DeafROC

Entries categorized as ‘Advocacy’

Office of the Attorney General will be in Rochester today

November 18, 2008 · No Comments

img-y05130955-00011Hi everyone,

The Office of the Attorney General is coming to the Rochester REgion.  He invites us to join him and his senior staff at community forum on Tuesday, November 18, at 7 pm at West Irondequoit High School at 269 Cooper Road, Rochester NY.

They want to discuss the following issues:

*  Environmental protection
*  Health care
*  Consumer protection
*  Internet safety
*  Civil rights
*  Workers’ rights
*  Student lending issues

Civil Rights have a wide range of pointers and our deaf community access needs are part of it.  So, show up with any issue you have.  We should go there and discuss our deaf needs.  And, best thing… I was told that an interpreter will be provided!!  (Please see PDF document for more information, if you can not read it… sorry that was all I can provide so be there for more information). Click on flyer for printable PDF.

Come join us there!

Thank you,

Dean DeRusso
Deaf Systems Advocate
Regional Center for Independent Living
Advocacy and Independent Living Services for Individuals
497 State Street
Rochester, NY 14608

Sorenson VP: 585 546-7598
VP: 74.39.189.195
Voice Callers: (877) 467-4877 ext 97598
TTY: (585) 697-1604
Fax: 585.546.7577
E-Mail: dderusso@rcil.org

Categories: Advocacy · RCIL/CDR

Seeking Caption Forum Attendees… Hope you can join!!

August 19, 2008 · No Comments

On September 25, 2008 from 7 to 9 pm, of course during Rochester Deaf Awareness Week, we will have a Closed Caption Forum. We are inviting 4 local News Channels. We will provide refreshments and cash bar after the event. We would like to ask people to dress nice.

If you have not noticed that in many areas our caption is poor. We miss information or it is late. There are information that is not correctly spelled for example… Pittsburgh is written for the town of Pittsford. And many more issues…

For me, I cannot accept this kind of error in our caption in Monroe County. We have a large population in this area and even have NTID in the county. Why are we not getting good caption?

What I am asking for you is to sign up to attend this forum on September 25, 2008 and see some videos we will share with you. And join us at RIT INN at 6:30 pm being ready for 7 pm.

Our goal of this forum is not to attack the News stations, but to learn how we can work with them on improving our captions. We will give the audience opportunities to ask questions.

Right now, I just need a list of people who are interested in attending the event.

As we have limit number of seats available, please email me and let me know you are interested. At the same time, please encourage your friends to email me and be part of this forum as important people will be there and we will be able to discuss anything.

Yes, even the sign language bubble if you really want to see it again.

Thank you,
Dean DeRusso
Deaf Systems Advocate
Regional Center for Independent Living
Advocacy and Independent Living Services for Individuals
497 State Street
Rochester, NY 14608

Sorens on VP: 585 546-7598
VP: 74.39.189.195
Voice Callers: (877) 467-4877 ext 97598
TTY: (585) 697-1604
Fax: 585.546.7577
E-Mail: dderusso@rcil.org

Categories: Advocacy · Events · RCIL/CDR

Update on Forum with Police Department

June 6, 2008 · No Comments

Hi Everyone,

I spend some time trying to get the Rochester Police Department to realize that there were misunderstanding and communication breakdowns between many Deaf and Hard of Hearing people and their police officers. For some funny reason they felt it was a one time thing.

On August 2007, a deaf person got pulled over and had a difficult time communicating with the Police Department. As an agreement between the Rochester Police Department (RPD) and Regional Center for Independent Living (RCIL), we agreed that the police need to hear what the deaf people have to say. And, we agreed that we will plan a forum where the community members will be able to tell the police department of problems they confront, and the RPD would be responsible to answer those questions. In order to show them how well organize they are.

As result, I have brought together a committee of 5 people that include 3 deaf people and 2 police officers. All of us worked together to plan a forum that happen on Wednesday night of May 21st, in Rochester New York.

On that very day, this event was very successful, and the Police Chief Moore was very well pleased. He even wants another forum sometime in the fall to follow up on these issues. What a great accomplishment!!

