We've all read or seen the many Senate/House committee meetings where they are asking some pretty tough questions of the people that are in charge.  We've all heard how much compensation, perks, bonuses, ect. some of these companies are paying their top employees.  What about Charities?

Since most of them are non-profits, the information on their financial lives is not as accessible.  You can't find a lot of their 'inside' story via SEC filings, quarterly reports or prospectuses like you can with the major companies that are required to file these things.

Well, here's a website where you can look up most charities to see a little more information on them.  You may recall in recent days that the Boys and Girls Clubs organization is now facing some pretty tough questions as to how much of their donated and federal dollars are really going to help out those they deem to help.  For those of you that have missed it, here's the link: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/03/12/national/main6292413.shtml

For those of you wanting to see what your Charity has been up to, here you go. http://www.charitynavigator.org/  Keep in mind that even if they say the 'base' salary has not gone up for a couple of years, there are also other monetary incentives being paid to some of those that are 'in charge'.  Incentive pay, bonuses, travel reimbursement, entertainment, clothing allowance, ect.

Charity Navigator has over 5,000 charities that they have information on.  It's a free service.  So, take a little time before you write out that check and see where your Charity ranks in Financial Responsibility World.

Have a great week!

ODHH Net

Installment #499, March - 2010

For those of you that own or manage a business here in Wisconsin, here is the link to the latest Stimulus funds/Contracts/Requests for Proposals for our State.  The Milwaukee Business Journal does a very nice job of keeping track of where all of this money is going.

Yes, there are RFP's on this site.  Right now, it looks like most of them are in the construction areas. 

Link:  http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stimulus/

There is also information available on who has been awarded contracts.  Who knows, maybe the businesses that have been awarded contracts need some additional employees....

Have a great week!

It really is amazing how one famous person can change the thinking of so many people.  For those of you that watch football, you may remember the television footage of Drew with his 1 year old son celebrating on the field after their Super Bowl win this year.  The first thing that I noticed was that his little boy was wearing ear protection.  Wow!

Here's the link for those of you that missed it:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/health/sfl-baby-ears-030210,0,3562891.story

We have been talking about how all parents (grandparents too!) should protect their young childrens' hearing.  But, when most people hear it from a doctor, friend, news article, ect., they ignore it.  I would like to thank Drew Brees for showing all of us how easy it is to take those steps to ensure that our kids will have great hearing all of their lives.  The sales of hearing protection muffs, headsets, ect. have gone up 40% since the game.

If you are looking for one of these, here are a few places you can buy them.  The price for the child-size ones are around $20 - $30 each. (Peltor has a lower price than most!)

http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/product/Peltor-Kid-Earmuffs.html  -  According to the article, these are the ones that Drew had for his son.  And, they are only $12.95 for kids up to age 7!

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=kids+ear+protection&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=3856158741&ref=pd_sl_41eq8316oi_b  Amazon Store Website

Cabella's website:  http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/index/index-display.jsp;jsessionid=CYUUWDXU30X5PLAQBBJCCOFMCAEFGIWE?id=cat20801&rid=0123456789&cm_mmc=PPC-_-Google%20Non%20Brand-_-Sho_Shooting%20Accessories_Hearing%20Protection%20/%20Enhancements-_-hearing%20muff&_requestid=22862

Have a great week!

Received this today via email.  Thanks to Cochlea USA and Hearing Loss Association of America for sharing it.

Don't Buy A Hearing Aid If You Don't Care:

If you don't care about what your spouse has to say;

If you don't care about what your children have to say;

If you don't care about what your grandchildren have to say;

If you don't care about what your friends have to say;

If you don't care about talking on the telephone;

If you don't care that the TV is too loud;

If you don't care that you can't hear warning signals;

If you don't care about what your doctor has to say;

If you don't care about your life, your career and job opportunities;

If you don't care - don't buy a hearing aid!!!!!!!

But, if you do care . . . . .

