Volume 25 Issue 8

HOH-LD-News
Vol. 25, Issue 8
November 19, 2005

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Table of Contents
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- Article 1: Strategies for Enacting a Hearing Aid Tax Credit - Part 1

- Article 2: SHHH Changes its Name to the Hearing Loss Association of America

- Article 3: Australia's Captioning Quality Code of Practice

- Article 4: School is a Sound Environment

Our advertisers make it possible for us to provide HOH-LD-News as a free service. Please let them know you appreciate their support, and please mention that you saw their message in HOH-LD-News.

- Advertisers in this Issue
First Premium Placement: Free Shipping Offer at Harris Communications
Second Premium Placement: Smoke Alarm for People with High Frequency Hearing Loss
Third Premium Placement: IHHD Online Educational Opportunities
Classified Section: Four Employment Opportunities

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Contact information and disclaimers are at the end of this newsletter.
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Free Shipping Offer at Harris Communications
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For more information, go to http://www.harriscomm.com/link/?www.harriscomm.com?sr=hlw or contact us at mailto:info@harriscomm.com

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- Article 1: Strategies for Enacting a Hearing Aid Tax Credit - Part 1
By Joan Cassidy
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Editor: Hopefully you're already aware of the effort to enact a hearing aid tax credit. Many of the national hearing loss associations are campaigning for the passage of bills that would make this a reality. It looks like this bill will be considered soon, and your representatives need to hear from you! Steve Frazier of the Albuquerque SHHH chapter has built a great website with all the information you need to be well informed and to urge your congressional representatives to support the bills. Please point your browser to http://www.nowhearthis.homestead.com/

Joan Cassidy, NVRC's Loudoun County Outreach Specialist covered the Hearing Aid Tax Credit workshop at the last SHHH convention. Here is her report. This is Part 1 of 2 parts.

If you'd like to share this article, please be sure to credit NVRC. (See credit at the end of the article.)

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Moderator: Andy Bopp, Hearing Industries Association

Panel:
Brenda Battat, SHHH
Jodi Chappell, American Academy of Audiology
Karen Sealander, International Hearing Society

Andy Bopp:

The Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act HR.414 was introduced on January 16, 2005, by Congressman Jim Ryun (R-Kansas). On May 18, 2005, Senator Norm Coleman (R-Minnesota) introduced the Senate version, S.1060. This legislation would allow a credit against income tax for the purchase of hearing aids. The credit is $500 per hearing aid, once every five years for people over 55 and for parents buying hearing aids for dependent children. This credit would come directly off the amount of tax that you owe.

In the House, the Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Bill Thomas of California, will make the decisions. In the Senate it will be the Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Charles Grassley, Iowa. Their support is critical.

Only large bills are debated on the floor of Congress. This tax credit is considered a small bill and will be attached to larger legislation, so it's a matter of finding the right "vehicle". Right now Social Security and fiscal restrictions are a big issue, making it harder to pass tax credits. However, health issues are always important. Medicare specifically excludes hearing aids and it would take an Act of Congress to get that changed.

There is broad bipartisan support for this credit and no real opposition. The age was lowered to 55 thanks to the work of Brenda Battat and SHHH. This is a non-refundable credit meaning that you must owe taxes to benefit. Congress will not vote for a refundable credit that would help people who do not owe taxes.

Brenda Battat, SHHH:

Talking points for meeting and writing to your legislators:

95% of people with hearing loss could be successfully treated with hearing aids; only 22% currently use them.

One million children with hearing loss are not currently using hearing aids and about 9.7 million Americans over 55, who could benefit from hearing aids, have not bought them.

With children the sooner the better for hearing assistance, so they can acquire a language.

It saves money in the long run since they require fewer school services.

It is a small investment with large rewards.

For older people, hearing assistance improves the quality of life and allows them to remain independent.

40% of individuals with hearing loss have incomes of less than $30,000 a year.

30% of those with hearing loss give financial problems as main reason they do not use hearing aids.

The average cost for a hearing aid in 2004 was $1,800 and almost 2/3 of people require two devices, increasing average expense to $3,600.

Hearing aids not covered by Medicare or most private insurance.

71% of hearing aid purchases are paid entirely by the consumer.

Karen Sealander:

How to pass a bill: it's not an easy task. In 108th Congress 2003-2004, 8468 bills were introduced, but only 498 enacted into law.

