Showing posts with label Articles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Articles. Show all posts

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Gallaudet How Architecture Changes For The Deaf

VIDEO [CC] - Deaf News: Curbed's feature on DeafSpace at Gallaudet University campus for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing students and staff.





WASHINGTON -- Vox: We live in a world made for people who hear. But what would our cities looks like if they were designed for the Deaf? DeafSpace is an emerging approach to design and architecture that is informed by the unique sensory experience of those who don't hear. In conjunction with Curbed's feature on DeafSpace, we visited Gallaudet University to see what DeafSpace looks like in action:



To activate this feature, press the "CC" button.


People who hear might not realize what role sound plays in everyday life. If you want a passerby's attention, you shout his name. If a professor needs to explain a math problem, it's not a problem to talk while writing concepts on the board.



But people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing depend on different senses to navigate everything from social interactions to academics. The concept of DeafSpace uses that experience to inform the design of environments.



Gallaudet University - a school located in Washington, DC, and the world’s only institution of higher education for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is in the process of modifying the historic university’s campus to create a more inclusive environment for the Deaf student body.



Hansel Bauman, the architect behind DeafSpace, has redesigned parts of Gallaudet's campus around five basic principles: space and proximity, sensory reach, mobility and proximity, light and color, and acoustics. DeafSpace is the project that has grown up around Bauman's work and is quickly gaining recognition both inside and outside deaf communities.



On our recent visit to the campus we sat down with Derrick Behm, a former student who now works in the Office of Campus Design and Planning. He walked us through some of the background of the DeafSpace project while also giving us a demonstration of how these concepts play out in action, which you can see in the video above.



For a more in-depth look into the history, traditions, and design elements driving DeafSpace, read Amanda Hurley's feature about DeafSpace on our sister site Curbed. SOURCE

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Nyle DiMarco Is Joining 'Dancing With The Stars'

Deaf News: Exclusively: America's Next Top Model winner Nyle DiMarco is joining 'Dancing with the Stars' will be on March 21 at 8pm on ABC.



LOS ANGELES -- America's Next Top Model winner Nyle DiMarco is trading his smize for dancing shoes: the 26-year-old model/actor/Deaf activist will compete on season 22 of Dancing With the Stars, a source tells E! News exclusively.



Sources confirm that the most recent champion of Tyra Banks' modeling competition is heading to the DWTS ballroom, where he'll be joining rumored fellow cast member Jodie Sweetin on the series which our insiders have also confirmed, and will be the second-ever Deaf contestant on the show.



Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin competed on the series in 2008, coming in seventh place with partner Fabian Sanchez during the ABC reality hit's sixth season. Figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi eventually took home the Mirrorball Trophy that year.



The new cast will dance in the footsteps of 17-year-old Bindi Irwin, who took home the trophy with six-time champion Derek Hough, beating out Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, soldier Alek Skarlatos and Grease Live star Carlos PenaVega.



ABC declined to comment on the casting report, but the official cast announcement will be made on Good Morning America on March 8, ahead of season 22's March 21 premiere.



One certainty for next season: We won't be seeing Julianne Hough anymore. The pro-turned-judge is stepping away from the series after two years at the judges' table, she confirmed on Feb. 17, but there's good news too: Len Goodman, who left for a season to spend time with his newborn grandson (and continue judging on the original British series, Strictly Come Dancing), is coming back.



DWTS season 22 debuts Monday, March 21 at 8 p.m. on ABC - SOURCE



Follow Nyle DiMarco:

Subscribe - https://youtube.com/nyle222

Facebook - https://facebook.com/nyledimarco

Twitter - https://twitter.com/nyledimarco

Instagram - https://instagram.com/nyledimarco

Model Mayhem - http://modelmayhem.com/nyledimarco

Linkedin - https://linkedin.com/in/nyledimarco

Tumblr - http://nyledimarco.tumblr.com

Official site - http://nyledimarco.com



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ANTM Cycle 22 Finale Winner Is... Nyle DiMarco !

Nyle DiMarco - The Mecca Of The Deaf Community

Deaf Male Model - Introducing Nyle DiMarco

Top Models Learn ASL For Deaf Contestant

DCW50 Interviews Deaf Top Model Nyle DiMarco

ANTM Cycle 22 'BOOTYful' Music Video - Nyle

'ANTM' Contestant Nyle DiMarco's ASL Phrases

'ANTM' Nyle DiMarco Comes Out As Sexually Fluid

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ANTM: Nyle DiMarco - Deaf Community Reactions

Deaf Schools In Belleville Worried About Future

Deaf News: Dozens of local Deaf and students and their service providers are dreading a recent announcement Deaf Schools into closures in Ontario.