Contact Hearing Loss Association of America for more information

Brought to you by CochleaUSA

Have a great week!

Don't forget, our monthly meeting will be this coming Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 6:30pm.

We meet at the Wales Community Center located at 216 W. South St. in Wales, WI

Our meetings are open to the public and there is no charge to attend.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 262-442-8724 or tamiklink@gmail.com

Have a great week!

For those of you that do not subscribe to the National Emergency Email Service, here's what I got today.

http://www.emergencyemail.org/newsemergency/anmviewer.asp?a=489&z=43

This service is really good in my case since I would not hear any audio emergency signals or announcements via the radio/tv.  You don't have to be D/HOH to sign up for it.  Just follow the link that is on the above website.  They send out emails whenever there is an emergency situation in your area or an important announcement that they want you to see regarding your personal safety.

Regarding the Census Scam, please take the time to read the 'alert'.  Obviously, the scammers are taking advantage of a lot of people that do not really know how the Census is taken.

Have a great week!

For those of you that don't know what Flo TV is, here's the link:  http://www.flotv.com/

There is another blogger here in the U.S. that actually spoke to a person connected with Flo TV about their plans for closed captioning.  Here's the link to that column:  http://captionaction2.blogspot.com/2010/02/flo-tv-cant-commit-to-captioning.html

My thoughts on this:

1.  Since this will enable you to 'watch' TV via your cellphone or a 'personal' television (see Flo TV website for more info.), I am wondering how the individual States are going to regulate this when it comes to driving a vehicle while watching television.

2.  I found that there are quite a few stations available that have contracted with Flo TV to provide programming.  But, I'm wondering how they are going to address getting the local 'news' or public emergency information out to those that are looking to have this service as their only link to television.  We all know how it works on our home television sets.  Amber alerts, Severe Weather information, ect.  Based on the fact that you are now going to be looking at a very small screen, will you even be able to read the closed captioning if it does become available?

3.  How much technology do we really need?  It seems like we are being bombarded into so many things now that really don't enhance or improve our lives.  Not to mention how much your monthly charges via your cell phone company are going to increase with this service. 

Have a great week!

The topic for tonights' open chat night is:  "Keeping up with Technology"

Here's the link:  http://www.outerchat.com/?p=44

Just click on the link to get started as a member of the group.  The online 'chats' start at 8pm (CDT) and are open to anyone living with or trying to find out more information on hearing loss.

Have a great week!

Just received this from our new President, Dick Davies, of our Hearing Loss Group here in Wales.

We spent Saturday night with my husbands' fantasy football team members having our annual get-together.  As we were all having dinner and talking about what we had all been up to in our lives, the discussion topic changed to the current state of affairs in our lives and country when it comes to the current financial mess.

As we all listened to those that had stories to tell, I couldn't help but think of the history of this whole scenario.  Here are some of the things that I came up with.  Feel free to add to the list!

1.  Remember when our National Government was more of an afterthought vs. today when it is the all knowing, rule making, terminal growth we deal with on a daily basis?  For example, back in the 'old days', most of the population could go weeks without hearing anything about the latest conflicts, fraud, spending or how our government was going to 'fix' the lastest problem.  We all worked together in our little communities and did what we could to fix the local problems.  If someone needed a little extra help, it usually started out at the Sunday church service where the congregation was informed of the problem and what was needed to help that family out.  By Sunday afternoon, food would be showing up at the familys' house, some would volunteer to help out with the fields or animals if the owner happened to be a farmer unable to accomplish his daily tasks.   There was no mention of money changing hands, favors being owed at a later date or a scoresheet being kept.  If you had something that you could part with or time that you could spare, no one gave a second thought to helping out.  The person in the situation was not judged or looked down upon.  After all, it could happen to any of us. " The only gift is a portion of thyself."  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

