News Flash:

DEATH OF A PRIEST
The Reverend Monsignor Robert D. Bergin, Class of 1962, Pastor, St. Peter Parish, New Britain, and Director of the Catholic Deaf Apostolate, died Thursday, July 10, 2008.

The Wake will be held at St. Peter Church, 98 Franklin Square, New Britain on Sunday, July 13, 2008, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.

The Parish Mass will be held at St. Peter Church, New Britain on Sunday, July 13, 2008, at 7:00 p.m.

Archbishop Mansell will be principal celebrant at the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Peter Church,New Britain, on Monday, July 14, 2008, at 11:00 a.m.

May he rest in peace.

Sent by Helen Fortin
Secretary to the Chancellor
Archdiocese of Hartford

For more info about his obituary, read the Courant web site.

International Catholic Deaf Aspotoles (ICDA)

Chapter 30, Hartford and Chapter 33, Waterbury

is sponsoring a summer picnic

at

St Peter's Church

98 Franklin Square

New Britain, CT

August 23, 2008

From 1 to 6 p.m.

Click this flier

Exciting Event At New York City

"DEAFIDOL"

Click this flier to watch video information!

"Empowering People Building Independence" Employment Planning Series

The Connecticut Department of Labor bus will be coming to DNEC to provide a series of workshops. All are welcome.

There will be sign language interpreters.

If you have any questions or want to sign up, please contact Brynn Hickey at 860-823-1898 X21 or bhickey@dnec.org. Time: 9:30 - 2:00 pm

Date: August 14 September 18 October 16

Topics: Basic Word program skills Job search strategies and interviewing techniques Resume development

Phone: 860-823-1898 Fax: 860-886-2316 E-mail: dnec@dnec.org

Disabilities Network of Eastern Connecticut

238 West Town Street Norwich, CT 06360

Support DNEC bring in your ink catridges, cell phones, PDAs and laptops.  You will be helping the environment and raising money for our program. For more information contact Brynn at 860-823-1898.

60th Year Reunion of Mystic Oral School

Please reserve the date: Saturday, July 19, 2008

for the beach, picnic, games, fun & food

Another New information is here now.

Please give your email address to Steve Heron :mos60ann@gmail.com

Now You Can Use Your Phone Numbers for Videophone!

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) finally approves local

telephone numbers (10 digits) and 9-1-1 calls on VP.

Click video information

7/ 01/08

Bowling League in the New Haven Area

The New Haven Bowling League needs more bowlers this fall!

For more information, click the flier!

6/25/08  Gov. Rell Orders Budget Cuts at State Agencies
( Commission on Deaf and Hearing Impaired's "cut" is 5%)

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced she is ordering Fiscal 2009 budget cuts of 3 percent to 5 percent at state agencies and commissions to offset an anticipated shortfall of about $150 million in the fiscal year that begins July 1. 

"Making cuts like these is never a welcome or easy process – any more than families across Connecticut have welcomed the difficult choices they have had to make about food purchases, energy costs, vacation cutbacks or other savings measures," the Governor said. "Wherever possible, I have tried to make sure that agencies with the greatest public safety or human services roles have borne the smallest cuts. The essential work of government will continue and we will get by, just like our families."

For more information, please visit http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?A=3293&Q=418016

Robinson House Seeking to Hire A Qualified Person !

Click for the job opening

Connecticut State Deaf Golfers Association's 50th Anniversary Celebration!

Let's join playing golf and celebrating the 50th anniversary!

Sept 6 & 7, 2008

Click this flier for more information!

Announcement (6/11/08)

 The College administration decided to postpone the search for the director position due to fiscal constraints. Sara Gerhold of Canton, CT will become the acting director of CEDHH commencing from August 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.  The College is planning on reopening the search for the Director next year. Congratulations to Sara!! 

Mark Myers, Outgoing Director (effective July 31, 2008)

Northwestern Connecticut Community College/Collegiate Education for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Be Aware of This New Concern!

