National Deaf News and Florida Events Newsletter:

Free Hurricane Information Services

cwagner@fadcentral.org writes:
The Florida Association of the Deaf (FAD) is coordinating, with the Governor' s Americans with Disabilities Act Working Group (ADAWG) staff, in the implementation of emergency alert notifications regarding the Hurricane to anyone with a pager or text messaging on cell phones, in case of power outages in our communities. This is an alternative to receiving information when there is no access to radio and television. This service is optional to anyone who wishes to receive updated information from the State Emergency Operations Center. The ADAWG staff will update once daily and provide the list to the EOC everyday at 5 p.m.

You may sign up by sending an email to mailto:emergencylist@fadcentral.org and type in your email address for your pager and cell phone (text messaging). You do not need to provide your name or contact information.

We are working closely with the State to ensure that pertinent information goes out to the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened community. Beth Switzer and the Florida Channel are working very hard to provide captioning of the EOC press briefings. We appreciate their commitment.

Please do share this email with your communities so we can reach out to as many people as possible.

Thank you.
Chris

Christopher D. Wagner, President
Florida Association of the Deaf, Inc.
P.O. Box 15556
Spring Hill, Florida 34604

CFRAD Picnic in Orlando
Sept. 11th, 2004

When: September 11, Saturday, 2004 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. (General Meeting included) Where: Moss Park @ Pavillion # 5 12901 Moss Park Road, Orlando, FL 32832 ( website: http://parks.orangecountyfl.net/ParkDetails.asp?ParkID=29

Admission: $1.00 per car to Park and with potluck: $3.00 for members
$4.00 for non-members
without potluck:
$5.00 for members
$6.00 for non-members

CFRAD will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, buns and drinks.

Moss Park Rules: NO PETS and NO ALCOHOL DRINKS.
There is a beach and playground, so please bring your bathing suit, towel, etc...

Please RSVP by September 7, contact @ CFRAD2003@aol.com

Viva La Musica -- A Celebration of Hispanic Music, Food & Culture
September. 25th-26th, 2004

Sea World's Viva La Musica is a sensational all-day Latin music, concerts, dance, food and ethnic crafts  Hispanic Celebration festival. Viva La Musica returns for a fourth year, bringing with it all the sights, sounds and tastes that make Hispanic culture so unforgettable.

This event is included with park admission, valid Passport Membership or Fun Card.
 

Location:
Intersection of Interstate 4 and FL 528 (the Bee Line Expressway), 10 minutes south of downtown Orlando and 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport.

Park Hours:
Open year-round at 9 a.m., with extended hours during summer and holidays. Allow a full day to see all shows and attractions.

Admission:
Adults (10 and over), $49.95 + tax; children ages 3-9, $40.95 + tax; age two and under, free. (Prices are subject to change without notice.) Discounts available for members, guests with disabilities, and senior citizens.

Information:
For general park information, call (800) 4-ADVENTURE, or (407) 351-3600
 

September, 25th, 2004

Location:
Orlando Regional Medical Center1414 Kuhl Avenue Orlando, Florida 32806
9 am - 4:30 pm
.6 CEUs Pending

In honor of the Summer Olympics GOFRID is hosting TerpGames. Prepare to feel the thrill of victory in a workshop like no other. Through teamwork, participants will engage in 4 different activities constructed in game show format. These activities will focus on NMS, handshapes, deaf/blind interpreting, lexicon and knowledge of the field of interpreting. The workshop is geared to be a relaxed and fun way for interpreters to improve certain techniques associated with the field of interpreting. The workshop will be conducted in American Sign Language with voicing by request.

Space is limited so register early!
If you need special accommodations please email fcotter2002@yahoo.com.

Early Bird before September 10, 2004
GOFRID members $20 Non members $25
Registration after September 10, 2004 or at the door:
GOFRID members $25 Non members $30

Name: ________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________
Email: ____________________________Phone #______________________________
____ Cash _____ Check _______Please send me a GOFRID membership application.

Mail registration to:
GOFRID , PO Box 771237. Orlando, Florida 32877-1237
Sorry no refunds.
Directions to Orlando Regional Medical Center can be found at their website www.orlandoregional.org.

Ready, Set, Work! Deaf Workshop Series
Jul-Sep, 2004

Presented in American Sign Language and held at 1860 Boy Scout Drive, B208, Ft Myers, FL 33907.

