Thursday, July 2, 2009

Grand Ole Opry - Captioned!

Thanks to The Hearing Loss Association, The historic "Grand Ole Opry" captioned it's performance for the first time ever. Read about it at Tennessean.com.

Disability Law in ASL

American Sign Language Video Podcast from the
DISABILITY LAW LOWDOWN a project of the National Network of ADA Centers

June 22, 2009 – The National Network of ADA Centers announces new episodes on the Disability Law Lowdown website at ASL.DisabilityLawLowdown.com. The first video podcast series in American Sign Language bring a new level of service to the Deaf community by expanding traditional audio-only podcasts to include video that allows subscribers too see native Deaf speakers signing the show’s content. The podcasts deliver the latest in disability law information via American Sign Language, captioning, voice-over, and transcripts to maximize accessibility. Free subscriptions to the ASL podcasts are available to have shows automatically delivered to MP3 players. The ASL podcasts are also available on the Disability Law Lowdown website, where transcripts of the shows are simultaneously available. For the fastest viewing, click here.

Topics currently available include: Tax Incentives, Voting Rights, Ticket to Work, Housing, Your Rights with Law Enforcement, Workplace Accommodations, Your Legal Rights as a College Student, Legal Obligations of the Hospitality Industry, Requesting an Interpreter, and an Overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Disability Law Lowdown is provided by the Disability Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC), a national network of ten ADA Centers across the country, offering technical assistance and training in the Americans with Disabilities Act and other disability-related laws. To reach the center that serves your area call 1-800-949-4232 v/tty. To subscribe, look for the ASL Disability Law Lowdown podcast on iTunes, or visit ASL.DisabilityLawLowdown.com.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Deaf Zoo Day 2009!

DEAF ZOO DAY is TOMORROW!!!

Over 300 people are coming!!!

Saturday June 27, 2009
9:00am – 4:00pm

New this year: Free lunch provided with purchase of zoo ticket. Also, free ice cream cup for ICE CREAM SOCIAL in afternoon.

Sign Language Classes

SIGN LANGUAGE CLASS at The Hearing Speech & Deaf Center
Next class begins July 21 and will continue for 8 weeks

Beginning I
Beginning II

Please contact Meg Deckert for additional information mdeckert@hearingspeechdeaf.com or
221-0527 ext. 155

Registrations accepted now through July 10

Captioned Movies

Regal Cinema – Open Captioned
Deerfield Towne Center
5500 Deerfield Blvd.
Mason, OH 45040

Proposal
Friday, June 26, 2009 at 11:00am and 6:45pm
Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 2:35pm and 10:35pm
Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 12:05pm and 10:35pm
Monday, June 29, 2009 at 11:00am and 6:45pm

Year One
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 2:40pm and 10:25pm

AMC Theater at Newport On The Levee
– Closed Captions
1 Levee Way
Newport, KY 41071

The Proposal
Friday, June 26, 2009 at 12:10pm, 2:50pm, 5:25pm, 8:05pm and 10:50pm
Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 12:10pm, 2:50pm, 5:25pm, 8:05pm and 10:50pm
Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 12:10pm, 2:50pm, 5:25pm, 8:05pm and 10:50pm
Monday, June 29, 2009 at 12:10pm, 2:50pm, 5:25pm, 8:05pm and 10:50pm
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 12:10pm, 2:50pm, 5:25pm, 8:05pm and 10:50pm

Springdale Cinema De Lux 18 – Closed Captioned
12064 Springfield Pike
Cincinnati, OH 45246

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

Friday, June 26, 2009 at 12:15pm, 2:45pm, 5:10pm, 7:45pm and 10:05pm
Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 12:15pm, 2:45pm, 5:10pm, 7:45pm, 10:05pm and 12:35pm
Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 12:15pm, 2:45pm, 5:10pm, 7:45pm and 10:05pm
Monday, June 29, 2009 at 12:15pm, 2:45pm, 5:10pm, 7:45pm and 10:05pm
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 12:15pm, 2:45pm, 5:10pm, 7:45pm and 10:05pm

Showcase Western Hills – Closed Captioned
5870 Harrison Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45248

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Friday, June 26, 2009 at 1:00pm, 4:20pm and 7:40pm
Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 1:00pm, 4:20pm and 7:40pm
Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 1:00pm, 4:20pm and 7:40pm
Monday, June 29, 2009 at 1:00pm, 4:20pm and 7:40pm
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 1:00pm, 4:20pm and 7:40pm

Showcase Cinema De Lux – Closed Captioned
7860 Mall Road
Florence, KY 41042

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Friday, June 26, 2009 at 12:00pm, 3:20pm, 6:45pm and 10:05pm
Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 12:00pm, 3:20pm, 6:45pm and 10:05pm
Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 12:00pm, 3:20pm, 6:45pm and 10:05pm
Monday, June 29, 2009 at 12:00pm, 3:20pm, 6:45pm and 10:05pm
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 12:00pm, 3:20pm, 6:45pm and 10:05pm

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Captioned Movies

Regal Cinema – Open Captioned

Deerfield Towne Center

5500 Deerfield Blvd.

Mason, OH 45040

UP

Friday, June 5, 2009 at 1:40pm and 6:45pm

Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 4:15pm and 9:15pm

Sunday, June 7, 2009 at 1:40pm and 9:15pm

Monday, June 8, 2009 at 1:40pm and 6:45pm

Drag Me to Hell

Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at 5:30pm and 10:40pm

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 12:25pm and 8:05pm

Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 5:30pm and 10:40pm

AMC Theater at Newport On The Levee
– Closed Captions

1 Levee Way
Newport, KY 41071

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian


Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 2:15pm, 4:55pm, 7:50pm and 10:30pm

Up

Friday, June 5, 2009 at 12:10pm, 2:40pm, 5:20pm, 8:10pm and 10:45pm

Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 12:10pm, 2:40pm, 5:20pm, 8:10pm and 10:45pm

Sunday, June 7, 2009 at 12:10pm, 2:40pm, 5:20pm, 8:10pm and 10:45pm

Monday, June 8, 2009 at 12:10pm, 2:40pm, 5:20pm, 8:10pm and 10:45pm

Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at 12:10pm, 2:40pm, 5:20pm, 8:10pm and 10:45pm

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 12:10pm, 2:40pm, 5:20pm, 8:10pm and 10:45pm

Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 12:10pm, 2:40pm, 5:20pm, 8:10pm and 10:45pm



Springdale Cinema De Lux 18
– Closed Captioned

12064 Springfield Pike
Cincinnati, OH 45246

Drag Me to Hell

Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 12:25pm, 2:45pm, 5:10pm, 7:40pm and 10:05pm

Land of the Lost


Friday, June 5, 2009 at 11:50am, 2:15pm, 4:40pm, 7:10pm, 9:35pm and 12:05am

Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 11:50am, 2:15pm, 4:40pm, 7:10pm, 9:35pm and 12:05am

Sunday, June 7, 2009 at 11:50am, 2:15pm, 4:40pm, 7:10pm and 9:35pm

Monday, June 8, 2009 at 11:50am, 2:15pm, 4:40pm, 7:10pm and 9:35pm

Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at 11:50am, 2:15pm, 4:40pm, 7:10pm and 9:35pm

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 11:50am, 2:15pm, 4:40pm, 7:10pm and 9:35pm

Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 11:50am, 2:15pm, 4:40pm, 7:10pm and 9:35pm

Showcase Western Hills – Closed Captioned

5870 Harrison Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45248

Terminator Salvation

Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 11:45am, 2:30pm, 5:10pm, 7:50pm and 10:25pm

Drag Me to Hell

Friday, June 5, 2009 at 11:50am, 2:15pm, 4:45pm, 7:25pm and 9:50pm

Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 11:50am, 2:15pm, 4:45pm, 7:25pm and 9:50pm

Sunday, June 7, 2009 at 11:50am, 2:15pm, 4:45pm, 7:25pm and 9:50pm

Monday, June 8, 2009 at 11:50am, 2:15pm, 4:45pm, 7:25pm and 9:50pm

Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at 11:50am, 2:15pm, 4:45pm, 7:25pm and 9:50pm

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 11:50am, 2:15pm, 4:45pm, 7:25pm and 9:50pm

Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 11:50am, 2:15pm, 4:45pm, 7:25pm and 9:50pm

Showcase Cinema De Lux
– Closed Captioned

7860 Mall Road
Florence, KY 41042

Up

Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 12:30pm, 2:55pm, 5:20pm, 7:45pm and 10:10pm

Land of the Lost

Friday, June 5, 2009 at 1:05pm, 3:55pm, 6:30pm, 9:10pm and 11:45pm

Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 1:05pm, 3:55pm, 6:30pm, 9:10pm and 11:45pm

Sunday, June 7, 2009 at 1:05pm, 3:55pm, 6:30pm and 9:10pm

Monday, June 8, 2009 at 1:05pm, 3:55pm, 6:30pm and 9:10pm

Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at 1:05pm, 3:55pm, 6:30pm and 9:10pm

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 1:05pm, 3:55pm, 6:30pm and 9:10pm

Deaf Zoo Day 2009!

CSD and The Hearing Speech & Deaf Center along with St. Vincent Family Center present once again present Deaf Zoo Day!

Saturday June 27, 2009
9:00am – 4:00pm

Discounted tickets same price as last year:
Adults - $8.50, Child - $6.00

Order T-shirts and get all the information here:
http://hearingspeechdeaf.com/about/news/aboutzoo/index.asp

Sign Language Classes

at The Hearing Speech & Deaf Center

Next class begins July 21 and will continue for 8 weeks

Beginning I

Beginning II

Please contact Meg Deckert for additional information mdeckert@hearingspeechdeaf.com or

221-0527 ext. 155

Registrations accepted now through July 10

Deaf Town Hall Meeting - Ask A Doctor!

FREE – Ask A Doctor!

CSD’s next Deaf Town Hall Meeting is at Deaf Club

Tuesday, June 9, 2009 10:30am to Noon

Dr. Gordon Margolin will answer any medical questions you have – for FREE! Dr. Margolin is an excellent doctor who has two adult Deaf children. He is here to help you.

Contact Meg Deckert at Mdeckert@hearingspeechdeaf.com if you have any questions about the Deaf Town Hall Meeting.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Job Opening!

POSITION AVAILABLE

St. Rita School for the Deaf is an academic 10-month program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing impaired children from birth through 20 years of age. St. Rita School is an equal opportunity employer/educational private institution. Skills in Total Communication are required of all personnel.

TITLE: RESIDENT ADVISOR – WEEK
AREA: ONE FOR GIRLS DORMITORY
ONE FOR BOYS DORMITORY
NATURE OF WORK: This is a live-in position.

QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Special Education or related Field.
2. Proficiency in Sign Language.
3. Knowledge of child growth and development and behavior.
4. Physical stamina, emotional maturity and patience needed for residential living.

REPORTS TO: DIRECTOR OF STUDENT LIFE

SUPERVISES: Students in the dormitory and students in the after school programs.

JOB GOAL:
1. To assist the student in group living, personal hygiene, interpersonal relationships, social graces and spiritual and moral development.
2. To create a healthful living situation in which the student can mature and develop as an individual with unique needs and personality.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. To care for the student at all times outside of class time.
2. To maintain a neat, clean and pleasant dormitory and social area.
3. To provide a good health care program including: appropriate diet, rest and exercise, personal hygiene, care of sick student.
4. To assign and monitor student duties.
5. To assist the students in caring for and managing their money.
6. To guide and assist the students with planning of recreational activities and the utilization of their leisure time.
7. To discipline inappropriate behavior according to school policy.
8. To advise and counsel both the student and the parents.
9. To provide an area and time for studies and intellectual pursuits.
10. To support the philosophy and objectives of the school.


Submit your resume to:
Peter Keller
Director of Student Life
St. Rita School for the Deaf
1720 Glendale Milford Road
Cincinnati, OH 45215-1258
E-mail pkeller@srsdeaf.org

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Captioned Movies

Regal Cinema – Open Captioned
Deerfield Towne Center
5500 Deerfield Blvd.
Mason, OH 45040

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 3:25pm and 9:45pm

Star Trek
Friday, May 22, 2009 at 7:35pm and 10:30pm
Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 7:35pm and 10:30pm
Sunday, May 24, 2009 at 7:35pm and 10:30pm
Monday, May 25, 2009 at 7:35pm

Angels and Demons
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 3:05pm and 9:25pm
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 3:05pm and 6:20pm
Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 3:05 and 9:25pm

AMC Theater at Newport On The Levee – Closed Captions
1 Levee Way
Newport, KY 41071

Star Trek
Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 12:10pm, 3:15pm, 6:05pm and 9:05pm
Friday, May 22, 2009 at 12:10pm, 3:15pm, 6:05pm and 9:05pm


Springdale Cinema De Lux 18 – Closed Captioned
12064 Springfield Pike
Cincinnati, OH 45246

X-Men Originals: Wolverines
Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 11:05am, 1:35pm, 4:20pm, 7:05pm and 9:40pm

Night at the Museum: Battle of The Smithsonian
Friday, May 22, 2009 at 11:05am, 4:05pm, 6:35pm, 9:05pm and 11:45pm
Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 11:05am, 4:05pm, 6:35pm, 9:05pm and 11:45pm
Sunday, May 24, 2009 at 11:05am, 4:05pm, 6:35pm, 9:05pm and 11:45pm
Monday, May 25, 2009 at 11:05am, 4:05pm, 6:35pm and 9:05pm
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 11:05am, 4:05pm, 6:35pm and 9:05pm
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 11:05am, 4:05pm, 6:35pm and 9:05pm
Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 11:05am, 4:05pm, 6:35pm and 9:05pm

Showcase Western Hills – Closed Captioned
5870 Harrison Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45248

Angels and Demons
Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 1:00pm, 4:00pm and 7:30pm

Night at the Museum: Battle of The Smithsonian
Friday, May 22, 2009 at 12:25pm, 3:05pm, 5:35pm, 8:05pm and 10:45pm
Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 12:25pm, 3:05pm, 5:35pm, 8:05pm and 10:45pm
Sunday, May 24, 2009 at 12:25pm, 3:05pm, 5:35pm, 8:05pm and 10:45pm
Monday, May 25, 2009 at 12:25pm, 3:05pm, 5:35pm and 8:05pm
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 12:25pm, 3:05pm, 5:35pm and 8:05pm
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 12:25pm, 3:05pm, 5:35pm and 8:05pm
Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 12:25pm, 3:05pm, 5:35pm and 8:05pm

Showcase Cinema De Lux – Closed Captioned
7860 Mall Road
Florence, KY 41042

Monday, May 18, 2009

Summer Camp

Who: Children ages 6-12 who are Deaf, hard of hearing or have other communication issues —all are welcome — signing, oral, Deaf, cochlear implant recipients.

When: June 22-June 26
9:00am-1:00pm

Where: HSDC
2825 Burnet Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45219

Call: Jill King @ 513-221-0527 ext. 152 or jking@hearingspeechdeaf.com
Special guests will visit camp including adult and teen Deaf and hard of hearing role models.

Lear how to get a FREE video phone for your home.

Learn about the coolest technology.

Fun field trips!

Call for details

This program will be offered by
licensed speech-language pathologists.

All activities will focus on developing socialization skills, placing kids with their peers and providing
an opportunity to form lasting friendships
while learning!

For more information or to register your child:
Please contact Jill King @ 513-221-0527 ext. 152 or jking@hearingspeechdeaf.com

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Local Captioned Movies

Regal Cinema – Open Captioned
Deerfield Towne Center
5500 Deerfield Blvd.
Mason, OH 45040

The Soloist
Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 4:20pm and 9:55pm
Friday, May 15, 2009 at 12:20pm and 7:50pm
Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 5:20pm and 10:40pm
Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 12:20pm and 7:50pm
Monday, May 18, 2009 at 12:20pm and 7:50pm

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 3:20pm and 9:45pm
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 12:35pm and 7:15pm
Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 3:20pm and 9:45pm

AMC Theater at Newport On The Levee - Closed Captioned
1 Levee Way
Newport, KY 41071

X Men Origins: Wolverine
Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 2:15pm, 5:00pm, 7:45pm and 10:30pm

Star Trek
Friday, May 15, 2009 at 12:10pm, 3:15pm, 6:05pm, 9:05pm and midnight
Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 12:10pm, 3:15pm, 6:05pm, 9:05pm and midnight
Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 12:10pm, 3:15pm, 6:05pm and 9:05pm
Monday, May 18, 2009 at 12:10pm, 3:15pm, 6:05pm and 9:05pm
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 12:10pm, 3:15pm, 6:05pm and 9:05pm
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 12:10pm, 3:15pm, 6:05pm and 9:05pm
Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 12:10pm, 3:15pm, 6:05pm and 9:05pm


Springdale Cinema De Lux 18 – Closed Captioned
12064 Springfield Pike
Cincinnati, OH 45246

X-Men Originals: Wolverines
Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 1:45pm, 4:45pm, 7:10pm and 9:40pm
Friday, May 15, 2009 at 11:05am, 1:35pm, 4:20pm, 7:15pm, 9:50pm and 12:20am
Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 11:05am, 1:35pm, 4:20pm, 7:15pm, 9:50pm and 12:20am
Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 11:05am, 1:35pm, 4:20pm, 7:15pm and 9:50pm
Monday, May 18, 2009 at 11:05am, 1:35pm, 4:20pm, 7:15pm and 9:50pm
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 11:05am, 1:35pm, 4:20pm, 7:15pm and 9:50pm

Showcase Western Hills – Closed Captioned
5870 Harrison Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45248

Angels and Demons
Friday, May 15, 2009 at 1:00pm, 4:00pm, 7:30pm and 10:30pm
Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 1:00pm, 4:00pm, 7:30pm and 10:30pm
Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 1:00pm, 4:00pm and 7:30pm
Monday, May 18, 2009 at 1:00pm, 4:00pm and 7:30pm
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 1:00pm, 4:00pm and 7:30pm
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 1:00pm, 4:00pm and 7:30pm

Showcase Cinema De Lux – Closed Captioned
7860 Mall Road
Florence, KY 41042

No times posted.... check back later.

William Hoy

The Inclusion Network is hosting an evening about William Hoy on July 25, 2009 at Great American Ballpark. It will be a two-part event: "Fun on the Field" 2:00 - 5:00 PM and "Dinner of the Diamond" 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM.

There will be two presentations featuring William Hoy in the Reds Hall of Fame during the day and a brief presentation during the evening event, when we will also be honoring our 14th annual Inclusion Leadership Award recipients. For more information contact keng@inclusion.org.

Important VP Information

Note from the FCC:

Persons with hearing and/or speech disabilities who use VRS and/or IP Relay are reminded, if they have not yet done so, to register with the VRS or IP Relay default provider of their choice as soon as possible, and no later than June 30, 2009. To complete the registration process, a VRS and/or IP Relay user must provide his or her physical location information (Registered Location) to a default provider and, in exchange, obtain a ten-digit geographic telephone number. After June 30, 2009, all VRS and IP Relay users must be registered with a default provider in order to place a non-emergency call through any VRS or IP Relay provider. In addition, after that date, VRS and IP Relay providers will no longer complete calls to a user's former "proxy" or "alias" number that may have been previously obtained from a provider. To ensure delivery of accurate location information to responders in an emergency, VRS and IP-Relay users must provide updated location information to their default provider any time it changes. For more information about this deadline and ten-digit numbering and emergency call handling for VRS and IP Relay service, see the FCC consumer advisories hereor here or here.
.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Disability Law Handbook

The Disability Law handbook is now available online.

FCC Looks at CC and DTV!

PUBLIC NOTICE
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322

DA 09-995
Released: May 1, 2009
FCC ANNOUNCES ESTABLISHMENT OF TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP TO STUDY
DIGITAL CLOSED CAPTIONING AND VIDEO DESCRIPTION ISSUES, APPOINTMENT OF
MEMBERS, AGENDA FOR FIRST MEETING
Working Group to be Focused on Matters Pertaining to Accessibility of Television Programming for
Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, or are Blind or Have a Vision Disability
The Federal Communications Commission (“Commission”) announces the establishment of a
working group to be focused on matters pertaining to accessibility of television programming for
individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, or are blind or have a vision disability. The Commission also
identifies the individuals and organizations that will serve on the working group. Lastly, the Commission
announces that the first meeting of the working group will be May 18, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. at the
Commission’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the working group will be to conduct an assessment of closed captioning and
video description technical issues associated with the switch to digital television (DTV transition), and to
recommend to the Commission’s Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC)1 solutions to any technical
problems arising with these services in conjunction with the DTV transition. The CAC first
recommended the establishment of a technical working group on digital closed captioning and video
description in comments submitted in MB Docket No. 07-148 (the FCC’s DTV Consumer Education
Initiative), on October 1, 2007, and again at subsequent CAC meetings in June 2008 and January 2009.
Establishment of the working group is also consistent with Acting Chairman Copps’ statement before the
CAC at the January 30, 2009 meeting, during which he emphasized the need for the Commission to take a
leadership role in addressing these matters. The working group will be supported by staff from the
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB), jointly with staff from the Office of Engineering and
Technology (OET), who will provide technical support and guidance on the DTV transition and the
provision of digital closed captioning and video description services. Staff will also provide
interpretations of the Commission’s closed captioning rules, but will not serve as voting members of the
working group.