FSW is facing a shortage of interpreters for emergency medical service at nights and weekends but  FSW tries its best to find one available interpreter for emergency rooms in any hospitals.  If FSW cannot find one, FSW wants to express its apology but hope you will understand, and the hospitals can try other interpreters from Commission on Deaf and Hearing Impaired or any free lance interpreters.

FSW still provides interpreters if FSW find the available interpreters for the hospitals at nights and weekends till August 30, 2008.

FSW still provides interpreting service from Mondays to Fridays at daytime!!!

There was a special meeting for Connecticut Hospitals Association, FSW, Commission on Deaf and Hearing Impaired and State office of Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities on Monday, June 9, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.  They work to find any solutions to this problem so the hospitals still could have interpreters for any emergency medical cases.

Please do read FSW/CSDF Director Rachel Spillane's notes!

Do you Seek more TV Information about DTV effective in February 2009?

www.DTV.gov

http://www.deafnewspaper.com:80/2008/february/DTV-Roger.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
www.USDOJ.GOVCRT 
(202) 514-2007
TDD (202) 514-1888

The Department of Justice Proposes New Rules to Implement the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

WASHINGTON - The Department of Justice announced today its intent to solicit comment on proposed amendments to its regulations implementing Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). The proposed regulations will, for the first time, establish specific requirements for the design of accessible public facilities such as courtrooms and an array of recreation facilities including playgrounds, swimming pools, amusement parks, and golf courses, making it easier for individuals with disabilities to travel, enjoy sports and leisure activities, play, and otherwise participate in society.

The ADA is a landmark law that protects the civil rights of the more than 50 million persons, including 5 million children ages 3 to 14, with disabilities, and was intended to provide individuals "equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency." The ADA bans disability-based discrimination by state and local governments and by public accommodations. Public accommodations are defined as private businesses that are generally open to the public, such as hotels, restaurants, retail stores, theaters, and health care facilities. Additionally, the ADA aims to prevent discrimination as it applies to the design and construction of commercial facilities such as office buildings, factories and warehouses.

The proposed amendments are intended to implement revised guidelines published by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board), and to adopt changes necessary to address issues that have arisen since the publication of the original regulations in 1991. The amendments, which represent more than 10 years of collaborative efforts with disability groups, the design and construction industry, state and local government entities, and building code organizations, also are intended to provide greater consistency between the ADA Standards and other federal and state accessibility requirements.

Among other provisions, the proposed amendments to the regulations provide:

* accessible swimming pools, miniature golf courses, boating facilities, amusement rides, and other recreational activities;

* accessible playgrounds;

* captioning of emergency announcements in large stadiums;

* identification of accessible hotel room features, and require guaranteed reservations of such rooms to the same extent as the entity guarantees reservations for others;

* the availability of accessible seating in public venues, such as theaters and sports stadiums, for purchase by people with disabilities; and

* the availability of auxiliary aids, such as video interpreting services, to ensure that people who are deaf or have limited hearing can receive and convey vital information in medical and other settings.

Moreover, the amendments reiterate the requirement for covered entities to permit the use of service animals by people with disabilities, and highlight the distinction that a service animal must be a dog or other common domestic animal that is trained to perform specific tasks to assist its owner. The amendments also provide a "safe harbor" for establishments that comply with the current ADA standards, such that retrofitting to meet new accessibility standards is not required unless the building element is being altered or replaced.

Advance text of the proposed amendments are now available on the Department of Justice's web site at www.ada.gov  They will soon be published in the Federal Register, and the Department will seek public comment on the proposals and on related issues that have been identified in the preambles. In compliance with the time period established in the Federal Register, public comment will be accepted at www.regulations.gov. The Department anticipates holding a public hearing on the proposed regulations in Washington, D.C. in July 2008. http://www.ada.gov .

More information about the ADA, the proposed regulations, and a public hearing can be obtained on the Department of Justice's ADA home page at www.ada.gov . Information about the ADA is also available the Department's toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TTY).

