IMPORTANT- Especially for RIT students- DO ME A FAVOR!
In almost 1/2 the statea in USA there is some government agency or commission under the governnment that oversees deaf and hard of hearing needs in the field of mental health, communication access, interpreting, education etc etc etc. Maryland just set up theirs about 5 years ago, Masschusetts has been known to have one of the best commission for the deaf and hard of hearing. but guess what- NEW YORK doesnt have one.. and we quite possibly have one of the largest d/hh people per capita (in rochester).
so Empire State Association for the Deaf and as well as other entities have proposed that NY State Government develop a "interagency" for the d/hh, and deaf blind. That bill was PASSED!! ON July 2nd 2007/ yayyyyyyy.
so what do I need you to do? Show up at the general forum and voice concerns that you have as a deaf resident residing in the state of NY- or send letters of concerns, so that NY Government will "appoint" appropriate 8 people to oversee this agency. Be aware- not everyone is "deaf culture" friendly.
The following is an excerpt that I copy from some advocator's blog. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE advocate for us!:
Do you all remember the Interagency Council of Services of Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf/Blind in New York State? It’s still there and still needs your help.
At Regional Center of Independent Living office of 497 State Street, Rochester NY, there will be a General Public Forum where the Chairperson Gary O’Brien and his staff will be in Rochester, NY on October 16, 2007, from 3 to 5 pm.
They will be voicing their future with this new Council, and they would like to hear what people from around the state would want from this service. It’s important that you attend this forum and tell them what you want and feel that New York State needs. It will help them understand the needs of the deaf community all over New York State.
Remember, your voice will show them why this bill is important for all of us and why they need to appoint the correct 8 people to run this group.
Please reserve that time slot and RSVP that you will be at this meeting. I would like to know how many are comming. So, that way the visit of the Chairperson and his staff will be worth their visit. Please keep your schedule open and be there!
Thank you,
Dean DeRusso
Deaf Systems Advocate
Regional Center for Independent Living
so Empire State Association for the Deaf and as well as other entities have proposed that NY State Government develop a "interagency" for the d/hh, and deaf blind. That bill was PASSED!! ON July 2nd 2007/ yayyyyyyy.
so what do I need you to do? Show up at the general forum and voice concerns that you have as a deaf resident residing in the state of NY- or send letters of concerns, so that NY Government will "appoint" appropriate 8 people to oversee this agency. Be aware- not everyone is "deaf culture" friendly.
The following is an excerpt that I copy from some advocator's blog. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE advocate for us!:
Do you all remember the Interagency Council of Services of Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf/Blind in New York State? It’s still there and still needs your help.
At Regional Center of Independent Living office of 497 State Street, Rochester NY, there will be a General Public Forum where the Chairperson Gary O’Brien and his staff will be in Rochester, NY on October 16, 2007, from 3 to 5 pm.
They will be voicing their future with this new Council, and they would like to hear what people from around the state would want from this service. It’s important that you attend this forum and tell them what you want and feel that New York State needs. It will help them understand the needs of the deaf community all over New York State.
Remember, your voice will show them why this bill is important for all of us and why they need to appoint the correct 8 people to run this group.
Please reserve that time slot and RSVP that you will be at this meeting. I would like to know how many are comming. So, that way the visit of the Chairperson and his staff will be worth their visit. Please keep your schedule open and be there!
Thank you,
Dean DeRusso
Deaf Systems Advocate
Regional Center for Independent Living