Volume 22 Issue 2

- Article 1: ALDs and Movies: Missed Opportunities and How to Overcome Them
- Article 2: Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Becomes a Health Issue for Today's Youth
- Article 3: Puppies in Prison
- Article 4: Access Board Seeks Feedback on Guidelines for Passenger Vessels; Public Hearing January 10 in D.C.
- Classifieds
- Contact Information and Disclaimers

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Contact information and disclaimers are at the end of this newsletter.
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- Article 1: ALDs and Movies: Missed Opportunities and How to Overcome Them
By Steve Barber, Hard of Hearing Consumer and SHHH Member
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Editor: Chances are pretty good that your local movie theater has assistive listening devices to help you better understand the movie dialog. Chances are also pretty good that the batteries are dead or that no one knows how to work them, or that they don't know where they are! Why is it such potentially beneficial equipment is virtually unused? Is there other equipment that might be useful? How about other strategies to help people with hearing loss enjoy movies?

Here, with everything you want to know about maximizing access to movies, is Steve Barber. Steve maintains the North Carolina Self Help for Hard of Hearing People website (www.nchearingloss.org), which won the SHHH's "Best Overall State Website" award in 2004. Two of the website's features are a comprehensive hearing loss glossary and a very cool 3D model of the ear.

This article originally appeared on the Healthy Hearing website (www.healthyhearing.com). It is presented here in four parts. This is part one.

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Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) are fairly common in America's movie theaters, thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Although significant progress has been made, problems and opportunities remain.

What's the Problem?

Even though the majority of movie theaters now offer ALDs for their customers, very few people with hearing loss use or know about ALD equipment. Unfortunately, many people with hearing aids cannot "couple" their hearing aids to the available ALDs as they have not purchased "FM" or "direct audio input" or " telecoil" options for their hearing aids. Sometimes, people with "compatible" hearing aids don't know how to patch together the ALD and the hearing aids. So the bottom line is, the equipment is usually available to satisfy the letter of the law (the ADA), but the practical knowledge is lacking.

What's the Goal?

The goal is to help hard of hearing people hear. This can be accomplished in movie theaters and accomplishing this goal has many benefits....more hard of hearing people would attend movies, ALDs would become a good investment for movie theaters, hard of hearing people would understand the benefit of ALDs in other venues (houses of worship, restaurants, automobiles, airplanes, meetings etc.), hearing professionals and hard of hearing people would understand, order and use options currently available for hearing aids (FM systems, direct audio input, telecoils etc).

StakeHolders:

There are several major stakeholders that have interests and potential opportunities in the success of ALDs in movies and other venues too.
> A- Movie theater owners and operators
> B- Hard of hearing consumers (patients, family and friends)
> C- ALD manufacturers and distributors
> D- Hearing Aid Manufacturers and Hearing Healthcare Professionals.
> E- Movie audio producers and distributors.

A- Movie Theater Owners and Operators

Improving the way movie theaters support customers is important. Although most theaters have ALDs, many theaters don't understand what a good business opportunity they're missing. They don't just fail to promote this wonderful service for their customers; they sometimes seem to go out of their way to hide it! Here are some suggestions for movie theater owners and operators:

Turn down the volume. That may sound like the wrong thing to do to help people with hearing loss, but it's the right thing to do. Some movies are so loud that it's uncomfortable. Noise is one of the biggest problems people with hearing loss have. If you don't have hearing loss, it's hard to understand that most people with hearing loss are less tolerant of high volume sounds, and loud sounds often sound distorted to ears that are not working normally.

Put an "ALD" symbol in your newspaper ads. In most cities, your theater ads would stand out if the ads noted "ALDs available." I recommend you use the standard ALD icon of the ear with the slash through it. Your local paper may be willing to write an article about your ALD support, and that too, might bring you additional business.

Display an ALD symbol beside each ticket seller.

Make it convenient to obtain the ALD. People don't want to hold up the line where they're buying tickets. I recommend ALDs be available at a convenient desk in the lobby, not a dusty box in the back room! Of course, make sure the ALDs are in good working order with fresh batteries and make sure the staff knows how to operate them.

Place a poster about available ALDs in the lobby. This is a terrific place to remind your customers you care about them, and you want them want to come back because they hear better in your theater!

