Thursday, March 29, 2007

MEET SMDFF COORDINATOR






Introduction -



Hello, I am Paul. I am hosting Show Me Deaf Film Festival in St. Louis, Missouri. I hope you can join us in festival. The festival is "SHOW ME DEAF FILM FESTIVAL". It will be September 27 - 30 2007. It will be this Fall. It is about six months from now. Information can be found at website It is abbreviated at SMDFF. We will have workshops in mornings, movies showing afternoons and evenings, receptions, and discussions. We can share ideas and opinons about films. We would like you to join us that weekend. Interested? Join us! You have movies to show us? You made it yet? Still working on it? You have til August 31, 2007 to enter your films. August 31 is a final date. Cut off date. Understood? Good! =) Know what's the name of the following items shown? Know how to produce? Direct? Join us! We look forward to your joining us next fall! Have a good day!





=)

AG BELL iS INDEED PUBLIC ENEMY #1

AG BELL IS INDEED PUBLIC ENEMY #1

After years of reviewing historical documents regarding Bell and his so-called projects, I do agree that he is public enemy #1 for all the corruption, abuses, lies, and manipulation. His mother and wife were deaf. He must have had unhappy relationships with them and his anger towards the deaf community in the 19th century.



He had the gall to go around telling the US Congress and other places trying to reduce the Deaf community. He was despised by a lot of Deaf leaders in his day. He formed a paper called, "Upon the Formation of a Deaf variety of the Human Race". It showed similar concept used by Adolf Hitler in killing over 6 million Jewish people as well as disabled and deaf people.



He was not even a true inventor of telephone. He "STOLE" it! So once a thief, always a thief!



This video will explain about it.







AG Bell Association needs to disband and stop spreading lies that Bell perpetuated.



More truth and more evidence point that oralism is a failure and does not help us at all!



=)

HISTORY THROUGH DEAF EYES - MY OPINION


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I thought long and hard since last Wednesday when it was shown. I am NOT impressed with it. It showed audism and paternalism in some ways. It is NOT balanced and not in tune with Deaf community. The last part should have been edited out. There are missing parts of Deaf community NOT shown on television. It actually defeats the purpose of educating the public. It leaned too much on oralism and cochlear implanting.



Why focus a lot of time on Clarke School? What about other schools? Sorry to say it sucked BIG time!



There is a need to tell truth about Deaf history. The program did not shed enough light on that part.



So it is back to the drawing board to do a better job next time!



=)

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

SHOW ME DEAF FILM FESTIVAL SEPT 27 - 30 2007











2007 Public Service Announcement:

Release: March 27, 2007
Contact: Paul Kiel, CEO, DEAF IMAGES/SMDFF Coordinator
E-mail: paul@deafimages.tv
Phone: Voice: 314-236-9048
TTY/VP/Fax: 314-664-8959

Deaf Images hosts Show Me Deaf Film Festival

St. Louis, Missouri, March 27, 2007 - Deaf Images has announced the first Show me Deaf Film Festival scheduled September 27 - 30 2007 to showcase independent American and international films. The festival will highlight the works of deaf and hard of hearing filmmakers. For updates, more information on festival, programming, tickets or travel, visit www.deafimages.tv/showmedeaffilmfestival.html

"I am pleased to say that we will have first film festival six months from today on September 27, 2007. It will be first of its kind for deaf and hard of hearing in the Midwest," noted Paul J. Kiel, CEO of Deaf Images. "And we are pleased that the festival will display the important works of deaf and hard of hearing filmmakers."

Please send your videos to have the festival committee review them and consider for the festival. If you have any questions about submission or anything, feel free to e-mail to Paul at paul@deafimages.tv. There will be monetary prizes for best films selected at the festival.

We welcome sponsors to help underwrite the festival.

Come one! Come all!

Let's enjoy the Deaf showtime!

For info, go to SMDFF




DEAF ROCHESTER FILM FESTIVAL - A SMASHING SUCCESS!





DEAF ROCHESTER FILM FESTIVAL - A SMASHING SUCCESS!

I took this opportunity to come up to Rochester, NY to attend Deaf Rochester Film Festival. It is the second festival that they have hosted. I regretted to miss the first one. This second festival is a smashing success and deserves a 5-Star Rating!



You can look up at their website at DRFF




Friday night, March 23, 2007:





Reception at Rochester Contemporary at 137 East Avenue, Rochester, NY






There was a feature showing of "HEAR AND NOW". It was produced by Irene Tayler Brodsky. She is the daughter of Paul and Sally Taylor of Rochester, NY. It was interesting film to watch. It seems a balanced view of what was going on and that Paul and Sally Taylor made decision to use cochlear implant. They have been deaf for as many as 65 years and decided to try it. The film showed trails and tribulations from start to finish. It is interesting film!







Paul Kiel and Sally Taylor at the reception





Saturday, March 24, 2007:



There were film showings all day and Wayne Betts, Jr. was the keynote speaker. He is with Mosdeux. He is co-founder with Chad W. Taylor of that company. For more info on that company, visit their website at Mosdeux






Wayne Betts Jr. making a presentation






There were other films to watch the rest of day. There were student films in the evening.







