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Dear DAS Supporters!
We hope that you have all been staying warm these last few days. We have GREAT NEWS to share with you!
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Message From Board Member:
Sharon Manning
My first contact with Deaf Access Services (DAS) was many years ago when I was looking for somewhere to learn Sign Language. I don't remember exactly how I found DAS, but I'm extremely grateful that I did! With the help of DAS staff and instructors, I have become fluent in Sign Language and have learned so much about the Deaf community.
DAS not only provides Sign Language classes, they provide various services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals, along with education for the community at large. As a Nurse and Assistant Professor at an area college School of Nursing, I provide education to my students on cultural competence. Through my experiences and interactions with the DAS staff and Deaf community, I am able to include Deaf culture when teaching my students how to be culturally competent nurses.
In the newsletter last month, Marie talked about misconceptions that she had regarding "what it means to be deaf." I'm not sure if I had misconceptions; I don't think I had any ideas at all! I just knew I wanted to learn Sign Language. I'm not really sure what sparked the interest. I had no family members or friends at that time who were Deaf. For some reason, it was just something I had always wanted to do. Once I started learning, I couldn't stop. I wanted to do more and be a part of the work that DAS does and that continues to this day. Currently, I am fortunate to be a member of the Board of Directors and serve with many talented people. It is an honor to be part of an organization that truly cares about the community.
Kudos to all of the DAS staff and to Sharon Hanson for all of their hard work in and out of the agency. We are very fortunate to have an agency such as this in our community.
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Our New Website!
We are excited to announce the launch of our New Website! As you will see it is more user friendly, cleaner, and easy to navigate; it will fit any screen size from mobile to wide screen!
This has been in the makings since the Summer of 2015. This site has a few new exciting features, such as, information about our individual board members and an updated online interpreter request form as well as a
New Online Store!
The website address has remained the same
www.wnydas.org.
We are looking forward to hearing your feedback and we hope that you will enjoy it!
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ANNOUNCING: 2016 SPRING GALA
For more information and purchasing instructions:
Visit www.wnydas.org/events or see contact information below:
Christina Manning at (716) 207-8344 or [email protected]
Michael Cross at (716) 418-7049 (Video Phone) or [email protected]
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Spring Gala 2016: Donation Request
We are hosting our 2nd Annual Spring Gala Fundraiser on Friday, April 15, 2016 at The Grapevine Banquets, 333 Dick Rd, Depew, NY 14043.
This year, we have decided to hold a Silent Auction and a Basket Raffle. Please consider donating either an item for the Silent Auction or a basket for our Basket Raffle. Please include an estimate of its total value.
Our Silent Auction will consist of a variety of donated items that individuals will have a chance to bid for; the highest bidder wins.
Our Basket Raffle will consist of donated baskets stuffed with various items. Individuals will purchase tickets to place into the container for the baskets of their choice.
If you are interested in donating, please contact me, Gloria Matthews at (716) 768-1270 OR [email protected].
All items or baskets being donated are due by Monday, March 28th, 2016. You may send your donations directly to our office at Tri-Main Center 2495 Main St. Suite 446 Buffalo, NY 14214, or contact Stacey Allen at (716) 335-9192, to schedule a pick up.
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Inside DAS: Interpreting Services
The Interpreting Services Department processes 20 to 40 requests received each day via e-mail, on-line, and phone. We ensure each request is properly assigned with the correct interpreter who best fits the Deaf client's preferences, language, and skill set. We provide our high quality service in all 8 counties of Western New York.
Lee Dray is the Interpreting Services Coordinator who currently manages 87 interpreters who primarily come from the Buffalo and Rochester areas. We provide customer service to 300+ business, medical, and legal offices, along with educational institutions and community organizations. Our primary responsibility is to establish long-term business relationships.
Carole DeRade and Marriam Kiani, our schedulers, take calls, answer inquiries, handle occasional issues, manage the on-line scheduling system, assist and maintain rapport with interpreters/requesters/recipients, perform other duties as assigned, and dispense large doses of positive morale
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We take pleasure in understanding Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals and their needs, provide advocacy, empower them to fight for their rights to an interpreter, secure accommodations, and/or alternate communication tools (such as CART services and Deaf Interpreters).
- Live In-Person Interpreting is the most preferred method of interpreting services by the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community. The interpreter arrives on-site to provide real-time interpreting.
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Deaf Interpreter is a specialist who provides interpreting, translation, and transliteration services in American Sign Language and other visual and tactual communication forms used by individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind. In many situations, use of a Deaf Interpreter enables a level of linguistic and cultural bridging that is often not possible when hearing ASL-English interpreters work alone. Currently, Deaf Interpreters work most often in tandem with hearing interpreters. The Deaf-Hearing interpreter team ensures that the spoken language message reaches the Deaf consumer in a language or communication from that he/she can understand, and the the Deaf consumer's message is conveyed successfully in the spoken language.
- Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) is the instantaneous translation of the spoken language into text and is displayed in various forms. English text is produced with less than a two-second delay.
- On-site CART can be provided for meetings, classes, training sessions and special events.
- Remote CART is the same except that the provider is in a remote location and listens to an event through the use of a telephone or Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) connection.
- Video Relay Interpreting (VRI) is a simple click on your computer to connect you with an interpreter! VRI enables Deaf/Hard of Hearing and hearing individuals or persons with limited English NOT in the same location to easily converse using video-phone technology and high-speed internet connections. Simply put, VRI bridges any language gap in minutes. It eliminates the need for travel and becomes a cost-saving option.
WE'RE HERE FOR YOU --
VISUALIZING ACCESS FOR ALL!
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Looking to become an Independent Contract Interpreter?
DAS is currently conducting
Interpreter Assessments
For an Assessment appointment, please contact:
Already a Certified Interpreter?
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Video Remote Interpreting (VRI)
Can be used by:
Legal, Law Enforcement and Medical Professionals to communicate easier with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals
For more information please contact:
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Call 2-1-1 for after hours and weekend request for Emergency Intepreting services.
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DAS Message Board
Please go to our Events Page to view our up and coming events. Thank You!
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This is a FREE Citizen Preparedness Corps Training and it is being offered to include the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened communities. If you are interested in learning more please contact Gloria Matthews at [email protected].
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Crisis Text Line
Text START to 741741.
Live counselors are trained to use effective active listening to help you stay safe by moving from a heated moment to a cool calm.
For more information visit Crisis Text Line. |
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Thank you for your ongoing support, business and loyalty!
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Sincerely,
Community Relations
Deaf Access Services |
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