Provide a brochure or card with instructions with each ALD. People who haven' t used them before need basic information; how to turn them on, how to adjust the volume, how to confirm they're working, and how to use them with their hearing aids. They need to know where to get help, if there's a problem.

Turn on the transmitters! The receivers won't work unless the transmitter is on - and this has been a common problem. Please broadcast sound in each theater between and before the movie starts, so your customers can confirm their ALD is on, and they can adjust it to a proper level before the movie starts. There 's plenty of time to resolve problems before the movie starts! Between shows, you can broadcast previews, advertisements, or an audio test pattern that only people with an ALD will hear (possibly, spoken information on how to hear best with the ALDs).

Contact your local SHHH group. They may be able to help you with advertising, publicity, training and consumer awareness.

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- Article 2: Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Becomes a Health Issue for Today's Youth
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Editor: We make it a point to raise the alarm about noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) on a regular basis, especially as we see it affecting people at ever-younger ages. This article from the House Ear Institute (HEI) presents some disturbing information regarding the prevalence of NIHL among our youngsters. Our thanks to HEI for permission to share this article with you.

For more information on hearing, hearing loss, or HEI, point your browser to http://www.hei.org

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Noisy Toys, Personal Stereos May Put Your Child at Risk for Hearing Loss

Noisy toys and blaring personal stereos may be more than just a holiday shopping regret for many parents this year. Experts say the toy cell phones that fascinate toddlers and portable stereos that brand your teens as "cool" may be causing permanent damage to their hearing by delivering potentially deafening decibel levels to their ears. Coupled with a busy season of loud blockbuster movies and computer games targeted to young people, our youth are surrounded by increasing risk factors for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) -- a common, but preventable form of injury.

More than 30 million Americans are exposed to hazardous sound levels on a regular basis, and an estimated 10 million already have hearing loss from noise (http://www.nidcd.nih.gov). The National Center for Environmental Health conducted a study of noise-induced hearing threshold shifts (NITS) among U.S. children and found that 14.9 percent of children between the ages of 6 and 19 years have hearing loss in one or both ears. The NITS study suggests that children are being exposed to excessive amounts of hazardous levels of noise, and that their hearing is vulnerable to these exposures.

How loud is too loud? According to guidelines established by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control, regular or prolonged exposure to noises at or above 85 dB (decibels) can pose a hearing risk. As a further point of reference, for every 3 decibel (dB) increase, actual acoustic energy doubles - significantly decreasing the length of time your ears can safely withstand exposure to the sound pressure level.

"In general, if you have to raise your voice to be heard, the environment is too loud for your ears," says researcher Sig Soli, Ph.D, House Ear Institute. "And the louder the sound, the less time it takes before your hearing will be affected. Just 15 minutes at a rock concert can subject you to 100 decibels or more of damaging sound -- the maximum duration of exposure for that sound level. Cranking up the volume too high on a stereo or headset can pose a similar risk."

In an increasingly noisy world with an array of noisy activities, gadgets and digital electronics to entice them, noise-induced hearing loss among our youth has become a growing health concern. Another study of NIHL in children, conducted by the League for the Hard of Hearing in 1996, found that 10 percent of ninth graders failed a hearing screening and that these students had never before been identified as having hearing difficulties. Furthermore, their teachers reported that these students exhibited learning and behavior problems in class.

Noise-induced hearing loss is 100 percent preventable, but once it happens, the hearing loss is permanent. Parents should encourage children to wear hearing protection (ear plugs or ear muffs) in noisy environments, and can set a good example by turning down the volume levels of all household noise sources, and wearing hearing protection when you mow the lawn, vacuum the house, blow dry your hair or operate power tools. These activities expose you and your family to sound levels ranging from 80 to 95 decibels.

Consumers can measure the sound output levels of potential noisemakers in their environment with the help of a digital docemeter (sound level meter), available at many electronic retail stores for approximately $75.00. While the Consumer Products Safety Commission (http://www.cpsc.gov) indicates they do not currently have specific decibel regulations that address the loudness of toys, parents should be aware that some squeaky toys, play phones and musical toys have been measured at 100 to 130 decibels. Advise kids to follow these tips for hearing conservation: avoid loud noises at or in excess of 85 decibels, lower volume levels on your stereo, and wear earplugs in noisy environments like concerts (100 to 120 dB), movie theatres (80 to 100 dB) and sports stadiums (80 to 100 dB).

