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Deaf Truckers United: Is ‘Audism’ in the Dictionary?
011 days
Hi everyone,
I wonder how many of you used the Capwiz alert that will send an email to Assembly member David F. Gantt. Because, currently he is the chairperson of transportation in the assembly. Last year, the Assembly did not move the bill. The senate moved from transportation to the floor. It was successfully passed. The only thing that stopped us was the assembly because it never left the transportation committee that Gantt is chairperson.
Again, this year the senate moved the bill and passed it in April. But, the assembly bill has not yet move to the floor. We need your help to get the bill on the floor of the assembly. This bill will get a permanent waiver from the hearing requirement in state of New York State. When this happens, we can start working on the federal level. Many Deaf people who have a dream to be a truck driver need your help. The capwiz can be found at below tiny url link:
http://bit.ly/KF84Bj
Currently, Brenda Palmigiano who has been a self-advocate on pushing for a regulation to get the permanent waiver from the hearing physical examation to get her CDL A License. She feel strongly that this regulation is Audism. She asking for your help to watch her video blog and fill out her survey below.
Adding a bit history, she was recently struggling with two different agency giving two different results about hearing level. One agency passed her while the other one declined. This caused her to struggle on her employment opporunities as a deaf trucker.
She decided to visit a book store and reviewed all books to see if the word Audism is found in them. Please watch this video to learn more about her finding and fill out the survey below of your thoughts.
Below is the survey link. We hope that you will fill it out with best possible that you can. And, yes we are inviting the general population to fill out the survey. That means, hearing, deaf, truck drivers and non truck drivers. We want to see what the community feels.
http://bit.ly/dtuaudismq
Again, we hope you filled out our capwiz action alert at below link, to tell Assembly member David F. Gantt to get the Deaf Truck Driver’s bill that will allow them to get a permanent waiver from the hearing regulations in New York State to the floor of the assmebly to be voted by the assembly.
http://bit.ly/KF84Bj
Dean DeRusso
Deaf Systems Advocate
Regional Center for Independent Living (RCIL)
Ask Assemblyman Gantt to Let Deaf Truck Drivers Drive
012 days
Hi everyone,
I’m sending this email out because we need your help to push the Assembly Chairperson of the Transportation to bring the Truck Driver Bill off the committee. It seems they forgot the bill that the deaf community been fighting for the last 5 years. The message is below with a link to our capwiz. All you need to do is to fill out the form and send the message. Please forward this to your national organizations or friends and family members in New York state. We need all help you can to show that driving an 18 wheeler truck is about skills not hearing…
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Bill A09309 is Stuck in the Transportation CommitteeTell Transportation Chair Gantt to Allow Deaf and Hard of Hearing Truck Drivers in NYS
To this day, Deaf and hard of hearing people struggle to get CDL Licenses, even with the many technological advances in today’s commercial trucks that current, hearing drivers already take advantage of.
Deaf people already face many barriers in getting commercial drivers licenses even if they meet the requirements with their hearing aids. But we have an opportunity to correct this.
In 2008, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released a report that found no evidence that hearing loss of commercial truck drivers effected safety. With that, many hearing truck drivers have reported that due to the noise of their trucks, they cannot hear anything outside anyway. Yet there is still a State Law that insists that hearing levels be tested in order to obtain Class A and B licenses.
http://www.capwiz.com/rochestercdr/issues/alert/?alertid=61301616
In 2010, the New York State Senate passed a bill to give a permanent waiver to deaf and hard of hearing drivers of this hearing requirement. If this bill becomes law, it would reduce the problems Deaf and hard of hearing people have in getting their commercial drivers licenses. The bill is currently stuck in the Transportation Committee of the State Assembly.
We need your help to get A09309 out of committee and onto the floor of the Assembly. If it’s not passed this legislative year, we have to start all over again next year.
Send an e-mail to Assemblyman David Gantt, the Chair of the Transportation Committee asking him to move this bill to the floor, then forward this Action Alert to friends and family members to help deaf people get their commercial licenses, because driving is about skills not hearing.