Below is Chris Hilderbrant’s, my supervisor, email send to everyone in the Advocacy building, on the very next day and some news links for you to enjoy and read…

Hope you enjoy this…

Dean DeRusso
Deaf Systems Advocate
Regional Center for Independent Living
Advocacy and Independent Living Services for Individuals
497 State Street
Rochester, NY 14608

Sorenson VP: 585 546-7598
VP: 74.39.189.195
Voice Callers: (877) 467-4877 ext 07598
TTY: (585) 697-1604
Fax: 585.546.7577
E-Mail: dderusso@rcil.org

From: Chris Hilderbrant
Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2008 9:59 AM
To: Everyone-RCIL; Everyone-CDR
Subject: Update on Froum with the Police Department

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to give a brief update on the forum that RCIL hosted last night with the Deaf community and the Rochester Police Department. The event was held at the Rochester School for the Deaf with about 70 people in attendance and about ten representatives from RPD, including Chief David Moore.

I thought the forum was a great beginning to what should become a sustained open dialogue about how to improve relations and reduce problems between RPD and people who are deaf and hard of hearing. One cool thing for me is that it was the first time we have been able to provide CART transcription services (basically live captioning on a BIG screen) and it seemed to work well for the most part.

I want to thank Dean and his committee for all their efforts in pulling the event together and Marsha, Marty and Tracey for being there to support the event.

There was a lot of media coverage, the links I could find are below. I also saw coverage last night on Channel 13. Unfortunately, none of the video clips online are captioned (unless I’m missing something). Rnews does have a word for word transcription of their story.

Channel 10:
http://www.whec.com/article/stories/S452459.shtml?cat=566

R News (Channel 9)
http://www.rnews.com/Story_2004.cfm?ID=61455&rnews_story_type=18

Democrat and Chronicle (promo from before the event)
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008805200338

There will be pictures available on the server later today.

Chris Hilderbrant
Director of Advocacy
Center for Disability Rights, Inc.
497 State Street
Rochester, New York 14608
(585) 546-7510 (Voice)
(585) 546-7512 (TTY)
(585) 546-7577 (Fax)
www.rochestercdr.org

Categories: Advocacy

One Week Away From Town Hall Meeting

April 17, 2008 · 1 Comment

Hi everyone,

We are 1 week away from the next Town Hall meeting on April 24th at 7 pm. I hope we have alot of people there to become change agents. Attached is a flyer that I would like you to pass out.

If you are wondering why should you go?

One thing, I can tell you is that many of us are being taken advantage of because all of us are not working together as a strong deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind. Seriously, yes… even in our large per capita deaf community we need to work together. It sad, if something goes bad we all are ready to fight. But, if nothing bad we go to sleep. One thing we forgot, there are people sneaking around all the times and taking advantage of us. If we work together we can stop many of these small things from becoming big!

Let me give one an example and as time gets closer I will add few more. If you want to know more, please come to town hall meeting to discuss these issues. Because, many of the answers depend on what all of us together need.

Today I will discuss interpreters. Do you think we have enough qualified interpreters in our deaf community? I was told in one of my event, we should have an interpreter for hearing interpreters because many interpreters will not be able to understand me. Can you believe that? I can not accept this… we should not need to provide an interpreter for interpreters. It means that something is wrong.

Another example is that there are doctors, lawyers and other people in the community who are taking advantage of the fact we are not educated. They will call ADA specialists and telling us that they called the ADA and they were told that an interpreter does not need to be provided because we can write back and forth.

They maybe forgot or maybe do not want us to know, if we are not satisfied with the communication or have struggles with understanding the information we have rights to take them to court for failing to provide us effective communication.

Now, there are more issues, about interpreters but I would rather put them on hold. It is all of us together who needs to confront these issues together. Lets get together and become change agents to improve the quality and services of interpreters in our community!

Please help spread the words to your friends who might have problem or are aware of this. Save the date to join us at Rochester Recreation Club for the Deaf (RRCD) and their REAP program on April 24th from 7 pm to 9 pm.

See you there!!