"Concerned parents can protect their younger children's sensitive ears by choosing quieter toys or lowering the volume on noisy toys by taping over speakers or removing batteries," says James D. Boswell, CEO, House Ear Institute. "You can help your older children save their hearing by teaching them that loud noise is a potential health danger. If you buy them an MP3 player or a noisy computer game, take the time to demonstrate the safe sound level limits to protect their ears from permanent damage."

For more information on hearing and hearing loss, visit the House Ear Institute (HEI) Web site at http://www.hei.org or call (213) 483-4431 and ask about the Institute's Sound Partners hearing conservation program.

Content Courtesy of the House Ear Institute.

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- Article 3: Puppies in Prison
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Editor: OK, so who'd be mean enough to put a puppy in prison? What did the poor puppy do? The answer may surprise you.

This article originally appeared in the Cincinnati Post and is reprinted with their permission.

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Puppies in prison - Inmates train dogs to serve in the outside world
By Roy Wood
Post staff reporter

Maybe it was the array of tattoos on John Brewer's arms.

Maybe it was the blue denim shirt and dark blue dungarees that served as his prison uniform.

Maybe it was the rough edge in his voice -- possibly a by-product of more than two decades behind bars.

For whatever reason, Brewer seemed too tough to be caressing the 4-month-old wiggling ball of fur on the floor outside one of the Warren Correctional Institution offices.

Brewer, 41, formerly of Cincinnati's Northside neighborhood, is one of two dozen inmates at the 1,035-men prison who trains puppies for the Warren County Humane Association and 4 Paws for Ability.

He's currently training a German Shepherd pup named Mia to be a service dog.

When he trains pups for the Humane Association, they learn basic obedience and are sent back to the shelter for adoption.

When he trains them for 4 Paws, he helps prepare service dogs that help people who are deaf, have seizures, autism or conditions that require them to use wheelchairs.

"I have 22 years in (prison)," Brewer says, who is serving a 21 1/2-year-to life term for aggravated murder, burglary, B&E and aggravated robbery.

"I've done 80 percent of my time in maximum security or super max institutions.

"And most of that was in a cell in segregation, locked down 23 hours out of 24 hours," he said. "So when I came here to the (campus-style high-security prison) and I seen dogs and trees and stuff, it was a big shock."

But he grew up around dogs and knew immediately he wanted a dog.

He's trained about a dozen dogs in the past two years.

The story was somewhat the same for Frank Jenkins, of Dayton, Ohio, who is serving a four-year stretch for robbery.

"I've had dogs about all my life," says Jenkins, whose current dog, Zeke, is also a Lab.

"I thought it would be pretty neat to have a dog."

Zeke is Jenkins' seventh puppy since December 2002.

WCI inmates have been training Humane Association "shelter dogs" since 1998 when officials for the society asked prison officials to help train dogs so they would be more adoptable. 4 Paws started helping with shelter dog training in 1999

Inmates have been training service dogs for 4 Paws since April.

The 4 Paws organization, which has more traditional training programs in addition to the prison program, has placed many dogs in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, but no 4 Paws service dogs have gone from the prison yet to a local family.

The service dogs learn specialized tasks such as tracking if they're being assigned to someone with autism -- because kids who live with the disorder tend to wander away. Or barking or getting help if someone goes into seizures.

Mobility-assistance dogs pick things up off the floor and open doors for people in wheelchairs. Many dogs even put laundry in the washer and take it out of the drier. Other dogs learn other specialized tasks.

Brewer says he spends about 40 minutes every morning working on basic obedience, then spends about a half hour in the afternoon on more specialized training.

Jenkins says he works with his dog for 15 or 20 minutes at various times throughout the day.

The dogs are trained to meet the specific needs of those who request them, says Karen Shirk, who has a mobility assistance dog and founded 4Paws.

The process of matching dog to human begins when a person comes to 4 Paws with a need.