1 The Commission established the CAC as a federal advisory committee in November 2000 for the purpose of
making recommendations regarding consumer issues within the jurisdiction of the Commission and to facilitate the
participation of consumers (including people with disabilities and underserved populations, such as American
Indians and persons living in rural areas) in proceedings before the Commission. See FCC Requests Nominations
for Membership on the Consumer/Disability Telecommunications Advisory Committee, Public Notice, 15 FCC Rcd
23798 (CIB 2000). The Committee was renewed for a fifth two-year term on November 17, 2008.
2
Specifically, the working group has been charged with meeting the following three goals:
· Identify current and anticipated problems with the transmission and display of digital closed
captions and video description;
· Evaluate the closed captioning and video description capabilities of digital equipment; and
· Develop solutions to ensure that closed captions and video description are passed through intact
to consumers.
MEMBERSHIP
The working group will be a subcommittee under the CAC. The members of the working group
have been appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, the Chairman of the Commission, and have been
approved by the FCC’s Office of General Counsel Ethics group. Although the working group may meet
informally and without public attendance, given that the working group is a subcommittee of the CAC,
the full membership of the CAC must discuss and vote on any recommendations or conclusions of the
working group prior to their adoption and presentation to the Commission. Members of the working
group will not have voting authority on any of the CAC’s recommendations to the Commission (unless
they also are members of the CAC).
The attached list of working group members includes representatives from the broadcast,
cable, satellite, and LEC video industries, manufacturers of consumer electronics, manufacturers of
equipment used in or connected with the processing and encoding of closed captions and video
description, consumer electronics retailers, closed captioning and video description providers, and
consumers of closed captions and video description.
PROCEDURES
The first meeting of the working group will be held on May 18, 2009 in the Commission’s
Meeting Room. The Agenda for the meeting is attached to this Public Notice. Initially, the working
group will meet once or twice per month, based on the members’ availability, progress of the group’s
work, and other factors. To the extent feasible, such meetings may be open to the public. In order to
facilitate the business of the group without imposing undue travel or other costs, however, some meetings
of the working group may take place via teleconference. The working group will remain in existence for
one year, at which time the Chairman of the Commission will determine if it is necessary for the working
group to continue or whether it may be disbanded and its duties subsumed within those of the CAC.
Given that the current term of the CAC ends on November 17, 2010, the working group must terminate at
that time, if not earlier.
FUNCTIONS
It is anticipated that the working group will identify issues and problems with respect to closed
captioning and video description that are associated with the DTV transition, and propose solutions to
these problems in the form of recommendations to the full CAC. The working group shall submit a
written report to the CAC on its progress in identifying and proposing resolutions to closed captioning
and video description issues and problems within three months after the working group’s first meeting,
and then after another three months. These reports also will include the identification of any changes in
Commission policy recommended in order to address these issues. These written reports, if adopted by
3
the CAC and to the extent modified by it, should be submitted to the Commission and made publicly
available on the CAC’s existing webpage: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/cac/.
As recommended by the CAC, the Commission envisions that the CAC, through its web site, will
act as a public clearinghouse of closed captioning- and video description-related DTV information. The
Commission will also endeavor to share information learned through the CAC with TV station engineers,
video programming distributors (VPDs), industry associations and others (e.g., manufacturers, retailers,
and closed captioning and video description providers).
As noted in the attached Agenda for the working group’s first meeting, there will be some time
allotted for public comment geared towards identifying issues and problems related to closed captioning
and video description in the specific context of the DTV transition. For instance, the Commission
anticipates that some of the closed captioning-related issues specifically arising in the context of the DTV
transition include the following:
· Lack of captions or garbled captions on HD channels
· HD set top box stripping or garbling captions on HD channels
· Concern that HDMI cables may not pass through the captions
· VPD or station equipment cannot properly deliver up-converted (analog to digital) captions
· Captions readable by digital-to-analog converter boxes not being transmitted
· Problems receiving captions through digital-to-analog converter boxes or multi-channel VPD set-
top boxes
· Overlapping captions (two lines of captions displayed over each other)
· Captions flashing on and off
· Captions that inadvertently switch to text mode, causing 95% of the screen image to be obscured.
· Highly difficult user interfaces or directions causing users to conclude that captions are
unavailable on their TV sets.
With regard to video description, although video description is not presently required under the
Commission’s rules, some VPDs do provide this access feature voluntarily on certain programs. Many
consumers are confronting the same types of problems that closed captioning users are having. For
example, consumers are experiencing difficulty in accessing video descriptions through the user
interfaces associated with DTV equipment, and many technicians, programming distributors, and retailers
are unable to effectively address new problems with video description, often not even knowing why a
given problem is occurring.
ACCESSIBILITY OF MEETING AND MATERIALS
The meeting site is fully accessible to people using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Sign
language interpreters, open captioning, and assistive listening devices will be provided on site. If you
require other reasonable accommodations, please request them as early as possible. Include a description
of the accommodation you will need, providing as much detail as you can. Also include a way we can
contact you if we need more information. Last minute requests will be accepted, but may be impossible
to fulfill. For such requests, or to request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities
(Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY).
For further information contact: Michael Jacobs, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission, Room 5-C737, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554.
Phone: 202-418-2859 (voice) or 202-418-8233 (TTY); Email: Michael.Jacobs@fcc.gov.

4
-FCC-
5
MEMBERS OF WORKING GROUP
CONSUMER REPRESENTATIVES
FCC Consumer Advisory Committee, Karen Peltz Strauss
American Council of the Blind, Eric Bridges
Northern Virginia Resource Council for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Hearing Loss
Association of America, Cheryl Heppner
INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES
National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM) at WGBH, Larry Goldberg
NAB, Graham Jones
NCTA, Andy Scott
Echostar, John Card
DirecTV, Robert Gabrielli
CBS, Bob Seidel
COMCAST, Charlie Kennamer
National Captioning Institute (NCI), Marc Okrand
Motorola, Jeff Newdeck
Panasonic, Tony Jaisnowski, Panasonic
CaptionMax, Gerald Freda,
PBS, Stephen Scheel
Verizon, Jimmy Ho
Norpak, Bob Fitzgerald
VITAC, Tim Taylor
CEA, Brian Markwalter
LG, John Taylor
AT&T, Chris Boyer
Evertz Microsystems, Michael Kirouac
EEG, Phil McLaughlin
ABC, David Dreispan
FOX, Andy Setos
NBC, Greg DePriest
Speech Conversion Technologies, Gregory Schmidt
FCC REPRESENTATIVES
CGB Chief Catherine Seidel and OET Chief Julius Knapp will serve as Co-Chairs of the
working group. In addition, the following FCC staff will serve in support roles:
Michael Jacobs (CGB Front Office)
Alan Stillwell (OET Front Office)
Hugh Van Tuyl (OET, Technical Rules Branch)
Steve Martin (OET, Technical Research Branch/FCC Lab)
Amelia Brown (CGB, Disability Rights Office)
6
DIGITAL CLOSED CAPTIONING AND VIDEO DESCRIPTION
TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP MEETING
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW, Room TW-C305, Washington, DC
May 18, 2009
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
AGENDA FOR FIRST MEETING OF WORKING GROUP
Morning Session
9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. Introduction and Welcome
9:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Remarks by the Acting Chairman & Commissioners
[Schedules permitting]
9:30 a.m. - 11:00a.m. Roundtable Discussion: Identifying Issues with Digital Closed
Captioning
11:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. BREAK
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Roundtable Discussion: Identifying Issues with Video Description
12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. LUNCH BREAK
Afternoon Session
1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Open Forum: Questions from Consumers
2:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Roundtable Discussion: Identifying Solutions
3:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. BREAK
3:45 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. The Technical Working Group: Delegation of responsibilities for
follow-up and next steps; establishment of a timeframe for deliverables;
and establishment of next four meeting dates
4:30 p.m. Adjournment

Friday, May 1, 2009

ASL Video About Video Phones

The Federal Communications Commission has produced a video in American Sign Language to explain the new ten-digit numbering requirements and emergency call handling procedures for Internet-based telecommunications relay services.

See it here.

Since December 31, 2008, persons with hearing and speech disabilities using Video Relay Service (VRS) or Internet Protocol Relay (IP Relay) – two forms of Internet-based Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) – have been able to obtain ten-digit geographic telephone numbers that permit access to enhanced 911 (E911) service, as well as facilitate the placing and receiving of IP-based TRS calls.

VRS and IP Relay users obtaining ten-digit telephone numbers can make emergency calls through their primary (“default”) provider and have the call, along with their ten-digit number and Registered Location information, automatically routed to the appropriate public safety answering point, the same E911 call center used by voice telephone users. In addition, all 911 emergency calls made through VRS or IP Relay must receive priority attention so that they will be answered by the first available Communications Assistant ahead of all other non-emergency calls.

Further, with a ten-digit number, voice telephone users calling someone using VRS or IP Relay will simply dial the user’s assigned ten-digit telephone number, rather than the VRS or IP Relay provider’s access number and the user’s IP address or proxy telephone number.

After June 30, 2009, all VRS and IP Relay users must have registered with a default provider –i.e., obtained an ten-digit geographic telephone number and provided location information – in order to place a VRS or IP Relay call (unless it is an emergency call).

This video only available in RealPlayer format. If you cannot open the video, please click on the first link, “Introduction to New Numbering and E911 Requirements for VRS and IP Relay” to download RealPlayer free of charge.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Swine Flu Info in ASL

Here is information about the Swine Flu in ASL.

Captioned & Interpreted Play

The Carnegie Theater (1028 Scott Boulevard, Covington, KY 41011) will have captioning and sign language interpreting at its Sunday matinee performances of “The Secret Garden.” The show runs weekends from May 29 – June 14.

Here is a link to their website with more information – Scroll to the bottom for the captioning information.

Please help spread the word about the captioned performances at The Carnegie. As more and more people attend this type of performance, more theaters will offer it. Let me know if you have any questions or additional comments.

Thank you and enjoy the show!

ASL Interpreted Play

Sign Language interpreted play at
Mt. Notre Dame High School
711 East Columbia Ave. Reading, Ohio 45215
"Into the Woods"
Friday, May 1 at 8:00 p.m.
This show will be ASL-interpreted by two UC students and two CSD staff interpreters.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for students.

Sign Language Classes

at CSD/HSDC
Class begins May 19 and will continue for 8 weeks on Tuesday evenings 7:00 – 8:00pm
Contact Mdeckert@HearingSpeechDeaf.com or 513.221.0527 ext. 155
for information and to register.
Only $80 for the 8 week class!