2.  Before the advent of 24 hour television, we had (most of us) 3 channels on our black and whites.  It was rare to turn the television on before the chores were done.  After all, if we sat watching the television, the laundry would not get done, cleaning the house would be put on hold and who would make the staples needed for the week?  Remember the saying, "Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle."  ~Abraham Lincoln

3.  Thinking back to how people looked at money, I can remember almost all of my grandparents not bothering to go to the bank.  Instead they kept their money at home.  Hidden in the strangest of places.  Of course, with the advent of the banking system enticing all of us to open accounts and receive that nifty coffee pot, we soon became customers.  After all, if someone was going to give you something for free, you would be a fool not to take advantage of the program.  Now we see most people depositing their paychecks electronically.  You don't even have to make a trip to these fine institutions to give them your money.  Of course the day of free 'premiums' have pretty much ended.  And, most of us are now in the situation of owing the bank much more money than we ever had hidden in our houses.  It took a lot of years to get all of us into this situation.  We were constantly told that the American Dream was to own a house, car (several in fact), take out a loan for that material thing that we could not possibly wait and save our pennies for and of course we were only too happy to pay the bank for the priviledge of getting access to money that for the most part, we could have lived just fine without.  

Then, the government came up with this great idea of Home Equity Lines of Credit and the bankers came up with the idea of credit cards.  Why wait to have what you want just because you don't have the money to pay for it now?  Let us help you to achieve your goals and dreams.  When did the dream of being thousands of dollars in debt and no longer having control over your financial life become a good thing to do?  Like a herd of cows, we were led to believe and do what all of the others around us were so excited about.  So, how's that latest credit purchase looking to you now?  Do you still get as much enjoyment out of it knowing that based on most payment schedules for the loans or credit, you will probably be paying close to 40% more than it originally cost?  How is that helping you to improve your life when you are looking at ways to make the minimum payments?  Do you think that it would be a good idea to get back to a positive cash flow?  Do you even remember how to do that?  "The modern banking system manufactures money out of nothing. The process is perhaps the most astounding piece of sleight-of-hand that was ever invented. Banking was conceived in inequity and born in sin... But if you want to continue to be slaves of the bankers and pay the cost of your own slavery, then let the bankers continue to create money and control credit."
Josiah Charles Stamp

 

4.  That brings me to the ultimate American falsehood.  Our fantastic retirement/401k/Roth IRA accounts.  Remember the days when you either had your 'retirement' funds hidden at home, put into interest bearing (ok, I know it was not a great rate) savings accounts or CD's, city bonds, ect.?  Remember all of the hype via our great government, IRS and banking system when the politicians finally passed those great rules for these things?  Where were we all told to put it?  Yup, the stock market.  Did any of us even think about what the Stock Market really was?  How it operated?  Who was in Charge?  Nope, we once again turned into a herd of cows and followed the crowd.  After all there were so many 'people in the know' that were more than willing to help us achieve that dream of sandy beaches and cruising the world after the age of 65.  And, the fees that they were going to charge us were not really that bad.  After all, this meant that we wouldn't really have to pay attention to what they were doing with our money.  They were the experts!  

So, here we are.  Looking at each other and wondering what the heck happened.  When did we lose control of our lives?  How is the government going to help us now?  This is what happened in a period of 2 generations.  So, what do you have to show for it and how are we going to fix it?  Of course, the people that we gave all of this power to are more than willing to show the herd which way to go...

Have a great week! 

Just received this from HLAA's National Office. 

HLAA is working for you: Public Policy and Advocacy  by Lise Hamlin 

 http://hlaa-advocacy.blogspot.com/

On Friday, February 19, 2010, HLAA along with other consumer and industry representatives attended a meeting of the Digital Closed Captioning & Video Description Technical Working Group. This Working Group is hosted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to tackle the problems consumers have seen with closed captioning in a DTV world.

It has become apparent that some of the problems with captioning on DTV's are complex and difficult to track down and solve, some are not so difficult but need the industry to devote resources to address, and others need input from the FCC to ensure the problems are solved. It was good to hear that the folks at the FCC are determined to make headway to solve these difficult problems.

