalled for. I just learned that Saturday Night Live just made fun of us. It's spreading like wildfire!
While most of the comments about Lydia online have been positive, they’re positive in an ironic and subtly mocking sort of way. The title of the Tumblr is “Lydia Callis’ face for NYC mayor” not her whole body, just her face, as seen on YouTube with closed captioned:
Callis became an overnight celebrity this week for her animated facial expressions as she interpreted ASL for Michael R. Bloomberg during his many press conferences regarding Hurricane Sandy . But as journalist Lilit Marcus wrote over at the Atlantic, much of the coverage of Callis was patronizing to ASL speakers.
Marcus is the child of two hearing impaired parents and was dismayed, if not entirely surprised, that the hearing world seemed to think Callis was there to provide goofy entertainment.
Yes, Lydia Callis’ facial expressions and large, emphatic signs are a bit unusual among interpreters, but they’re not incorrect. Most interpreters have a difference between the way that they sign for large groups and the way that they sign for small ones. Callis’ sign style reminds me more of the way that interpreters translate at Broadway shows or at college graduations, but that doesn’t mean it’s wrong or that she’s doing it for attention...Read more: http://www.blackbookmag.com/snl-opening-skit-puts-sign-language-interpreter-front-center-1.54488
Meet Lydia Callis, the mayor's sign language interpretor who became the city's newest hearthrob. Stealing the show with her passionate facial expressions and signs.
Clearly there is nothing funny about mass casualties and a region under water. But Lydia Callis has at least given people something to smile about in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.
The sign language interpreter for Mayor Michael Bloomberg has gone viral. Mayor Bloomberg addresses the public while his signer feels the beat of the hurricane mane! as seen on YouTube.
The stories of devastation and destruction on the local news lately have not provided much in the way of relief unless, that is, you happened to catch sight of a sign language interpreter named Lydia Callis.
She has inspired a tribute Tumblr page: Lydia Callis’s Facial Expressions, which has compiled images of her expressions as she signs. In one photo, Mr. Bloomberg looks on from behind, seemingly fixated on her hands.
Video with Captions - Want a Deaf and ASL friendly national calendar of events?
Elise Whitworth shares a few reasons why Eventida is worth your support.
Eventida is an emerging web application with the goal of making it easier to promote events and related services. There is no fee to use the basic features of the application. As more features are released, subscription plans will be set up. We are also available for hire to customize event pages and help clients with overall promotional efforts. View video of how Eventida works & pledge today: http://www.fundable.com/eventida
For instructions on how to nominate a Deaf woman to be considered as a Pearl, please watch the video below. Closed Captions are available for the non-signers.
The Pearls Awards is to recognize Deaf women across America who have excelled in their chosen field. A business owner, advocate, artist, writer, educator, and lawyer are classic examples.
For the first time ever, the team behind The Pearls Awards is letting the public submit nominations. Please submit your nomination(s) via http://thepearlsawards.com/nominate/ . Anyone can vote - men and women! Please watch this video to understand the nomination process and on how to nominate. Thank you for participating.
Iowa State Daily - Deaf with a capital 'D' In today’s world, being politically correct is often hard to do without offending someone. However, for the Deaf with a capital “D” community, phrases and even capitalization or noncapitalization of the word “deaf” can make a huge difference.
Jonathan Webb, American Sign Language instructor and interpreter, explained that if someone is “Deaf,” that means they are culturally Deaf.
“Deaf individuals don’t consider themselves as disabled; they see themselves as a cultural and linguistic minority,” Webb said. “They don’t see themselves as a disability group because they have a shared set of values, shared behavioral norms, shared belief system and a shared language.”
Webb explained that asking a deaf person which type of deaf they are is not considered offensive because the ASL language is very direct.
“Asking someone directly, ‘Do you consider yourself lowercase ‘d’ deaf or capital ‘D’ Deaf,’ if they don’t know the difference, if they go, ‘What do you mean?’ then more than likely they are lowercase ‘d’ deaf,” Webb said. Rachel Johnson, a 37-year-old senior in history, has considered herself culturally Deaf all her life... Read more: http://www.iowastatedaily.com/news/article_f9e77d16-1096-11e2-ba6b-0019bb2963f4.html
Video with subtitles - A short film "Two Deaf Babies".
ASL Rose was founded in 2004 by two Deaf women, Dr. E. Lynn Jacobowitz and Dr. Adonia K. Smith, for the purpose of creating, publishing, and distributing ASL-English bilingual materials. ASL Rose provides consultation, training, material development, and video production. The guiding philosophy of ASL Rose is that all of our products provide access to both ASL (DVD, web-based TV, animated video) and English (text, closed captions, and voice-over) audiences. The first product of ASL Rose, Have You Ever Seen…? An American Sign Language (ASL) Handshape DVD/Book received a five-star rating review in the educational book category...Read more: http://www.aslrose.com/history.php
On Monday, March 4th, the television show ‘Switched at Birth’ did something on mainstream TV that had never been done before. It ran an episode in sign language. Some viewers thought at first that the sound on their television was broken.
