First Message from Your New
Executive Director
Upon
arriving after five grueling days of journey from Washington D.C. to Boise
with my wife and three small children I beheld a majestic view of snow-capped
peaks of the Rocky Mountains. I said to myself, “We are home.” I am glad to be able to plant my feet on Idaho
soil once again. Idaho had been my
home since 1974 until my high school graduation in 1992. To be able to return after 16 years of
exile is sweet.
I
am excited and honored to be your Executive Director for Idaho Council for
the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. I have been officially on the job since January
14 2008. I have been getting myself
settled in, trying to organize things in a way that makes sense to me. The work here so far is interesting,
challenging, and stimulating.
My
Administrative Assistant, Cindy Schreiner, has been of invaluable assistance
in helping me with the new transition. I want to take this opportunity to
commend her for doing an excellent job of holding the place together while
still doing her own office duties during the months since the departure of
the last Director.
While
I am on the subject of appreciation, I want to acknowledge the work and
contributions made by the former Executive Director, Wes Maynard for the
betterment of Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. During his two years tenure as a director,
Idaho saw an improvement in public awareness on the education for the deaf,
creation of new deaf-related laws and resolutions such as SCR 102 (ASL as a
Foreign Language), SCR 103 (Deaf/HH Child’s Bill of Rights, and Title 33 Chapter
13 (Educational Interpreter Act), and
more. These are huge milestones for
deaf and hard of hearing community in Idaho.
These changes had shifted new direction for the society at large to
follow. We want to thank Wes for all
of his work. I want to wish him well
with his new career endeavors.
I
am committed to helping the deaf and hard of hearing community to continue to
confront the challenges that lie ahead and continue to building a better
Idaho that will be here for deaf and hard of hearing generations to
come. The challenges are great. The education issues for the deaf and hard
of hearing in the past couple years was perhaps one of the most difficult in
Idaho’s deaf history and no one disagrees that there are more challenges
ahead in a world that is rapidly changing and that the we will have to make
difficult choices. I believe that
together, we will succeed.
I
want to be very clear about one of my core values. Since the first day after my college
graduation, my life is about service and improving the lives of deaf
people. They are the reason I wake up
excited each morning, jump out of bed, and go to work. The members of the deaf and hard of hearing
community are the core- the center of CDHH’s mission. I am committed to improving qualify of life
for the deaf and hard of hearing and it is CDHH’s #1 job.
Together,
we are going to improve the education, human rights, services, and last but
not least, quality of life of deaf and hard of hearing persons in Idaho. I invite each of you to join me and support
CDHH. CDHH is committed to working
together to meet the challenges ahead.
Maybe you have a great idea to help improve the quality of life in
Idaho. I invite you to send me your
ideas for making Idaho one of the most deaf-friendly states in America. CDHH cannot do it alone without you. Please send your great ideas to snows2@dhw.idaho.gov.
Please feel free to stop by at our
office or at any of our functions.
Best,
Steven Snow
Executive Director
Demonstration and Loan
Centers Receive New Devices
The
Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing announces new equipment at the
demonstration and loan centers throughout the state. Centers located in Boise, Pocatello, Idaho
Falls, Moscow, Coeur D’Alene, Twin Falls and Caldwell will be receiving a new
piece of equipment to lend/demonstrate.
These devices will be available through the subsidy program
administered by United Cerebral Palsy of Idaho. Please visit our website at www.cdhh.idaho.gov to locate the center nearest you.
Portable Baby Monitor
This portable baby monitor has the
following features. Completely
wireless system, 450’ range, rechargeable parent’s unit and camera. No
annoying antenna on parent’s unit, portable video and sound monitor, large
1.8” color TFT LCD screen on parent’s unit.
Uses AA alkaline or rechargeable batteries (6 rechargeable batteries
included). Needs 12 AA batteries for
completely portable use (not included).
Infrared night vision. View
your baby on your TV through A/V outputs.
Works with up to 4 cameras total.
Optional voice activation of video. 280 degree rotating camera. Optional power-save mode, battery backup
for camera. Parent’s unit has
brightness control, on/off volume, 4 channel selection, A/V output plug,
power button, charging LED indication, large LCD. Wall mountable camera
monitor base unit, belt attachment on the parent’s unit. 1 year limited manufacturer’s
warranty. Sleek, compact design with
rounded edges, silver with blue trim.
