Listen Up!May, 2011Inside this Issue | ||||||
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Thanks to our Hear-Os!| Thanks to All our Auction Donors! | ||
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Achenbach’s Jewelers (Raffle) |
Hair Creations Hannaford’s Quaker Road Hannaford’s Broad Street Harris Communications Kara Hendrick K&K Kandies Kris Burchfield Larac L’Esperance Tileworks Longfellow’s Restaurant Manchester Wood Margaret McKeighan Mary Satterfield McDonald’s Milk & Honey Mirror Lake Inn Old Saratoga Wine & Spirits One One One Panera Bread Peddlers Pleasant Valley Apiary Price Chopper upper glen Price Chopper in Granville Queensbury Hotel Raul Mexican Grill |
Ray Supply Rockhill Bakehouse Rosie’s Country Cabins Sagamore Resort Saratoga Flag Saratoga Game & Racing Scoville’s Jewelers Sharon Meuse Sign Language Class Six Flags Waterpark Spare Times Bowling Sokol’s Market Stewart’s (Raffle) Susan Dornan Talk of the Town The Fun Spot The Liquor Stop The Olde Bryan Inn Theresa Harrington Tom Myott Gallery Waterhouse Restaurant Whiteman’s Chevrolet Wholly Crepe Williams Sound |
Making Your Space "Deaf Friendly"
Reprinted by permission,
April 2011 edition of deaf411eNewsletter.
“Deaf Space” has taken on a specialty as further research and knowledge has become available in recent years. The idea of “Deaf Space” goes back over 100 years ago to Olof Hansen, one of the first deaf architects, who designed the Dawes House at Gallaudet University, deaf clubhouses and state buildings across the country and even in Venezuela. Several years ago, a deaf couple in Faribault, Minnesota, was looking for a home. One day the husband saw a house he liked very much. He asked his wife to come see it. She loved it. It had fewer walls which gave the feeling of being roomy with windows giving plenty of light, etc. They bought the house. Not until later did they discover that the architect was none other than Olof Hansen. The house gave the feeling of being “deaf-friendly.”
What is “DEAF SPACE?” Robert Arnold, A Deaf Studies professor at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, CA explains that “Deaf Space” is a definition of architecture from building inside and out, and including the landscape. A cultural example: an igloo, you would know what that’s from and who, what culture, a teepee, an African hut, a mansion, a log cabin, etc.” George Balsey, a deaf architect in Amherst, MA states that “we create visu-centric spaces where the Deaf could see everything which helps with visual communication. For our designs, we also deal with light—natural and artificial, high tech that’s available for the deaf especially in educational settings and communications. We look for one communication system that works for both the deaf and hearing. We focus more on seeing and be seen.” “Deaf people require unobstructed line of sight. Hearing people can hear from another room, even from upstairs, not so with a deaf person,” says Staci Greenberg of Interior Design Services. Greenberg, who is the mother of a deaf daughter, emphasizes that “Lighting is another important consideration. If the Deaf person is trying to see someone signing to them and the light is behind the signer, it is not possible for them to see what is being signed. Well placed lighting source will address that issue.”
Factors to Consider: Some of the criteria came to light after talking with different people including some deaf architects and designers who deal with either commercial or residential space:
- Use of partial walls—less than floor-to-ceiling height;
- Placement of windows—locate them so that they produce diffused light, not glaring light;
- Use of building materials such as clowded glass instead of brick, concrete, or drywall, to create privacy and still feel open;
- Wooden floors—so banging can be felt from other rooms;
- Select colors on floors as not to confuse a Deaf person’s wide vision range;
- Used curved corners instead of right-angled walls or sharp turns;
- Create an open Kitchen to be visually accessible to adjacent rooms;
- Position light switches outside of bathroom and bedrooms;
- Implement circular areas to see each other comfortably;
- Create wide, non-white sidewalks outdoors to accommodate people walking and signing to each other, and avoid glare of sunlight.
Universal Design: The SmithGroup, who was involved in developing the Sorenson Language and Communications Center, says that the building “establishes a new level of architectural accommodation…”Because the hearing-challenged community uses visual cues as a primary means of communication, lighting is a key component of the SmithGroup design on both functional and aesthetic levels.” Personally, I’ve come to a conclusion that the “Deaf Space” principles would benefit everyone all over the world, not just deaf people, because human beings are naturally collective and tactile,” says Ryan Commerson, a graduate student at Gallaudet University who enrolled in a course on “Deaf Space.” “ For me, Deaf Space is just one more validation that being deaf is truly a great thing; that being a visual-tactile oriented member of a collective culture has something of value that can be shared with the world.”
