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Keep Sign Language Interpreters In the Picture!

It seems like in this day and time so many people lack common sense and common courtesy!

Communication is key with everyone! Knowing what is happening in the community and in the world is a must! When they crop out the Sign Language Interpreter from a broadcast it prevents effective communication and impacts the safety of our community members that are Deaf and Hard of Hearing! These are our mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts and uncles, wives and husbands, friends and neighbors and then some!

So join me along with the ILRC whose mission is to empower Independence for all people with disability and to create pathways for access by logging on to www.theilrc.org and sign the petition! and donate just $3.00 to help the petition to reach more people and support our Deaf communities.

Put yourself in someones else’s shoes wouldn’t you want to be informed of what was happening in the world in your community if you were Deaf?

 

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The First U.S. Signing Deaf Starbucks!!

Hey Everyone,

I must say that I am excite about this First Deaf Starbucks!! There are so many meetups as you all know that are held at a starbucks I guess it was a matter of time before Starbucks would take a step toward inclusiveness!

The first of its kind will be located in Washington D.C. (please note there is one located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) near the campus of Gallaudet University.

Now, for those of you who don’t know Gallaudet was the first school to advance the education of the deaf and hard of hearing in the world and to this day remains the only higher education institution in which all programs and services are specifically designed to accommodate deaf and hard of hearing students.

GO Bison!!

The school was founded in 1864 and was named after Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet a notable figure in the advancement of deaf education.

Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet with Alice Cogswell a deaf girl he taught.

The company will be hiring 20-25 deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing individuals who are proficient in American Sign Language. Deaf baristas will wear aprons that have been embroidered by a deaf supplier, while hearing workers who sign will wear a pin that reads “I sign.”

 

The store will take into account how deaf people communicate and interact with the environment as well as feature exclusive artwork and a custom mug designed by a deaf artist.

Understanding Deaf Culture painting by Nancy Rourke

This is so AWESOME in so many ways! The store is set to open its doors in October of this year and will be located at 6th and H streets NE near Gallaudet University. Man, I wish I could be there for the Grand opening! I hope someone post opening day pics!

I am not a Starbucks fan but, I would be in there all the time!

 

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La La La La La La Sing a Happy Song!

Hey Guys,

When you were young did you watch The Smurfs on Saturday mornings? I know I did I use to love the Smurfs!

La La La La La La Sing A Happy Song, La La La La La La Smurf The Whole Day Long!

Did you know that the Smurfs cartoon was the first cartoon to use Sign Language?!  Yep! It aired on Saturday November 19th in 1983 on NBC.

This episode was about the Rite of Spring Festival! This was going to be a time of dancing, music and poetry! Now, Poet Smurf was to create a special poem for this event and recite it before sunset.

Look-ah- here Azrael we have to get those gotdamn Smurfs! 

 

Now, while poet smurf is getting his poem together here comes that damn Gargmel and Azrael! Gargmel has invented a potion called “Sweet Silence” that he sprays on poet smurf that  renders him mute! (mother$%^&r)

To Make a long story in text short Poet gets back to the village and Papa Smurf knows exactly what to do!

Oh, Lawd these smurfs!

He sends a letter to his Friend Laconia who is a Wood Elf and was born mute. (according to the cartoon) She explains to them about sign language and shows them some signs! very Cool!

Poet smurf loved ASL so much and recognize and saw the beauty in the language that he decided to recite his poem using sign language and Smurf language!

Laconia didn’t get her voice back but guess what she was ok and happy with that. She loved herself and did not feel left out or handicap in any form or fashion!

Check out this episode!