Ameriphone Alertmaster AM 6000 With Baby
Monitor
 
Alertmaster
AM-6000 alerts you to all the activities around your home – telephone
ringing, doorbell, sounding of alarm clock, baby crying, activation of any
audio alarm devices and even someone entering your home unexpectedly. It flashes a lamp and shakes your bed to
notify you, day and night. It is
totally wireless. Includes the
console, a wireless telephone with doorbell and bed shaker. It works with all the optional accessories.
Shake Up Smoke Detector Kit
 Rest
easy with the Shake Up Smoke Detector Kit on duty. This wireless, single function kit detects
smoke, then transmit a signal within a 100-foot radius, alerting the user by
a vibrator or strobe. The kit includes
a 6” audible 9-volt battery operated smoke detector that attaches to wall or
ceiling, and a 3” x 5” Receiver Unit that attaches to the wall or may be placed
on a night stand. Receiver Unit plugs
into standard electrical outlet and activates bed vibrator or strobe.
Demonstration
and Loan Updates
 United
Cerebral Palsy of Idaho interfaces with people from all parts of Idaho to
help them with their needs to improve communications. It is rewarding to work
with several individuals and families each month who are successful in
finding the right equipment to assist them in communicating with friends,
family and business associates. On a monthly basis we have an average of 60
individuals who explore the possibility of receiving assistance from the
subsidy program. About 31 of them qualify and actually order a piece of
equipment. In addition, there is an average of 11 who come to United Cerebral
Palsy of Idaho to see what is available and to try some equipment to see if
it meets their needs. Approximately 9 people call on a monthly basis.
Over a year’s period of time the number of people helped is quite
significant. Many of the clients have very little knowledge or understanding
of the resources available to them. It is helpful that UCP has several
different types of equipment that can viewed and tried to make sure it meets
their needs.
Lynn
R. Cundick
United
Cerebral Palsy of Idaho
Executive
Director
Status of Deaf/HH Education
Reform
One
of the priorities of the Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is to
continue working for deaf education reform.
Historically, over the last year there have been several items to
report. CDHH will keep you posted on
all events and circumstances involving deaf education reform. The following is what has transpired over
the last few months:
September
2007: Mike
Rush, Ph.D. becomes Interim Executive Director of the State
Board of Education.
December
2007: Aylee Schaefer assumes responsibilities for Deaf Education reform.
February
2008: Mike Rush and Aylee Schaefer meet with the Council for the Deaf and Hard of
Hearing at quarterly board meeting.
March
2008: Summarative report to be completed in near future.
DATE
TBA: Summit of Deaf/HH and Blind/VI education reform to take place.
To
keep up-to-date on the SBOE’s transition process and timelines, visit their
Web site: http://www.boardofed.idaho.gov/DeafEd/transition.asp.
Remembering Dorothy Shipman
December
21, 1918 – November 17, 2007
Dorothy Shipman, longtime Council
member and advocate for services for the hard of hearing passed away
Saturday, November 17, 2007 at a local care facility. Dorothy was a member and President of the
Idaho chapter of Self Help for the Hard of Hearing; and member of the Council
for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for 2 terms.
She also created the Idaho chapter of the Association of Late Deafened
adults. Dorothy volunteered with the
Council on many special projects before, during and after her term as a
member of the Council. Dorothy was a
petite woman who made an impact with her presence. She will be missed by those who knew her.
Words
from Educational Interpreter Training Coordinator
The
Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind (ISDB) continues to support working
educational interpreters/transliterators in the PreK-12 setting. The Idaho Educational Interpreter Act comes
into effect on July 1, 2009 and ISDB is providing training opportunities and
support to help educational interpreters/transliterators meet the minimum
standard.
My
name is Joelynne B. Warr and I am the Educational Interpreter Training
Coordinator for ISDB. I have had the
opportunity to travel to three regions in the state and meet face to face
with educational interpreters/transliterators. I would like to make it to all seven
regions by the end of the school year.
It has been a great opportunity to meet the
interpreters/transliterators and talk about the legislation and what is
required to show that they meet the minimum standard. For sign language
interpreters/transliterators, they need to have one of the following
qualifications: 1) RID Certification
2) NAD Certification, level III or higher 3) Educational Interpreter
Performance Assessment (EIPA) score of 3.5 or higher. Oral transliterators can show that they
meet the minimum standard by having the Oral Transliteration Certificate
(OTC) by RID. Cued language
transliterators can show that they meet the minimum standard for Idaho by
passing the evaluation as set forth by the TECUnit (Testing, Evaluation and
Certification Unit).