1. Politics: Must be sufficient constituent contact to members of the House and Senate to convince them there is political merit to supporting a hearing aid tax credit. Must think it's worth their while. We need constant contact with legislators telling them what voters want.

2. Policy: Must be carefully crafted position statements and supporting documentation. Help them with talking points and compelling reasons for when they talk to their colleagues.

3. Process: Need for a vehicle. We must show enough political and policy strength to earn a place on a larger legislative vehicle.

There is broad support for these bills from 18 national hearing related organizations, no opposition. This gives you power when you talk to legislators or the media. Grassroots support is vital.

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(c)2005 by Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons (NVRC), www.nvrc.org. When sharing this information, please ensure credit is given to NVRC.

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Smoke Alarm for People with High Frequency Hearing Loss
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Dear Abby: "Do they make a smoke alarm for people who can't hear high pitch sounds? My older friend cannot hear his smoke alarm."

This article inspired a new product. There is one company that makes a low frequency smoke detector for people who have trouble hearing high pitched sounds. It's battery operated and needs no special installation.

The company website is www.loudenlow.com

The original Dear Abby article is also reprinted there.

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- Article 2: SHHH Changes its Name to the Hearing Loss Association of America
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Editor: SHHH is no more!

Well the organization is still there and doing much the same work it has always done. But it has a new name, and I'm guessing that the name was chosen to reflect a new philosophy. We've already started to see some of that, and I hope to see additional progress in the coming months and years.

What do YOU think about this change? Send your thoughts to larry@hearinglossweb.com

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Bethesda, Maryland: The Board of Trustees of Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH) voted to change the name of the organization to the Hearing Loss Association of America on November 6, 2005 during their fall meeting.

Terry D. Portis, Ed. D., executive director of SHHH states, "SHHH needs to position itself to meet the needs of a new generation of people with hearing loss while continuing to serve the constituents who rely on us today. I believe that by updating our name and image we will be better able to communicate our message and fulfill our mission. SHHH expects to complete the transition to the Hearing Loss Association of America in March 2006."

According to recent research conducted by Sergei Kochkin, Ph.D., the population of people in the United States with hearing loss has grown from an estimated 28 million in 1989 to over 31 million in 2004, and is anticipated to grow by a third in less than a generation, to 40 million people.

SHHH's mission is to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss through information, education, advocacy and support. The organization continues to fulfill its mission in innovative ways, such as launching its groundbreaking online education program, the American Academy of Hearing Loss Support Specialists(tm) in fall 2005, and launching a new design for its web site in 2006.

Richard Meyer, president of the SHHH Board of Trustees states, "This strategic decision is a significant milestone in SHHH's 25 year history. While remaining committed to the vision of founder Rocky Stone, SHHH is evolving to best meet the needs of people with hearing loss today and in the future, continuing to be a pioneer in advocacy and support for consumers with hearing loss."

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The Hearing Loss Association of America (formerly Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH) is the nations' largest membership and advocacy organization for people with hearing loss. Founded in 1979 by Howard E. "Rocky" Stone, the Hearing Loss Association of America opens the world of communication to people with hearing loss through information, education, advocacy and support. It publishes a bimonthly magazine, Hearing Loss and its web site is www.hearingloss.org. The national support network includes the Washington, D.C., area office, 13 state organizations, and 250 local chapters. The Hearing Loss Association of America's straightforward message has changed the lives of thousands of people: Hearing loss is a daily challenge you can overcome. You do not have to hide your hearing loss. You do not have to face hearing loss alone.

THE HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Formerly Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH)
7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1200
Bethesda, MD 20814
301/657-2248 Voice
301/657-2249 TTY
www.hearingloss.org

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You're Career Oriented... Career Driven...and Hard of Hearing or Deaf
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The Institute for Persons Who Are Hard of Hearing or Deaf (IHHD) is a nonprofit Congressionally-funded agency dedicated to facilitating workplace and career advancement for aspiring professionals like you.

IHHD provides important online educational opportunities to share experiences, access top professional leaders, and develop crucial communication and business skills. Choose from a number of programs that cover all aspects of career growth - from starting a business to leadership and advocacy development.