Deaf Senior Housing: With the baby boom generation reaching retirement age, designing & building housing for deaf seniors are including elements of design to meet the specific needs of deaf people. Deaf seniors are moving into deaf-friendly assistive living apartments & senior housing with open kitchens & living rooms & strategically placed lighting. Clubrooms with kitchens are created with large open spaces.
Thinking “Deaf Space” Makes Sense: Deaf and hearing architects and designers can incorporate their designs into a viable presentation of “Deaf Space” that can fit either a residential or commercial environment. It does not exclude use of that space by hearing people. Incorporating criteria for “Deaf Space” could enhance use of space, and possibly improve its marketability in today’s volatile real estate market..
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Tinnitus Support Group of the Capital Region
The New York Capital Region Tinnitus Support Group invites you to their next meeting that will be held on Thursday, April 28th from 7:00—8:30 PM at the William K. Sanford Colonie Library (Stedman Room), 629 Albany-Shaker Road, Loudonville, NY 12211. The guest speaker will be Erin Walborn, Au.D., Owner, Northeast Tinnitus & Hyperacusis Center, Rensselear, NY. The topic will be: Tinnitus Retraining Therapy. For additional information, please contact Elmar Altwicker: Ealtwicker@aol.com
ASL Silent Chat (No Voices Allowed)
The May Chat will be held at Uncommon Grounds Coffee & Tea located at 402 Broadway in Saratoga Springs at 7:00 pm starting time. Friday, May 20th
Six Flags Great Escape Tickets
Join the Great Escape and Six Flags Friends in helping the Association for the Hearing Impaired, Inc. in our ongoing fundraising efforts. Tickets are only $19.99 and a portion of all ticket sales will benefit AFTHI programs and services. Attending guests Receive:
- A fun-filled day of unlimited rides, shows and attractions
- The best value of the season
- 18 days to choose from—May 28-30, June 1-5, June 8-12 and June 15-19
- A special C’Mon Back ticket to return one day in the 2011 season for just $15 + tax
For tickets or information, please contact Kassey or Ben at the AFTHI.
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month
Reprinted by permission from Hear News (Hearing Endeavor for the Albany Region), the monthly newsletter of the Hearing
Loss Association of Albany
There will be a joint meeting with CASHA (Capital Area Speech, Language Hearing Association) and the HLAA (Hearing Loss of America, Albany Chapter) on Tuesday, May 24th from 6:00—8:00 PM at the NYSUT building, 800 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, NY 12110. The topic will be “Enhancing Communication with Better Acoustics and accessibility,” presentation coordinated by Debra E. Trees, Au.D. CEUs are offered for Speech Language Therapists and Audiologists through the American Speech and Hearing Association. Hearing aids or cochlear implants are important communication aids, but there is much more to enhancing communication. Come to this joint meeting to get a wider perspective on ways we can all support good communications.
Address all correspondence to: HEARnews, Hearing Loss Association of Albany, P.O. Box 9445, Schenectady, NY 12309 or email: HEARHLAA@yahoo.com(518) 762-HEAR (4327)
Kassey's Korner
American Sign Language
The final classes of American Sign Language Levels I & II will be held on May 9th and 11th, respectively. Marcie Johnson, the Level I instructor and I have enjoyed this season's students who have all done a great job learning. ASL 4-week Refresher Classes for Adults Offered on Wednesday Nights the whole month of JUNE!! COST $15 6:30pm– 8:00pm Sign up Today!!!
Fabulous Friends with Flying Fingers
The Fabulous Friends with Flying Fingers will have their final performance for this season at the Saratoga City Center on Friday evening, May 6th as part of the New York State Speech Language Hearing Association's Convention. Information about the date that the Fall Season of the FFFF begins will be announced later in the Spring-early Summer. We are going to be offering a beginners ASL class for children during the summer. More details to follow. Also, members of the Flying Fingers will be invited to perform during the summer, if we receive requests that I can accept. Last year, the Flying Fingers performed the National Anthem, God Bless the USA, and Take Me Out to the Ballgame at A Glens Falls Golden Eagles Baseball Game at East Field in Glens Falls. Ben was recently notified by Sandie Clark and Connie Fuller that this current season would be there last one instructing the Fabulous Friends with Flying Fingers. Words or a dollar amount can't begin to explain the contribution that these two ladies to the AFTHI and in the lives of FFFF participants. We will certainly find other ways to keep them involved in the Association. I will be coordinating the instruction at the next class scheduled to begin in September. Parent's and individuals with a history with the FFFF are invited to discuss with me ways in which they can help us grow the program.