Scott Reekers, St. Louis, MO and student at Gallaudet University answering questions from the audience at RDFF.



He has been awarded 2nd Place in Student Film Awards for Gallaudet University Protest Category. HIs film was "ASL Artistry of the 2006 Protest".


CONGRATULATIONS TO SCOTT REEKERS!





There was reception in the evening and it was nice and enjoyable having it at Dyer Arts Center at NTID.
All showings and meetings were at Panara Theatre.



Sunday, March 25, 2007



There were more film showings. The filmmakers had panel discissions and there were awards and brunch. It marked the closing of the festival. It was a resounding success!







Filmmakers discussing and answering questions from the audience.









Jane Norman making a point about using "responsibility" among filmmakers, festival and supporters.








Festival attendees enjoying brunch








KUDOS TO DEAF ROCHESTER FILM FESTIVAL COMMITTEE FOR THEIR HARD WORK!





It was a pleasant experience for me. I have been to other festivals and i find this festival fetching a 5 Star rating for its hospitality, accomodations, food and festival.


=)






Thursday, March 15, 2007

I SUPPORT STATE LEGISLATION ON CERTIFYING AND LICENSING INTERPRETERS!




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I SUPPORT STATE LEGISLATION ON CERTIFYING AND LICENSING INTERPRETERS!



Hello! I am Paul Kiel. I am known as Deaf Advocate on many blogs and newsletters around the country. I have lived and experienced using sign language interpreters in many cities and states. I do encourage the state legislators to develop state legislation on certifying and licensing interpreters.



Can drivers drive car without license? NO - it is illegal to drive without license.



Can lawyers perform legal duties without license? NO - they have to pass the bar exam to be qualifed to work with clients.



Can doctors perform surgeries on patients without license? NO - they have to pass and be approved by state medical boards.



Can sign language interpreters work without license? NO - they have to be licensed in order to do any interpreting.



According to National Association of the Deaf's website under Advocacy Issues - Interpreting, it stated that, "The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) basically gives deaf and hard of hearing individuals the right to a qualified interpreter. However, the definition of "qualified interpreter" is very broad and does not establish the standards for the interprters before they are hired to provide interpreting services."



More states are interested in having ceritfication and licensing interpreters for all settings.



It is important to monitor who is interpreting.



It is imperative that we regulate, report and improve the interpreting profession.



It is a profession that needs checks and balances.



This helps weed out those unscrupuous individuals.



We do need a licensure to help us know what's going on and who are capable of doing the job.



This will help provide good interpreters with credit and identify the bad apples.



Having licensure will help improve interpreting services for Deaf and Hard of hearing.



I have been using sign language interpreters for more than 40 years. I have seen good and bad interpreters. I have bad experiences with bad interpreters. My experiences with bad interpreters are serious enough to require that all interpreters be licensed in order to be more professional in service delivery. I do demand and expect each interpreter who works for me to be licensed. I have the right to turn down any interpreters that are NOT licensed. I cannot trust anyone without license.



You as a consumer have a right to request for one. You can ask to see if he or she is licensed. If not, you can file a complaint with the state licensing board. This is why we do need the kind of system to keep interpreters in line with rules and policies.



I am sharing with you some of my experiences with some bad interpreters.



1. I was working for a housing project that had a hearing man. He claimed to be an interpreter. It was hard to read his signs and I have seen him misinterpret some of his clients in his office. He twisted the information from his clients when newspaper reporters were asking questions. He was even worse to the point of manipulting deaf clients. It was terrible experience.



2. I was working for a service agency that the director had a wife who claimed to be an interpreter. She was terrible at interpreting. She was so egostical and so selfish. The clients had hard time understanding her and she made so many mistakes that ruined the lives of clients.



3. I was visiting a town and there was a hearing guy who claimed to be interpreter. He only used fingerspelling and mouthed words to tell us what was going on. He did not even use ASL smoothly at all. He was so terrible that I had to leave.



4. I was working for a service agency that practiced nepotism and tokenism. The family claimed to be interpreters. They were only out to get money to finance themselves and they were so bad that I refused to use them to interpret for me. The clients suffered in many situations that I witnessed to the point of refusing to work for them anymore.



5. There has been problems in courts with bad interpreters. One interpreter misinterpreted the sex abuse case. A woman tried to tell police about her rape situation. The police did not understand. It took longer to explain by paper. The interpreter was unable to do the job.



6. Another situation was that the interpreter misquoted what the woman said in a rape case in the court. The interpreter said that they were "making love" when actually the man abused and raped brutally her. The court let the rapist go free. It is injustice for the deaf woman!



Speaking of injustice, we need to stop corruption, abuse and lack of professionalism in interpreting.



We deserve the right to have licensed interpreters who can do the job right and be professional at the same time!



This is why more and more states are working on licensing interpreters! It is beneficial for us all!



Go to the state legislators and tell them we do need licensure system to weed out bad interpreters!



Go for it! You will be glad you did it!



Sincerely,



Paul J. Kiel


a tireless Deaf Advocate



**************

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

DPS AND PAUL KELLY NEED TO GO!