These month-long courses are delivered online using National University's acclaimed state-of-the-art interactive learning system to provide optimal accessibility. Visit: http://cha.nu.edu/ec/formihhd-careerdev.html?ypd002
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- Article 3: Australia's Captioning Quality Code of Practice
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Editor: We've just published a three-part series on captioning quality in the US as part of an effort to get you to provide the FCC your comments on the quality of current captioning and what you would like to see in the future. Reader Bill Hick responded with information on what's happing with television captioning in Australia.

The Deafness Forum of Australia has created a "best practices" guide called the Captioning Quality Code of Practice, which addresses the same captioning issues that are getting attention here in the US. They also conducted a highly successful "roadshow" around Australia to promote better captioning.

Information on these topics and a host of other interesting issues is on the Deafness Forum of Australia website at http://www.deafnessforum.org.au/

Here's the preamble of the Captioning Quality Code of Practice. The complete document is available at http://www.deafnessforum.org.au/word/

Captioning%20Quality%20Code%20of%20Practice.DOC

Please address questions or comments to info@deafnessforum.org.au

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Preamble

This document outlines the quality standards that should be met in the production and presentation of captions. The document specifies visual outcomes, not production techniques. It is up to the caption provider to decide the most appropriate method to the deliver the caption to the viewer - as long as it is clear, easy to read and informative.

Australians who are Deaf and hearing impaired agree that American-style captions can be used on American produced TV programs and for movies for screening in cinemas. Likewise, British-style captions can be used on British produced TV programs. With Australian produced programs, however, the standards outlined in this document should be the accepted norm.

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- Article 4: School is a Sound Environment
by Stephen Baxter
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Editor: Anyone who keeps up with the hearing loss world sees lots of information on the various Schools for the Deaf. These are the taxpayer-supported residential schools that educate children with hearing loss. They have historically been bastions of Deaf culture, passing on to each generation of students both ASL and a sense of Deaf identity.

Did you know there is another group of schools devoted to educating kids with hearing loss? There are 52 of them in the US, England, and Australia, and they focus on providing an oral education. For more information, please point your browser to http://www.oraldeafed.org

The following article about one such school is reprinted with the kind permission of the San Mateo Daily Journal.

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Entering preschool, Kindergarten and first grade are big changes for any child, but transitioning from a silent environment to one with sound adds a whole new dimension.

Students at Jean Weingarten Peninsula Oral School for the Deaf in Redwood City will face those challenges this school year, learning to hear and speak with cochlear implants in their ears.

With a staff of 28, the school helps children with who are profoundly deaf and have received cochlear implants under the skin in their ear. Unlike hearing aids that amplify sound, the implant compensates for damaged parts by converting sound waves into electrical impulses. The impulses are registered in the brain, and young children who are severely hard of hearing can learn to hear and speak.

Children are being fitted for implants at less than 12 months old, and Kathleen Sussman, director of the School for the Deaf, said the science is cutting edge.

"Because of newborn screening, we're able to intervene right after they're diagnosed," Sussman said this week.

Teachers give students the option of learning sign language, but concentrate on verbal interaction. In the school's Family Center for young children, the goal is to teach students enough to return them to traditional schools by first grade. Some students stay until second grade, and the school aims to produce competent readers who meet all grade-level academic standards.

The implants cost about $60,000 per ear, and insurance companies will pay for them with some persuasion.

Mary Ruth Leen, director of the school's Family Center, said a relatively simple hearing test after a baby's delivery is starting to catch on.

"It's pretty simple and it saves, in the long run, thousands and thousands of dollars," Leen said.

Though it is a low-incidence disability, students who are implanted may not require interpreters or other special services if their hearing problems are caught early and treated. Implants and early hearing training can save school districts money in special education costs, if the student does not have other disabilities, and become "mainstreamed."

For Tallulah and Olivia Hogan, 14-month-old twins who received cochlear implants July 11 at Stanford Hospital, the device has allowed them to begin to hear. The Hogans, of Los Gatos, were two of the youngest female twins to be implanted.

Lynley Hogan, the girls' mother, said teachers at the School for the Deaf have gone out of their way to help her.

"It makes you extremely hopeful for your children's future," she said of the school. "I'm extremely grateful to them."

Like many young children who receive the implants, the Hogan girls have tried to knock the attached magnet off their ears.

"Mom has a real job ahead of her keeping the device on," said Leen, who visited the Hogans at home on Friday to provide support.

Parents accompany their children to the Redwood City school one or more times each week.

About 92 percent of parents of hearing impaired children are hearing. Often, when they discover their child is deaf, they stop talking to their baby. Parents should keep talking, Leen said, and maintain eye contact and intonation.