###


Beth A. Leslie
Legislative and Regulations Specialist
Office of Protection and Advocacy
for Persons with Disabilities
60-B Weston Street
Hartford CT 06120
Phone (860)297-4369
TDD (860)566-2102
Fax (860)566-8714
beth.leslie@po.state.ct.us

visit us on the internet at http://www.ct.gov/opapd/site/default.asp

As thunderstorms pass through Connecticut, American Red Cross (Charter Oak Chapter ) wanted to share with you some information on preparing for them, as well as other emergencies. Please, feel free to share this information with people in your community.

When the Lights Go Out

Short-term power outages, such as those caused by storms, are inconveniences but with good planning, you and those you care about will get through it just fine.

Top Safety Tips for a Blackout
1. Only use a flashlight for emergency lighting. Never use candles!
2. Turn off electrical equipment you were using when the power went out.
3. Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer.
4. Do not run a generator inside a home or garage.
5. If you use a generator, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not connect a generator to a home's electrical system.
6. Listen to local radio and television for updated information. (Deaf Webmaster: please use your pager for any emergency news sent by friends, family members or resources)

 Are you ready for the tornado or thunderstorm? 

(Click either the word underline above to get more information)  

Web:         charteroak.redcross.org

Volunteer:  volunteer.ctredcross.org

+++++++++

Let's see how much you know about the earthquake or how much

you are prepared for this earthquake!

Click this and that! (2 different information)

Hurricane Season Starts June 1, 2008

Click new information on how to do about the hurricanes!

Hurricane Season begins...
1. 2008 HURRICANE RESOURCE (Printable) - This invaluable resource can be
printed and posted in workplaces, schools or handed out.
CLICK to get 2008 Hurricane Resource free...

http://www.emergencyemail.org/hurricane2008resource.asp

Visit National Weather Situation Page (watch for hurricane maps & radar)
http://www.emergencyemail.org/newsemergency/situationpagenews.asp?sit=27
powered by VueTOO
http://www.VueTOO.com

2.  LINKING TO US
If you have a web site & would like to link to The Emergency Email & Wireless Network
click here to see and use our banners at...
http://www.emergencyemail.org/banners.asp
Here is how to link... The linking address to put a link on your government,
company, organization or personal website is... http://www.emergencyemail.org/

3. ADVERTISING AND SPONSORSHIP
If you would like to partner with The Emergency Email & Wireless Network
as an advertiser, sponsor or as an outreach partner  you can request info at...
http://www.emergencyemail.org/partner.asp

4. NEW! EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION software & solutions for your business or agency
We offer EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION services with our partner Notification Manager.
This is the country's highest rated and affordable Emergency Notification solution.
We can provide emergency notification email and cell phone alerting services
for your company or your government agency. 
You can inquire at this link...
http://www.911message.com/

Each year we deliver 80 million web and message impressions.
We are one of the largest breaking weather and news email and interactive web
services on the Internet and have been in continuous operation since 1999.

As always share our links and sign-up information with others you think may benefit.

THE EMERGENCY EMAIL & WIRELESS NETWORK
http://www.emergencyemail.org/
"Since 1999 Over 3/4 billion messages sent"

Saving your GAS and Taking a tour of Connecticut! 

http://www.ctvisit.com/featured.aspx?id=31

There are a lot of places to go free for the day.  Great opportunity for families.  I think I’ll go to Lebanon and Canterbury.  A few have a lower fee to get in but most of them our free.  ENJOY

Susan Murray Docker

Senior Program Associate

CT Commission on Culture & Tourism

One Constitution Plaza, 2nd Floor

Hartford, CT  06103

Tel:  860-256-2721

Fax: 860-256-2811

www.cultureandtourism.org

susan.docker@ct.gov

Looking for any Jobs in Vermont??

VT Center for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing – Austine School for the Deaf 

Interpreter – Bennington Regional Program

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

·         Fluency in American Sign Language and English

·         NAD/RID certification

·         Educational interpreting experience

·         Successful completion of Interpreter Training Program preferred

·         Understands the uniqueness and development of Deaf and Hard of Hearing students

·         Enthusiasm for working with children ages 3 - 21

·         Knowledge of child development

·         Experience in behavior management techniques

·         Flexible with change

·         Willingness and ability to follow directions

·         Valid driver’s license

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

·         Interpret for Deaf and/or hard of hearing students within educational program

·         Interprets for interactions between hearing and deaf staff for meetings, trainings, school events and other circumstances as required.