It appears that one issue is that we don't have enough data to know what all the problems are. One way to address that is for consumers to send in more complaints. Well, it just got easier to complain!

At the Feb 19th meeting, the FCC announced that the rules that had been adopted by the FCC for filing of captioning complaints back in November, 2009, are now in effect. We believe these new rules will help consumers get their captioning problems solved much more quickly than the old rules and allow the FCC and industry to better understand the kind of problems we are seeing and where we are seeing those problems.

Under the new rules:

1. You can contact the program distributor directly. The program distributor is the broadcaster, the cable company, the satellite company or whoever is sending you the television signal. The new rules say that a contact person must be available during hours of operation for broadcasters, cable companies and satellite companies so that you can call or email a real person, and, with any luck, get your problem solved very quickly. This has the potential to be very good for complaints where there is a quick fix, like captions suddenly disappearing during a program. Your program distributor's contact information should be made available on the company's bill or on their website very soon, if it is not there already. After March 22, you can also find the contact information on the FCC's website.

2. You can contact the FCC. The new rules say you can bring your complaint to the attention of the FCC first. The FCC will then send your complaint to the program distributor. Also, you can contact the FCC even after you contacted the program distributor directly, if that problem was not solved. This will be helpful because the FCC will be able to see the kinds of complaints that are coming in, and might even be able to start seeing patterns in our complaints.

3. The rules say you must send in a complaint within 60 days of the captioning problem. And the program distributor will have 30 days to respond after they received the complaint from you or the FCC.

4. You can file your written complaint with the FCC by using the on-line complaint form found at esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm?sid=&id=d1e3. You can also file your complaint with the FCC’s Consumer Center by e-mailing fccinfo@fcc.gov; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing to:
Federal Communications Commission Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20554

For more information about closed captioning and the complaint process, visit the FCC's website at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/closedcaption.html

So, do send your complaints to the FCC. I for one, look forward to the time when we have no complaints to send in!

--
Posted By Lise Hamlin to HLAA is Working for You: Public Policy and Advocacy at 2/20/2010 01:44:00 PM

For those of you that want to know more of the financial details of companies, here's a really good place to start.  http://www.footnoted.org/

The woman that started this company reads through the SEC filings and finds the little hidden gems that usually don't make it to your local newspaper.  While most of us tend to follow the herd and believe everything that is told to us via the MSM, there is a lot of information that we are not getting.  The link above will take you to some of the last few weeks columns. 

I liked the fact that she has the links in each story that will take you to the actual SEC filing so that you can read it for yourself.  I think she is going to have plenty of business for the time being.  After all, who else do you know that does this kind of stuff? 

Have a great week!

I was recently contacted by the editor of Deaf Digest.  This 'magazine' is available via the internet and it's free!  While checking it out, I ran across an interesting article having to do with finding a hotel that has accommodations for those that are D/HOH.  Here's the link:  http://deafdigest.com/deaftravel/

The magazine has numerous articles on just about everything that you can think of.  It's updated every Monday.  There's even a section that has the latest job openings specifically for those that are D/HOH. 

If you are interested in receiving this publication, just click on the subscribe button at the top of the page.  It's free due to the support of the advertisers.  And, for you sports buffs, there is also a Sports edition online.

Have a great week!

For those of you that really don't like to read or investigate what a hearing loss is like, this makes it easy for you.  Here is a video of a Flintstones cartoon clip that illustrates what hearing loss sounds like.  While it may not be of a scientific nature, for those of us that live this everyday, it's pretty darn close.  Keep in mind that not all of us have the same loss.  Some of us have a loss in the lower (bass) tones and others have a loss in the higher (soprano) tones.  And, then there are some that have a loss in both ranges. 

When you click on the video, note the chart/graph on the right hand side.  The segment starts out at a 'normal' hearing range and then goes to a mild loss, moderate loss, ect.  If you find yourself turning the volume up, you may want to investigate further and see if you have a hearing loss. 

