James H. Cummings
Foundation
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Frank G. Raichle
Foundation
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Happy Holidays DAS Supporter,
'Tis the season of tiding and joy. As we approach the holiday season and the end of the year, we hope that you have been enjoying our E-Newsletters.
As this year comes to an end, we wanted to share that we have had some exciting new opportunities. We are delighted to have the Honorable Mark Schroeder, City of Buffalo Comptroller join the board, and to announce the return of Pam Kefi to the helm as our Executive Director.
We also received the results of a community needs assessment designed to help DAS continue to provide relevant and useful services to our clients and partners.
The needs of our community are changing, and with those changes we are working hard to develop new programs, invite new minds on our board, and continue outreach to new and existing community members.
With your support this year, we will be implementing new health care coordination services, enhance and expand access to American Sign Language classes and interpreters, and implement innovative employment and other support programming to meet the needs of the people we serve.
Community support is critical to our success.
Please show your commitment this year by sending a donation to Deaf Access Services, and help us continue to provide the services that many people depend on for their health, educational and employment access.
Furthermore, if you shop
on Amazon Smile, and 5% of your purchase will be donated to DAS!
All you have to do is type in http://smile.amazon.com, select Deaf Access Services as the charity of your choice, and SHOP!
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Course Descriptions
Level 1 -
No previous Sign Language experience required
. This class will focus on proper hand shapes, sign space, parameter of a sign, alphabet, numbers, introductions, personal information, yes/no questions, and basic greetings etc.
Level 2 - Some Sign Language knowledge required (Fingerspelling, Numbers, Colors, Basic Greetings, etc.) OR completion of Level 1. This class will focus on honing the basic skills learned in Level 1, allowing students to feel comfortable with Basic Conversations.
Level 3 - Completion of Level 2 OR comparable skills required. This class will introduce you to Classifiers (hand shapes), the importance of Facial Expressions and further develop their Grammatical skills.
Level 4 - Completion of Level 3 OR comparable skills required. This class will focus on Fingerspelling Techniques, and Introduction of Storytelling techniques. This level includes a student video project/assignment.
Level 5 - Completion of Level 4 OR comparable skills required. This class will be discussion-based. Students will discuss their opinions in ASL on topics related to Deaf Culture. Students will be introduced to ASL Idiomatic Expressions. Students will make a How-To video giving instructions on how to complete a task. This level includes a student project/assignment.
Level 6 - Completion of Level 5 OR comparable skills required. This class will focus on ASL Poetry as a visual language. Students will explore ASL poetry, hand shapes poems, and number poems. Students will also be introduced to Basic Interpreting Skills. This class will includes student videos of ASL poems.
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Looking to become an Independent Contract Interpreter for DAS?
We are currently conducting
Interpreter Assessments
If you are a Certified Interpreter OR would like to schedule an Assessment, please contact:
Marriam Kiani: mkiani@wnydas.org
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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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Message from Board Member: Patty Tadak
My name is Patricia (Griffin) Tadak (aka Patty). I have been married to Francis for almost 54 years. We have 4 children and 8 grandchildren, all of whom we are very proud of. I graduated from St. Mary's School for the Deaf, a place that has always been my home away from home.
My career has been long and varied. I initially worked as a data entry operator at Neisner's Brothers in Rochester before I was married & worked part-time at the Blue Cross in Buffalo before I had my 3rd & 4th children (twins). After our children started school, I went to work at St. Mary's. I was employed at St. Mary's as a Teacher's Assistant for 30 years.
During my career at St. Mary's, I recognized a need to expand my knowledge of teaching deaf children, so I enrolled in various courses at Daemen College and Gallaudet University (College).
One of the most cherished roles that I held while at St. Mary's was as an advisor of the Junior National Association of the Deaf (Jr. NAD). I held this position for a total of 25 years, and then extended my leadership for the last 2 years after I retired. I loved working and teaching the students.
One of the other jobs that I had was as a teacher of American Sign Language (ASL). I held this position at several area colleges and community programs, including SUNY Buffalo and Erie Community College. I enjoyed bringing the beauty of sign language to non-native signers, as well as teaching them about our Deaf culture.
