Newsletter Fall 02

Program Updates

Staff News

DBSC Announcements

DBSC T-Shirt Ad and Order Form

Community Announcements

Donors

DBSC Newsletter Abbreviation Information

In order to save space here, will often abbreviate "DB" for Deaf-Blind.

Director's Letter

This fall will begin my fourth year as the Director of DBSC. The past three years have been fun, a big learning experience and full of many challenges. There is always more to learn and lots of wonderful people to have fun with at DBSC. I want to thank all the DBSC Board members for their hard work. Also, special thanks to the following people: Danny Delcambre, Debbie Sommer, Jeff Foster, Caryn Tenin, Alex Lee and Robert Steppler, for all the support and patience you have given me.

This year DBSC faces several new challenges. Challenge is not a bad thing. Challenge often means change and growth. DBSC is an agency that is alive, changing and ready to grow. One big challenge is finding the money to set up the new Senior Citizen's Project so Deaf-Blind Seniors can have the services they need to live safely and independently. Another challenge is finding a new building or office space for DBSC to move into. A third challenge is keeping the state, federal and city funds contracted to DBSC without any cuts during this hard economic time.

This past summer for my vacation, I met a personal challenge-it was hiking and backpacking half way around Mt. Rainer in one week. The most important thing I learned from that trip was that people working together helps to make challenges much easier. It did not matter if the people on the trail were deaf or hearing, young or older, tall or short, we all helped each other in different ways. The same is true for my work at DBSC. The DBSC Board, staff members, and volunteers are all working hard together to meet this year's new challenges. Over the past three years, some of the accomplishments DBSC made will help us to stay strong to meet the new challenges.

For example, the DBSC budget has grown by 30% since 1999. The increase in funds made it possible for DBSC to expand the SSP hours for all Deaf-Blind people. All SSP's received a $1.00 an hour increase in pay, too. Also, all Deaf-Blind people on the waiting list in 1999 are getting SSP services now. In 1999, Nancy Sommer was working part-time as the SSP coordinator, but now she works full-time. We added a new position and hired a part-time Staff Interpreter/Coordinator. The average staff pay rates have increased 22% since 1999. DBSC programs continue to serve about 100 Deaf-Blind people a year.

The support you all have given, money you donated or time you volunteered to DBSC is the main reason DBSC stays alive and will help us to meet all the new challenges. Thank you for your contributions.

Sincerely,
Gail Ploman

Program Updates

Support Service Provider Update!
By Nancy Sommer

Wow! Summer went by fast! It was a very busy time as many of our regular SSP's took time off. I was able to keep up by recruiting many sub SSP's to fill in. Thanks to all of you who helped out!

DBSC is thrilled to announce that we received a two year Federal Grant for $130,000 for the SSP Program. (That is $65,000 each year.) How will we use this money? First, we will increase the number of SSP hours a DB person receives each month. If you are age 55 or above, you will get 10 hours a month. If you are under the age of 55, you will get 8 hours a month. Of course, I will check with everyone and see how it's going. We will make changes if needed. Secondly, we added transportation and SSP services for DB people who are on the Board, a Committee member, and DBSC staff. But they must be doing DBSC business, smile!

We are happy to announce that we will pay SSP's for Airport Trips! This includes picking up the Deaf-Blind person and taking them to or from the airport. This can include guiding and visual information. We are now able to pay SSP's two hours for their time. The Deaf-Blind person is still responsible to pay for parking and gas.

Advocacy and Case Management Program
By Liz Halperin

Interpreter Preference List Project
Soon, we will start updating everyone's interpreter preference lists. We are putting together a new list of interpreters in this area. We are including Deaf Interpreters this time. We will offer you a chance to update your list.

NEW! Telephone Relay Preference List Project
We will be starting a new community-wide project in the new year. We helped DB people to get better interpreter services with preference lists. Now we will do the same thing with the Telephone Relay Service.

The Relay Service can keep a preference list too. The paperwork includes many options: you can list how fast you want them to type, you can say you always want a male or female relay worker, and you can put in info about long distance. You can even list names and numbers for speed dial! For example, you can have a list of people and their phone numbers on the Relay computer database. Then you can just tell the Relay worker the name of who you want to call. You don't have to type in the number each time. For example, if you call your sister often, you can list that: and just tell the relay worker, "Call my sister." There are many choices. If you are interested in doing this project, we can help you with the paperwork. Just give one of our advocates a call!

Metro Bus Identification Kits
We'd like to clear up some possible misunderstanding about the bus kits. Metro will give free kits to DB people. The bus number ID kits have yellow cards with black numbers. The drivers are supposed to know yellow cards mean DB people. (Many drivers still don't know this.) You can get the kits free from the Customer Service office at the King Street Station. Each kit has one of each number. Sometimes you need more numbers, for example, if you want bus 33. You can have more than one kit if you explain this. When your plastic kit wears out, you can ask for more. The kits are free.