All Workshops are Free!

• July 1 @ 6:30-8:30 pm, Thursday: WHY SHOULD I WORK? DSC invites a panel of Deaf professionals... All you ever wanted to know about getting a job, now you can ask! Come early and enjoy a light dinner at 5:30pm.
• July 8 @ 6:30-8:30 pm, Thursday: SUCCESSFUL & FAMOUS DEAF PEOPLE
• July 14 @ 2:00-4:00 pm, Wednesday: CHOOSING A CAREER
• July 21 @ 2:00-4:00 pm, Wednesday: WRITING YOUR RESUME & MAKING A "VIDEO RESUME" July 28 @ 2:00-4:00 pm, Wednesday: CONTACTING YOUR POTENTIAL EMPLOYER, Cover letters, references and follow-ups
• August 4 @ 2:00-4:00 pm, Wednesday : SOURCES FOR FINDING JOBS, Networking, internet, and more
• August 11 @ 2:00-4:00 pm, Wednesday: GETTING READY FOR A JOB INTERVIEW
• August 18 @ 2:00-4:00 pm, Wednesday: DEVELOPING GOOD WORK HABITS
• August 25 @ 2:00-4:00 pm, Wednesday: START & KEEP YOUR OWN BUSINESS, A guide for the self-employed
• September 1 @ 2:00-4:00 pm, Wednesday: SHOULD YOU CHANGE YOUR CAREER?

Time to Sign, Fall Conference

Time to Sign
Fall Annual Conference
November 19-21, 2004

It's Time to Sign with your children!

Quality Suites Oceanfront Indialantic, FL
1665 N. Highway A1A, Indialantic, FL 32903 (321) 723-4222

Keynote: Dr. ASL - Dr. Mike Tuccelli & Maureen Tuccelli

Medical/Fire/Police/HR/Customer Service Track Workshops
Learning Sign Language Basic Vocabulary/Phrases; Signing in the Workplace Workshop; Avoiding Miscues in Signing; Greetings and Conversational Signing; Using Sign Language for Emergency Situations; Understanding Deaf Culture; Incorporating Signs into Day to Day Job Functions; medical signs; signs to use for customer service and Learn Sign Language to use for Fire Department/Police Officers.

Evening Activities
Beach Barbeque with Live Music - Friday Evening
Sitter Service Available!

Medical/Law/Community/Customer Svc. Track - Registration Per Adult or families rate
_____ Entire Weekend (Seminars & Evening Activities)         $175
_____ Families Entire Weekend (2 adults/2 children)        $225
_____ Seminars - One Day (Sat.___ or Sun.___)         $75
_____ Evening Activities (each per evening, Fri. ___ or Sat. ___ )         $35

Childcare Service (for either Educators or Families) - Children with special requirements will be an additional charge.
1st Child - Name____________________ Age _____
_____ Entire Weekend $95
_____ Seminars - One Day (Sat. or Sun.) $50
_____ Evening Activities (each per evening, Fri. ___ or Sat. ___ ) $30
Any additional children - each _____ Entire Weekend $35
_____ Seminars - One Day (Sat. or Sun.) $20
_____ Evening Activities (each per evening, Fri. ___ or Sat. ___) $15
Name_______________ Age ___ Name_______________ Age ___
Total Amount Due $

*Full conference registrants will receive a Time to Sign video and conference workbook. Invite your friends and family and call for discounted group rates! If you would like to attend please send this registration form by Friday, November 5, 2004 to Time to Sign, Inc.: P.O. Box 110608, Palm Bay, FL 32911; call (321) 723-6997: fax (321) 723-6896; or email lhubler@timetosign.com. Early registration discounts (10% off if received by September 1, 2004).

Purchase Orders accepted. If you would like to attend please send this form with credit card information or check. *Please add 5% for credit card payments

Names: ________________________________________________________________
Address:________________________________________________________________
E-mail Address:__________________________________________ Fee: $__________
Phone: Home (__)_____________ Work (__)______________ Fax (__)_____________
Credit Card Number: ________________________________ Expiration Date: _______

Time to Sign Fall Annual Conference
Medical/Fire/Police/HR/Customer Svc.

