Deaf-Special Needs-Assessments

Hello, everyone, it has been a long time between posts. I can share with you that PepNet is winding down to the end of the funding cycle. The only positive that PepNet provided for the deaf with secondary disabilities is that in the webinar "low functioning deaf" it was stated that No One is Qualified to provide assessments for low functioning deaf and further that No One is qualified to work with low functioning deaf. So, naturally, it is important to remark that many low functioning deaf attend schools for the deaf across this country. Federal law states that the transition needs of the students attending schools for the deaf must be met. Now What? What does that mean? OVR is not working with the low functioning deaf or deaf special needs?
I do know that was the case at American School for the Deaf with my son Evan. Remember, in my previous posts that Evan requested to continue his vocational training at the on campus business/voc training program Deaf Works Inc. Evan was denied access to both voc rehab service in Connecticut and voc training at American School for the Deaf ( where he was a student for four years) because....wait for it......Evan is not deaf. That's right. Evan is not a deaf person.
Because? Evan has a secondary disability of pdd-nos or autism and he just happens to be profoundly deaf. When Evan attended American School for the Deaf he was enrolled because he is profoundly deaf FIRST (more money more money) and had a secondary disability of autism.
When he aged out into the adult delivery system American School for the Deaf Evan was kicked to the curb-no longer recognized as a deaf person who attended American School for the Deaf-Because- Well, I can with all certainty state that Discrimination in the Deaf Community AND at every school for the Deaf is PERVASIVE Discrimination and prejudice runs very deep. It is well known and documented on other websites that there are two types of deaf people Clean Deaf and Dumb Deaf. That is why Print Works Inc a major money maker for American School for the Deaf does not provide voc training for any student or adult who falls into the "low functioning deaf" category heck they are not even taught to read!
I requested that PA School for the Deaf provide every student at the school an affordable ipod touch with text to speech software so that every deaf student can communicate with the hearing world. This is what was told to my son Evan by PA OVR that he must be able to communicate in a language other than sign language I would believe that would mean EVERY deaf person must be able to communicate in a language other than sign language. The text to speech software is affordable the ipod touch is affordable What could be standing in the way of PA School for the Deaf providing this device to the small number of students enrolled at the school? And by the way PA OVR would have to purchase the device for those over the age of 13year. What is standing in the way? reading? literacy instruction? or could it be something else?
Well, that something else would be the fact that IT IS impossible to find a teacher of the deaf that can teach deaf with special needs.
And that leads me to the issue of assessments for low functioning deaf.
The Gallaudet Health Center is mandated to provide assessments to the deaf community.
A flat fee is charged.
Why is this not offered at PA School for the Deaf. And for that matter at most schools for the deaf.
Evan had another birthday. He is now 26 years of age and that would mean for the past 6 years Evan has been denied equal and like services for the deaf.
I am expecting a face to face meeting with Alexa Posny and Lynnae Ruttledge soon.
I have forwarded my post to both so that they can read about the journey that I have been on with my son in the world of services for the deaf.
Will keep you posted.
peace to all

If a problem persists for 30 years, is it really a problem?

For thirty years the problem of "low functioning deaf" has been a cash cow for so many people, schools, organization because they have been PAID to research, recycle research, talk about, hold conferences or gatherings to talk about the problem for a minute or two and then laugh about how much fun they will have at the "conference" for low functioning deaf BECAUSE seriously does any body care? Is anyone watching? No and hell no.
The upcoming conference (what? another one?) in Baltimore Maryland to talk about issues concerning deaf adults SURPRISE is for a select group of deaf adults. Guess which group?
Go ahead Guess?

Dont just sit there!!

I am reviewing the list of presenters for the upcoming Voc Rehab shindig in Baltimore Maryland..
and one is entitled Don't Just Sit There ! a statewide Interagency Approach to Enhance Services to Indiv. who are deaf deaf blind....AND I LAUGHED.....really....?? state and federal agencies work together for the benefit of a deaf plus adult??!! Not here in PA... the agencies resist paying for any services it is a constant push back and forth "I am not paying" no "I am not paying" and therefore NO ONE pays for anything and the person WAITING for services goes without while the fight continues...THIS is what really happens.
Oh and by the way Voc Rehab continues to find ways to not provide for deaf plus adults. Yep, really, still, nothing here in PA for my deaf plus son.
Gallaudet can provide all the necessary assessments for deaf plus adults. And PA OVR states that Gallaudet has not gotten back to them. But I have spoken with Gallaudet Mental Health Services and they have shared with me that they CAN provide the assessments. So, who is lying?
Who is just sitting there? Voc Rehab.
And my federal and state tax dollars are paying for WHAT?
Folks, Don't Just Sit There...
Deafplus.net is going to the table prepared to listen to RSA explain to ME what the HELL is going on !!

