December 2009
In This Issue:
AADB In Action
- AADB Symposium Update
- Ideas Wanted!
- The Deaf-Blind American
- FCC Recognition
- Interpreting Class Presentation
- End of the Year Campaign
Other Deaf-Blind News
Resources
Calendar of Events
AADB in Action
AADB Symposium Update:
By Mark Gasaway
We know you are eagerly waiting for news on the 2011 AADB Symposium (formerly Conference). Last week, Jamie Pope, Executive Director, took a tour of a site that the Ad-Hoc Committee recommended to the AADB Board. Jamie is excited about this site, which is located in the Midwest. As soon as a contract is signed in early 2010, we will make the exciting announcement with a drum roll! Keep your eyes open for the announcement in AADB Today and our website.
Ideas Wanted!
The Ad-Hoc Committee is working on several ideas for fundraising for the symposium. Hosting a symposium can be expensive when AADB is paying for meals and lodging for all the wonderful support service providers (SSPs) who help deaf-blind participants access the symposium activities. If you have ideas to share, any kind of ideas, send them along to Mark Gasaway, Ad Hoc Committee Chair, at mark.gasaway@comcast.net
New! Winter 2009 Deaf-Blind American
Our winter issue of The Deaf-Blind American will soon be out. This special issue focuses on "Independent Travel for Deaf-Blind People." Deaf-blind travelers share stories and techniques for traveling on their own. Become a member today for only $10 and get this new issue!
FCC Recognition
AADB participated in a ceremony recognizing the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) 75 years of service as the nation's regulatory watchdog for communications.
To learn more about the FCC Recognition Day...
Interpreting Class Presentation
Elizabeth Spiers, Director of Information Services, presented on AADB and its services in November to 15 interpreting students at the Community Colleges of Baltimore County, near Baltimore, MD. She also shared some tips and strategies for interpreting with deaf-blind individuals with the students.
End of the Year Campaign
In the spirit of the holidays, please consider making a donation to support AADB. Donations are tax-deductible as specified by the IRS. For more detail about our "Breaking Through Into the 21st Century" campaign...
Thanks for your support!
Other Deaf-Blind News
Deaf-Blind Community Update
Launa Autrey
Born: Jul. 23, 1933
Died: Dec. 9, 2009
We are saddened to learn that Launa Autrey, a member of AADB and North Carolina Deaf-Blind Associates (NCDBA), passed away on December 9, 2009. She and her husband Dan, long-time AADB members, attended the very first AADB convention in Ohio in 1975. She was one of the leaders of NCDBA. She and her husband Dan, who passed away in 2002, were on the steering committee for the 1994 AADB convention in Greensboro, NC; she was also the keynote speaker at that convention. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.
Resources
New Consumer Action Guide on Air Travel
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network (DHHCAN), of which AADB is a member, announced recently that a new DHHCAN Consumer Action Guide for Air Travel is available.
To find our about your right when traveling by air...
DCMP Newsletter
The Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) has published its December 2009 newsletter. Don't miss the new flyer containing links to holiday-themed media from the DCMP collection, information about the captioned or described version of Collin Raye's "The 11th Commandment" music video/PSA about child abuse and neglect (and another new flyer featuring child abuse/neglect prevention resources from the DCMP), and information about Google's new automated accessibility features for YouTube. If you'd like to receive this information as it's published, you may subscribe to the DCMP newsletter, which is also available as part of your free DCMP account.
Calendar of Events:
Annual Teen/Young Adult Conference
Annual Teen/Young Adult Conference-The Annual Southeast Regional Teen/Young Adult Deaf-Blind Retreat Parent Event will be held on January 15-17 2010, in Brandon, FL. Jamie Pope, AADB Executive Director, will be the keynote speaker. For more information, contact, Emily Taylor-Snell or Michelle Pearson, Florida Outreach Project Serving Children and Adults who are Deaf-Blind, University of Florida, 1600 SW Archer Road, P.O. Box, 100234, Gainesville, FL 32610; Phone: 352-273-7530; 800-667-4052. People can also contact Emily Taylor-Snell at etsnell@ufl.edu, or Michelle Pearson at michellew@ufl.edu.
Happy Holidays
The AADB Board of Directors and Staff wish you a wonderful holiday season, and a happy and healthy new year. Every one of you is precious to us! Thank you for all your support of AADB in 2009. We look forward to serving you and moving AADB forward to higher levels in 2010.