Friday
3:00 - 4:00 pm Conference Check-in
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Learn how to fingerspell
5:00 - 6:00 pm Conference Opening
Singing & Signing Workshop
6:30 - 8:30 pm Beach Barbeque with Live Music (with signing to music, games, fingerspelling and other activities)

Saturday
8:00 - 8:15 am Welcome & Introduction
8:15 - 9:15 am Keynote Speaker
About American Sign Language and Why Use in the Workplace
Some exercises to help learn sign
Greeting Signs
9:30 - 12:30 pm Learning Sign Language Basic Vocabulary/Phrases
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch Break
1:30 - 2:30 pm Keynote Workshops
Understanding the Deaf Culture
Avoiding Miscues in Signing
2:45 - 3:45 pm Conversational Signing
4:00 - 4:45 pm How to Use Sign Language in Emergency Situations
5:00 - 5:45 pm Medical Sign Language

Sunday
8:30 - 9:30 am Signing for Customer Service
10:00 - 1:00 pm Signing in the Workplace Workshop
1:00 - 2:00 pm Lunch
2:15 - 3:15 pm Incorporating Signs into Day to Day Job Functions
4:00 - 6:00 pm Learn Sign Language to use for Fire Department/Police Officers

ASL Services, Inc. Website Redesign Complete

Our look has changed! As you might have guessed by the new look of our newsletter here, we are currently hard at work on the redesign and many enhancements for our website. We now have searchable pages, streamlined information, and even an online forum community! Your feedback is invaluable to us, please, please, please, don't hesitate to feedback and suggestions.

2005 Jewish Deaf Congress Conference

Where: Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay Hotel
When: from July 3 to 10, 2005.

For the first time in JDC history we will have a HANDS-ON conference on Jewish wines, Jewish jewelry, Jewish roots, Jewish cooking and much more.

Participants will be actively involved in activities. Jewish Deaf people and their non-Jewish friends are more than welcome to learn "how to do it" while having fun too.

The hotel rates are only $89 a night, no matter how many people in a room.

Additional information and details can be found at www.jdc2005.com.

An Advanced Legal Interpreting Workshop

Presented by
Carla Mathers, Esq., CSC, SC:L

This workshop is part of a series of advanced court interpretation seminars designed to meet the needs of the seasoned court interpreter who has completed basic court interpreter training and who seeks more advanced training to sharpen skills and to gain a more thorough understanding of the realm of legal interpreting

Space is limited: Pre-registration is required
Registrations must be received by 10/22/04

Law Enforcement Interpreting
December 4-5, 2004
New and exciting developments regarding interpreting in law enforcement settings have occurred during the past few years that competent ASL interpreters should know and understand. Courts are scrutinizing the work-product of ASL interpreters who are hired to assist the prosecutorial side of criminal cases more frequently and more critically than ever before. State v. Hindsley, the landmark Wisconsin case, is a prime example of the pitfalls that exist for ASL interpreters who accompany law enforcement to interrogate Deaf suspects. Contemporary socio-linguistic research into a suspect's assertion of his Constitutional right to an attorney during the Miranda process and the court's view of that assertion as either powerful (direction) or powerless (indirection) language (and thereby effective or ineffective respectively) exists with which every interpreter working in law enforcement settings should be familiar. Deaf interpreters, as well, are being called upon more and more frequently to take on the responsibility of ensuring the suspect's constitutional rights at interrogation are protected. Deaf interpreters and hearing interpreters must possess the ability to make a defensible argument for 1) the necessity of their work, 2) the accuracy of their work, and 3) the integrity of their work. Are we ready?

This fast-paced seminar presents a balanced mix of theory and hands-on practice for trained Deaf and hearing court interpreters. This seminar will focus on the interpreter's role and responsibility in interpreting in the law enforcement setting. The information presented will include critical description of the constitutional underpinnings of a suspect's rights in a police-citizen encounter, the law of privileged communications, the ethical duties of the law enforcement interpreter, the evidentiary requirement of authentication of prior interpreting work, the concept of testifying with respect to the content of a prior interpreted event, text analysis and extensive interpretation practice and analysis of interpretations.

Pre-Readings:
Participants will be provided with pre-reading materials and are expected to complete all readings prior to the beginning of the workshops. Pre-reading materials will be mailed with letters of acceptance by October 29, 2004. RID CEUs will be available for pre- reading activities.