The School for the Deaf is one of 52 oral auditory schools in North America, England and Australia, and students come to it from the San Mateo-Foster City School District and around the Bay Area. It was founded in 1969 and cochlear implantation grew from pediatric surgeries once exclusive to the Los Angeles area, Sussman said.

At the Redwood City school, most students start classes at 8:30 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m. Preschoolers to kindergartners stay until noon.

Parents play as important a role as the technology that allows them to hear, Sussman said, and they are dedicated.

"They're never late," she said. "They get here no matter what, our parents are like that."

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- Classifieds
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Four Employment Opportunities appear in this issue. (Ads appear after this brief table of contents.)

Employment Opportunity 1
Various Employment Opportunities
North Suffolk Mental Health Association, Deaf Services
Boston, MA

Employment Opportunity 2
Senior Accountant (full-time, exempt)
Deaf Community Services of San Diego, Inc.

Employment Opportunity 3
Various Opportunities
GLAD
Various Southern California Locations

Employment Opportunity 4
Director, Early Education Programs for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB)
Colorado Springs, CO

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Employment Opportunity 1
Various Employment Opportunities
North Suffolk Mental Health Association, Deaf Services
Boston, MA
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North Suffolk Mental Health Association, Deaf Services, in Boston Massachusetts is looking for outreach workers, a part time clinical coordinator, interpreters, residential counselors and a vocational counselor to work with our population of Deaf mentally ill adults who live in the community or in our group home.

Experience with this population is necessary. Skill positions require experience in the skill area along with necessary licenses and accreditations. To apply contact Nick Simonelli Assistant Director via e-mail at nsimonelli@northsuffolk.org

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Employment Opportunity 2
Senior Accountant (full-time, exempt)
Deaf Community Services of San Diego, Inc.
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General description: Under the general direction of the Executive Director, the Senior Accountant is responsible for all fund accounting, bookkeeping, financial reporting, and contract invoicing work, as well as audit support functions.

Education: Bachelors Degree in accounting or finance required. Masters in accounting or business management or CPA preferred.

Experience/Knowledge: Five or more years of accounting experience, preferably within a non-profit organization reliant upon grant funding. Familiar with FASB accounting standards and principles. Experience with Quickbooks NonProfit highly desirable, or with other nonprofit accounting software programs. Proficiency in MS Excel and MS Outlook. Developed business management skills. Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Familiarity with Deaf culture, knowledge about Deaf and Hard-of- Hearing people, and fluency in American Sign Language is a definite plus. Willingness to become familiar and to acquire at least basic signing skills is essential (learning opportunities will be provided).

Email resume to: mailto:gliptak@dcsofsd.org

or mail to:
Deaf Community Services,
3930 Fourth Avenue, Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92103

Attention HR

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Employment Opportunity 3
Various Opportunities
GLAD
Various Southern California Locations
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JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT GLAD

GLAD is an Affirmative Action Employer with equal opportunity for men, women and people with disabilities. For more information on the following positions, go to: www.gladinc.org. The status of all positions is: Regular, Full-time, Non-Exempt, Full Fringe Benefits unless otherwise noted. All positions are open until filled.

COMMUNITY INTERPRETER - Los Angeles

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the supervision of the Los Angeles Regional Director, the Community Interpreter will interpret assignments as delegated by the Interpreter Referral Specialists and/or Regional Director for assignments that can range from routine medical appointments, staff meetings at large companies, formal speeches (platform interpreting), press conferences or any other situation that requires communication access. Assignments will depend on level of interpreting skills, record statistics on a monthly basis related to provision of service, in-house tasks such as answering phones and providing information and referral to general public as needed, assist Interpreter Referral Specialists with filling assignments as needed, perform other duties assigned by the Regional Director and/or the CEO.
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JOB DEVELOPER/INTERPRETER - West Covina and Anaheim