Thank you,

Dean DeRusso
Deaf Systems Advocate
Regional Center for Independent Living
Advocacy and Independent Living Services for Individuals
497 State Street
Rochester, NY 14608

Sorenson VP: 585 546-7598
VP: 74.39.189.195
Voice Callers 1: (877) 467-4877 ext 07598
Voice Callers 2: 866-327-8877 ext 585.546.7598
TTY: (585) 697-1604
Fax: 585.546.7577
E-Mail: dderusso@rcil.org

Categories: Advocacy · Events

Why You Should Attend Town Hall Meeting

April 17, 2008 · No Comments

Hi everyone…

Colleen P made a video blog of why you should attend the Town Hall meeting. Please see the video blog, sorry no caption for the sign impaired people… but most of it will come in email soon (also questions will be answered at the Town Hall Meeting):

http://announcements-townhall.blogspot.com/2008/04/blog-post.html

Thank you,

Dean DeRusso
Deaf Systems Advocate
Regional Center for Independent Living

Categories: Advocacy · Events

Action Alert re: New York State Budget

April 7, 2008 · No Comments

Hi everyone,

Right now, the government is looking to cut the Independent Living Budget in New York State. We all know that without Independent Living many disabilities and deaf people will become unemployeed and our service that we provide the community will be cut. Many of us would not want that to happen.

How can you help? With a simple phone call to Senator Slander office will do the job, because this senator is responsible for the negotation. Right now, we want to make sure that the budget for Independent Living is not cut. Senator Slander will claim that we need to contact our local senators but they all are already aware of it.

What you can do to help is Call with your favorite Video or Traditional Relay center and contact Senator Stephen Saland office who is the Chair of Education Committee at below voice number:

(518) 455-2411

Tell them:

“Please, include Ontario County in Independent Living funding, support the efforts of Senators Robach and Nozzolio.”

If they tell you that you are to contact your local senator and assembly members, tell the staff this.

You are aware that you need to contact them, however Senator Saland is Co-Chair of the Education Conference Committee… this committee determines the budget for Independent Living. This is the appropriate office to be taking these calls.

If you would like more information, please read below message which will explain more.

Thank you,

Dean DeRusso
Deaf Systems Advocate
Regional Center for Independent Living
Advocacy and Independent Living Services for Individuals
497 State Street
Rochester, NY 14608

Sorenson VP: 585 546-7598
VP: 74.39.189.195
Voice Callers 1: (877) 467-4877 ext 07598
Voice Callers 2: 866-327-8877 ext 585.546.7598
TTY: (585) 697-1604
Fax: 585.546.7577
E-Mail: dderusso@rcil.org

+++++++

From: Chris Hilderbrant
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 11:01 AM
To: Chris Hilderbrant; Everyone-CDR; Everyone-RCIL
Subject: RE: Action Alert! Final Push for IL Funding!

Thanks to our first wave of calls, Senator Saland’s office is trying to say that they are not the one’s responsible.

If they say this to you, you can correct them…

Senator Saland is Co-Chair of the Education Conference Committee… this committee determines the budget for Independent Living. They are the appropriate office to be taking these calls.

+++++++

From: Chris Hilderbrant
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 10:43 AM
To: Everyone-CDR; Everyone-RCIL
Subject: Action Alert! Final Push for IL Funding!

Action Alert! Final Push for IL Funding!

Over the weekend, our volunteers led an effort that was successful in churning out nearly 400 faxes to the Governor and Senate and Assembly leaders! AWESOME WORK!

The faxes had an impact, but nothing is settled yet. Albany is still in final negotiations around budgets. It’s time for a big push to secure IL funding for Ontario, Wayne and Yates counties.

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO PASS AN ON-TIME BUDGET…

WE NEED YOU TO…

Call:

Senator Stephen Saland
Chair of Education Committee
(518) 455-2411

Tell them:

“Please, include Ontario County in Independent Living funding, support the efforts of Senators Robach and Nozzolio.”

And report back to childerbrant@rochestercdr.org with any information or developments.