Cochlear Implant Recipient Group

The next get-together of the cochlear implant recipient group is May 14, 2009 at The Hearing Speech & Deaf Center (2825 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219). The presentation by Dr. Samy and Lisa Houston will begin at 6:30pm with casual social time beginning at 6:00pm. After the talk we will have a panel of CI experts to answer your questions.

As you may notice, we are going to use a different door to get into the building. In the past, you entered through our Highland Avenue entrance, which is in the back of the building. From now on, we are going to use the Burnet Avenue entrance, which is in the front of the building. You can park in either of our side parking lots or on Burnet Avenue.

Please contact CDonnellon@hearingspeechdeaf.com if you have any questions or if you need additional information.

Deaf Zoo Day 2009!

CSD and The Hearing Speech & Deaf Center along with St. Vincent Family Center present once again present Deaf Zoo Day!

Saturday June 27, 2009
9:00am – 4:00pm

Discounted tickets same price as last year:
Adults - $8.50, Child - $6.00

Order T-shirts and get all the information here.


New this year: Free lunch provided with purchase of zoo ticket. Also, free ice cream cup for ICE CREAM SOCIAL in afternoon.

St. Rita School for The Deaf

Happenings at St. Rita School for the Deaf

Students and staff have been working very hard on Clowns’ Play a participation play based on “Jack and The Beanstalk” for children of all ages and anyone who is young at heart. In this production the audience will be learning some sign language. The drama is this weekend May 1st and 2nd at 8:00 p.m. The cost is $5 an adult, $3 for children and seniors.

May 4th is the annual Golf Outing. If you would like to pledge a golfer, you still have time! Contact the development office if you would like to make a pledge.

May 17th is Sally’s Caring Hands and Walk. Sally Monahan was a St. Rita’s school counselor for over 12 years. She battled a rare cancer. When she was first diagnosed she said she was ready to accept whatever God had in mind. Her spirit throughout the illness was amazing. On May 19, 2006 Sally was accepted into God’s kingdom. To honor Sally and the loving service she gave to St. Rita School for the Deaf, her family and friends created the “Sally’s Caring Hands Scholarship Fund”. The money raised from the walk goes into the scholarship fund which is used to provide scholarships to students attending St. Rita School for the Deaf. It is a great family event with a walk, food, and family activities. You can register online or at the school. You can find more information at http://www.srsdeaf.org/events/sally/sally.html

Captioned Movies

Captioned Movies

Regal Cinema – Open Captioned
Deerfield Towne Center
5500 Deerfield Blvd.
Mason, OH 45040

State of Play
Thursday, April 30 at 4:00pm and 10:10pm
17 Again
Friday, May 1 at 2:20pm
Saturday, May 2 at 4:50pm
Sunday, May 3 at 2:20pm and 9:55pm
Monday, May 4 at 2:20 and 7:15pm
Earth
Tuesday, May 5 at 5:15pm and 9:50pm
Wednesday, May 6 at 2:45pm and 7:40pm
Thursday, May 7 at 5:15pm and 9:50pm

AMC Theater at Newport On The Levee – Closed Captions
1 Levee Way
Newport, KY 41071

17 Again
Thursday, April 30 at 2:40pm, 5:05pm, 7:45pm and 10:20pm

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Friday, May 1 at 11:15am, 2:05pm, 4:40pm, 7:30pm and 10:15pm
Saturday, May 2 at 11:15am, 2:05pm, 4:40pm, 7:30pm and 10:15pm
Sunday, May 3 at 11:15am, 2:05pm, 4:40pm, 7:30pm and 10:15pm
Monday, May 4 at 2:05pm, 4:40pm, 7:30pm and 10:15pm
Tuesday, May 5 at 2:05pm, 4:40pm, 7:30pm and 10:15pm
Wednesday, May 6 at 2:05pm, 4:40pm, 7:30pm and 10:15pm
Thursday, May 7 at 2:05pm, 4:40pm, 7:30pm and 10:15pm


Springdale Cinema De Lux 18 – Closed Captioned
12064 Springfield Pike
Cincinnati, OH 45246

Fighting
Thursday, April 30 at 12:20pm, 2:50pm, 5:20pm, 7:50pm and 10:20pm
X-Men Originals: Wolverines
Friday, May 1 at 11:30am, 2:05pm, 5:30pm, 8:00pm and 10:30pm
Saturday, May 2 at 11:30am, 2:05pm, 5:30pm, 8:00pm and 10:30pm
Sunday, May 3 at 11:30am, 2:05pm, 5:30pm, 8:00pm and 10:30pm
Monday, May 4 at 11:30am, 2:05pm, 5:30pm, 8:00pm and 10:30pm
Tuesday, May 5 at 11:30am, 2:05pm, 5:30pm, 8:00pm and 10:30pm
Wednesday, May 6 at 11:30am, 2:05pm, 5:30pm, 8:00pm and 10:30pm

Showcase Western Hills – Closed Captioned
5870 Harrison Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45248
X-Men Originals: Wolverines
Friday, May 1 at 12:30pm, 3:00pm, 5:30pm, 8:00pm and 10:30pm
Saturday, May 2 at 12:30pm, 3:00pm, 5:30pm, 8:00pm and 10:30pm
Sunday, May 3 at 12:30pm, 3:00pm, 5:30pm and 8:00pm
Monday, May 4 at 12:30pm, 3:00pm, 5:30pm and 8:00pm
Tuesday, May 5 at 12:30pm, 3:00pm, 5:30pm and 8:00pm
Wednesday, May 6 at 12:30pm, 3:00pm, 5:30pm and 8:00pm
Thursday, May 7 at 12:30pm, 3:00pm, 5:30pm and 8:00pm


Showcase Cinema De Lux – Closed Captioned
7860 Mall Road
Florence, KY 41042

Fast & Furious
Thursday, April 30 at 11:55am, 2:20pm, 4:45pm, 7:25pm and 9:50pm
X-Men Originals: Wolverines
Friday, May 1 at 12:30pm, 3:00pm, 5:30pm, 8:00pm and 10:30pm
Saturday, May 2 at 12:30pm, 3:00pm, 5:30pm, 8:00pm and 10:30pm
Sunday, May 3 at 12:30pm, 3:00pm, 5:30pm, 8:00pm and 10:30pm
Monday, May 4 at 12:30pm, 3:00pm, 5:30pm, 8:00pm and 10:30pm
Tuesday, May 5 at 12:30pm, 3:00pm, 5:30pm, 8:00pm and 10:30pm
Wednesday, May 6 at 12:30pm, 3:00pm, 5:30pm, 8:00pm and 10:30pm
Thursday, May 7 at 12:30pm, 3:00pm, 5:30pm, 8:00pm and 10:30pm

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Swine Flu - Captioned Video

Here is a captioned video about the swine flu from the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Caption Committee

Are you interested in seeing live theater with captions?
Come to our meeting TONIGHT!!

6:00pm
The Hearing Speech & Deaf Center
2825 Burnet Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45219
513.221.0527 ext 182

Enter through the Burnet Avenue entrance

Monday, April 27, 2009

Summer Camp Guide

Click here for a great guide for summer camps for Deaf.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Advocate for Captioning!

The next meeting of “Arts for All” will be Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 6:00 PM at The Hearing Speech & Deaf Center (2825 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219 - please use the Burnet Ave entrance).

The room has a loop system for use with your hearing instrument. We will also have captioning.

“Arts for All” is our advocacy group working to get captions at local live theaters.

Cochlear Implant Recipient Group

The next get-together of the cochlear implant recipient group is May 14, 2009 at The Hearing Speech & Deaf Center (2825 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219). The presentation by Dr. Samy and Lisa Houston will begin at 6:30pm with casual social time beginning at 6:00pm. After the talk we will have a panel of CI experts to answer your questions.

As you may notice, we are going to use a different door to get into the building. In the past, you entered through our Highland Avenue entrance, which is in the back of the building. From now on, we are going to use the Burnet Avenue entrance, which is in the front of the building. You can park in either of our side parking lots or on Burnet Avenue.

Please contact CDonnellon@hearingspeechdeaf.com if you have any questions or if you need additional information.

Deaf Professional Happy Hour (DPHH)

Friday, April 24, 2009
5:00pm

Hyde Park Tavern Grille
3384 Erie Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45208
513-321-3869

Captioned Movies

Captioned Movies

Regal Cinema – Open Captioned
Deerfield Towne Center
5500 Deerfield Blvd.
Mason, OH 45040

Observe and Report
Friday, April 24 at 12:35pm
Saturday, April 25 at 3:10pm
Sunday, April 26 at 12:35pm and 9:20pm
Monday, April 27 at 12:35pm and 6:35pm

State of Play
Tuesday, April 28 at 4:00pm and 10:10pm
Wednesday, April 29 at 1:10pm and 7:20pm
Thursday, April 30 at 4:00pm and 10:10pm


AMC Theater at Newport On The Levee – Closed Captions
1 Levee Way
Newport, KY 41071

17 Again
Friday, April 24 at 11:45am, 2:40pm, 5:05pm, 7:45pm and 10:20pm
Saturday, April 25 at 11:45am, 2:40pm, 5:05pm, 7:45pm and 10:20pm
Sunday, April 26 at 11:45am, 2:40pm, 5:05pm, 7:45pm and 10:20pm
Monday, April 27 at 2:40pm, 5:05pm, 7:45pm and 10:20pm
Tuesday, April 28 at 2:40pm, 5:05pm, 7:45pm and 10:20pm
Wednesday, April 29 at 2:40pm, 5:05pm, 7:45pm and 10:20pm
Thursday, April 30 at 2:40pm, 5:05pm, 7:45pm and 10:20pm


Springdale Cinema De Lux 18 – Closed Captioned
12064 Springfield Pike
Cincinnati, OH 45246

State of Play
Thursday, April 23 at 1:30pm, 4:30pm, 7:30 and 10:15pm

Fighting
Friday, April 24 at 12:20pm, 2:50pm, 5:20pm, 7:50pm, 10:20pm and 12:40am
Saturday, April 25 at 12:20pm, 2:50pm, 5:20pm, 7:50pm, 10:20pm and 12:40am
Sunday, April 26 at 12:20pm, 2:50pm, 5:20pm, 7:50pm and 10:20pm
Monday, April 27 at 12:20pm, 2:50pm, 5:20pm, 7:50pm and 10:20pm
Tuesday, April 28 at 12:20pm, 2:50pm, 5:20pm, 7:50pm and 10:20pm
Wednesday, April 29 at 12:20pm, 2:50pm, 5:20pm, 7:50pm and 10:20pm
Thursday, April 30 at 12:20pm, 2:50pm, 5:20pm, 7:50pm and 10:20pm


Showcase Western Hills – Closed Captioned
5870 Harrison Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45248

State of Play
Thursday, April 23 at 1:00pm, 4:00pm and 7:15pm

Showcase Cinema De Lux – Closed Captioned
7860 Mall Road
Florence, KY 41042

Hannah Montana: The Movie
Thursday, April 23 at 11:30am, 2:00pm, 4:25pm, 6:50pm and 9:25pm

Fast & Furious
Friday, April 24 at 11:55am, 2:20pm, 4:45pm, 7:25pm, 9:50pm and 12:10am
Saturday, April 25 at 11:55am, 2:20pm, 4:45pm, 7:25pm, 9:50pm and 12:10am
Sunday, April 26 at 11:55am, 2:20pm, 4:45pm, 7:25pm and 9:50pm
Monday, April 27 at 11:55am, 2:20pm, 4:45pm, 7:25pm and 9:50pm
Tuesday, April 28 at 11:55am, 2:20pm, 4:45pm, 7:25pm and 9:50pm
Wednesday, April 29 at 11:55am, 2:20pm, 4:45pm, 7:25pm and 9:50pm
Thursday, April 30 at 11:55am, 2:20pm, 4:45pm, 7:25pm and 9:50pm

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Facebook

What are the top deaf groups on Facebook, a social networking site? The groups listed here are the top groups in terms of total membership. Only groups with memberships of at least 500 or more are listed. Therefore, it will change over time, with groups being dropped and added.