The organization then begins looking for the dog that has the right personality to learn specific tasks. "When we first get the dogs, they're not matched to children," said Shirk. "But by the time they're 4 or 5 months old, they're matched, and the inmates know what the child's needs are."

In the prison, inmates can teach service dogs the basics. Trainers from 4 Paws go to the prison, twice a week to help.

When the inmates have completed their work, 4 Paws trainers take the dogs into public places to refine the training in more true-to-life settings.

"The inmates do a wonderful job. It's amazing," Shirk says. "If it weren't for the need for socialization in stores and stuff, the dogs would be ready to go."

The program is good for the inmates, says Assistant to the Warden Richard Jesko: "It's a good way to get inmates to comply with the rules."

"A lot of inmates want to be dog handlers," he says. "But we've got some inmates who will constantly get into trouble. Once they figure out, 'If I stay out of trouble and don't violate any rules, there's a possibility I can get a dog.' That's good for us," Jesko says.

Brewer, in fact, was "rather difficult" when he first got to Warren Correctional, Jesko says. "Now I think he's turned out to become one of our best dog handlers."

Training the pups gives inmates the chance to give something to society, says Brewer.

"Most of us (in prison), we've been takers," says Brewer. "When we was in the world we took stuff. In here, it ain't much different. But for me (raising puppies) is to give something back. I'm doing it for the kid and the dog," Brewer says.

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- Article 4: Access Board Seeks Feedback on Guidelines for Passenger Vessels; Public Hearing January 10 in D.C.
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Editor: Got a beef about a cruise ship or a water taxi? Here's your chance to make your feelings known. But you have to hurry. The meeting is Monday!

Thanks to NVRC News for this notice.

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On November 26th the Access Board released for public review a draft of guidelines for passenger vessels it is developing under the ADA. The document provides accessibility criteria for large vessels designed to accommodate more that 150 passengers or 49 overnight passengers. Through an accompanying notice, the Board also is soliciting information on how to address access to smaller vessels, such as water taxis and excursion boats, which, by their size and design, pose unique design challenges. The notice outlines several options on how access can best be specified. The deadline for comment is March 28, 2005.

This information and related materials are posted on the Board's website at http://www.access-board.gov/news/pvag.htm or can be ordered by contacting the Board at (202) 272-0080 (v), (202) 272-0082 (TTY), or pubs@access-board.gov (e-mail) and requesting publication S-45. The Board will hold a hearing on January 10, 2005 in Washington, D.C. which will provide an additional forum for public comment.

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- Classifieds
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One Survey, one Poker Tournament, and five Employment Opportunities appear in this issue. (Ads appear after this brief table of contents.)

Environmental Sound Survey
Chance to Win $25 Gift Certificate!
Sponsored by MIT and NTID

Poker Tournament
March 25 - 26, 2005
Lake Worth, Florida

Employment Opportunity 1
Regional Emergency Preparedness Specialist
Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Persons (NVRC)
Fairfax, VA

Employment Opportunity 2
Regional Emergency Preparedness Specialist
D.E.A.F., Inc.
Allston, MA

Employment Opportunity 3
Regional Emergency Preparedness Specialist
Deaf Counseling Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA)
San Leandro, CA

Employment Opportunity 4
National Coordinator, Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN)
TDI (formerly Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc.)
Silver Spring, MD

Employment Opportunity 5
Public Relations Specialist, Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN)
TDI (formerly Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc.)
Silver Spring, MD

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Environmental Sound Survey
Chance to Win $25 Gift Certificate!
Sponsored by MIT and NTID
http://rledev.mit.edu/selectsurvey/selectsurveyaspadvanced/
TakeSurvey.asp?SurveyID=145
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Complete a Survey and Enter a Drawing to
Win a $25.00 Amazon.com Gift Certificate!

Environmental Sound Survey

We are a research team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) and would like input from people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

We are interested in developing devices for receiving ENVIRONMENTAL SOUNDS (not speech) and have developed a survey to find out (1) what kinds of devices you are currently using to receive environmental sounds and (2) what kinds of devices you would find useful in the future. Your opinion will help us with future research.

The survey is on line and should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. We promise you that we will not collect, sell or give any usernames or remote computer names will be to anyone for any purpose. If you choose to provide identifying information through email it will remain confidential.