Hearing Loss of America Convention
From June 16-19, I will be attending the Hearing Loss of America's Annual Convention in Washington, D.C. The AFTHI would like to recognize the following list of individuals and Greater Capital Region Lions Club for subsidizing all of my conference expenses. They are: Deerfield, Schoharie Valley, Ballston Spa, Cambridge, Saratoga, Lions Hearing Conservation District 20-Y2, Amsterdam, Hadley Luzerne Lioness, Granville, Albany & Troy, Greenfield, Broadalbin-Perth, Galway, and Sandie & Jim Clark Lions, PDG Lettie Saheim I would like to thank all that donated for my training. I am very excited to participate at the Convention.
Social/Support Group—Wednesday, May 25th
Meet at AFTHI at 1:00pm bring money for Miniature Golfing and Ice Cream. We will carpool. Please RSVP by phone at 761.0554 or office@afthi.org
Stories
I am looking for members, non-members or family members to write an article for the newsletter on their life experiences of being hard of hearing, deaf, or have a loved one who is hard of hearing or deaf. Please send me your story at office@afthi.org or mail in your stories.
Thank You for visiting the AFTHI on Enrichment Day!
Ben and Kassey:
Thank you for welcoming us to AHI for our 16th annual BOCES Enrichment Day for deaf and hard of hearing children on April 12th. The event was a great success in large part due to your involvement. The lobby and kitchen are just perfect for our pizza and make-your-own-sundae lunch. The 20 children in attendance, and 15 adults, had a great time socializing and getting acquainted with each other. For some of them, it is the only chance that they have to interact with other children who have hearing aids, cochlear implants, or FM systems. The younger kids had fun playing outside on the playground while the older ones took part in Kassey’s technology presentation, which was fantastic. Several of the kids were thrilled with the alerting system which they had never seen before. The letter that Ben gave the children to bring home was a nice introduction to AHI for parents or may not be aware of our mission. Thanks for making us feel welcome, and for being an important part of our annual event. And thank you to Kara Hendricks for the beautiful tulips! And to Nancy, Therese, Kathy and Kris, and the BOCES Teachers of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing
A follow-up observation from Sara McKay, Director of Accessibility Services at SUNY Adirondack and a member of the AFTHI’s Board of Directors:...one thing that I hear from Deaf adults who were mainstreamed as children is that they often felt isolated being the only Deaf or hard of hearing child in the school. This is a great annual event they can look forward to, knowing they will have time to socialize– and learn some cool stuff in the process.
[Back to Contents]Granville Lions Selling Furniture
The Granville Lions Club, one of the many Lions Clubs from Washington County and throughout the Greater Capital Region with a history of supporting the Association for the Hearing Impaired, Inc., has recently announced the opening of their summer furniture sales. The furniture is sold from 5:00—8:00 PM on Fridays and 10:00 Am—2:00 PM on Saturdays through Labor Day behind the Granville Post Office off Main Street. The funds raised are used for programs and donations to various causes and organizations. For more information, please go to www.granvillelions.com.
AFTHI On-The-Go
The Association for the Hearing Impaired, Inc. believes that community outreach is an integral part of service to the community. In each edition of Listen Up! we will list and describe opportunities that the AFTHI has had to present to community organizations, participate in special events such as Health Fairs, and/or discuss and share information about our programs and services with large groups of people. We will list outreaches that will take place during the next month/four weeks, as well as activities/events we have already confirmed our attendance at:
- 4/26 Tri-County United Way Community Investment Meeting 6:00pm at TCUW
- 4/26 Community Outreach at Pleasant Valley in Argyle 1:45 pm
- 4/27 Social-Support Group at AFTHI 1:00—2:30 PM
- 4/28 Community Outreach at Senior Housing in Waterford 1:30 pm
- 5/06 FFFF Perform—NYS Speech Language Hearing Assoc Convention in Saratoga Springs 5:15 pm
- 5/07 Community Connections Day in Crandall Park, Glens Falls 10:00am—2:00pm
- 5/09 AFTHI Board of Directors Meeting 12 noon
- 5/12 Inter-Agency Meeting at SAIL Center 8:30 am
- 5/19 SUNY Adirondack (ACC) Graduation Ceremony—Congratulations Sean Driscoll
- 5/21 Six Flags Great Escape opens (see fundraising attachment)
- 5/25 Social Support Group at AFTHI 1:00—2:30 pm
- 5/30 Memorial Day—AFTHI Closed
Kassey and I would welcome the opportunity to meet with representatives from school districts from throughout the Tri-County Region to discuss ways in which we can assist them. Also, we are available for class presentations and to help teachers set up sign language programs for their students.
Listen Up! is the newsletter of the Association for the Hearing Impaired, Inc., Bennet F. Driscoll, Jr., Executive Director. Listen Up! is published monthly and made available in print and on-line editions. If you wish to change your subscription, please visit the links provided below, or call the Association's office at 518-761-0554.