Here's the link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD5E88fFnxE

For more information on what sounds you could be missing/not hearing, feel free to look at my Speech Banana/Audiogram results.  Here's the link:  http://www.livinglakecountry.com/blogs/communityblogs/45013802.html

On another note, I saw Patrick Duffy (was an actor on Dallas in the 1980's) doing a television commercial for Miracle Ear this week.  Keep in mind that the companies that use 'famous' people in their ads still need to be checked out for just how good their product, testing and company reputation are.  To do this, just type in the name of the company or product followed by the word complaints in your search window.  There are a lot of good sites on the internet as well as the Better Business Bureau. 

The last famous person that I saw hawking 'hearing aids' was Lee Majors for the 'Bionic' Hearing Aid.  As I stated a few months back, it usually takes around 6-18 months for the complaints to start on products advertised as a great way to get your 'hearing' back that are really a rip-off.  Here's an example of what that company is doing.  http://www.ripoffreport.com/miscellaneous-electronics/bionic-hearing/bionic-hearing-lee-majors-bio-a346e.htm

If you have any doubts or if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!  Take the time to check out the information via the internet.  It doesn't cost you anything (especially if you use a computer/internet at your local library) and could result in saving you a lot of frustration and money. 

Have a great week!

Copyright 2010 Tami Klink

Just received this.  If you have a child (elementary aged) with hearing loss, this is an opportunity for you to share the 'Arts' with them!

Have a great week!

Please share this information regarding the 2010 national tour of this wonderful play for children and their families:

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and VSA arts

present

“Nobody’s Perfect”

Based on the children’s book by Marlee Matlin and Doug Cooney

Adapted for the stage by Doug Cooney

Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma

ASL Translation by Alexandria Wailes

Music Direction by Christopher Youstra

Directed by Coy Middlebrook

Company ASL interpreters: Sam Parker and Jayne Tubergen

Featuring Deaf Actress:  Tami Lee Santimyer as Megan

This play is performed in both American Sign Language and spoken English

with  Open Captioning.

"A NEARLY PERFECT MUSICAL!
Youthful gusto and a generous heart. Outstanding production values and top-notch cast.
An infectious score... three-and-a-half stars!"
- The Washington Times    Read the full review
 
"PRE-ADOLESCENT ANGST, WITH HARMONY...
Nobody's Perfect delights with comic numbers and an excellent young cast. 
The songs are not only catchy but also infectiously performed. Bright 'n' lively!"
- The Washington Post    Read the full review


Fourth grade is not easy and after spending a year planning her "positively purple" birthday party, Megan finds herself at odds with new student Alexis. To Megan, Alexis has it all: beauty, brains, and athletics--she's practically perfect in every way. Though Megan tries to be nice to her, Alexis is anything but friendly, making Megan wonder, "Does she not like me because I'm deaf?" When they're forced to collaborate on a science project, Megan discovers Alexis's secret. Based on the children's book by Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin (Best Actress, Children of a Lesser God) and Doug Cooney, this touching new musical--simultaneously performed in spoken English and American Sign Language--with Open Captions, is a poignant reminder that despite first impressions, nobody's perfect. For ages 9 and up.

For a behind the scenes tour and  interviews with the cast and director in ASL or English with captioning visit:  http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/nobodysperfect/

Please support this performance by purchasing tickets and enjoying the show when it comes to your town!  Schedule below:

·         February 19 - Texarkana, TX -  Perot Theatre, www.trahc.org

·         February 23 - Gilbert, AZ - Higley Center for the Performing Arts, www.higleyarts.org

·         February 27 - Poway, CA - Poway Center for the Performing Arts, www.powayarts.org

·         February 28 -  La Mirada, CA - La Mirada Theatre, www.lamiradatheatre.com

·         March 2-4 - Las Vegas, NV - Gilbert Magnet School

·         March 9 - Cerritos, CA - Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, www.cerritoscenter.com/index.aspx