About.com Facebook List of Deaf Groups

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Deaf Health Fair - April 4, 2009!

The Deaf Health Fair focuses on education and support systems for deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing communities in the prevention of health-related problems.

Topics such as Cancer, Diabetes, Cholesterol, Mental Health Issues, Civil Rights, Dental Care, Communications Technology, Faith, plus other topics will be offered. We will have booths, Interpreters, SSP’s and Real-Time captioning.

FREE:
All Workshop Sessions
Childcare
Materials
Box lunch - for those who send registrations before March 26, 2009

Registration: 8 am to 9 am Events: 9 am to 4:30 pm

PARKING: There is no charge for parking in the CCM Garage. If you park in other garages there will be a charge


For more information contact:
Betty Rosenberger University Hospital
513-584-3785 TTY/FAX Betty Rosenberger
513-584-5052 Voice 234 Goodman ML 0707
Betty.Rosenberger@Healthall.com Cincinnati, OH 45219

Sponsored by: University Hospital, University of Cincinnati Disability Services, Sorenson Communications, Cincinnati Bell, Relay Ohio (Sprint), Relay Kentucky (Hamilton)

Silent Dinner

April 4, 2009
7:00pm
Tri County Mall Food Court


See you there!

Don't Eat Pistachios!

Salmonella Risk - FDA Bans Pistachio

FDA recommends that consumers avoid eating pistachio products until further information is available about the scope of affected products.

The FDA and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) are investigating Salmonella contamination in pistachio products sold by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc, Calif. The company has stopped all distribution of processed pistachios and will issue a voluntary recall involving approximately 1 million pounds of its products. Because the pistachios were used as ingredients in a variety of foods, it is likely this recall will impact many products. In addition, the investigation at the company is ongoing and may lead to additional pistachio product recalls.

The contamination involves multiple strains of Salmonella. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Thus far, several illnesses have been reported by consumers that may be associated with the pistachios. It is not yet known whether any of the Salmonella strains found in the pistachio products are linked to an outbreak. The FDA is conducting genetic testing of the samples to pursue all links.

FDA is working closely with the pistachio industry and recommends that consumers avoid eating pistachio products until further information is available about the scope of affected products.

FDA first learned of the problem on March 24, when it was informed by Kraft Foods that its Back To Nature Trail Mix was found to be contaminated with Salmonella. Kraft had identified the source of the contamination to be pistachios from Setton and conducted a recall.

The FDA and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) are investigating Salmonella contamination in pistachio products sold by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc, Calif. The company has stopped all distribution of processed pistachios and will issue a voluntary recall involving approximately 1 million pounds of its products. Because the pistachios were used as ingredients in a variety of foods, it is likely this recall will impact many products. In addition, the investigation at the company is ongoing and may lead to additional pistachio product recalls.

The contamination involves multiple strains of Salmonella. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Thus far, several illnesses have been reported by consumers that may be associated with the pistachios. It is not yet known whether any of the Salmonella strains found in the pistachio products are linked to an outbreak. The FDA is conducting genetic testing of the samples to pursue all links.

FDA is working closely with the pistachio industry and recommends that consumers avoid eating pistachio products until further information is available about the scope of affected products.

FDA first learned of the problem on March 24, when it was informed by Kraft Foods that its Back To Nature Trail Mix was found to be contaminated with Salmonella. Kraft had identified the source of the contamination to be pistachios from Setton and conducted a recall.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

DTV and Captioning

CSD Partners to Create Survey to Address Nationwide DTV Related Captioning Issues

CSD will compile survey statistics and submit to the FCC as part of the ongoing CSD-DTV Transition Project.



SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (March 30, 2009) -- In January, CSD announced that it had been awarded a contract from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to implement an awareness campaign targeted at the nation's deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind consumers in regards to the digital TV (DTV) transition. To that end, CSD launched both a Help Center (call center) and a new Web site to provide DTV information and to help consumers solve their problems procuring coupons, installing converter boxes, choosing the best antenna for their geographic locale, and even more.

This innovative Help Center call can receive traditional phone calls, and also TTY, relay, video relay, videophone, and CapTel calls. This means that regardless of the level of hearing loss, the Help Center is equipped to handle any call type preference.

Although not a stipulation of the FCC contract, CSD and specific project partners -- the National Center for Accessible Media at WGBH, the National Association of the Deaf, the Hearing Loss Association of America and a representative of the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology -- have developed a closed captioning survey to further address captioning issues around the nation. At the end of the survey project, CSD's collected data will be shared with the FCC to assist them in the myriad of captioning problems currently affecting deaf and hard of hearing consumers.

The survey is broken down into four main sections: General Information, Isolating the Problem, Signal Path (how the signal is received), and Equipment Type. Those without Internet access can call (877) 388-4968 and a Help Center agent will assist them with the survey.

From the onset of the DTV transition, CSD anticipated that a high percentage of the incoming queries would relate to captioning issues. Considering there is an estimated 118 million current captioning users in the U.S. (National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control, National Center for Health Statistics), CSD was aware of the importance of documenting these captioning issues. Understanding where problems are happening at the national level or where they cluster geographically allows feedback to be directed to the proper entities.

"The issue of captioning problems came to a head when approximately 421 stations transitioned nationwide on one day, Feb. 17," said Benjamin Soukup, CSD chief executive officer. "From that point on, deaf and hard of hearing consumers have been contacting the FCC and TV stations directly, imploring them to address these captioning glitches. This survey should arm the FCC with information that doesn't come from the industry or TV stations, but directly from those frustrated consumers."

To take the survey, find out how to contact CSD's Help Center, and locate the answer to other various DTV transition questions, go here. To contact the FCC directly with captioning concerns, go here .

Monday, March 30, 2009

Hearing Aid Tax Credit

Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act Introduced Again;
Find Information, Resources at Better Hearing Institute Website

The Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act was introduced on March 19, in the House of Representatives by Representatives Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) and Vern Ehlers (R-MI). If enacted, the Hearing Aid Tax Credit (H.R. 1646) will provide a $500 per hearing aid tax credit for dependents and people over age 55. It would be available once every 5 years.. The Hearing Aid Tax Credit is actively supported by AG Bell, the Hearing Loss Association of America, American Academy of Audiology, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, International Hearing Society and Hearing Industries Association.

The Better Hearing Institute has created a Hearing Aid Tax Credit website.

Among the information you’ll find there:

- Why tax credits for hearing aids? (Gives data and research for the impact on taxpayers, boomers and seniors, children)
- Copy of the H.R. 1646
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Endorsing Organizations
- List of Co-Sponsors (42 as of 3/25/09)
- States Considering Hearing Aid Tax Credit Legislation (North Dakota, Montana, New York)
- Tips for writing to your member of Congress or state legislature
- An electronic form you can fill out and send as an e-mail or print and mail.

A page will be added for S.1410, the Senate companion for the bill which is expected to be introduced soon.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Movies and More - Weekly Update!

You can get your own VRS phone number here.


The Hearing Speech & Deaf Center now offers FREE VRS! If you are a hearing person and you need to contact a person who uses a video phone, simply dial 1-866-500-9662 to connect to the operator. You will need to know the person’s IP address. If you use a video phone and want to place a call to someone on a voice phone, go to the keyboard on your remote and type CACVRS.TV to get a relay operator. You will need to know the person’s voice phone number.

How do you find out your IP address? It’s easy! Simply type What is my IP address into your search engine or click here .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEAF PROFESSIONAL HAPPY HOUR
March 27, 2009
7:00pm
Cadillac Ranch
38 Fountain Square Plaza Cincinnati, OH 45202
513-621-6200
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SILENT DINNER
April 3, 2009
7:00pm
Tri-County Mall
Food Court Area
Easter Play – interpreted……..Friday, April 3, 2009 7:30 p.m.
Lakeside Christian Church
Buttermilk Rd
Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lakeside Christian Church – 9:30 a.m. Sunday Service interpreted (every Sunday)
Buttermilk Rd.
Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky
Contact person: Greg Smith greg@lakeside.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Deaf Health Fair – April 4, 2009
The Deaf Health Fair focuses on education and support systems for deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing communities in the prevention of health-related problems.

Topics such as Cancer, Diabetes, Cholesterol, Mental Health Issues, Civil Rights, Dental Care, Communications Technology, Faith, plus other topics will be offered. We will have booths, Interpreters, SSP’s and Real-Time captioning.