Join us for Easy Listening Easy Giving Or Donation?
0Hi everyone,
I know many of you might be thinking not again. But I feel that this cause is important and that is why I am contacting you again. I would never know if I missed someone unless I ask again. Some people, said that they need the reminder. But, for those who already sponsored me, thank you very much, because your support will make a difference those who are attending.
I figured maybe I should bring up another reason why I am here. I remember when I first joined this fundraiser; I did not see how deafness connected to Medicaid or Home Care services.
I don’t know how many of you know that Senator Tom Hawkins from Iowa who has a deaf brother that wanted home care services. Tom knows that nursing homes did not provide effective communication for his brother. He ended up paying out of his own pocket to provide that service before it became a law. He always supported ADAPT because he knew they were fighting for the way to save our country money and the service that gives them freedom to choice what is best for themselves.
Last year, Senator Tom Hawkins gave a speech outside of the Capital in front of all of the ADAPT members who came to Washington DC. He was saying that ADAPT ongoing mission to protect Medicaid and Homecare always makes a difference in the US Capital and he applaud them for
their ongoing loyalty for many who depend on them.
One thing, is that the difference will not happen without your support. This means the real people who made the difference are those who donate like yourself. You can help them by sponsor me at the below link:
http://adaptfunrun.org/runner.php?id=113
For those in Rochester, there is also another opporunity!
We are also providing another option for those who would rather see us in person and enjoy some agonstic music. We already invited three different musicians known as John Akers, Deborah Magone and Suzanne Monroe. They are going to be there until their hands drop. CDR posted these musicians video on their website at the below link:
http://bit.ly/HiYGQz <http://bit.ly/HiYGQz >
Come join us on April 19 and help make this difference!
Event: Easy Listening Easy Giving
What : Benefit Concert for ADAPT Fun Run
Where: Easy on East, 170 East Avenue, Rochester NY 14604
When: April 19th, 6-10pm
Cost: $5 suggested donation.
Download JPG Image of Flyer:
http://phplist.cdrnys.org//dl.php?id=18
Download PDF document of Flyer:
http://phplist.cdrnys.org//dl.php?id=19
For more information about the concert and event please contact Jenny Phillips at (585) 546-7510 or email at jphillips@cdrnys.org for more information.
If you would like to ask me more questions directly, feel free to contact me at the below information. I’ll be happy to answer any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Dean DeRusso
Deaf Systems Advocate
Deaf Self-Advocacy Training
0Hi everyone,
Deaf Adult Services (DAS) send me an email that they have some exciting news for people in Rochester. Lillian Garcia Peterkin and Alberto Sifuentes from Northeastern University are coming to town to give a Deaf Self-Advocacy Training workshop.
They are asking for people to register and it seems that there are still room for the training. I believe this would be great opporunity for deaf people to learn about self advocacy. If you are interested, there are two dates April 13 and 14.
For April 13 PDF flyer, you can download it at:
http://phplist.cdrnys.org//dl.php?id=21
For April 14 PDF flyer, you can download it at:
http://phplist.cdrnys.org//dl.php?id=20
If you are interested in attending, email to a.sifuentes@neu.edu and follow the below steps:
1. Put in the sublect line, “DSAT Training the Trainer, Rochester NY”
2. Your name (full name).
3. mailing address (I believe home address)
4. the day you prefer to go on April 13 or 14.
The training seems exciting because they provide great tools necessary to teach deaf self advocacy. And, topics include advocacy, self-advocacy, self determination, self esteem, requesting interpreter ethics and locating resources.
Sign up soon… they only need 25 people… but I was told there is alot of room available.
Thank you,
Dean DeRusso
Deaf Systems Advocate
Regional Center for Independent Living (RCIL)
RDAW 2012: ASL STUDENTS TEAM MEETING
054 days
Rocester Deaf Awareness Week (RDAW) last meeting seem to not be able to reach anyone. RDAW decided to move their meeting to April 17, 2012 from 7 to 9 pm for any high school or college programs students in Monroe County.