To thank you for taking this survey we will hold a drawing on February 1, 2004 and give away 20 gift certificates ($25.00 each) to be used at Amazon.com. If you would like to enter the drawing, please provide your email address at the end of the survey. We will use this address ONLY to send a certificate if you are one of the 20 winners. If you prefer NOT to enter the drawing, you do not need to give us your email address.

To proceed with this survey, please go to the link below.

http://rledev.mit.edu/selectsurvey/selectsurveyaspadvanced/
TakeSurvey.asp?SurveyID=145

If you would prefer a paper copy of this survey for yourself or someone you know, please contact us at the address below.

Lorraine Delhorne
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
RLE 36-749
Cambridge, MA 02139
Email: delhorne@mit.edu (subject line: Environmental Sound Survey)

Thank you for assisting us in this work. If you have any questions, please contact us at delhorne@mit.edu. Please be sure to put "Environmental Sound Survey" in the subject line.

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Poker Tournament
March 25 - 26, 2005
Lake Worth, Florida
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The World Deaf Texas Hold'Em Poker Tournament has been set for March 25-26 in Lake Worth, Fla. There's a $125 entry fee and $4,000 in prizes, based on 100 entries. March 11 is the deadline to sign up. The Holiday Inn (866-270-5110 voice) is the official hotel. For more information, contact Tournament Director Barry Steinberg at judithbarry@adelphia.net.

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Employment Opportunity 1
Regional Emergency Preparedness Specialist
Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Persons (NVRC)
Fairfax, VA
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General Description: The specialist conducts emergency preparedness outreach, training, networking, and empowerment for consumers who are deaf and hard of hearing. He/she develops collaborative relationships with first responders, organizations, agencies, and public officials on the local, regional and state level in preparation for, coping with and/or recovery from natural disasters or manmade calamities.

Salary: Negotiable, commensurate with experience & education
Organization: Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons (NVRC)
Project: Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN)
Type of Appointment: Full-time, contingent on project funding
Location: Fairfax, VA
Posting Date: 12/10/2004
Closing Date: 1/14/2005

Duties & Responsibilities:

* Plan, develop, and implement activities and resources for the emergency preparedness information program and services with NVRC for the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast USA region.
* Provide advocacy, information and referral, and training to consumers, families, service providers, and government officials to enhance awareness, readiness, and community participation in emergency preparedness for consumers who are deaf and hard of hearing.
* Travel within the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast USA region, and other regions as needed. Plan, develop, and implement workshops for deaf and hard of hearing citizens, and their community contacts.
* Consult with regional, state, and local officials in identifying and removing technological and non-technological barriers to emergency information.
* Work with public safety officials and other community contacts to ensure that deaf and hard of hearing people receive appropriate emergency preparedness, response and recovery services, as well as to have opportunities to participate in activities by the emergency preparedness community.
* Advise on language/communication barriers as well as optimal utilization of new and emerging technologies.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

* Knowledge of emergency preparedness for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, or deaf-blind, and their families - desirable
* Substantial knowledge of techniques, tools, and other resources in preparation for, coping with, and/or recovery from natural or man-made disasters - desirable
* General knowledge of local, state, national organizations and resources in areas of emergency preparedness and homeland security - desirable
* Excellent personal interaction skills with diverse individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, deaf-blind or hearing.
* Excellent presentation skills.
* Ability to create informational materials and resources.
* Knowledge of existing accessibility laws and technologies.
* Excellent computer skills including familiarity with Word, Excel, Publisher, Power Point or equivalent software.
* Skilled in written communication with the general public.

Training and Experience Requirements:

Preferably a Master's degree in a human services field, public safety, public relations, consumer/public education, project management, emergency management or related curriculum and one year of experience; or a bachelor's degree in one of the above fields and two years of experience. Experience working with the deaf and hard of hearing is preferred.

How to Apply:

All applicants must submit a letter of interest and a resume to the contact person at the community service center indicated on the position announcement. Applications must be received at the agency by 5:00 p.m. on or before the closing date. Email submissions are welcome. No phone calls please.

Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Persons (NVRC) selects applicants for employment based on job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.