FREE:
All Workshop Sessions
Childcare
Materials
Box lunch - for those who send registrations before March 26, 2009

Registration: 8 am to 9 am Events: 9 am to 4:30 pm

PARKING: There is no charge for parking in the CCM Garage. If you park in other garages there will be a charge


For more information contact:
Betty Rosenberger University Hospital
513-584-3785 TTY/FAX Betty Rosenberger
513-584-5052 Voice 234 Goodman ML 0707
Betty.Rosenberger@Healthall.com Cincinnati, OH 45219

Sponsored by: University Hospital, University of Cincinnati Disability Services, Sorenson Communications, Cincinnati Bell, Relay Ohio (Sprint), Relay Kentucky (Hamilton)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tuesday, Apr. 7
10:30am – noon
The Hearing Speech & Deaf Center’s
Deaf Town Hall Meeting: Life after Fifty,
The Deaf Club, 3938 Spring Grove Avenue.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday, Apr. 25 Downtown Drums: HSDC Annual Fundraiser @ 20th Century in Oakley – order tickets online at http://www.hearingspeechdeaf.com/about/news/downtowndrums/
ASL Movie – “The Legend of the Mountain Man”
University of Cincinnati, Aronoff Center Auditorium 4400, College of DAAP, Cincinnati Ohio 45221
Email aslclub.UC@Gmail.com for tickets

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Captioned Movies
Regal Cinema – Open Captioned
Deerfield Towne Center
5500 Deerfield Blvd.
Mason, OH 45040

I Love You Man
Friday, March 27 at 2:30pm and 7:45pm
Saturday, March 28 at 5:05pm and 10:35pm
Sunday, March 29 at 2:30pm and 7:45pm
Monday, March 30 at 2:30pm and 7:45pm

Duplicity
Tuesday, March 31 at 3:45pm and 9:55pm
Wednesday, April 1 at 12:35pm and 7:10pm
Thursday, April 2 at 3:45pm and 9:55pm

AMC Theater at Newport On The Levee – Closed Captions
1 Levee Way
Newport, KY 41071

Knowing
Friday, March 27 at 1:30pm, 4:20pm, 7:15pm and 10:05pm
Saturday, March 28 at 10:30am, 1:30pm, 4:20pm, 7:15pm and 10:05pm
Sunday, March 29 at 10:30am, 1:30pm, 4:20pm, 7:15pm and 10:05pm
Monday, March 30 at 1:30pm, 4:20pm, 7:15pm and 10:05pm
Tuesday, March 31 at 1:30pm, 4:20pm, 7:15pm and 10:05pm
Wednesday, April 1 at 1:30pm, 4:20pm, 7:15pm and 10:05pm
Thursday, April 2 at 1:30pm, 4:20pm, 7:15pm and 10:05pm

Springdale Cinema De Lux 18 – Closed Captioned
12064 Springfield Pike
Cincinnati, OH 45246

12 Rounds
Friday, March 27 at 12:05pm, 2:35pm, 5:05pm, 7:35pm, 10:05pm and 12:30am
Saturday, March 28 at 12:05pm, 2:35pm, 5:05pm, 7:35pm, 10:05pm and 12:30am
Sunday, March 29 at 12:05pm, 2:35pm, 5:05pm, 7:35pm and 10:05pm
Monday, March 30 at 12:05pm, 2:35pm, 5:05pm, 7:35pm and 10:05pm
Tuesday, March 31 at 12:05pm, 2:35pm, 5:05pm, 7:35pm and 10:05pm
Wednesday, April 1 at 12:05pm, 2:35pm, 5:05pm, 7:35pm and 10:05pm
Thursday, April 2 at 12:05pm, 2:35pm, 5:05pm, 7:35pm and 10:05pm

Showcase Western Hills – Closed Captioned
5870 Harrison Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45248

Knowing
Friday, March 27 at 1:30pm, 4:15pm, 7:20pm and 10:25pm
Saturday, March 28 at 1:30pm, 4:15pm, 7:20pm and 10:25pm
Sunday, March 29 at 1:30pm, 4:15pm and 7:20pm
Monday, March 30 at 1:30pm, 4:15pm and 7:20pm
Tuesday, March 31 at 1:30pm, 4:15pm and 7:20pm
Wednesday, April 1 at 1:30pm, 4:15pm and 7:20pm
Thursday, April 2 at 1:30pm, 4:15pm and 7:20pm


Showcase Cinema De Lux – Closed Captioned

7860 Mall Road
Florence, KY 41042

Monsters Vs. Aliens
Friday, March 27 at 12:30pm, 2:50pm, 5:10pm, 7:30pm, 9:45pm and 12:00am
Saturday, March 28 at 12:30pm, 2:50pm, 5:10pm, 7:30pm, 9:45pm and 12:00am
Sunday, March 29 at 12:30pm, 2:50pm, 5:10pm, 7:30pm and 9:45pm
Monday, March 30 at 12:30pm, 2:50pm, 5:10pm, 7:30pm and 9:45pm
Tuesday, March 31 at 12:30pm, 2:50pm, 5:10pm, 7:30pm and 9:45pm
Wednesday, April 1 at 12:30pm, 2:50pm, 5:10pm, 7:30pm and 9:45pm
Thursday, April 2 at 12:30pm, 2:50pm, 5:10pm, 7:30pm and 9:45pm

Stimulus and the ADA

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
and the ADA

What You Need To Know


As part of the economic stimulus package, Congress passed and President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Funds are being distributed by Federal agencies to States and communities throughout the country to build, repair, and upgrade a wide range of facilities, systems, and programs.

The Department of Justice wants to take this opportunity to remind State and local government officials, business owners, and building professionals of their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Generally, agencies or companies that build new facilities or alter existing facilities must comply with the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. The ADA also requires that all State and local government programs and services and all goods and services offered to the public by businesses be accessible to people with disabilities.

We at the Department of Justice can help you understand your responsibilities. If you have a question about what you are required to do, you can call our toll-free ADA Information Line. All government and business callers will be able to speak confidentially to an ADA Specialist during normal business hours to discuss how the ADA applies to their specific situations and get answers to any ADA questions they might have. If you want to read or download the ADA Standards for Accessible Design, you can go to our ADA Website, where the Standards and a wealth of other ADA information are available to you, day or night. You can also contact sources in your area by calling the toll-free number of the National Network of ADA Centers.

ADA Information Line

800-514-0301 (Voice)

800-514-0383 (TTY)

Mon-Wed, Fri 9:30 am to 5:30 pm (ET)

Thurs 12:30 pm to 5:30 pm (ET)

ADA Website www.ada.gov

National Network of ADA Centers 800-949-4232

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Cochlear Implant Recipient Group

Cochlear Implant Recipient Group
The Hearing Speech & Deaf Center of Greater Cincinnati
2825 Burnet Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45219
Use Burnet Avenue entrance (front)
CDonnellon@HearingSpeechDeaf.Com
513.221.0527 ext. 182

Ravi N. Samy, M.D., F.A.C.S. and Lisa Houston, AuD
will discuss hybrid cochlear implants and their research protocol.

Ask the Experts
Whether you are considering a cochlear implant or already have one, get your questions answered by our panel of cochlear implant professionals.

May 14, 2009
6:00 p.m. Social
6:30 p.m. Presentation

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Weekly Update

The Hearing Speech & Deaf Center now offers FREE VRS! If you are a hearing person and you need to contact a person who uses a video phone, simply dial 1-866-500-9662 to connect to the operator. You will need to know the person’s IP address. If you use a video phone and want to place a call to someone on a voice phone, go to the keyboard on your remote and type CACVRS.TV to get a relay operator. You will need to know the person’s voice phone number.

How do you find out your IP address? It’s easy! Simply type What is my IP address into your search engine or go to http://whatismyipaddress.com/.
Deaf Health Fair – April 4, 2009
***********

The Deaf Health Fair focuses on education and support systems for deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing communities in the prevention of health-related problems.

Topics such as Cancer, Diabetes, Cholesterol, Mental Health Issues, Civil Rights, Dental Care, Communications Technology, Faith, plus other topics will be offered. We will have booths, Interpreters, SSP’s and Real-Time captioning.

FREE:
All Workshop Sessions
Childcare
Materials
Box lunch - for those who send registrations before March 26, 2009

Registration: 8 am to 9 am Events: 9 am to 4:30 pm

PARKING: There is no charge for parking in the CCM Garage. If you park in other garages there will be a charge


For more information contact:
Betty Rosenberger University Hospital
513-584-3785 TTY/FAX Betty Rosenberger
513-584-5052 Voice 234 Goodman ML 0707
Betty.Rosenberger@Healthall.com Cincinnati, OH 45219

Sponsored by: University Hospital, University of Cincinnati Disability Services, Sorenson Communications, Cincinnati Bell, Relay Ohio (Sprint), Relay Kentucky (Hamilton)
*****************
Tuesday, Apr. 7
The Hearing Speech & Deaf Center's
Deaf Town Hall Meeting: Life after Fifty
The Deaf Club, 3938 Spring Grove Avenue.
*************

Saturday, Apr. 25 Downtown Drums: HSDC Annual Fundraiser @ 20th Century in Oakley – order tickets online at http://www.hearingspeechdeaf.com/about/news/downtowndrums/
ASL Movie – “The Legend of the Mountain Man”
University of Cincinnati, Aronoff Center Auditorium 4400, College of DAAP, Cincinnati Ohio 45221
Email aslclub.UC@Gmail.com for tickets
****************

Captioned Movies

Regal Cinema – Open Captioned
Deerfield Towne Center
5500 Deerfield Blvd.
Mason, OH 45040

Race to Witch Mountain
Friday, March 20 at 1:20pm and 6:45pm
Saturday, March 21 at 4:20pm and 9:15pm
Sunday, March 22 at 1:20pm and 9:15pm
Monday, March 23 at 1:20pm and 6:455pm

Last House on the Left
Tuesday, March 24 at 4:40pm and 7:25pm
Wednesday, March 25 at 1:45pm and 7:25pm
Thursday, March 26 at 4:40pm and 7:25pm

AMC Theater at Newport On The Levee – Closed Captions
1 Levee Way
Newport, KY 41071

Last House on the Left
Friday, March 20 through Thursday March 26 at 12:55pm, 2:05pm, 3:45pm, 6:45pm, 8:15pm, 9:25pm and 11:00pm.

Watchmen
Wednesday, March 18 and Thursday, March 19 at 3:15pm, 7:00pm and 10:00pm.

Springdale Cinema De Lux 18 – Closed Captioned
12064 Springfield Pike
Cincinnati, OH 45246

Showcase Western Hills – Closed Captioned
5870 Harrison Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45248

Last House on the Left
Friday, March 20 at 12:05pm, 2:35pm, 5:05pm, 7:40pm and 10:10pm
Saturday, March 21 at 12:05pm, 2:35pm, 5:05pm, 7:40pm and 10:10pm
Sunday, March 22 at 12:05pm, 2:35pm, 5:05pm and 7:40pm
Monday, March 23 at 12:05pm, 2:35pm, 5:05pm and 7:40pm
Tuesday, March 24 at 12:05pm, 2:35pm, 5:05pm and 7:40pm
Wednesday, March 25 at 12:05pm, 2:35pm, 5:05pm and 7:40pm
Thursday, March 26 at 12:05pm, 2:35pm, 5:05pm and 7:40pm

Showcase Cinema De Lux – Closed Captioned
7860 Mall Road
Florence, KY 41042

….sorry that’s all the information that is out so far. Check back for updates.