The
EIPA is offered by Local Test Administrators (LTA’s) in Idaho. I am one of the LTA’s and will offer the
EIPA this March in North Idaho. I have
five testing slots that will be offered in July and five testing slots for
September. The July and September
testing will take place in Boise. This
assessment is rated by Boys Town National Research Hospital (BTNRH) and due
to the number of states using the EIPA as a minimum standard BTNRH has had to
limit how many slots are offered each year.
ISDB
provided a videoconference on January 19th for educational
interpreters that was put on by Frances Beaurivage from Boys Town National
Research Hospital. The topic of the
videoconference was “The Role and Importance of Finger spelling in the K-12
Setting” and was broadcast to three different sites in Idaho. The training was offered free of charge and
there were over 50 interpreters who took advantage of this opportunity.
I
am impressed by the commitment of ISDB Administration to support working
educational interpreters and I am excited and honored to be a part of this
effort. I look forward to the coming
years and continuing to improve the quality of educational services provided
to students who are deaf and hard of hearing in the state of Idaho.
Joelynne
B. Warr
Educational
Interpreter Training Coordinator/ISDB
joelynne.warr@isdb.idaho.gov
The
Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing sets priorities for the remainder of
the year.
The
Council has selected the following priorities for the remainder of the year.
1)
Interpreter funding for Steven Snow,
Executive Director.
a.
Create job description
2)
Continue with Deaf Education Reform.
a.
Continue working with Idaho School for
the Deaf and the Blind.
b.
Continue working with Idaho State Board
of Education.
c.
Continue working with Idaho State
Department of Education.
3)
Outreach to other agencies.
a.
Interpreter Directory reform
b.
Actively outreach to agencies for
suggestions and possibilities.
If
you have any suggestions, ideas or comments about the Council’s priorities,
please feel free to contact the Council at (208) 334-0879. (vp/v)
During
the last several months the Council has been very busy offering outreach and
information about deaf and hard of hearing issues. The following is a summary of the major
activities which the Council has been involved since July of 2007.
1)
Several outreach presentations
including Boise Good Samaritan Home, Eagle Manor, Chateau Village, Boise
Senior Center Health Fair, and Meridian Senior Center where equipment and
information was demonstrated for senior citizens and residents of the
complexes.
2)
Provided equipment including Amplified
telephones, TTY telephones, alerting devices and personal amplification
devices to several clients throughout the state through our subsidy program
administered by United Cerebral Palsy.
3)
Collaborating with other government
agencies to provide information about deaf and hard of hearing services.
4)
Collaborating with Idaho School for the
Deaf and Blind on deaf education issues.
5)
Report presented to the Governor’s
office about the Council including mission statement, budget, why the Council
was formed, issues the Council addresses, legislative activities, etc.
6)
The Council was invited by the Office
of Homeland Security to participate in the Emergency Preparedness Program to
provide advise and information about the needs of Idaho’s deaf and hard of
hearing community in case of an emergency.
This is an ongoing committee in which the Council will be
participating.
7)
Working with State legislators on the
need of acquiring a budget to create a full-time position that would provide
interpreting and office support for CDHH.
8)
The Council was invited to serve on the
Court Interpreter Subcommittee to discuss policies/issues with court
interpreters.
Executive Director, Steven Snow,
attended a Legislative reception on Thursday, January 24, 2008 sponsored by
the Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities, Center on Disabilities and
Human Development, Idaho Self Advocate Leadership Network and Comprehensive
Advocacy, Inc.
Steven was able to meet and talk to key
Legislators about issues concerning the Council including accessing an
interpreter, changes at Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind and creating
a deaf center.
During the reception, Representative
Tom Trail (R), Moscow, a member of House Education Committee invited Steven
to give a presentation before the Committee on the topic of ISDB. The presentation date is set for March 6th
at 9:00 am in Capitol Annex meeting room #148. The meeting is open to public.
CDHH is also involved with the
legislative process of setting budget for Fiscal Year 2009. During the process, Steven Snow is working
very closely with several legislators from Jointed Finance and Appropriations
Committee (JFAC) to increase public awareness of ADA law requiring the state
government to provide funding for interpreting needs of the council.
Do you Need Help Hearing on the
Phone?