Thank you,

Chris Hilderbrant
Director of Advocacy
Center for Disability Rights

Categories: Advocacy

Town Hall Meeting April 24th at RRCD

April 1, 2008 · No Comments

brunhild.jpg

Hi everyone,

Many of us are sleeping at this time, we think the world is perfect or we need to accept things as it should be. Or that it is too late. THAT IS NOT TRUE! It is never too late till the fat lady sings. We need you… I MEAN EVERYONE WHO IS INTERESTED in making Rochester a better city for all deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind. There are issues that we need to confront in New York State and Federal level… that I hope we all can focus on… these are listed below:

1. Deaf Bilingual Coalition (DBC) - Our children are not being fairly taught ASL and English… Certification Interpreters in Pre-K to 12 grade level - Our children are left in the dark with someone who can not sign

2. Closed Caption - The technology could be improved but never was…

3. Legislatives - The government has ignored our needs too long because we never visited…

4. St. Mary School for the Deaf - Our deaf children lost their voices of an excellent teacher

5. Empire State Association of the Deaf - It’s time we have to wake up and support them…

6. Employment - We were once the best employees of the State, now they say 90% of deaf are unemployed nationwide…

7. Interagency Council of Services for all Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind - Who will they pick and we all need to get together to watch them and be sure they do the right things

8. Deaf-Blind - Many deaf people are become blind and there are no services for them. And even worst, many of them will not admit we need help…

9. Deaf people are excellent drivers, but the law says deaf people cannot drive trucks… this is full of baloney.

10. And there are tons more issues we need to face… don’t let them fade out…

If you want to make changes, learn what is happening, or tell of more problems than what is listed here. We will have a Town Hall meeting on April 24 at 7 pm and yes we have plans and ideas. All we need is you to be there!

We would like to add a special thanks to Steve Debottis, RRCD President, and Colleen Pouliot, RRCD Social Director, for allowing us to have this Town Hall meeting as part of their R.E.A.P. program. And, there will be NO door charge.

We are currently looking for refreshments food and possible coverage of club house drinks for everyone for free but right now we have not found anyone. If you are interested in either or both, please let us know.

advoacygroup1.jpg

Also here is a PDF document of this event flyer for you to post at work or send out to others in the community.

Rochester Recreation Club of the Deaf is located at 1564 Lyell Avenue, Rochester NY, and we look forward to seeing you there to remove barriers in our community.

Thank you,

Dean DeRusso
Deaf Systems Advocate
Regional Center for Independent Living
Advocacy and Independent Living Services for Individuals
497 State Street
Rochester, NY 14608

Sorenson VP: 585 546-7598
VP: 74.39.189.195
Voice Callers 1: (877) 467-4877 ext 07598
Voice Callers 2: 866-327-8877 ext 585.546.7598
TTY: (585) 697-1604
Fax: 585.546.7577
E-Mail: dderusso@rcil.org

Categories: Advocacy · Events

Seeking Sponsors for Washington DC Walk & Jog

March 11, 2008 · No Comments

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Hi Everyone,

I am still looking for sponsors to sponsor me to walk and jog maximum 25 laps in Washington DC. I also would like to be there representing the deaf/hard of hearing community showing that we are part of supporting different federal legislatives issues.

I have learned that there is now an online application which you can make your pledge for my laps for my FUN*RUN event. And, this gives you two ways you can sponsor me, which are listed below.

For those who did not get the previous email, supporting this FUN*RUN event will help disabilities who lack the funds needed to meet with their legislatives face to face. These people’s voice are often missed because they don’t have the funds to show the world their dreams. Let’s make sure that the Federal Legislatives hear all voices before passing legislatives laws.

All your information will be kept confidential but your donation will help ADAPT continue its work for full integration of people with disabilities. In addition your donation is TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

The two ways for you to sponsor me. For one is by mailing a letter directly to Texas, please don’t forget to put my name in the first page. Please use my full name, Dean DeRusso, and mail the application directly to Texas which is on bottom of the second page.

Or pay online at below link:
http://www.adaptfunrun.org/sponsor.php?id=48

Any support will be greatly appreciated. If you have question please feel free to call, email or contact me at below information. If you would like to forward this to people who you know might be interested, please do so, remember it’s TAX DEDUCTIBLE!