Have a good day!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Red Cross Emergency Preparedness for Deaf

You can download the Red Cross information for Deaf on emergency preparedness for people with hearing loss or deafness at:
http://www.rochesterredcross.org/Data/FileManager/Deaf%20Preparedness%20Brochure1.pdf

Free Emergency Notification

Website: www.emergencyemailnetwork.com
Free public service
Get notified of an emergency by email
Computer
Blackberry or cell phone with internet access
Fax
Topics to choose from:
Severe weather
Health alerts
Homeland security
Amber alerts – missing children

Monday, March 9, 2009

Caption Committee

Please join us at our "Arts for All" committee meeting.
We are working to caption live theater in Cincinnati

Wednesday, March 11, 2009
1:00 p.m.
The Hearing Speech & Deaf Center
2825 Burnet Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45219

RSVP to CDonnellon@hearingspeechdeaf.com

Monday, February 23, 2009

Deaf Professional Happy Hour

February 27, 2009 at 5:00pm

The Village Tavern
9390 Montgomery Rd.
Montgomery, OH 45242
513-793-7882 (voice)

Deaf Health Fair - April 4, 2009!

“Celebrating Our Culture of Courage”


The DHFC is a group of Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and Hearing individuals focusing on education and support systems for deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing communities in the prevention of health-related problems.

Topics such as Cancer, Diabetes, Cholesterol, Mental Health Issues, Civil Rights, Dental Care, Communications Technology, Faith, plus other topics will be offered. We will have booths, Interpreters, SSP’s and Real-Time captioning.

FREE:
All Workshop Sessions
Childcare
Materials
Box lunch - for those who send registrations before March 26, 2009

Registration: 8 am to 9 am Events: 9 am to 4:30 pm

PARKING: There is no charge for parking in the CCM Garage. If you park in other garages there will be a charge


For more information contact:
Betty Rosenberger University Hospital
513-584-3785 TTY/FAX Betty Rosenberger
513-584-5052 Voice 234 Goodman ML 0707
Betty.Rosenberger@Healthall.com Cincinnati, OH 45219

Sponsored by: University Hospital, University of Cincinnati Disability Services, Sorenson Communications, Cincinnati Bell, Relay Ohio (Sprint), Relay Kentucky (Hamilton)

If you would like a registration form, please contact CDonnellon@HearingSpeechDeaf.com

Thursday, February 19, 2009

ASL Tax Tips

Silver Spring, MD - The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is again partnering with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to make sure that important tax information reaches the deaf community.

Last year, the IRS produced seven public service announcement (PSA) videos, “Economic Stimulus Payment Basics,” and a short 1040-A Instructional video in American Sign Language (ASL), open captions and voice over. The NAD partnered with the IRS in 2008 to distribute this information.

Now, during the 2009 tax season, the IRS has produced a new ASL PSA series entitled, “Tax Tips”, with open captions and voice over.

“We are pleased, once again, to make this new and important information available to deaf and hard of hearing Americans across the country,” said Nancy J. Bloch, NAD Chief Executive Officer.

Please check back often for new video updates between now and April 2009.

Watch the ASL Tax Tip videos by clicking each topic:

Direct Deposit (TRT- :44)
IRS can deposit your tax refund directly into your bank or checking account, even if you move or change your name.

Top Return Mistakes (TRT- 1:02)
Mistakes will slow down the processing of your federal tax return. E-file and let the system double check your return for you.

E-File (TRT - :49)
Electronically file your federal tax return and find out how you can get our refund much faster than mailing in a tax form.

Careers at the IRS (TRT - :55)
Are you interested in getting a job in accounting, customer services or collections? Consider working for the IRS, one of the world’s largest financial institutions.

Undelivered Refunds (TRT - :48)
Millions of dollars in tax refunds can’t be delivered to thousands of taxpayers. Most times, that’s because IRS has the wrong address, so the postal service can’t make the delivery. Find out how you can get your refund.

Standard Deduction for Non-Itemizers (TRT - :43)
This year homeowners who don’t itemize may get a bigger standard deduction.

IRS e-File Requires e-Signature (TRT- :50)

New information! e-Filed returns must be electronically signed.
For more information, go to the IRS website.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Free Tax Preparation

Free tax preparations At The Hearing Speech & Deaf Center
March 4 from 10:00am – 2:00pm

Certified trained tax preparers ready to do all that boring complicated paperwork for you! FREE!

Where?: The Hearing Speech and Deaf Center of Greater Cincinnati
2528 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45219

Call or send an email to Melissa Shaffer to make an appointment.

Sign language interpreters will be provided.

mshaffer@hearingspeechdeaf.com

Voice – (513) 221-0527 ext. 170
(513) 221-3300 video phone/tty

The Amazing Race


Check out the Margaret and Luke video from The TV Show "The Amazing Race." Luke is the first Deaf contestant on the popular TV show on CBS Sundays at 8:00pm.

Their biography is here.

Bryan Hraban

Please come and say Good Bye to: Bryan Hraban

Bryan is moving to Wisconsin to be closer to his children. Please come by and receive/give your HUG from/to Bryan. He will be leaving the end of this month


Where: Cincinnati State: Room 342 (Same room where Live Lab is being held)
Old Bldg (MAIN) and parking is free.

When: Saturday, February 21, 2009

Time: 1:00 - 4:00 pm

Feel free to bring an appetizer to share if you would like.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy

Biden honors a movement at the Special Olympics

Yesterday Vice President Biden honored what he called the "movement" for the rights of the disabled.

To do so, he visited a premiere institution of that movement, the Special Olympics, being held this year in Boise, Idaho. And as meaningful as the medals he awarded to the figure skaters there were, even more significant was his assurance that the cause would always have an advocate in this White House, announcing Kareem Dale as Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy.

Vice President Biden and Kareem Dale


Photo credit: Vice President Joseph Biden announces that Kareem Dale, 3rd from left, has been appointed Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy during the Winter Special Olympics site at Boise State University Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009 in Boise, Idaho. White House photo by Sharon Farmer.

Dale, who has been with President Obama for years and is partially blind, said he was "just humbled and honored for the faith the president and vice president have shown in me."

The Vice President praised Dale and emphasized the importance of the position: "He is going to have absolutely direct access to the president. What we’re trying to do is make sure that not only do we deal with getting support for what you’re seeing happening at these Winter Games, but also to make sure that persons with disabilities are in position to also be in the work force, so they don’t have to choose, like many have to do now, between staying in a job that’s a dead-end job that they don’t like, or else leaving a job that they like because it’s the only way to get health care."

He continued, "Look, this is a movement. What started off as an avenue and an outlet and a recognition for athletes has turned into a worldwide movement. This is about to change the attitude, change the attitude of governments, change the attitude of individuals.

"It’s a big deal. I started off in the civil rights movement. This is a civil rights movement. This is a movement to make sure that we guarantee that all peoples in the world have the opportunity to succeed to the degree they are capable."

Reporting CC Complaints to the FCC

As you can see from previous posts here, there is some confusion about reporting closed captioning problems to the FCC. You can report complaints online to the FCC at this link.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Reporting Closed Caption Problems

From the National Association for the Deaf...

"Yesterday’s announcement about reporting closed captioning problems was not correct. The new complaint procedure is not fully approved, and will not be effective until later this year (maybe June 2009).

I apologize for any confusion and inconvenience.

For now, closed captioning problems and complaints must be filed with your TV station, cable or satellite TV service provider. If you are not satisfied with the response from your TV station, cable or satellite TV service, you can send your complaint to the FCC. For more information about filing closed captioning complaints now, go to the FCC website."

Friday, February 13, 2009

DTV Information in Sign!

What is the switch from analog TV to Digital TV (DTV)? What does this mean for me? Will my TV work? Learn all about it in sign language! DTV in Sign

Closed Caption Complaint Procedure

From the National Association for the Deaf....

Good news!! Now you can file a complaint with the FCC if you find a problem with Closed Captions. Here is the information from the FCC website:

TIPS ON FILING CLOSED CAPTIONING
COMPLAINTS

The FCC's closed captioning rules require consumers to first complain in writing to their TV distributor, such as your cable or satellite TV service, or to the TV station if you receive television via an over-the-air antenna, before contacting the FCC. Due to specific time limits established in the closed captioning rules, complaints should be filed as soon as possible after you experience the closed captioning problem.

The street address for your cable or satellite TV provider is usually on the back of your bill, or you can call the Customer Service number and ask for the company's main or headquarter street address. Addresses for TV stations are generally found in the phone directory. Letters should be addressed to the General Manager or CEO of the company. If your distributor has an e-mail address for the customer service department, this e-mail address is also generally on the back of your bill.

Closed captioning complaints should be very specific. Include the following information in your written complaint to the TV distributor:

* Your name, full address, daytime phone/TTY number, and any other contact information, such as an e-mail address if available, so they may contact you if any clarifications are needed
* The name of the television program(s) you experienced closed captioning problems with
* The name and number of the channel(s) the show was on (For example- Channel 3, The Art Channel)
* The date(s) and time(s) you experienced the problems with closed captioning
* A description of the closed captioning problem. For instance, "no closed captioning during entire show," "closed captioning disappeared 5 minutes after the program began," "closed captioning was garbled throughout the show," "the words were unintelligible such as 'axuy' and '&8777**edz'" or "the closed captioning was not in sync with the audio."

EXAMPLE: "On Monday February 6, 2006, I was watching Channel 52 (XYZ Channel), and the show "The Bad Guys" at 9 p.m. had no closed captioning, and during the re-run on Wednesday February 15, 2006, at 9 p.m. on Channel 52 (XYZ Channel) the closed captioning only appeared in the last 15 minutes of the program."

If you are unsatisfied with the TV distributor's response to your complaint, or the TV distributor does not respond within about 45 days, then quickly contact the FCC with all of the complaint information listed above as well as your contact information. You must provide the FCC with full and specific details, including a copy of your original written complaint that you sent to the TV distributor, and their response, if any.

You can also provide the FCC with any further information you think appropriate (e.g., copies of the TV schedule showing the CC logo for the program you saw without closed captioning or written out examples of garbled or missing closed captioning, videotapes if available, etc…).

Send all of this information to the FCC at 445 12th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20554, Attn. CICD/CGB. The complaint package you send to the FCC must also be sent to the TV distributor to let them know you have now complained to the FCC.

For further information on the FCC's television closed captioning please see our Factsheet.

Here are the closed captioning regulations. The complaint procedure is in the regulations at 47 CFR Part 79.1(g).

Scroll to the bottom of this page to find the button to file your complaint online.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

All About Deaf Kids Fair

The Deaf Institute is offering "All About Deaf Kids Fair"

Deaf Institute, a non-profit faith-based organization, is planning their 7th All about Deaf Kids Fair on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at the campus of Cincinnati Christian University. The fair will be held in the Worship/Ministry building from 10 am-4 pm. This year’s theme is “Home…Where Your Story Begins.”