Prerequisites:
For Hearing Participants: RID SC:L or CSC or CI and CT or CI or CT or NAD V
For Deaf participants: RID RSC or CDI or CDI-P or 30 hours of documented training.

Space will be limited to the first 30 qualified applicants. All participants MUST meet the prerequisites listed above.

ALL participants must have completed an introductory course on court interpretation within the last ten (10) years. The course should have been one intensive course of at least 24 hours of instruction.

Dates and Times:
Saturday, December 4, 2004; 9:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday, December 5, 2004; 9:00am - 4:00pm

Location:
University of South Florida, Tampa Campus
Psychology and Communication Disorders Building (PCD) Room 1145
Tampa, FL

Cost:
BayFRID members: $200.00
Non-BayFRID members: $225.00

CEUs:
RID Certification Maintenance Program CEUs are pending for both pending for both pre-readings and on-site activities. A total of 2.4 CEUs will be awarded for successful completion of the entire workshop. CEUs will not be awarded for partial attendance.

Note:
The workshop will be conducted in English and ASL.
ASL Interpreters will be provided upon request.
NO voice interpretation will be provided


About the Presenter:
Carla Mathers, Esquire, CSC, SC: L, is an attorney in private practice with offices in Baltimore and College Park, Maryland. Ms. Mathers works for a civil litigation firm and is licensed to practice in the state and federal courts of Maryland and the District of Columbia. Ms. Mathers graduated magna cum laude from Howard University School of Law (1993) where she was a member of Howard University Law Journal. Ms. Mathers received her undergraduate degree from University of Maryland (1985) where she graduated summa cum laude.

Ms. Mathers' interpreting degree is from the College of Southern Idaho (1981). Ms. Mathers is a former President and Vice President of the Potomac Chapter Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. Ms. Mathers is a member of the District of Columbia Bar Association and the Maryland Bar Association.

Ms. Mathers is a member of the Maryland Administrative Office of the Courts' Advisory Committee on Interpreters. As a part of this commitment, she sits on the Sub- committee on Ethics and the Sub-committee on Testing and Training. She has been a consultant and faculty member for the Maryland Administrative Office of the Courts' Orientation to Court Interpreting Program.


Hotel Information
Wingate Inn
3751 E Fowler Ave
Tampa, FL 33612
(813)979-2828
Group rate $79.00 per night
Ask for Group code BF12 or mention BayFRID

For More Information, contact:
Andrea Smith
Vice President, BayFRID
(813)760-4074 (v)
aanders1@tampabay.rr.com

Interpreting in Law Enforcement Settings Workshop
December 4-5, 2004
Name:________________________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Phone:________________________________________________________
Email:________________________________________________________
Certification (check all that apply):
For Hearing Interpreters:
RID SC:L_____ RID CSC_____ RID CI & CT _____
RID CI _______ RID CT______ NAD V _______
For Deaf Interpreters:
RID RSC _____ RID CDI ______ RID CDI-P ______
30 hours of training (please attach documentation) ______

For all participants: Please indicate when, where and with whom you took an intensive (minimum 24 hours) introductory legal interpreting workshop:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_________

Please include a copy of your credentials along with this registration form.

Enclosed is my payment of $__________ for the workshop.
Registration and payment must be received by October 22, 2004. Space is limited so register early.

Make checks payable to:
BayFRID
P.O. Box 2076
Riverview, FL 33568

Hands are Their Voice
ASL Services Inc. provides interpreters who employ sign language for people in theme parks,maternity wards, courtrooms and other places.

On a chilly morning at SeaWorld Orlando, Brenda Cotto, 33, took off her jacket. Standing in the Splash Zone during The Shamu Adventure, Cotto needed to remove her jacket even though she knew she might get wet.

As the killer-whale show began, Cotto stood in the stands facing the crowd as her hands danced in front of her chest, distinctly forming letters and words to the people who were watching her. Her eyebrows scrunched and raised, all depending on the tone of the show's speaker. Cotto spoke silently in a language known as American Sign Language (ASL), which is a visual-gestural language that relies on hand shapes and facial expressions for communication in the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

On this day, Cotto was a sign-language interpreter for a few deaf SeaWorld guests. Her hands would be her voice during the shows she would interpret. As a professional interpreter, she considers herself a bridge between deaf and hearing people.