Over the years, I have been involved in many organizations that support and serve the Deaf community. Among them are the Catholic Deaf Society, the St. Mary's School for the Deaf Alumni Association, the Deaf Advisory Council (DAC) for Deaf Adult Services (now known as Deaf Access Services), Deaf Access Services' Board of Directors, the Buffalo Civic Association of the Deaf, the Buffalo Club of the Deaf, Buffalo Deaf Senior Citizens, and the Buffalo Education and Awareness of the Deaf (B.E.A.D.)
While engaged in these organizations, I was elected to serve in a various leadership roles. These experiences taught me how to run effective meetings, how to respectfully collaborate with diverse groups of people, and how to become actively involved in the Deaf community, as well as the WNY community at large.
These experiences also led to my personal growth as a woman who is Deaf, enhanced my self-esteem and helped me focus on the needs of the Deaf community.
One of the groups of which I am a member that has really helped me focus my energy on ways to improve the lives of Deaf people and their families, is the Buffalo Education & Awareness of the Deaf organization. As Chairperson of (B.E.A.D.),
I have sought and engaged individuals to give presentations that will empower Deaf and Hard of Hearing peopIe. I strongly believe in education and awareness. The more information Deaf people have, the more they will understand, and this will lead to greater independence. It is important to educate ourselves about issues in our personal lives, and in the community at large. Some of the topics that have been addressed through B.E.A.D have been Social Security, Nutrition, Health and Wellness, Hospice, Living Wills, and Automobile Insurance, to name a few. Through the efforts of B.E.A.D, we are pleased that Pam Kefi, Executive Director of DAS, will be giving a presentation on refugees in the near future.
Another area of great interest to me that came about as a result of personal experience with Deaf friends, is the need for Deaf individuals to have "face-to-face" access to community organizations and services at difficult times without having to rely on an interpreter.
I took classes through Hospice to become a volunteer, and I now volunteer at Hospice when a Deaf family member/Deaf patient is admitted.
I can't think of myself as staying home doing nothing. I have many hobbies: reading, sewing, knitting, crocheting and crafting. I loved sewing for my children and grandchildren when they were young. When time permits, I also enjoyed sewing curtains and other items for my home, and knitting and crocheting hats, mittens, sweaters, and afghans.
And, I have been bitten by the travel bug!! I love traveling to visit my sister, nieces and my best friend, Patty, all in Colorado. My husband Francis and I have also vacationed in Europe and taken two cruises.
To conclude, I hold a strong belief that it is important to help others, and the community at large. This is the value that has guided both my personal and professional life. This belief has created many opportunities for me to become involved in activities and organizations that I would never have dreamed could have been possible. I have always strived to instill this value in my children, and I will continue to model this idea of helping others to all whose path I cross.
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Gratitude from the Community:
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Bradley Jimerson
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My name is Bradley Jimerson. As a Graphic Designer, I worked at The Buffalo News for 14 years. I have just received my ASL Beginners Course Certificate this fall in Novemeber. my journey with DAS is a beginning of a new journey to learn ASL. I have been Hard of Hearing since birth from 1967. I joined the class to begin learning ASL. My only regrets is I should have learned ASL when growing up, as an old saying go, "It is never too late to learn." DAS has given me a lot of encouragements which made me feel like part of a family. As an adult, I am much more aware of how those in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities are impacted by the hearing world within the workforce. That is why I have to learn to love the beautiful language!
Eventually, as I get older, I will loose my hearing, so now I am desiring to learn more into intermediate and advanced courses in ASL to become fluent throughout my life.
Throughout my career as an Artist, it is my goal to be an educator, a learner of ASL and a supporter for Deaf Culture and Hard of Hearing Communities within WNY. With the help of DAS which means so much to me while taking ASL courses to partake in Deaf-Friendly events and provide assistance in so many other areas that are direly needed within my life, my family, my friends and the surrounding communities.
I am honored and excited to be a part of this new Deaf Access Services. With my heartfelt appreciations to DAS, I dedicate a painting that I have worked in acrylic 16'X20' which is shown to your right for your gratitude and our appreciation towards Deaf Culture and Hard of Hearing Communities.