BELLEVILLE, ON -- Intelligencer: Dozens of local Deaf and learning disabled students and their service providers are dreading a recent announcement of the need for efficiency at five specialized institutions across the province will translate into school closures.



Union representatives held a meeting in Belleville Friday to rally students, staff and parent support in their bid to stave off what they say will be imminent school closures unless action is taken to demonstrate a strong case for why local public schools aren’t properly equipped to provide the specialized services delivered by institution like Sir James Whitney and Sagonaska Demonstration Secondary School.



“Closure are going to happen if we don’t do something,” said Daryl O’Grady, local president for the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). “We’re getting a campaign together to fight.”



He said the Education Ministry is linking planned reductions to declining Deaf student enrollment.



“They sat back and watched these programs get to where they are now so they can come and say we don’t have the numbers,” O’Grady said. “As a union we will be calling them out on that. This is a good turnout and it shows that people are concerned here,” he said, of the meeting held at the Travelodge Hotel on Friday.



Ann Carr, a former counsellor at the local schools, warned that inaction will be costly once the school year ends and changes are implemented in the fall.



“These children need people qualified to be with them,” Carr said. “When these children go into the regular system they’re just going to have someone who took a regular sign language course. If I were you guys I would go to the local public board and find out what they’re going to do for your kids before the cuts come.



“You are in danger,” Carr said. “These kids have a right.”



She urged students and staff to lobby the mayor and other levels of government to back their campaign to protect jobs and specialized student education here.



“If you don’t do it now, at the end of June you guys are going to have nothing,” said Carr. “At the end of June they’re going to say goodbye. This is for real, you have to start moving today.”



Sarah Colbeck is not only a social worker providing services at both aforementioned schools, but she’s also speaks from the unique perspective of being a mother with four children taught at the Dundas Street West site.



“Deaf children get full access to certain services for free,” Colbeck said of the current system, which if changed will force parents to either send students to schools farther away or foot the bill to find services and American Sign Language tutors.



“Once you close that school it’s going to be a disaster,” Colbeck said. “It’s going to have a big impact on the hearing schools (public schools) as well because they’re not prepared to cater to each student’s needs. Many professionals in these schools have no idea how to approach a Deaf child and their needs.”



The other option is send children to public schools with limited resources to tailor to each student’s individual needs.



“The community and parents have to work together and fight,” Colbeck said. “We have to spread more awareness that the schools actually benefit the children.” The prospect of job losses also hangs over her head.



In her current role, Colbeck is employed .5 at Sir James Whitney and .5 at Sagonaska, so “if Sagonaska closes I would lose .5 of my job this fall and how am I supposed to support my family,” she said through an interpreter. Source



Related Post: #Deaf Canadians - #Deaf Schools

Friday, February 19, 2016

Teacher Slaps Deaf Toddler For Wanting Food

Deaf News: Teacher slaps toddler caused Deaf for wanting food in bother’s school in India.





AGRA, INDIA -- A hungry two-and-a-half-year-old boy was allegedly slapped so hard by a teacher for asking for food at his older siblings' school during a mid-day meal service that he has lost his hearing. Doctors have confirmed that the minor has suffered "at least partial loss of hearing" after the incident which took place in Mansukh Pura, Bah, on Wednesday.



The boy, Rajat Singh, had on Wednesday gone to the government school where his three older siblings Rohini Singh, Radha Singh and Rohit Singh study. During the mid-day meal he sought food from teacher Raghuvir Raghuvir, who then slapped the minor as he was "not a part of the school".



"My son has lost his hearing ability in one ear," said Rajat's father Shyamvir Singh, "Rajat is yet to enrol in primary school but he wanted to attend class with his brother and sisters. He was hungry and asked for food, when Raghuvir slapped him hard on the face. The slap caused Rajat's ear to bleed. Later we found out from doctors that he had partially lost his hearing ability."



Rubbishing Shyamvir's claims, the accused teacher, Raghuvir, told TOI: "Shyamvir is not telling the truth. The child was normal till the end of school. The matter was sensationalized after the child reached home."



He said, "I did slap Rajat for wandering around the school ground alone, where stray dogs could have attacked and hurt him. The blame for that would have fallen on me for being negligent."