"To interpret is to find the cultural equivalent of what is said, not simply a word-for-word translation," said Tara Mollinedo, a certified interpreter and general-resource manager for ASL Services Inc.

As an interpreter, Cotto may vocalize what someone who is deaf signs or she may use sign language to communicate what someone is saying to the deaf person. Interpreters such as Cotto prefer to be called interpreters, not signers.

"Signers use sign language to communicate their own thoughts, usually to family and friends," said Angela Roth, founder and chief executive officer of ASL Services. "Interpreters take someone else's thoughts."

Cotto works for the Orlando/Kissimmee-based interpreting agency ASL Services Inc., which has contracts with a few of Orlando's major theme parks such as SeaWorld. The company recently received an exclusive contract with Florida Hospital, which will make it the sole provider of translation and interpretation for its seven major hospitals and 15 other facilities.

Businesses are required to provide accommodations for the deaf because of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The act requires businesses such as theme parks and doctors' offices to provide qualified interpreters or other effective methods to make aurally delivered materials available to those with a hearing disability.

ASL Services provides interpreters to businesses or to individuals for weddings, funerals and parties.

ASL Services has its roots in another company called Creative Interpreting Resources, which began in 1992 when Roth wanted more from an interpreting agency.

She had been a certified freelance interpreter since the 1980s but wanted better pay for interpreters and for them to be taken seriously, said Vannessa Mistelske, ASL Services' operations manager.

Roth said she started Creative Interpreting with just a table, a phone and a typewriter. The company's name changed about a year later because it continued to receive calls for all types of interpreting, and she wanted the company to focus more on ASL.

ASL Services now has 11 staff employees, which includes eight staff interpreters and three noninterpreters. ASL Services also has a list of freelancers.

Cotto and other staff interpreters accept additional jobs. She even worked 20 hours in one day while she was interpreting a baby's delivery but says those hours are rare.

"Let me work," she said. "But, I'll need to rest my eyes, arms and brain because you're mainly only standing or sitting in a chair and can go mentally crazy."

Mistelske added that another interpreter can take over after a long shift.

"They need to have breaks or work in teams because in addition to the mental processing of interpreting, physical well-being can be affected, such as developing carpal tunnel [syndrome]," Mistelske said.

Cotto has been interpreting for about 11 years and doesn't have any deaf family members. She didn't even plan on becoming an interpreter. She said she "saw the need and was inspired."

She dropped out of her nursing program and enrolled in an interpreting program in Kissimmee that would last two years.

Cotto began accepting interpreting jobs in the medical field because she had a nursing background. Although she has interpreted in a few different settings, her favorite is the maternity ward. She has interpreted for 14 babies' deliveries and hopes to do more.

"With a woman having a baby, you can be a support to them, but you are not supposed to be emotionally involved," Cotto said. "You describe the process and what you are doing. Some deaf know and some don't. Right away you try to figure their level of education."

In addition, Cotto said, she also determines what type of sign language the deaf or hard-of-hearing person uses because there are several variations.

Cotto can communicate in four languages: English, ASL, Spanish and Spanish Sign Language, all of which can be very helpful, she said.

The variety of assignments for ASL Services' interpreters is the pride of the company. Interpreter coordinator Gabrielle Joseph said interpreters can be at the delivery of a baby one day and in a courtroom the next. The company also provides services in legal and theatrical settings.

Each interpreter works toward state certification from the Florida Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and then possibly national certification from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.

The state test consists of a written and performance screening.

Mistelske said interpreters can make from $10 to $40 an hour, with legal interpreters making the most, but the average is about $14 to $35 per hour.

Cotto said she does not do the job for the money, but rather for the people she meets in the deaf community. She said some interpreters just interpret, but "others go beyond because of the passion we have in us."

On this day at SeaWorld, Cotto walked around in between the shows she would interpret.

The weather was still chilly and the wind was blowing as she walked, wearing a jacket.

She happened to pass some of the deaf guests from the killer-whale show, so they chatted a bit before they asked her to interpret their lunch order at a restaurant.

It would be at least another half-hour before the next show, so she sat on a bench and placed her backpack beside her.

"I speak their language," she said. "I translate the entire environment so they understand what's happening around them. People don't realize the deaf aren't slow; they just process things differently."

