Deaf Line Online: November 2001

Schaumburg Township Disabled Services Office Wishes you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Please note: Our temporary e-mail address is schaumburg_township@hotmail.com

Deaf Services Hosts An Educational Workshop "Client Assistance Program"
Our Holiday Parties

Schaumburg Township Deaf Services thanks Raymond Rodgers for giving a very informative presentation on "HIV/AIDS Awareness" on October 29, 2001. We learned a lot all about causes, prevention and management.

Table of Contents:

1. DeafFest 2001 At Harper College
2. News From FRVCIL
3. Counceling Services
4. Chicagoland Black Deaf Advocates
5. Reminder
6. New Year's Eve Party
7. Website Updated
8. Mortgage Broker
9. MOPD's World AIDS Day
10. Flu Shots
11. Nation's First Children's Museum On Deafness
12. Notice
13. Signing Santa
14. Christmas Party For Deaf Seniors
15. Websites To Browse

Deaf Line Archives

• Deaf Calendar
• Dates To Remember

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Schaumburg Township Deaf Services Hosts An Educational Workshop "Client Assistance Program" By Darlene Washington Friday, November 30, 2001 7 - 9 p.m.

Schaumburg Township, Activity Center, One Illinois Blvd., Hoffman Estates, IL 60169

• Are you satisfied with the Rehabilitation Services you are receiving?
• Have you been turned down for rehabilitation services?
• Was your case closed without your agreement?
• Do you need information about Office of Rehabilitation Services (ORS), previously DORS?
• Are you having difficulty with the Centers for Independent Living (CIL)?

Darlene Washington, a Regional Advocate for the Client Assistance Program (CAP), will explain the CAP and your rights in the Vocational Rehabilitation process. Darlene works with people with disabilities in the Cook County Area. Being fluent in American Sign Language, she also works with the Deaf & Hard of Hearing communities all over Illinois.

• Come and learn what CAP can do for you related to your rights, available services, vocational rehabilitation and Office of Rehabilitation Services (previously DORS) and its programs.
• There will be time for questions/answers. All are welcome to attend this workshop. Bring your friends and family members. Refreshments will be served.
• RVSP: Call Sarita Phadke, Deaf Services Coordinator, at 847-884-1560 TTY; 847-884-0030 Voice; 847-884-0039 Fax.

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DeafFest 2001 At Harper College

Harper College in Palatine is hosting its 9th Annual DeaFest 2001 on November 15 - 17, 2001. The events scheduled will be:

Thursday, November 15 - "Deaf Travels", 7 - 9 p.m., at the Theatre, J143/Business & Social Science Center. A panel of Edna Johnston (Martha's Vineyard), Joel Mankowski (Paris), Cindy Plue (China) and Steve Turscany (Japan) will share exciting stories about their travel experiences. They will show slides of their trips. Interpreters and Real-Time Captioning are provided. Admission is free!

Friday, November 16 - "High School Academic Bowl", 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., at the Instructional Delivery Center/E-106. Several high schools will compete in the mental-sharpening competition, covering Art/Literature, Deaf Studies, Entertainment, Math, Technology, Science and Social Studies. Interpreters are provided.

Friday, November 16 - "ASL Storytelling" with Manny Hernandez, a nationally renowned storyteller from New York, 7:30 - 9 p.m., at the Theatre J-143, Business & Social Science Center. Manny will entertain with ASL stories about sports, opera, etc. Admission fees for this event are $3 (adults); $2 (students with ID). There will be no interpreters.

Saturday, November 17 - "ASL Storytelling & Activities for Children" with Manny Hernandez, 10:30 a.m. - noon, at the Theatre J143/Business & Social Science Center. This is an interactive storytelling session with animals as main characters. Interpreters will be provided and refreshments will be sold. There is no admission charge.

For more information, call 847-397-7600 TTY or 847-925-6266 V.

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News From FRVCIL

• Fox River Valley Center for Independent Living (FRVCIL) has a new Deaf Services Coordinator, Robin Yocum, who started working on October 1st. She is a late-deafened person who lost all of her hearing about 4 years ago. Prior to this job, Robin had volunteered and then worked as an Intern at Progress Center for Independent Living in Forest Park.
• There will be an open house on November 1st, 2 to 6 p.m., at the new satellite FRVCIL office in Aurora. The coordinators will work there on a rotating basis, providing services to people with disabilities and their family members at both offices in Elgin and Aurora. The new office is located in downtown Aurora, directly across from the Hollywood Casino in the North Plaza Building. The address is 8 E. Galena Blvd., Suite 201, Aurora, IL 60506.

For more information, call FRVCIL at 847-695-5868 TTY; 847-695-5818 V; 847-695-5892 Fax.

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Counceling Services

Janet Wattles Center in Rockford has a mental health counselor who can communicate in sign language, ASL or English and is trained in deafness-related issues. Her name is Jeanne M.Brand. She serves Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, Oral Deaf and Deaf-Blind in nine Illinois counties: Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Stephenson, Ogle, Whiteside and Winnebago. She travels to those counties as needed. For more information, contact Jeanne Brand, MA, CRC, at Janet Wattles Center, 526 W. State Street, Rockford, IL 61101; 815-968-2648 TTY; 815-968-9300 V; 815-720-5052 Fax; Jbrand@janetwattlescenter.com (Email).