Contact:

Cheryl M. Heppner, Executive Director
Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Persons
3951 Pender Drive, #130, Fairfax, VA 22030
TTY: (703)352-9056; Voice: (703)352-9055; Fax: (703)352-9058
www.nvrc.org nvrcinfo@nvrc.org, cheppner@nvrc.org

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Employment Opportunity 2
Regional Emergency Preparedness Specialist
D.E.A.F., Inc.
Allston, MA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Salary: Negotiable, commensurate with experience & education
Organization: D.E.A.F., Inc.
Project: Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN)
Type of Appointment: Full-time, contingent on project funding
Location: Allston, MA
Posting Date: 12/10/2004
Closing Date: 1/14/2005

Duties & Responsibilities:

* Plan, develop, and implement activities and resources for the emergency preparedness information program and services with D.E.A.F., Inc. for the New England and Great Lakes region.
* Provide advocacy, information and referral, and training to consumers, families, service providers, and government officials to enhance awareness, readiness, and community participation in emergency preparedness for consumers who are deaf and hard of hearing.
* Travel within the New England and Great Lakes region, and other regions as needed. Plan, develop, and implement workshops for deaf and hard of hearing citizens, and their community contacts.
* Consult with regional, state, and local officials in identifying and removing technological and non-technological barriers to emergency information.
* Work with public safety officials and other community contacts to ensure that deaf and hard of hearing people receive appropriate emergency preparedness, response and recovery services, as well as to have opportunities to participate in activities by the emergency preparedness community.
* Advise on language/communication barriers as well as optimal utilization of new and emerging technologies.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Training and Experience Requirements:

How to Apply:

D.E.A.F., Inc. selects applicants for employment based on job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.

Contact:

Sharon Applegate, Executive Director
D.E.A.F., Inc.
215 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA 02134
TTY: (617)254-4041; Voice: (617)254-4041; Fax: (617)254-7091
www.deafinconline.org sapplegate@deafinconline.org

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Employment Opportunity 3
Regional Emergency Preparedness Specialist
Deaf Counseling Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA)
San Leandro, CA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Salary: Negotiable, commensurate with experience & education
Organization: Deaf Counseling Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA)
Project: Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN)
Type of Appointment: Full-time, contingent on project funding
Location: San Leandro, CA
Posting Date: 12/10/2004
Closing Date: 12/17/2004

Duties & Responsibilities:

* Plan, develop, and implement activities and resources for the emergency preparedness information program and services with DCARA for the West Coast & Hawaii region.
* Provide advocacy, information and referral, and training to consumers, families, service providers, and government officials to enhance awareness, readiness, and community participation in emergency preparedness for consumers who are deaf and hard of hearing.
* Travel within the West Coast & Hawaii region, and other regions as needed. Plan, develop, and implement workshops for deaf and hard of hearing citizens, and their community contacts.
* Consult with regional, state, and local officials in identifying and removing technological and non-technological barriers to emergency information.
* Work with public safety officials and other community contacts to ensure that deaf and hard of hearing people receive appropriate emergency preparedness, response and recovery services, as well as to have opportunities to participate in activities by the emergency preparedness community.
* Advise on language/communication barriers as well as optimal utilization of new and emerging technologies.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Training and Experience Requirements:

How to Apply:

DCARA selects applicants for employment based on job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.

Contact:

Kathy Say, Chief Operating Officer
DCARA
14895 East 14th Street, Suite 200, San Leandro, CA 94578
TTY: (510)483-6914; Voice: (510)483-0753; Fax: (510)483-1790
www.dcara.org kathy.say@dcara.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Employment Opportunity 4
National Coordinator, Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN)
TDI (formerly Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc.)
Silver Spring, MD
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

General Description: The Coordinator directs CEPIN project efforts and initiatives for production of services and resources in information, public policy, and technology for the four regional emergency preparedness centers. This position also oversees provision of information and resources in emergency preparedness and homeland security on the Internet, via the websites of TDI and the four centers.