With Love,
Bradley Jimerson
#NYGIVESDAY
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In Memoriam
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| Nancy Siegel |
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Nancy passed away on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2016 after a short illness. She is survived by her sisters Judy Blackwell and Doady Paczo. Also surviving her are her many nieces and nephews and many grandnieces.
Nancy was honored by DAS for her devotion and involvement with Deaf Access Services. She was also devoted to the Buffalo Civic Association of the Deaf. She worked as a key punch operator at Calspan Corp and retired on disability because of her failing eyesight. She was a loyal member of the Buffalo Civic Association for many years and always into Deaf Politics.
Nancy was always advocating for the rights of the deaf people. She had a heart of gold. She always thought of others.
Nancy was one of the founders of what is now Deaf Access Services (DAS). It was her motion at BCAD general meeting that was passed for BCAD to consider establish a service agency for the Deaf here in WNY. A task force of deaf and some hearing individuals was formed to consider this. After several proposals were made but were denied it became successful. DAS continues to this day. Thanks to Nancy for her persistence.
She volunteered to work at DAS every week day. She couldn't drive then so went by bus and then by metro train. Walked three blocks from metro station thru snow and icy walks to DAS. She was so devoted to DAS. She loved working there. It was her 'baby'.
Nancy was a long-time member of the DAS Deaf Advisory Committee under DAS. She attended those meetings diligently. She had many ideas on how DAS could serve the community.
She worked hard collecting names, addresses and phone numbers and got DAS to print the TTY Directory. After she retired from her volunteering she still went to DAS with other volunteers to fold and label the DAS newsletters.
Nancy attended meetings at the Buffalo Office for the Bisabled and later the Erie County Office for the Disabled. She was instrumental in getting TTYs installed at the Buffalo airport through ECOD.
When she was younger and could drive, she visited deaf elderly shut-ins. Even held a BCAD fundraiser for Christmas gifts for them. She visited them at Christmas time with gifts bought with the money raised by the fundraiser.
She loved to attend Conferences hosted by various deaf organizations. She attened the National Association of the Deaf, the Empire State Association of the Deaf and The Telecommunications for the Deaf Conferences representing the WNY Deaf Community.
When her eyesight started to fail, she continued to attend workshops and meetings where she presented ideas she wanted for the Deaf Community. She wouldn't give in to her blindness. Her friends knew hew as a very subborn person.
She was a loyal friend to many deaf and hearing individuals. She was a real amazing person. She cared about her friends and her friends cared and had lots of respect for her. Now this amazing person is gone.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2017, 11:00am.
The Cleveland Drive Presbyterian Church, 735 Cleveland Drive, Cheektowaga, NY. Lunch will be served following the services at the church.
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Every smartphone becomes a microphone then Ava captions what the group says on the Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing person's phone.
Available on the App Store or Google Play.
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DAS Public VP
This new set up creates a comfortable and private space for personal calls and making appointments.
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DYK: Videophone NOW Available Downtown!
Videophone is located in the Assistive Technology Room (ATR) on the first floor of the library. The room provides privacy for persons making calls. To use the videophone simply sign-in at the Computer Services desk.
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THANK YOU! | New York Gives Day
We are happy to announce we achieved 71% of our fundraising goal during New York Gives Day on November 29, 2016!
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Opportunities at DAS
- Contract Job Coach
- Contract Sign Language Teachers (prefer daytime hours)
- Volunteers
- Interns
To apply please click Opportunities
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New!
Community Advocacy Schedule
In order to accommodate the various needs of our Deaf and Hard of Hearing clients,
effective, January 6, 2017,
Mondays and Fridays have been set aside to better assist those needs.
Please contact Andrea Russell, Community Advocate,
arussell@wnydas.org OR Stacey Allen, Administrative Assistant,
sallen@wnydas.org, to schedule your appointment.
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Happy Holidays!
Friday, December 23, 2016 and Monday, December 26, 2016 we will be observing Christmas and January 2, we will be observing New Years.
Regular business hours, 9:00am - 4:00pm, will resume on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 after Christmas holiday.
Regular business hours, 9:00am - 4:00pm, will resume on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 to start off the New Year!
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All proceeds go towards our Support Services programs.
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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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