If you are having difficulties understanding
a telephone conversation, we can help.
Please visit one of our demonstration and loan centers throughout the
state and borrow an amplified telephone. Take it home, use it, and talk with your
friends and family. Then you may be
able to purchase the phone through one of our centers. And you will probably qualify for a grant
to help you with the purchase price!
If you need more information, please contact our office.
Council Seeks Nominations for
Vacancies
Call for Nominations for Two More Board Members
The
Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is a state agency serving persons
who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Established in 1991, the Council is governed by a nine-member
Council. An Executive Director
administers all programs and daily operations. The Council’s goal is to improve the
quality of life for Idaho’s residents who are deaf or hard of hearing by
providing information, serving as an advocate and increasing services and
access.
Chapter 73, Title 67of the Idaho
State Code outlines the following responsibilities of the Council:
·
Increase access to employment,
education and social opportunities.
·
Increase awareness of the needs of the
deaf and the hard of hearing through educational informational programs.
·
Encourage consultation and cooperation
among agencies, departments and institutions.
·
Determine the extent and availability
of services for the deaf and hard of hearing and the need for services. Make recommendations for change.
·
Coordinate, advocate for and recommend
the development of policies and programs that provide full access for the
deaf and the hard of hearing.
·
Monitor consumer protection.
The
Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing consists of nine members appointed
by the Governor. They have terms of
three years, and every year there are three members whose terms expire. Article II, Section 3 of the Council’s
by-law requires the Council to advertise nominations for new Council members.
The positions that is up for
appointment for a three year term ending June 2010 is:
·
A physician
·
A parent of a child who is hard of hearing
The
position of Council member is one of leadership and includes the power to
establish policy and govern. Such
leadership implies the acceptance of a high commitment to work for the broad
purposes and the objectives of the Council for the Deaf and Hard of
Hearing. A council member’s wisdom,
counsel, and support are vital to the success to the mission of the Council.
Responsibilities
1.
Give special knowledge and skills
individually and through committee efforts to pursue established goals.
2.
Serve on committees, as needed, in the
area of interest and expertise.
3.
Attend regularly scheduled quarterly
meetings or notify Executive Director or Chairperson of non-attendance.
4.
Provide constructive guidance and
advice to the Council, it’s officers, and the Executive Director on all
matters affecting the best interest of the Council’s programs, financial
stability, and governing procedures.
5.
Review and approve an annual budget.
6.
Represent the Council to the member’s
constituency and the public.
7.
Keep the Council informed about
activities of the organization or constituency the member represents and make
sure that the Council is aware of problems being encountered by the member’s
constituency or organization.
8.
Serve as an advocate for people who are
deaf or hard of hearing. Advocate for
improving communication access, for identifying of children with hearing loss
and for an increase in services to assist people who are deaf or hard of
hearing.
9.
Serve as a resource in the community
for issues faced by people in the community who are deaf or hard of hearing
and for providing information on accommodations and auxiliary services that
can improve communication access.
The
Council meets four times annually. The
Council pays for travel, lodging and meal expenses.
Would
you like to be a Council board member?
Click here to Download an application:
http://cdhh.idaho.gov/documents/council_membership_application.pdf
For
full event details, visit our Web site’s Upcoming
Events
page.
CDHH
Meetings
05-09-08:
CDHH Board Meeting
Social
Events
3-07-08:
Deaf Center Idaho Chili Cook-off
Ongoing:
Deaf Center Idaho Walk and Chat at Boise Towne Square Mall
Training
Events
3-12-08: Registration Deadline for NAD Leadership
Training Conference
3-15-08: Spatial Organization – EIPA Video
Conference 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Boise and
Pocatello
4-03-08: NAD Leadership Conference, Austin, Texas
5-01-08: Deadline for ISDB Foundation Scholarship
5-03-08: ASL Interpreter Certification series Part
2
Upcoming National Event
Biennial National Association for the
Deaf Conference
*New Orleans*
LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL
AND
TOGETHER WE MOVE
FORWARD
Let
The Good Times Roll and Together We Move Forward are the official themes of
the National Association of the Deaf’s conference.
 NAD President Bobbie Beth Scoggins has
officially issued a Call to the Conference. The 49th Biennial NAD Conference
will be held at the New Orleans Marriott in New Orleans, Louisiana, July
7-11, 2008.
For
more information and to register, click on the banner below.
|