·         March 16 - La Crosse, WI - Fine Arts Center, Viterbo University, www.viterbo.edu/finearts1.aspx

·         March 19 - Lincoln, NE - Lied Center for Performing Arts, www.liedcenter.org

·         March 22 - Springfield, IL - Sangamon Auditorium,  www.uis.edu/sangamonauditorium

·         March 25 - Paducah, KY - Carson Four Rivers Center,  www.thecarsoncenter.org

·         March 30 - Des Moines, IA - Civic Center of Greater Des Moines,  www.civiccenter.org

·         April 1 - Junction City, KS - C.L. Hoover Opera House,  www.jcoperahouse.org

·         April 7 - Memphis, TN - The Orpheum Theatre,  www.orpheum-memphis.com

·         April 12 - Elyria, OH - Stocker Arts Center – Lorain County CC,  www.lorainccc.edu/Stocker+Arts+Center

·         April 13 - Sylvania, OH - Franciscan Center,  www.franciscancenter.org

·         April 16 - Greenville, NC - East Carolina University,  www.ecu.edu/cs-studentlife/mendenhall/wrightauditorium

·         April 19 - Spartanburg, SC - Chapman Cultural Center,  www.chapmanculturalcenter.org/index.php

·         April 22 - Orange Park, FL - Thrasher Horne Center,   http://thcenter.org

·         April 23 - Punta Gorda, FL - Charlotte Performing Arts Center

·         April 26-27 - West Palm Beach, FL - Kravis Center for Performing Arts,  www.kravis.org/index.cfm

·         May 3 - Pembroke, NC - Givens Performing Arts Center,  www.uncp.edu/gpac/

·         May 7-8-  New York, NY - Jack H. Skirball Center for the Performing Arts @ New York University,  www.skirballcenter.nyu.edu

·         May 11 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Center,  www.brooklyncenter.com

·         May 12 - Flushing, NY - Queens College,   http://kupferbergcenter.org

·         May 13 - Buffalo, NY - Shea’s Performing Arts Center,  www.sheas.org

Thank you for helping to spread the word to your community!

Betty Siegel

Director of Accessibility

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Washington, D.C. 20056

(202) 416-8727 (voice)

(202) 416-8728 (TTY)

(202) 416-8802 (fax)

access@kennedy-center.org

Just received this info. today.  It looks like this project (parents will get paid by the hour) will be focusing on Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, North Carolina & Missouri.  If you live in one of those states and would like to participate, please log on to the website below in the email. 

Have a great week!

On Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 4:01 PM, DHH, Webmaster <DHH.Webmaster@illinois.gov> wrote:

Hearing and Vision Connections was recently contacted by Marcia St. Clair at  the University of Iowa about a new study into the outcomes of children with hearing loss. Some of you may already be aware of this study. I  offered to distribute information about the project to  Illinois  individuals connected to services to and families of young children with hearing loss.

You are receiving this information as the contact person for an identified group.  Please distribute to families and other interested individuals as possible.  ( I will include a list of Illinois groups that I am distributing this to at the end of this email).

This is what I know about the project based on my conversation with Marcia St. Clair:

The name of the project is Outcomes of Children with Hearing Loss.  There will be one full year of recruitment of families, followed by a 5-year research study.  The target group is children ages  6 months to 6 years with bilateral mild to moderate/severe loss. The study does not include children with cochlear implants.

Funding for the project is provided by The National Institute of Health and The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. The project will look at listening ad hearing aide status, and will test speech and language, academic and social development.  Child testing and parent questionnaires  will be involved.  Parents will be paid $15 per hour for their participation.  Testing will be provided in the families  local communities through the use of mobile testing units and families will not be asked to travel. Testing will be completed by an audiologist and an SLP.  Different protocol will be used for each age range.