Location will be at RIT’s Barnes and Noble’s Starbuck Cafe. Address is 400 Park Point Drive, Rochester, NY. It should be easier to meet in there. And, please do not be shy at finding us. =)
Hope to see you there, please email rdaw2012@gmail.com if you have further questions or concerns.
Action Alert: HOUSE HEARING ON THE COMPANIONSHIP RULES TODAY!
061 days
Call to Action—Please take a few minutes to send these e-mails – Your Advocacy Makes All the Difference
HOUSE HEARING ON THE COMPANIONSHIP RULES TODAY!
Today, (March 20th) the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, chaired by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), will hold a hearing entitled “Ensuring Regulations Protect Access to Affordable and Quality Companion Care.” The Department of Labor is currently trying to interpret Congressional intent from the mid-1970s. The hearing is an opportunity for members of Congress to raise our concerns which can help shape the process.
So far, 272 people have sent messages to the chairs and staff of the subcommittee raising concerns that these rules will have serious unintended consequences for people with disabilities and attendants.
If you haven’t responded to this alert already, please send a message to these folks to let them know that because DOL didn’t effectively engage the disability community in the development of its
proposal and that the proposed changes in federal labor rules -although well-intentioned – will have a negative impact on people with disabilities and most seriously impact people who have the most significant disabilities!
SEND AN EMAIL!
Take Action NOW by going to:
http://ly.adapt.org/dol1
Thank you,
Dean DeRusso
Deaf Systems Advocate
Regional Center for Independent Living (RCIL)
RDAW 2012: ASL STUDENTS TEAM MEETING
061 days
Rochester Deaf Awareness Week (RDAW) 2012
Flyer:
Text:
ASL STUDENTS TEAM MEETING
Location: RADSCC at RIT Student Alumni Union room 2530
Date: March 22, 2012
Time: At 7 pm – 9 pm
ASL Students from any high school or colleges around Monroe County are welcome to participate! Socialize! And, discuss new or old ideas of events hosted by ASL students during RDAW 2012.
Hope to see you all there.
National ADAPT wants your Old Cell, Smart and Phones to save the Environment
061 days
Do you have any old cell or smart phones that you don’t need anymore? CDR/RCIL will be collecting them at our office, located at 497 State St, Rochester NY and at the National ADAPT Fun Run event in Washington DC on April 22, 2012 (All funds from the donated cell phones will go towards the National ADAPT Fun*Run.)
During ADAPT trips, members of the community travel to Washington DC to meet with legislators face to face and talk about real issues that affect the disability community. These donated phones will be another way to help fund ADAPT actions that have helped move America’s long term care system away from institutions and toward home and community-based services.
Our progress has been great, but there’s still so much farther to go. If you have any old cell or smart phones collecting dust in your house, this is the perfect opportunity to finally get rid of them and support a great cause! (And by recycling, we can raise funds for ADAPT and help the environment).
Here’s some food for thought:
Wireless industries are revolutionizing the world. Did you know that there are over 5 billion people, or over 75% of the world’s population, that now own cell phones? On average, a new cell phone is
being purchased every two years (after the contract expires.) This leads to an estimate of over 1 billion cell phones and smart phones not being used worldwide. When these phones are thrown away, the toxic elements found in them– including lead and arsenic–will pollute landfills and the surrounding environment.
To prevent this pollution from happening, it is best to recycle old cell or smart phones.
Let’s go GREEN to raise funds for the National ADAPT Fun*Run event on April 22, 2012! For people in Rochester, NY, we will be collecting cell and smart phones up until Friday, April 20th. There is a basket in the lobby where you can place donations. Please let us know how you can give them to us.
Attached is the flyer with more information about the recycling fundraiser. Please feel free to forward it or send it to others at your discretion.