·         Tutor students as it relates to their mainstream class(es)

·         Work with individual student(s) to promote desirable academic and behavioral progress, ensuring that the signing style and pace are appropriate for each student

·         Promote Deaf Culture, and the social, emotional, and physical growth of students

·         Works in team situations with other interpreters (when necessary) to ensure the highest quality provision of interpreter services

·         Participate in staff development activities, First Aid, CPR, and restraint training as required

·         Follow the RID Code of Professional Conduct

·         Attend special education meetings related to students

·         Keep abreast of new information on content area and vocabulary of students’ course of study

Carry out the policies and procedures of the Vermont Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing in a professional manner within and outside the school

·         Represent the department, school, and community in a positive, professional manner

·         Perform other related duties as required by supervisor

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 10 months (academic school year). 

Excellent benefits package with medical/dental, life and disability insurance, personal/sick paid time off.

Teacher of the Deaf

Job based in Bennington, VT

Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc. is looking to hire a Teacher of the Deaf to work in our Bennington Regional Day Program.

Full-time hours include an excellent benefits package with medical/dental, life and disability insurance,
personal/sick paid time off.

 Requirements:

* Degree in Deaf Education preferred

* Proficiency in American Sign Language

* Ability to secure Vermont Teachers license

* Knowledge of child development and behavioral management

* Excellent writing and interpersonal skills.

To apply please send resume and 3 references to:

 Austine School for the Deaf
Attn: Maria Pugliese
209 Austine Drive
Brattleboro, VT 05301
mpugliese@vcdhh.org
Fax:   802-258-9574
Phone: 802-258-9510

New job openings of American school for the deaf

and Vermont are posted at the right side.

              ATTENTION

Announcement from CDHI , May 8, 2008

Yesterday was the last day of the 2008 legislative session.  Bill 5759 was on the Senate Calendar ready to be taken up. Early in the evening the Senate went into caucus and came back with a consent list of agreed
upon bills, Bill 5797 didn't make it on the list.  It was speculated that there were too many questions about it and not enough time left in the session to address those questions.

CDHI is very disappointed that the bill did not pass.  I have to say that Diane Wixted devoted a lot of time and energy working with the legislators in support of this bill. Diane did an excellent job and is to be commended for all of her hard work.

I wish to thank each of you who contacted your Representatives and Senators to encourage support of this Bill.  There were members on both
sides in the House and Senate in support of this Bill because of you.

It will take some time to decide how to approach this issue in the 2009 legislative session. 

Again, Thank you.

Stacie Mawson, CDHI Executive Director


Go to www.cga.ct.gov for detailed bill information.

Again thanks to you who wrote letters of support to the legislators for HB 5797

that would protect your rights to have interpreters at time of arrest or crisis.  In addition, police officers or court staff should call for interpreting services for:

• deaf people who are arrested
• hearing children of deaf parents who want to know what happens to their kids.
• deaf children of hearing parents who cannot interpret or sign for their own deaf children....

This bill was similar to the old law that was removed by mistake when the legislators in 1998 added the law for any interpreters to register with Commission on Deaf and Hearing Impaired for working and earning money in Connecticut.   

NOW  we will work again in 2009 for our deaf community in Connecticut who wants to have that the bill HB 5797 passed into a state law so at times of trouble, deaf and hard of hearing persons can feel secure, and know what is going on with help of the qualified interpreters. That is important to keep our rights just like the others.........CCOSD Officers

New Website for Deaf Professional Happy Hour

http://ctdphh.blogspot.com

International Awareness Day of

People with Disabilities

Watch the video clip done by Marlee Matlin

on December 3, 2007 !

           Deaf couple and family will be televised in the

Super Nanny Show this fall. See the clip

Archives

Some information and news that were posted on this page in past now are available on the Archives page. The posted information and news will continue at least a year before being deleted from the web site.