Thank you,

Dean DeRusso
Deaf Systems Advocate
Regional Center for Independent Living
Advocacy and Independent Living Services for Individuals
497 State Street
Rochester, NY 14608

Sorenson VP: 585 546-7598
VP: 74.39.189.195
Voice Callers 1: (877) 467-4877 ext 07598 Voice Callers 2: 866-327-8877 ext 585.546.7598
TTY: (585) 697-1604
Fax: 585.546.7577
E-Mail: dderusso@rcil.org

img-310090656-0001.pdf

Categories: Advocacy · Useful News

Advocacy Town Hall Meeting on April 24

March 10, 2008 · No Comments

Hi everyone,

I know this is an early announcement, but please save the date on Thursday April 24th from 7 to 9 pm I would like to invite all of you to Rochester Recreation Club of the Deaf for our Advocacy Town Hall Meeting. I have also attached a flyer.

advocacygroup1.jpg

Please feel free to come and discuss problems or concerns you have in the town.

I would like to meet you all in person and know your voice or signs of conerns. I wanna see it. If you have special needs such as interpreter or something, please let me know in advance so we can work out your needs to better serve you.

Thank you,

Dean DeRusso
Deaf Systems Advocate
Regional Center for Independent Living
Advocacy and Independent Living Services for Individuals
497 State Street
Rochester, NY 14608

Sorenson VP: 585 546-7598
VP: 74.39.189.195
Voice Callers 1: (877) 467-4877 ext 07598
Voice Callers 2: 866-327-8877 ext 585.546.7598
TTY: (888) 839-8208
Fax: 585.546.5643
E-Mail: dderusso@rcil.org

Categories: Advocacy · Events · RCIL/CDR

Do We Care About Arts Accessibility?

February 18, 2008 · 2 Comments

artmuseum.jpg

By Tom Willard

I am very concerned about the lack of accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing people in the local arts and cultural community, and I am interested in forming a committee of like-minded people to investigate this situation and propose some solutions.

Recently, I searched for keywords such as “deaf” and “ASL” and “interpreted” on the websites of Rochester’s major galleries, museums and other cultural institutions. The results were pretty bleak. “Interpreted upon request” was sometimes seen, but on most websites deaf people were not mentioned at all.

It is a far cry from when we were running Deaf Artists of America (1985-95) and educating the Rochester community about the needs of its deaf and hard-of-hearing citizens. It has gotten so bad that the Arts & Cultural Council virtually forgot about deaf people when planning this week’s Perspectives on Accessibility conference.

It is obvious that despite Rochester’s reputation as a deaf mecca, we are being ignored by the arts and cultural community. When I look at the D&C’s Weekend section or City Newspaper, the list of events seems like “for hearing people only.” At one time, we had Lights On! Deaf Theatre, but now our choices are limited to what NTID offers, because virtually none of the local groups do anything to reach out to the deaf audience. I’ve read of theaters in other cities that offer open captioning and it makes me wonder why none of Rochester’s theaters can do the same thing.

So I’d like to get a group of people together to discuss this matter. First, we have to decide if we accept this status quo. Perhaps we have no interest in becoming involved in local theater and arts events. Perhaps we view them as “hearing things” and prefer to stay within our own deaf world. If so, that would be good to know before making further efforts. If not, the question becomes, What do we do about it? I have some ideas, but I’d like to know what others think.

When I drove past the George Eastman House recently with a deaf friend who likes photography, I asked her if she had ever been there. She said no. It did not surprise me, as we deaf people do not get a welcome vibe from these institutions. Instead of the reactive approach of being “willing to provide interpreters” if asked well in advance, I wish they would be proactive and provide accessibility as a matter of course, and reach out to the local deaf community with flyers in places where we gather and postings on DeafROC.com and emails to leaders of various organizations and groups.

They don’t do this because they don’t know how, and they don’t know how because they don’t bring in any deaf staff or volunteers to educate them and offer them access to our community. So again, the question becomes, do we want to do anything about it? One could view it as a form of ongoing and entrenched discrimination, but perhaps we have grown to accept the situation and don’t care anymore.

What do you think? Feel free to leave comments, and if you’d like to be a part of this proposed committee, please send an email by clicking HERE.

Categories: Advocacy · Art