If you have further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
This message contains attachments that can be viewed with a web browser:
Download a PDF Flyer: http://phplist.cdrnys.org//dl.php?id=14
Download a JPG Image: http://phplist.cdrnys.org//dl.php?id=15
Thank you,
Dean DeRusso
Deaf Systems Advocate
Regional Center for Independent Living (RCIL)
ADAPT FUN RUN – Please sponsor me!
061 days
I would like to thank those who sponsored me. At the same time, I would like to remind those who have not yet sponsored me yet… that it is the time of the year that ADAPT FUN RUN for disability rights is here!
This fundraiser is not about me. It is about about 40 other individuals from the Rochester area and joining 500 disability rights activists from around the nation in Washington, DC, for a series of
actions themed “My Medicaid Matters!” Over the years, these actions have resulted in a massive shift in America’s long term care system – away from institutions and toward home and community-based services. Our progress has been great, but there’s much further to go
yet.
These trips are only possible because of the generosity of hundreds of people like you.
The majority of people involved in ADAPT are people with disabilities. Many never had a job; many have lived much of their life in a nursing home or other facility. They don’t have any savings and
the income they get each month is barely enough for rent and food, but they still have the fire in their belly to go to DC and fight for the rights of all the other people with disabilities that are currently still stuck in facilities.
Your sponsorship will support National ADAPT as well as our Rochester chapter, often called the “Nation of Rochester” because we’re so successful in mobilizing people. You help make the hotel and the bus trip to DC affordable for low income people with disabilities who may not have much money, but have amazing passion and commitment to freedom for all.
http://adaptfunrun.org/runner.php?id=113
Please sponsor me for the 2012 FUN RUN and help ensure that people can continue to afford to fight for their rights, and the rights of their brothers and sisters unjustly stuck in institutions. FREE OUR PEOPLE!
Sincerely,
Dean DeRusso
Deaf Systems Advocate
Regional Center for Independent Living (RCIL)
NYAIL Action Alert – 3.5.12 – Tell the NYS Legislature to Protect Our Families!
174 days
NYAIL is fighting to protect marriage. There are people out there who become in poverty level. And, are forced to get divorce to receive funds. We are just asking you not to support this to happen. All they are asking for you is to make a simple phone call the below people and give the message below:
Senator Kemp Hannon at 518-455-2200
Assemblymember Dick Gottfried at 518-455-4941
Either leave a voice mail or tell the front desk:
“Don’t abolish Spousal and Parental Refusal rights. Protect our families.”
I was told that both Hannon and Gottfried were are aware of the issues they just want to hear from us to see how important it is. Show them that it’s important… call and leave the above bold message.
Below is the original message from NYAIL for your review:
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Join us in telling the Legislature to Protect Our Families! Reject the Governor’s proposal to eliminate spousal/parental refusal in Medicaid.
Seniors and families with disabilities use spousal or parental refusal to access vital health services for a loved one to maintain their well being in the community without resorting to institutionalization, extreme impoverishment, divorce, or termination of parental rights.
“Spousal refusal” is a mechanism that allows low and moderate income couples, where one spouse requires Medicaid coverage, to qualify for that coverage by refusing to contribute available income or assets toward the costs of health care. Without this protection, these couples would be forced to divorce or institutionalize the spouse who requires long term services and supports in order to qualify for Medicaid. This proposal promotes unwanted and costly institutionalization.
“Parental Refusal” allows children with disabilities, such as a developmental disability or traumatic brain injury, to get necessary Medicaid-funded services and supports that they otherwise would not receive because their families could not afford them, or which they would have to go in to an institution to receive.
Don’t let the Legislature deny New York’s families from this essential support.
ACTION: Make two very important calls! Call the Legislative Health Committee Chairs and ask them to restore Spousal/Parental refusal in their budget bills:
Senator Kemp Hannon at 518-455-2200
Assemblymember Dick Gottfried at 518-455-4941
Leave a message telling them: “Don’t abolish Spousal and Parental Refusal rights. Protect our families.”
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Thank you,
Dean DeRusso
Deaf Systems Advocate