One Deaf Plus adult at a time

I am looking forward to the conference convention in Baltimore Maryland Partners Building Bridges: Overcoming Challenges Through Leadership and Collaboration August 23-25 so I can share with the top dogs of RSA Lynnae Ruttledge OSERS Asst. Secretary Alexa Posny that communication for deaf plus adults should be priority number one. Nothing else matters.
Embrace Technology. A personal communication device such as an ipod touch with text to speech software for deaf plus adults answers the question "where are these deaf plus going?" They now MUST be taught to READ Deaf Plus Adults are EMPOWERED and that is saying something !!
Empower Deaf Plus Adults by providing them with a way to communicate AS THEY LIVE AND WORK IN THE HEARING WORLD
Start Where You Are. RSA must take action on this. Alexa Posny will now have to address the truth that Doug Watson has been putting in reports for years...too many years....deaf plus have not been provided equal and like services starting with their education. All the presenters at this upcoming conference will have to now address the personal communication devices for deaf plus adults....and, look me in the eye, justify WHY this has not been priority number one??
Ahem...no more B**SH**
This is what should be happening:
Deaf Plus will have the personal communication devices provided via Voc Rehab
Gallaudet and NTID will provide the assessments that Voc Rehab states must be in place
AND the literacy programs, training in the community using the personal communication devices must be developed...YEAH TIME FOR CHANGE is right NOW.
So looking forward to this conference !!!!!

one step at a time

Need a lot of people to make a lot of noise about deaf plus. I need chatter !! In order to affect change there must be a group of people with a common interest working for the highest good of all. Simply, I must work with a group of like minded people at the top of the food chain.
And that would be the federal government specifically CSAVR. The deaf and hoh committee.
Together, we will get this done. I promise.

Deaf Plus. Deaf that have a secondary disability. Where do these deaf plus go when they age out of schools for the deaf or mainstream setting? I don't know either. And neither do the schools for the deaf. Gallaudet Research Institute must be tracking ALL deaf? Right?
We shall soon find out. I contacted CSAVR Conference of State Adm Voc Rehab within CSAVR is a special committee for deaf and hard of hearing I have requested that a need assessment be conducted and that a TASK force be developed to compare what our FEDERAL gov't is providing for the "other" deaf. Unless, someone has already done this?
Tracking that too.
I am Deaf Plus Inc. My purpose is to develop programs and services for deaf plus that will allow them to independently communicate with the hearing world. Working and living in the hearing world requires communication. Got that !! Ipod touch text to speech software and a literacy program We can do this !!

Deaf Plus Inc

Empowering the lives of deaf plus adults in Pennsylvania by providing them with a communication device and the power of literacy !!! WoW !!
The power of communication is life changing for deaf plus adults.
A device: The ipod touch
Software: text to speech
Affordable: Hell Yes !!
The cost of both is less than $500

The state of Pennsylvania pays far more than $500 for interpreters, laptops, note takers, and other pieces of technology, for its deaf state employees. In fact, voc rehab of PA provides a considerable amount of funding for deaf individuals to attend either federally funded deaf institution WHERE the deaf students are ENTITLED to a barrier free education.

And all Deaf Plus is requesting from the state of PA is to provide an ipod touch, text to speech software, literacy instruction that will enable deaf plus individuals to read and write.
Empowering deaf plus adults with the ability to communicate in a language other than sign language that will further enable and empower them with the ability to live and work in the hearing world is life altering. In fact, this will save their lives.

Deaf Plus, Inc saving the lives of deaf plus adults by empowering them with communication.
Communicating with the hearing world in a language other than sign language.
Makes perfect fiscal sense.

Angela Biesecker
President Deaf Plus, Inc
cell phone: 484-678-5000