Hi... My name is Bert. I work for a large State agency -- I just started a few months ago. We provide the programs for people with alcohol and drug problems.
My first major assignment was to see how available such services were to the D/HH people of our state. I've worked on this for some weeks now and I have to tell you, it has been an eye opener.
One of my co-workers who has been a huge help is HH. He has dealt with it since he was a kid and will lose whatever hearing he has in the next few years. He has done a lot of research on the subject and helped me understand the "misunderstandings."
Anyhow, I'm 63, back from living in a foreign country for 20 years where I learned first hand about being an outsider from the dominant culture and all that means. As a kid in the early 60s, I worked on Civil Rights issues as a member SNCC and other more militant groups. Bottom line is that I want to develop as neutral language as possible in my work and promote it in the office.
For my own hearing I have tinnitus, and pretty bad hearing in one ear from playing years of live music. But I'm not trying to be what I am not -- I can hear okay except in crowded situations or if more than a few people are talking. Probably my age adds to it.
Thank you for letting me join. I hope my work can be of some help in getting the State to deal with the unreal lack of ASL translators and interpretors in programs. I'll do my best...
Bert
My first major assignment was to see how available such services were to the D/HH people of our state. I've worked on this for some weeks now and I have to tell you, it has been an eye opener.
One of my co-workers who has been a huge help is HH. He has dealt with it since he was a kid and will lose whatever hearing he has in the next few years. He has done a lot of research on the subject and helped me understand the "misunderstandings."
Anyhow, I'm 63, back from living in a foreign country for 20 years where I learned first hand about being an outsider from the dominant culture and all that means. As a kid in the early 60s, I worked on Civil Rights issues as a member SNCC and other more militant groups. Bottom line is that I want to develop as neutral language as possible in my work and promote it in the office.
For my own hearing I have tinnitus, and pretty bad hearing in one ear from playing years of live music. But I'm not trying to be what I am not -- I can hear okay except in crowded situations or if more than a few people are talking. Probably my age adds to it.
Thank you for letting me join. I hope my work can be of some help in getting the State to deal with the unreal lack of ASL translators and interpretors in programs. I'll do my best...
Bert