Salary: Negotiable, commensurate with experience & education
Organization: TDI (formerly Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc.)
Project: Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network, TDI
Type of Appointment: Full-time, contingent on project funding
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posting Date: 12/10/2004
Closing Date: 1/7/2005

Duties & Responsibilities:

* Plan, develop, and implement activities and resources for the CEPIN project in conjunction with the four community service centers across America.
* Supervise the project staff, specifically the Public Relations Specialist, and the Webmaster. Provide training, support, and resources in program and services for the regional specialists at the four CEPIN centers.
* Oversee the emergency preparedness activities of four participating community service centers in advocacy, information and referral, and training to consumers, families, service providers, and government officials.
* Travel throughout America to attend/present workshops at national, regional, and state levels to deaf and hard of hearing citizens, and their community contacts.
* Consult with government officials in identifying and removing technological and non-technological barriers to emergency information.
* Work with public safety officials and other community contacts at national level to develop and promote "best practices" to ensure that deaf and hard of hearing people receive appropriate services, as well as to have opportunities to participate in the community.
* Advise the regional specialists and others on language/communication barriers as well as optimal utilization of new and emerging technologies.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

* Knowledge of emergency preparedness for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, or deaf-blind and their families.
* Experience in program administration or project management (including supervision of staff).
* Substantial knowledge of techniques, tools, and other resources in preparation for, coping with, and/or recovery from natural or man-made disasters.
* Excellent personal interaction skills with diverse individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, deaf-blind or hearing.
* General knowledge of local, state, national organizations and resources in areas of emergency preparedness and homeland security.
* Excellent writing and presentation skills.
* Ability to create informational materials and resources.
* Knowledge of existing national accessibility laws and technologies. .
* Excellent computer skills including familiarity with Word, Excel, Publisher, Power Point or any other equivalent software.

Training and Experience Requirements:

Preferably a Master's degree in a human services field, public safety, public relations, consumer/public education, project management, emergency management or related curriculum and five years of experience; or a bachelor's degree in one of the above fields and eight years of experience. Experience working with the deaf and hard of hearing is preferred.

How to Apply:

All applicants must submit a letter of interest and a resume to TDI. Applications must be received at the TDI office by 5:00 p.m. on or before the closing date. Email submissions are welcome. No phone calls please.

TDI selects applicants for employment based on job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.

Contact:

Claude L. Stout, Executive Director
TDI
8630 Fenton Street, Suite 604, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-3803
TTY: (301)589-3006; Voice: (301)589-3786; Fax: (301)589-3797
www.tdi-online.org tdiexdir@aol.com

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Employment Opportunity 5
Public Relations Specialist, Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN)
TDI (formerly Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc.)
Silver Spring, MD
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General Description: The Public Relations Specialist assists in development of curriculum and educational material for the CEPIN project. He/she promotes local, regional and national activities of the CEPIN Project by TDI and its partnering centers to stakeholders and the general public.

Duties & Responsibilities:

* Plan and implement publicity campaigns and develop informational materials for the CEPIN project in collaboration with the four community service centers across America.
* Provide public relations support and resources for the regional specialists at the CEPIN centers.
* Support National Coordinator and the regional specialists in their consultations with government officials in identifying and removing technological and non-technological barriers to emergency information.
* Assist National Coordinator in developing and promoting "best practices" to ensure that deaf and hard of hearing people nationwide receive appropriate services, as well as to have opportunities to participate in the community.
* Conduct research and follow-up efforts toward resolution of language/communication barriers as well as optimal utilization of new and emerging technologies.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

* Knowledge of emergency preparedness for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, or deaf-blind and their families - desirable.
* General knowledge of local, state, national organizations and resources in areas of emergency preparedness and homeland security - desirable.
* Ability to create project-wide written material for postings on the Internet, publications, information and referral program, and outreach/training activities.
* Ability to oversee production of video clips and other interactive features for TDI's and the four centers' websites.
* Substantial knowledge of techniques, tools, and other resources in public relations to enable the CEPIN project to meet its objectives.
* Excellent personal interaction skills with diverse individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, deaf-blind or hearing.
* Excellent writing and research skills.
* Knowledge of existing national accessibility laws and technologies. .
* Excellent computer skills including familiarity with Word, Excel, Publisher, Power Point or any other equivalent software.

Training and Experience Requirements:

Preferably a Master's degree in public relations, communications, journalism or related curriculum and three years of experience; or a bachelor's degree in one of the above fields and six years of experience. Experience working with the deaf and hard of hearing is preferred.

How to Apply:

Contact:

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