It provides opportunities for U.S. citizens to participate in an academic year of overseas travel and digital storytelling in up to three countries on globally significant theme. This Fellowship is made possible through a partnership between the U.S. Department of State and the National Geographic Society.
Through the Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship, Fulbrighters will undertake an in-depth examination of a globally relevant issue, comparing and contrasting how that issue is experienced across borders.
Utilizing a variety of digital storytelling tools, including text, photography, video, audio, graphic illustrations, and/or social media, Fellows will tell their stories, or the stories of those they meet, publishing their work on a dedicated blog hosted on the National Geographic.
VIDEO: Deaf News - Deaf pair accused of murder unfit to stand trial due to mental impairment, Australian Supreme Court told.
MELBOURNE -- Psychiatrists have found two of three Deaf people accused of murdering a profoundly Deaf man, who fell 12 metres from an apartment balcony, unfit to stand trial due to mental impairment.
Crown prosecutor Sharn Coombes told the Supreme Court on Monday that Georgia Fields, 19, and Jake Fairest, 26, who are on bail, had been assessed and found to be unfit to stand trial. A third man, Warwick Toohey, 37, who appeared via video link from prison, needed further assessment.
Justice Lex Lasry reserved any decision as to whether the trio's trial would proceed until next year.
A trial date had been set down for May 2, but Justice Lasry adjourned the case to February 8, when a directions hearing will be held to get an update on the fitness to plead question for the trio.
Ms Fields, Mr Toohey and Mr Fairest are charged with murdering Robbie Wright, who fell from a balcony outside his Ringwood apartment on January 15. Mr Wright, 36, who also suffered from cerebral palsy and epilepsy, and had an intellectual disability, died in hospital three days later.
Ms Fields is profoundly Deaf and can communicate only by sign language and in writing.
Mr Fairest has severe cognitive and developmental disabilities caused by aggressive chemotherapy treatment to a brain tumour when he was seven. The treatment also caused stunted growth, a weakened spine and a growth hormone deficiency.
Learn how you can assist your speech-disabled clients to receive free phones that accommodate their needs and how to use operator-assisted relay services that allow them to have conversations over the phone even if most other people have difficulties understanding their speech.
VIDEO [CC] - Full Documentary: A Deaf Child in the Family.
A Deaf Child in the Family | New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) version - This session was about encouraging families and whānau to think more critically about how they can include their children in their family life and to be mindful of the fact that their child is quite different and they may need to adjust themselves to facilitate that inclusion.
A Deaf Child in the Family - Full Documentary with Captions.
VIDEO [CC] - Full Documentary: Experiences of siblings of Deaf children.
Experiences of Siblings of Deaf Children | New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) version - What is it like to be the sibling of a Deaf child in the family? What can I do as a parent to help them? A set of research information and advice from siblings of Deaf children growing up.
Experiences of Siblings of Deaf Children - Full Documentary with Captions.
VIDEO [CC] - Dating Tips and Advice: Gorgeous Deaf women advice to hearing people, how to plan a date with a Deaf and Hard of Hearing person.
There are many challenges to face when trying to date a Deaf and Hard of Hearing person these today. Here's the dating advice from two gorgeous Deaf women, Amanda McDonough and Rikki Poynter gives you some tips on how to plan and go on a DATE with someone who is Deaf.
To activate this feature, press the "CC" button.
A Deaf actress Amanda McDonough just made a video about being in a relationship with a Deaf and Hard of Hearing person. These same rules apply to hanging out with a Deaf or Hard of Hearing person.
VIDEO [CC] - Deaf News: The entrepreneurs no longer feel pigeonholed to work in fields that only cater to other Deaf people in the United States.
NEW YORK (AP) - Thanks to new technology and improving outreach programs, more Deaf people are opening small businesses across the country. Soon after customers arrive at Mozzeria for the first time, they notice something's different about the restaurant: Virtually every staffer is Deaf.
Owners Russ and Melody Stein are also Deaf, and have run their San Francisco restaurant since 2011. The business is thriving because customers love the food and the Steins have overcome obstacles Deaf people can face when they become small business owners - particularly lingering stereotypes and prejudice, and fewer resources than hearing entrepreneurs have.
"We have the same skills as a hearing individual," Russ Stein says. Running Mozzeria comes naturally to Melody Stein, whose family is in the restaurant business. "It's something I've always wanted to do," she says.
Deaf people have the same ambition and ability to be entrepreneurs and business owners as those who hear, says Tom Baldridge, director of the business administration program at Gallaudet University, the largest educational institution serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. There's a growing interest among Gallaudet students in entrepreneurship, matching the increase in business schools across the country. The university is expanding its entrepreneurship offerings beyond courses, and giving students experience in running businesses like campus coffee shops.
"A lot is happening right now beyond a few courses in entrepreneurship. We've hired a consultant who's going to guide us (and) infuse corporate entrepreneurship into all the academic disciplines," Baldridge says.
MIXED REACTIONS
The hearing world is still catching up to the idea of Deaf business owners. The Steins have encountered discrimination from people who hear and don't want to make accommodations to help those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
The couple has run into resistance when they asked for help at local government offices, including times when they were trying to get permits required for running a restaurant.
"We have had our rough moments," Russ Stein says. "There have been times when I had to ask for interpreters, and I was made fun of; I was looked down upon."
Vendors and other business owners who can hear are often startled or feel awkward when they first meet the couple. Some have assumed that because the Steins are Deaf, they didn't know what they were doing, Russ Stein says. Some have been impatient about using pen and paper to communicate, or have said offensive or inappropriate things.
"People ask, 'how do you drive?'" Stein says.
But most vendors adapt to working with the Steins. Mozzeria's wine vendor has become a true colleague, helping them learn more about the restaurant business.
And customers, most of whom can hear, seem happy to write their questions about items on the menu. Some seem awkward when they first come in, but they soon relax and enjoy their meals.
"They learn to overcome their fear," Melody Stein says.
OVERCOMING STEREOTYPES
Many Deaf owners have dealt with prejudice, including hearing people believing that the best careers for Deaf people are teaching or counseling other Deaf people.
Mara Ladines, who owns By Mara, a clothing manufacturer and store in New York wanted a career in fashion design, but some counselors in college tried to steer her toward being a graphic designer, a job that would require less communication with others.
"They believed a Deaf individual can't get a job in the fashion industry." she says.
Ladines insisted on taking design courses and got jobs in retailers including clothing store H&M. In 2008, she began designing T-shirts and other clothes with a logo that shows the American Sign Language sign for "I love you." She started the business online and it has grown to the point where she could open the store last spring; many of the people who walk in are hearing, and Ladines is able to communicate with them and make sales. By Joyce M. Rosenberg, Associated Press Business Writer