A written complaint has been received in the matter from Shyamvir Singh and police said they will take the appropriate course of action after conducting a thorough investigation. Source

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Florida Man Arrested In Shooting Of Deaf Man

Deaf News: A man suspected of shooting and injuring a Deaf man in Parramore last November has been arrested, police said.



ORLANDO, FLA -- WESH-TV: Keith James, 20, was wanted for attempted murder in connection with the November 9 shooting.



Police said James has been evading authorities since the shooting but was arrested Thursday after detectives learned he was hiding out at his mother’s apartment. James was found hiding in one of the apartment’s bedrooms, police said.



According to police, James shot David Hayden, 25, who is Deaf and cannot speak. Hayden was found lying next to his porch on Randall Street, bleeding from the gunshot wound.



Investigators said James was riding his bike past Hayden's home when he opened fire, shooting Hayden on the right side of his body. Hayden was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center for treatment of his gunshot wound. Source



Related Post: @Attempted Murder

New App Features For Deaf Uber Drivers

Deaf News: Uber just made it easy to be a Deaf driver in India.





MUMBAI -- When Salman, an Uber driver in Mumbai, could not take calls from passengers, customers would cancel his ride. He would also have to text every rider to let them know that he’s Deaf, which caused delays when picking up his riders.



Uber just made life easier for him and several drivers across the world who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.



An update to the taxi-hailing app, which was launched in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., has now gone live in India.



While there has been no official announcement on this yet, Uber has confirmed this development in India.



So, how does the app work?



Once a driver chooses to turn on the special features by flipping a switch inside the app, a light will flash when a new trip is requested in addition to the existing audio cue.





The passengers won't be able to call the driver as that option will be blocked. Riders who want to provide special pickup instructions, can only to do so via text.



The app also adds an extra screen for passengers to enter their destination alongside a note that lets them know their driver is Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing.



“We hope these features help extend the earning opportunity that Uber presents to the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community,” Ben Metcalfe, head of product innovation at Uber, wrote in his blog.



Miraj Vora, who took a ride with Salman, tweeted that he happy with his experience.



"I had a great ride with Salman. We spoke about his new life as a driver in Mumbai and it was a peaceful ride overall," he told HuffPost India.



Though the learning process is the same for all drivers, the trainers usually spend more time with them. "We are also planning to get professional aid for training," Uber spokesperson said.



As reported by WHO, there are about 250-300 million Deaf people in the world, with 66 percent of them live in the underdeveloped nations, and India has the largest share.



A spokesperson from Uber said that not too many Deaf drivers have signed up for it yet.



But, this is just the beginning of the initiative and a much appreciated one. Source



Related:

New York City’s First Deaf Taxi Drivers

Deaf Woman Killed After Driver Suspected Of DUI

Monday, February 8, 2016

Marlee Matlin Signs The Anthem At Super Bowl 50

VIDEO: Deaf News - Marlee Matlin was chosen to sign the national anthem at Super Bowl 50 for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.





SANTA CLARA, CA -- Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin joined Lady Gaga to perform the anthem in American Sign Language at Super Bowl 50 on February 7, 2016, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, USA.





Marked the third time actress Marlee Matlin performed the anthem in American sign language, having also done so before Super Bowl XVII alongside Garth Brooks and again before Super Bowl XLI alongside Billy Joel.



While Lady Gaga sang the national anthem Sunday night just prior to kickoff for Super Bowl 50, actress and activist Marlee Matlin signed the National Anthem for the crowd. But, strangely enough, she was barely shown by cameras. This is the second time that Matlin signed for the Super Bowl, which is super cool, but it just would've been nice to see more of her. Because she was, you know, signing for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people unable to hear the anthem.



Matlin appeared in the TV series ‘Switched at Birth’, but she is also well known for her role in The L Word. Matlin lost most of her hearing when she was 18 months old, according to IMDb. Matlin participates in a number of volunteer and service activities, but, most notably, she was instrumental in passing legislation that requires all televisions made in the U.S. to be equipped with Closed Caption technology for Deaf people, according to Look to the Stars.



Matlin also signed the "Star Spangled Banner" before Super Bowl XLI in Miami, which was between the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears, according to Hollywood Life. Often, at major sporting events, the person signing the national anthem will be shown in the corner of the screen, so that those with hearing loss can follow along easily. But that didn't happen during Super Bowl 50, and many Twitter users thought that briefly flashing Matlin while she signed was an empty gesture to include the hearing-impaired on behalf of CBS. Source



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