With recent blogging from Chris C., DPS and Paul Kelly need to go!

There is no point in keeping the same old people at DPS if they continue to have same attitude they carried on for years.

They need sensitivity training.

They need to stop having attitude over deaf people.

They are not gods!

They are not even humans!

They are animals.

Paul Kelly needs to go!

He is the worst animal that caused problems at Gallaudet under Jordan regime!

Time to release them!

There is NO point in keeping them!

Time to go!

Sunday, March 4, 2007

"THROUGH DEAF EYES" DISCUSSED IN FULTON, MISSOURI






THROUGH DEAF EYES DOCUMENTARY DISCUSSION



Last Friday, March 2, 2007, The groups were at Missouri School for the Deaf to view a preview of upcoming "THROUGH DEAF EYES" a documentary. The first group were MSD students to view it and discuss about it.



Then the second group were adults and visitors to MSD. There were viewings of 50 minutes of 2 hour program. It showed portions of a full documentary. Barb Garrison, Superintendent of Missouri School for the Deaf and Tom Bastean, assistant Superintendent led the discussions.



Barb quoted in her posting on listserv that the documentary is a powerful film that inspires those of us who have experienced this history and is most important for those who want to know more about the deaf world.



The film was inspired by the exhibition, "History Through Deaf Eyes," curated by Jack R. Gannon of Gallaudet University. He is an alunus of Missouri School for the Deaf.



This documentary will air nationally on PBS on Wednesday, March 21 at 9 p.m. ET (check local listings).



More information about that documentary can be found at PBS website at http://www.pbs.org.







Barbara Garrison explains about her experiences in those days with her family including her deaf brother.







Paul Miller explains about his past experiences at school and community.






SPECIAL NOTE







This is Dick and Marthada Reed. They have been at MSD for so many years. They even retired about 20 years ago. They are doing fine and were at the presentation. I was fortunate to see them again. I remembered them when I came with my brother, Kenneth at MSD way back in 1964. They seem to be in fine health and active in community. It was good to see the Reeds!



=)



THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM: 1 of 3 MoDARA WORKSHOPS







Melissa Fears-Henley making a point while Kim Fears watches






SUPPORTING THE PROFESSIONAL WORKING WITH DEAF/HARD OF HEARING CLIENTELE (3 WORKSHOPS SESSION)



Session One: The Elephpant in the Room



It was a workshop presented by Melissa Fears-Henley and Kim Fears.



From the flyer "Professionals working with deaf and hard of hearing people are often aware of underlying tensions and expectations that dramatically affect the overt success of their work. These unspoken, semi-conscious understandings and expectations could be referred to as "The Elephant in the Room". Everyone knows it is there, but no one wants to bring it up. This workshop will attempt to bring these issues out in the open and define them, as well as give the professional useful tools to be able to address these dynamics when they are not positive. This will be accomplished through the following:



"Defining the Expert, Adversary and Support Model of professional/client relationship"



"Clarifying the strengths and weaknesses of each, as well as explaining how and why they develop"



"Provide techniques to be used from the onset to set up the professional/client relationships to the most positive way possible"



"Give suggestions to turn an existing, troubled relationship toward a more positive, overt relationship pattern"



This event is funded by Missouri Department of Mental Health.



Interpreters are provided by Lakes Country Resource Cener, DHH Employment Services.



Thanks to MoDARA for providing workshops and GSLAD for using their facility.







Next two workshops are:



Session Two: Collaboration and the Crab


Friday, April 6, 2007 - 9 to 11:30 a.m. GSLAD 2190 Creve Couer Mill Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63043



"Competitiveness and defensiveness often gets in the way of agencies and professionals working together to provide the best possible support to the deaf/hard of hearing client. This workshop will explore the reasons this exists, as well as exploring ways to overcome these patterns to be as effective as possible in the work we do.



Crab Theory, much more complex than many people realize, will be explored and its impact on the field discussed. Competition for funding sources makes concern about collaborating to provide service an important area for social services to explore. Possibilities for mutually beneficial collaborative relationships will be investigated, as well as outlines provided as to how to set these up.



Examples of collaborative relationships established by professionals serving other undervalued groups will be presented, in order to stimulate creative thinking and provoke similar connections in working with deaf and hard of hearing people. "




Session Three: How to Say What You See: Resistance, Friction, and Debriefing


Friday, June 1, 2007 - 9 to 11:30 a.m. GSLAD 2190 Creve Coeur Mill Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63043



"We have all had the experience of doing everything we know to do to support a client and yet something does not click and good support for the person does not occur. Reasons for these roadblocks and potential solutions will be explored:



What are common reasons for resistance to help from a professional, and what are reasons unique to the deaf and hard of hearing client?



How to determine if the friction between you and a client should be ignored, seen as positive, addressed, or means you should refer the client to someone else.



How do you address interaction problems between you and the client? This process, called debriefing, has the potentional to result in powerful positive changes. Understanding the process, and how to use it, can make a professional much more effective in his/her work.



What is the difference in debriefing and defusing, when and how do you use each one, and why?"



For more information on these workshops, contact Melissa Fears-Henley at info