Right now, many people are making their own kits. This is great! Some DB people are experimenting with different ways to show the bus numbers. Metro accepts this just fine. You can use whatever works for yourself as an individual.

You can also use Metro's Special Assistance cards to tell the driver where you want to get off, or make your own. Remember that we are all individuals with different abilities and needs. Let's respect each other's ideas and support each other and our DB community!

CCTV Community Loaner
DBSC is happy to announce we now have a CCTV for community loan! If you are Deaf-Blind and your home CCTV has to go for repair, you can borrow one from DBSC! It is a Telesensory CCTV, black and white with a 17 inch monitor. You would have to sign a form that you will take care of it and give it back. If you need to borrow the CCTV, just call DBSC and Dave Scotton will help you. We remember that the DB community has wanted loaner equipment, so this is a good start!

DB Interpreter Mentorship Program
By Marie Massena

Region X Interpreter Education Center & the
Deaf-Blind Service Center:

Hello everyone, Marie Massena here. After 2 years of coordinating the Mentorship Project I am moving on. It has been a wonderful experience but my other duties at DBSC need some more attention.smile.

I am very pleased to announce the new coordinator is Mary Bauer. It will be a smooth transition since we both work at DBSC and have all the forms, paperwork, etc. in the office. Plus, Mary will do a wonderful job and I will be supporting her during the transition.

So remember, if you are already skilled with interpreting for DB people, please consider becoming a mentor. If you are a working interpreter and want more experience with DB people, please consider becoming a mentee. Thanks to everyone who has been and still is involved with the project. I appreciate all of you very much!

Staff News

Jean Healy
Part-time Advocacy Specialist, Jean Healy left the DBSC office in June 2002 to pursue other work interests. We are lucky to have Jean provide some contract work for us: she still represents DBSC on the Sound Transit Citizens' Accessibility Advisory Committee (CAAC) and provides some client assistance. We were very fortunate to have her at DBSC for the last 2 ½ years. Thanks for all your hard work, and hugs from all of us at DBSC.

Dave Scotton
Hi! My Name is Dave Scotton and I joined the DBSC staff in June, 2002. I am the new Deaf-Blind Advocacy Specialist.

A bit about myself! I am a native Californian, born in Santa Cruz and grew up all over Los Angeles. I am Deaf. I attended an oral deaf school and a deaf program in High School. Then I went to Gallaudet University and got a BA degree.

My work experience includes Greater Los Angeles Area Council on Deafness (GLAD), and Deaf USA. I was a bartender for three years before moving to Portland for a year. Now I am back in Seattle (I lived here briefly in 1995) and I am thrilled to be here. I look forward to meeting you all!

Liz Halperin
Hi everyone, from Liz Halperin! I want to thank you all for your good wishes when I hurt my neck and arm last July. I am cutting down on my hours at DBSC. I used to work 40 hours each week. Now I will only work 30 hours each week. I won't be at DBSC on Thursdays. I will also have my other elbow fixed in late November (ouch!), so that will take a little bit of time to heal again. Thanks for your patience while my arms are getting stronger!

Volunteers
Our dedicated on-going volunteer Susan Switzer is pregnant! The baby is due in early February, 2003. Susan, thank you for all your hard work in supporting us! We want to thank Leigh Golston for all her time as a volunteer and wish her well in her new activities! Also, we would again like to recognize and thank Christine Gilbrough for her volunteer time assisting with this newsletter. Christine has many good ideas which we have used and she helped prepare the large print and braille copies for mailing. Thank you, Christine!

DBSC Announcements

Looking for a new experience with fun people? Come join the DBSC Board! Contact the DBSC front office for an application.

Liz Halperin is looking for a reliable on-going volunteer to help with confidential data entry, confidential filing, and other needs of the Advocacy Program. Liz will provide training and monitoring for these tasks. If you are willing to commit to a couple hours a week, please contact Liz.

DBSC T-SHIRT SALES

Once again DBSC is offering T-Shirts for sale. T-shirts will be printed in November in limited quantity. To be sure you receive yours we encourage you to place your orders by November 5th. The design has not changed since the 1996 T-shirts were sold. If you have any questions please call.

DBSC 2003 Events (save these dates!)
February 22 - Italian Experience (Fundraising Event)

April 26 - Walkathon (Fundraising Event)

August 2 - DBSC Annual Picnic

Moving? New email address? Please update your address and email with DBSC!! (206) 323-9178 V/TTY or dbsc@speakeasy.net

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Deaf-Blind Game Days!
The game days will be at CSCDHH (1609 19th Ave) from 9 am to 3 pm on the following Saturdays: November 9th, January 4th, February 8th, and March 8th. Deaf-Blind people who want an SSP and volunteers who want to be an SSP contact Jean Healy at (206) 329-1882 TTY or jahealy@juno.com. Bring your favorite card or board game!