The purpose of the fair is to provide families with deaf and hearing members:
1) a free fun deaf/hearing-family-friendly day, including lunch;
2) activities and entertainment involving both deaf and hearing presenters which promote family communication and participation;
3) networking opportunities with families experiencing similar challenges;
4) networking opportunities with organizations which provide encouragement, equipment, & expertise in challenging areas these families face.

The activities and entertainment will focus on the fun and variety of ways to blend American Sign Language and English into the visually-rich art of story-telling. Storybook rooms, “My Story corners, Deaf games, family crafts, and mime-time will be available to encourage making family memories.

This fair, though free to the families, is possible through caring community organizations and groups partnering with the Deaf Institute.

If you have any further questions, please contact: Pam Eubanks, family ministry representative for the Deaf Institute. pam@deafinstitute.org or 513-307-8100.

All About Deaf Kids Fair “Home…Where Your Story Begins”
Saturday, March 7, 2009 10 am – 4pm pm
On the campus of Cincinnati Christian University 2700 Glenway Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45204

President Signs DTV Delay Bill

Statement of President Barack Obama on Signing the DTV Bill
THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
_______________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release February 11, 2009

WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama signed S.352, a bill to postpone the DTV transition date to June 12th to allow for more time for the American consumers to prepare for the switch from analog television.

"During these challenging economic times, the needs of American consumers are a top priority of my administration. This law, which was crafted in a bipartisan way and passed overwhelmingly in the House and Senate, ensures that our citizens will have more time to prepare for the conversion. Millions of Americans, including those in our most vulnerable communities, would have been left in the dark if the conversion had gone on as planned, and this solution is an important step forward as we work to get the nation ready for digital TV. My administration will continue to work with leaders in Congress, broadcasters, consumer groups and the telecommunications industry to improve the information and assistance available to our citizens in advance of June 12."

New Church with Sign Language interpreters!

First Baptist Church of Cold Spring (Kentucky)
4410 Alexandria Pike
Cold Spring, KY
(859) 441-6184
Pastor Ronny Raines
firstbaptist@fbccs.com



Interpreted Sunday Services beginning March 1, 2009
8:30am or 11am service
Sunday School Class 9:45-10:45am
Please contact Meg Deckert for interpreter
Mdeckert00@aol.com

If you know of a church with sign language interpreters, please send the information to CDonnellon@HearingSpeechDeaf.com so we can get the word out. Thanks

Cochlear Implant Recipient Group

University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center
Hearing Speech and Deaf Center of Greater Cincinnati
Cochlear Americas Listening Workshop

Bring your cables and your questions.

Join us for a casual workshop designed to provide you an opportunity to learn more about your cochlear implant. You’ll have one on one time with Cochlear representatives and other Nucleus Recipients.

Ally Sisler-Dinwiddie, Cochlear Awareness Manager (bilateral implant recipient too) will answer questions about SmartSound2, Assistive Listening Devices, Bilateral Implantation, Phoning with Confidence, and Best Practices for music enjoyment. You’ll also have the chance to get hands on experience. Come share your experiences and ask your questions with others who understand.

Complimentary light refreshments will be available.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 3, 2009
6:30-8:30 PM

WHERE: Hearing Speech and Deaf Center of Greater Cincinnati
2825 Burnet Avenue (4th floor conference room)
Cincinnati, Ohio 45219
Phone: 513-221-0527 ext.182

WHO: Nucleus Cochlear Implant Recipients and family

RSVP: Carole Donnellon
(513)221-0527 ext.182 or CDonnellon@HearingSpeechDeaf.com

Captioned Movies

Regal Cinema – Open Captioned
Deerfield Towne Center
5500 Deerfield Blvd.
Mason, OH 45040

Pink Panther 2
Friday, February 13 at 12:35 pm
Saturday, February 14 at 3:05 pm
Sunday, February 15 at 12:35pm and 9:45pm
Monday, February 16 at 12:35 and 7:30pm

He’s Just Not Into You
Tuesday, February 17 at 3:30pm and 9:35pm
Wednesday, February 18 at 12:30pm and 6:45pm
Thursday, February 19 at 3:30pm and 9:35pm

AMC Theater at Newport On The Levee – Closed Captions
1 Levee Way
Newport, KY 41071

Paul Blart: Mall Cop (PG)
Thursday, February 12 at 1:10pm, 3:45pm, 6:00pm, 8:25pm and 10:55pm

He's Just Not That Into You NEW! (PG-13, No Passes)
Friday, February 13 at 12:45pm, 3:45pm, 6:45pm, and 10:05pm
Saturday, February 14 at 12:45pm, 3:45pm, 6:45pm, and 10:05pm
Sunday, February 15 at 12:45pm, 3:45pm, 6:45pm, and 10:05pm
Monday, February 16 at 12:45pm, 3:45pm, 6:45pm, and 10:05pm
Tuesday, February 17 at 2:35pm 5:35pm and 8:35pm
Wednesday, February 18 at 2:35pm 5:35pm and 8:35pm
Thursday, February 19 at 2:35pm 5:35pm and 8:35pm


Showcase Western Hills – Closed Captioned
5870 Harrison Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45248

Taken (PG-13)
Thursday, February 12 at 12:50pm, 3:15pm, 5:30pm and 7:45pm

Showcase Cinema De Lux – Closed Captioned
7860 Mall Road
Florence, KY 41042
The Uninvited (PG-13)
Thursday, February 12 at 12:05pm, 2:00pm, 3:55pm, 6:55pm and 9:20pm

Taken (PG-13)
Friday, February 13 at 12:55pm, 3:15pm, 5:30pm, 7:35pm, 10:00pm and 12:15am
Saturday, February 14 at 12:55pm, 3:15pm, 5:30pm, 7:35pm, 10:00pm and 12:15am
Sunday, February 15 at 12:55pm, 3:15pm, 5:30pm, 7:35pm and 10:00pm
Monday, February 16 at 12:55pm, 3:15pm, 5:30pm, 7:35pm and 10:00pm
Tuesday, February 17 at 12:55pm, 3:15pm, 5:30pm, 7:35pm and 10:00pm
Wednesday, February 18 at 12:55pm, 3:15pm, 5:30pm, 7:35pm and 10:00pm
Thursday, February 19 at 12:55pm, 3:15pm, 5:30pm, 7:35pm and 10:00pm


Springdale Cinema De Lux 18 – Closed Captioned
12064 Springfield Pike
Cincinnati, OH 45246

Taken (PG-13)
Thursday, February 12 at 3:15pm, 5:30pm, 7:45pm and 10:00pm
Friday, February 13 at 1:00 pm, 3:15pm, 5:35pm, 7:45 pm, 10:10pm and 12:20am
Saturday, February 14 at 1:00pm, 3:15pm, 5:35pm, 7:45pm, 10:10pm and 12:20am
Sunday, February 15 at 1:00pm, 3:15pm, 5:35pm, 7:45pm, and 10:10pm
Monday, February 16 at 1:00pm, 3:15pm, 5:35pm, 7:45pm, and 10:10pm
Tuesday, February 17 at 1:00pm, 3:15pm, 5:35pm, 7:45pm, and 10:10pm
Wednesday, February 18 at 1:00pm, 3:15pm, 5:35pm, 7:45pm, and 10:10pm
Thursday, February 19 at 1:00pm, 3:15pm, 5:35pm, 7:45pm, and 10:10pm

Monday, February 9, 2009

DTV Switch - Lots of Info!

What does the switch to DTV mean to you? Check out this website with tons of links and information:

DTV

Cochlear Implant Recipient Group

When: Tuesday, March 3, 2009
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Where: Hearing Speech & Deaf Center
2825 Burnet Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45219
513.221.0527

Guest Speaker: Ally Sisler-Dinwiddie, AuD, CCC-A
Cochlear Awareness Network Manager
Bilateral Cochlear Implant Recipient

Topic: Casual workshop designed to provide you an opportunity to learn more about your cochlear implant. Dr. Sisler-Dinwiddie will answer questions about SmartSound2, Assistive Listening Devices, Bilateral implantation, phoning with confidence, and best practices for music enjoyment. You'll also have the chance to get hands on experience. Come share your experiences and ask your questions with others who understand.

Complimentary light refreshments will be available.

RSVP: Carole Donnellon 513.221.0527 ext 182 or CDonnellon@HearingSpeechDeaf.com

Thursday, February 5, 2009

DTV - Will Your TV Work?

On June 13, 2009, some TV's will no longer work.

To check if your TV will work, enter your TV make and model on this website:
Will my TV work?


This website has lots of answers about the switch, including answers about closed captions:
Answers about Closed Captions and DTV.

Open Captioned Movie Schedule

Deerfield Towne Center Stadium 16
5500 Deerfield Blvd.
Mason, OH 45040


Taken

Fri, Feb 6 ~ 12:40 pm
Sat, Feb 7 ~ 2:50 pm
Sun, Feb 8 ~ 12:40 pm and 9:30 pm
Mon, Feb 9 ~ 12:40 and 7:10 pm

Univited

Tues, Feb 10 ~ 4:40 pm and 9:45 pm
Wed, Feb 11 ~ 1:30 pm and 7:35 pm
Thurs, Feb 12 ~ 4:40 pm and 9:45 pm

DTV Delayed!

House Votes to Delay Switch to Digital Television

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: February 4, 2009
Filed at 4:29 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congress voted Wednesday to give consumers four more months to prepare for the upcoming transition from analog to digital television broadcasting.
The House voted 264-158 to postpone the shutdown of analog TV signals to June 12, to address growing concerns that too many Americans won't be ready in time for the Feb. 17 deadline that Congress had set three years ago. The Senate passed the measure unanimously last week and the bill now heads to President Barack Obama for his signature.

The delay is a victory for the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress, who maintain that the previous administration mismanaged efforts to ensure that all consumers -- particularly poor, rural and minority Americans -- will be prepared for the switchover.

The Nielsen Co. estimates that more than 6.5 million U.S. households that rely on analog TV sets to pick up over-the-air broadcast signals still are not ready. People who subscribe to cable or satellite TV or have a newer TV with a digital tuner will not be affected.

"The passage of this bipartisan legislation means that millions of Americans will have the time they need to prepare for the conversion," the White House said in a statement. "We will continue to work with Congress to improve the information and assistance available to American consumers in advance of June 12, especially those in the most vulnerable communities."

Wednesday's vote came one week after House Republicans blocked the bill when it was in a special fast-track vote that required two-thirds support to pass. This time, the bill passed the House under a regular floor vote, which only requires a simple majority.