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
Employment services offered at GLAD assist deaf and hard of hearing individuals with job information, job training, job placement, and accessibility for the deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Co-located at 5 Employment Development Department (EDD) Offices and at each local office. The programs under employment services are: Job Readiness Training, Workplace Accessibility, Job Development, Placement and Follow-up.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Responsibilities include providing assistance with Job Development/Placement efforts; Work in conjunction with traditional employment resources, develop employment opportunities, identify openings and opportunities for clients in need of employment assistance; Other duties include job interviews, job counseling to clients and employers, sensitivity awareness and training for existing and potential employers of deaf and hard of hearing clients; Provide direct communication support to deaf and hard of hearing employment placement coordinator at selected Employment Development Department (EDD) Field Offices; Provide interpreting services to deaf and hard of hearing persons seeking EDD services; Some typing and general office skills required. Basic knowledge of computers helpful. Perform such tasks and responsibilities as may be delegated.
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PROGRAM ASSISTANT/INTERPRETER - Los Angeles

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
The Community Challenge Grant has made possible the Pregnancy Prevention Program for deaf and hard of hearing adolescents and young adults. The program will increase awareness, access and participation of deaf and hard of hearing adolescents and young adults to prevent unintended pregnancy/early fatherhood, and making positive contributions to their families and community through leadership training and self-esteem building and education sessions which include identifying values, discussing the latest information on HIV/STI's and contraceptives, and exploring alternatives to promote abstinence.
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COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATOR-Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program - Los Angeles

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the supervision of the Director of Health Services, using the guidelines of the assigned scope of work provided by the California Department of Health Services' Community Challenge Grant, the Community Health Educator will:
Provide teenage pregnancy prevention and education services to Deaf and Hard of Hearing youths, adults and parents in Los Angeles County using the "Be Cool...Sign NO to Sex" curriculum;
Plan and implement daily activities;
Coordinates Family PACT clinic referrals/linkages;
Coordinates Passport to GLOW;
Conduct "Young Deaf Parents Village" Program;
Provide mentoring program;
Conduct individual and group sessions and events to target groups;
Prepare quarterly progress reports and maintain tracking system;
Identify and obtain culturally appropriate materials, including videos, written materials, brochures and other outreach materials;
Design flyers to promote project activities;
Develop/revise curricula, educational materials and training modules;
Attend collaborative committee meetings;
Conduct local and statewide evaluations;
Perform some typing and other light office duties as necessary;
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HIV PROGRAM INTERPRETER - Los Angeles

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Perform all duties and tasks as outlined in the HIV Interpreting program scope of work;
Interpret initial HIV antibody test and results;
Interpret in a variety of HIV/AIDS related services for people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS;
Update and maintain a pool of qualified HIV-trained interpreters to assist with interpreting assignments;
Promote the availability of interpreter services to the deaf community and service providers;
Implement survey to assess client satisfaction of interpreter services provided;
Generate monthly reports and IMACS for the Office of AIDS Programs and Policies;
Record statistics on a monthly basis related to provision of service through IMACS;
On an as needed basis, the HIV Program Interpreter will interpret in a variety of community settings as dispatched through LIFESIGNS Department;
Perform such tasks and responsibilities as may be delegated.
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COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATOR-Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program - Los Angeles

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Work under the supervision of Director of Health Education/Services to implement the assigned scope of work;
Schedule and implement outreach encounters, individual counseling sessions and multi-session workshops on HIV Risk Reduction to deaf woman and sexual risk and men having sex with men (MSM); Maintain calendar of sites, dates and times; Make necessary referrals for high-risk women and MSM;
Work collaboratively with subcontracted Outreach Specialist for recruitment and project related activities; Administer risk assessment and behavior commitment forms; Identify barriers and procure culturally appropriate HIV/AIDS materials including videos, written prevention and outreach materials;
Prepare bulk mailing for brochure, promotional and educational materials; Gather statistical information for program evaluation purposes;
Extensive fieldwork; ability to travel to throughout Los Angeles county, driving is required as part of the job; Perform such tasks and responsibilities as may be delegated.

If interested for any of the positions, then please contact:
Jeff Fetterman
Human Resources Specialist
Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, Inc.
2222 Laverna Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90041-2625
V/TDD #: 323-550-4207
Fax #: 323-550-4204
jfetterman@gladinc.org

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Employment Opportunity 4
Director, Early Education Programs for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB)
Colorado Springs, CO
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The Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB), located in Colorado Springs at the foot of the beautiful Rocky Mountains, invites you to consider our employment opportunities. Interested persons are invited to visit CSDB's website at.... http://www.csdb.org, where the job announcement for this position may be found in its entirety (including minimum qualifications, responsibilities, and application instructions), under Non-Classified Employment.

CSDB is an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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- Contact Information and Disclaimers
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