There are 3 sites collaborating:

1) Boys Town National Research Hospital in Omoha (which is branching out into Kansas and Missouri)

2) University of Iowa (which is brancing out into Illinois)

3) University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

The Process: 

1) Interested parents complete and send the post card found on the brochure

2) The project will contact the family directly

3) There will be a telephone screen to determine if the child qualifies for the study.

Here is the website with more information concerning the research project:

http://www.uiowa.edu/~ochl/

On this site you can view the electronic version of the brochure given to parents. If you would like hard copies of the brochure, please let me know and I can either send them to you or have them sent to you directly from the project.

Illinois entities this email is being sent to :

Hearing and Vision Connections

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (UNHS Council) Illinois Teachers of Hard of Hearing and Deaf Individuals Illinois Supervisors of Programs Serving Individuals who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing Choices for Parents Guide By Your Side Illinois Hands and Voices Institute for Parents of Preschool Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Illinois Department of Public Health Illinois Early Intervention Developmental Therapists/Hearing Illinois School for the Deaf Illinois School for the Deaf Outreach Program (Parent Conferences) Marion School for the Hearing Impaired Division of Specialized Care for Children Illinois Department of Human Services, Bureau of Early Intervention Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission Illinois Speech Language and Hearing Association Childrens Memorial Hospital, Chicago CAOS - Carle Auditory Oral School ECHO - Expanding Children's Hearing Opportunities Childrens Memorial Hospital, St. Louis The MOOG Center for Deaf Education, St. Louis CID, Central Institute for the Deaf, St. Louis

Thank you for your assistance in distributing this information.

Gail Olson, Program Coordinator

Hearing and Vision Connections

@The Illinois School for the Deaf

125 Webster Avenue

Jacksonville, Illinois  62650

Email :           Gail.Olson@illinois.gov

Main Office :  (217) 479-4318

Direct Line:    (217) 479-4320

Fax :              (217) 479-4328

Website:       http://morgan.k12.il.us/isd/hvc

ODHH Net

Installment #498, February - 2010

For those of you wanting to know more about the Wisconsin Chapters, there is now a new website for our State Office.

Here's the link:  http://hlaa-wi.org/

Also, you may have started to hear about the first Walk4Hearing to be held in Milwaukee on May 16, 2010 at Veterans Park on the lakefront.  HLAA started having these walk/fundraisers for the local Chapters about 4 years ago.  Here is the link for the National website:  http://hlaa.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=walk_home_page

To find out if your State is holding a Walk this year, just click on 'select your walk'.  This will take you to a listing of the states that are participating.  Click on the State that you want to support and it will take you to the 'teams'.  Pick the team you want to join or contribute to and you are in!

For those of you interested in joining our team, here's the link to our page:  http://hlaa.convio.net/site/TR/Teamraiser/2010MilwaukeeWalk?px=1468501&pg=personal&fr_id=1670&et=2Vb9fxgyIV8HgYgtUGMKSw..&s_tafId=9990

We are looking for any area residents interested in supporting hearing loss to join us down in Milwaukee on May 16th.  If for some reason, you do not want to participate in the actual walk, but still want to donate to the cause, you can just click on the donate button. 

All monies generated from these 'Walks' will be used to support the many Chapters in each State that are participating.  We are one of those groups that does not get any federal or state money to continue our support programs.  In our case, we keep our costs low and so far have been able to continue our group.  Thanks to the Village of Wales, our cost to use their Community Center is still easy to manage for us.  But, there are a lot of Chapters out there that struggle monthly to 'pay' the bills associated with running a support group.

All Chapters that are participating are designated as non-profit 501(c)(3)'s via the IRS.  That means that any money donated to them via the walk is tax deductible to the contributor.  It's a big step for all of us to take to get to this point.  But, based on the many positive stories from the participants in the Chapters, it is well worth it!  In our case, we have seen some of our members get hearing aids, cochlear implants and the confidence to enter the work force or learn how to accept and deal with their hearing loss in a hearing world. 

Have a great week!