This article is reprinted from the Orlando Sentinel. The article does not necessarily represent the views of American Sign Services, Inc. nor are we responsible for the accuracy of the content.

Celebration of Sign 2004 - Nashville, Tennessee Oct 8-9, 2004

Gate Communications is hosting the Celebration of Sign 2004! This year is our 6th annual CelSign celebrating the beauty of Sign Language in the Arts. We are excited to have with us this year Miss Deaf America 2004, Erin Casler, and Miss Teen International 2003, Bailey Mills. The girls will be helping to host the event, and will perform themselves as well! The event also features professionals and students, both Deaf and Hearing. Come join us in Nashville, Tennessee on October 8th and 9th. If you like Signed Music, Dance and Drama this is an event you don't want to miss! For more information contact the Gate Comm. office at 615-221-4030 V/TTY, or view the CelSign 2004 website at: http://www.gatecommunications.org/gatecomm/celsign2004.htm

Pagers Become Lifeline For Deaf

(AP) When Cary Barbin's car broke down at 2 a.m. on a remote road in New Jersey, pulling out a cell phone and calling the auto club wasn't an option. Like his parents, grandparents, and millions of other Americans, he's deaf.

But Barbin wasn't helpless. He took out his BlackBerry wireless pager and typed an e-mail to a hearing friend, who called the tow truck.

Barbin, 35, researches technologies for the deaf at Gallaudet University, a Washington-based school for the deaf and hard of hearing, but he didn't have an e-mail pager just because he's a techie.

Cell phone-size messaging gadgets like the BlackBerry and the T-Mobile Sidekick have caught on quickly with the deaf since being introduced a few years ago, giving them freedom to move around and communicate like never before.

"I talk to my friends almost everyday with the pager. It is really great!" said Bryan Blaisdell, a deaf 15-year-old in Pascoag, R.I. He uses his Sidekick to message his parents for rides, and can stay in touch with them when he's out, things that would have been hard or impossible a few years ago.

The pagers have become even more important to the deaf than cell phones are for the hearing, since the deaf can't use regular phones or pay phones.

"Before, you were set to a strict plan that was set in advance. There was no way to change the plan if somebody was running late," said Joe Karp, director of marketing at Wynd Communications, one of a couple of companies that specialize in selling wireless services to the deaf.

Wynd, which is based in San Luis Obispo, Calif., started out selling e-mail pagers to corporate travelers. But in 1997, the company got an e-mail from a deaf lawyer, who pointed out that the pagers were great for the deaf.

"We began to explore the opportunity, and found that there was a decent-size market - 28 million deaf or hard of hearing in the U.S.," Karp said.

This month, Wynd introduced a service that makes its pagers more useful in communicating with the hearing. Users can now send text messages to human operators, who call a hearing recipient on the phone and read the message. The recipient can then tell the operator to send a message back to the deaf person's pager.

The human operator is part of a state-mandated relay service designed for older equipment known as TTY machines. These can send and receive text messages through regular phone lines. Of course, lugging around these machines, which look like electronic typewriters, and plugging them into phone lines hasn't been an attractive option for the deaf.

In some ways, the pagers even take the part of the radio for the deaf. Users can subscribe to services that send news and traffic reports, or tips on where closed-captioned movies are playing. The pager network in New York helped the deaf understand what was happening during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Barbin said.

In one important area, however, the e-mail pagers fall behind cell phones in usefulness - you can't use them to call 911 directly. Like Barbin, in emergencies the deaf typically e-mail or message a hearing friend or family member, and have them make the call.

Deaf people can call 911 from cell phones with TTY features, but since cell phones are of little use to the deaf otherwise, they're not very popular.

"The whole area of messaging and 911 needs to be examined, and the emergency number professionals in the U.S. are beginning to do so," said Judy Harkin, director of the Technology Access Program at Gallaudet.

The police department in Sacramento, Calif., may be showing the way. It started accepting "911" e-mails in February.

The service is intended for the city's deaf, but it clearly fills an unmet need. Deaf people from as far away as Los Angeles and Texas have sent in e-mails asking Sacramento police to relay emergency information to their local authorities, according to dispatcher Vera Hill.

"It's something that gives the deaf community a good feeling, being able to contact us at all times," she said.

By Peter Svensson
Originally published by www.cbs.com

UPS Pays $10 million in Class Action Suit