Lighthouse Deaf-Blind Community Classes:
We are having exciting new class topics this fall. All classes will be at Seattle Central Community College from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. The class dates are October 9th and 23rd, November 6th and 20th, and December 4th. If you would like to register as Deaf-Blind participant, an interpreter, SSP or need more info, please contact Jackie Engler at (206) 436-2207 TTY or email JEngler@SeattleLH.com.

WSDBC - Costume Ball!
Nov 2 at CSCDHH from 6 pm - 9 pm
Cost $5.00 and bring snack to share
??? contact: Phil Quibodeaux: dbcajun@yahoo.com or
Di Black: DiSeattle95@yahoo.com

ASLIS
Theresa B. Smith's book, "Guidelines: practical tips for working and socializing with Deaf-Blind people" is now in its revised 2nd edition! It has been expanded to include important new chapters: 1) Support Service Providers: definition and role; 2) Authority, power and control, and; 3) Meetings including Deaf-Blind people. You can purchase the book from Sign Media Press or from the ASLIS office for $25.00.

AADB 2003 Conference
The conference will be in San Diego, CA at San Diego State University (SDSU), Saturday July 12 to Friday July 18th, 2003. If you would like to become a member of AADB, contact the AADB home office at: info@aadb.org or (301) 495 - 4402 TTY. DBSC also has AADB membership forms. Conference applications and prices will be available in Jan. 2003. SSPs are always needed. SSPs do not pay for room and board, only their transportation to and from San Diego.

DBSC OFFICE AND STAFF

DBSC Phone: (206) 323 - 9178 V/TTY
DBSC Fax: (206) 328 - 8497

Gail Ploman, Executive Director
Phone: (206) 325 - 7241 TTY
Email: gaploman@speakeasy.net

Marie Massena, Administrative Assistant
Phone: (206) 323 - 9178 V/TTY
Email: mariem@speakeasy.net

Nancy Wickward, Office Manager
Phone: (206) 323 - 9178 V/TTY
Email: dbsc@speakeasy.net

Nancy Sommer, SSP Program Coordinator
Phone: (206) 323 - 3644 TTY
Email: nancyssp@speakeasy.net

Liz Halperin, Advocacy Program Manager/ Advocacy Specialist
Phone: (206) 323 - 9217 TTY
Email: halperin@speakeasy.net

Dave Scotton, Advocacy Specialist
Phone: (206) 328 - 0613 TTY
Email: scottond@speakeasy.net

Mary Bauer, Staff Interpreter/Coordinator of Deaf-Blind Interpreter Mentorship Project
Phone: (206) 323 - 9178 V/TTY
Email: mlbauer@speakeasy.net

DBSC BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Jeff Foster - President Diane Black - Member
Caryn Tenin - Vice President Leigh Golston - Member
Alex Lee - Treasurer Lynn Martinez - Member
Robert J. Steppler - Member

Donors April to Sept. 2002

Catherine Sommer
Lynn & Robert Chase
Bob & Emily Marcus
Diana Chin
Gregory D. Smith
Larry W. Lambert
United Way of King County
Bernadette Taylor
Bonnie & Robert Bayliss
Donald & Wendy Richardson
Mairead Droney
Eric Kool-Brown & Sheryl Kool
Mildred Frankel
Kristen & Bart Johnson
Carol Logan
Lawrence Mayer
Melvin & Linda Simon
Dorothy Foster
University Lions Foundation
Jeff Foster
Buzz & Diane Benson
Listiarini McNicholl
Liz Halperin & Jody Mayer
Jim & Gloria Paladichuk
Frankie Snyder
Lewis Merkin
D.D. Sidebottom
Kristin Curley
Caryn Tenin
Tanis Winfield
Scott Oberg
Margarita Eng
Bob Carroll
Don Meyer
Clements Provatakis
Gordon & Kathy Wickward
Lorna & Les Molenaar
Jackie Engler-Morris & Lester Morris
Chuck & Phyllis Pyle
Mark Vick & Rachel McCrea
William & Carol Engler
Sheila & Lachmi Mohnani
Karen Carlson
Karen Chriest
Lynneth & Gabriel Martinez
Griffin Commercial Parts
Paul & Grace Wickward
Anonymous Donors

DONATION FORM

The Deaf-Blind Service Center is a non-profit organization. We are funded through government contracts and individual donations. All contributions are tax deductible within the rules and regulations set by the IRS.

Your support means a lot to us.

Yes! I would like to make a donation to DBSC. Enclosed is a contribution of:

$25.00 ' $50.00 ' $100.00
$250.00 ' $500.00 ' $1000.00
Other amount

I want this donation to be anonymous.

Name: _____________________________________

Address: ___________________________________

City/State/Zip: _______________________________

Phone: _____________________________________

Email: ______________________________________

Yes, the company I work for has a Matching Gifts program.

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