(Illinois State-Wide Bulletin, Summer 2001)

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Chicagoland Black Deaf Advocates

ChicagoLand Black Deaf Advocates (CLBDA) is one of 32 chapters of the National Black Deaf Advocates. Its purpose is to advocate and take positive actions to enhance the life & welfare of Black Deaf people; to inform & educate the membership and community of the rights and needs of Black Deaf people; to foster leadership development & cultivate the potential of Black Deaf people by providing avenues for networking, employment and educational opportunities; to promote awareness of the Black Deaf Community. They have fundraising events, workshops, events, a Miss CLBDA pageant and more. The group meets monthly. Information on location of the meeting is posted and mailed to members each month. Membership is not limited to only Black Deaf individuals but also to anyone who is interested. Membership fees are $20 (individual) and $40 (organization), which include voting rights, reduced rates to special events, national membership, local and national newsletters. If interested in membership, email Crystal Kelley-Schwartz: phenomom55@aol.com.

Recently, CLBDA announced its 2001-2002 Board Members:
Crystal Kelley-Schwartz - President
Devon Whitmore - Vice President
Lydia Nantwi - Secretary
Christy Stripling - Asst. Secretary
Melvin Patterson - Treasurer
Cory Parker - Representative
Phillip Larry - Sergeant-At-Arms

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Reminder

The ITAC (Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation) program provides one TTY per telephone line per certified user. For example:
1 Deaf person + 1 phone line + 1 TTY
1 Deaf person + 2 lines = 1 TTY
2 Deaf people + 1 line = 1 TTY
2 Deaf people + 2 lines = 2 TTYs

So pass this information on to your friends. For more information, call ITAC at 1-800-841-6167 V/TTY.

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New Year's Eve Party

West Suburban Association of the Deaf (WSAD) is throwing a New Year's Eve 2001 Party on Monday, December 31, 2001, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. It will be held at the Rosemont Suites (will change to Embassy Suites), across street from Rosemont Convention Center, 5500 N. River Road, Rosemont, IL. There will be an open bar, reception, dance and a buffet-style dinner, prepared by Embassy's Deaf Chef, Paul Hansen. The cost is $80 per person before November 10th, but it will be $90 (from November 11th to December 20th). There will be 40 hotel rooms available for $95 including tax per night. Call 847-678-4000 V and ask for Suzi Markoska.

Check the WSAD's website, www.wsadeaf.org, for more information and to download the flyer and form.

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Website Updated

The website of Stevo's Custom Carpentry is updated as www.stevohammersmith.com. If you have any questions, contact Steve Hammersmith, who is a Deaf Carpenter, at 630-289-8160 TTY or stevo@hammersmiths.org (Email).

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Mortgage Broker

Need a mortgage? Want to refinance? Cesar Aguilar is a mortgage broker who is fluent in English and Spanish. He has a certified sign language interpreter available for any appointments. If you are buying a house, want to refinance, or consolidate loans, contact Cesar at 847-400-5555 V; 847-400-5121 Fax; CesarAguilarCM@aol.com (Email).

(Deaf IL News, October 8, 2001)

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MOPD's World AIDS Day

The Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) is hosting a World AIDS Day Remembrance on Friday, November 30, 2001, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It will be held at the MOPD Field Office, 2102 W. Ogden Avenue, Chicago, IL. Events include:

• Guest speakers
• Dedication of HIV/AIDS Awareness Bookmarks (Designed by Gallery 37 Student Apprentices)
• Viewing of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt
• HealthWorks Theatre Performance
• Small Group HIV/AIDS Awareness Presentations
• Food Drive for the Clients of Open Hand Chicago

For more information, contact MOPD's Substance Abuse/AIDS Prevention Program for the Hearing Impaired (SAAPPHI) at 312-744-4496 V or 312-746-5712 TTY.

In addition, MOPD is asking for donations of grocery & personal care/household cleaning items to benefit the Clients of Open Hand Chicago. Open House Chicago provides food and nutritional services free of charge to people with AIDS. Donations are accepted between November 1 and 30, 2001, and can be delivered to either Kate Kubey (Field Office) or Kurt Kausch (City Hall).

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Flu Shots

• Hoffman Estates Health & Human Services is offering flu shots on Thursday, November 15th, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Schaumburg Township. There is a nominal fee. For more information, call 847-882-4445 V.
• The Village of Schaumburg has not yet provided dates for the flu shots, but you can call the hotline number after November 1st to get more information - 847-923-3762 Voice.

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Nation's First Children's Museum On Deafness

The International Center on Deafness and the Arts (ICODA), located in Northbrook, IL, launched the first-ever Children's Museum on Deafness in the United States on October 29, 2001. The Children's Museum on Deafness at ICODA provides the opportunity for children grades 1 - 8 to learn about deafness and deaf culture and develop better understanding and appreciation of the contributions and lives of deaf and hard of hearing people. This museum was made possible through Illinois FIRST funds secured by State Senator Kathleen Parker and State Representative Elizabeth Coulson.

The two-hour museum in the round has three parts, presented both in American Sign Language and spoken English.

• First: Exhibit Hall - There are nine displays on science, adaptation and culture. Guests will learn the mechanics of hearing, check out the evolution of hearing technology, uncover notable contribution of Deaf & Hard of Hearing individuals, and discover an art movement, Deaf View Image Art (De'VIA) and much more.
• Second: Theatre performance - The Story-&-Sign Troupe, "Spot-a-Kiss", will lead the guests through a journey into Deaf Culture and introduce the powerful message that 'anything is possible when you believe in yourself'.
• Third: Project Studio - Students will participate in a guided art project and create a take-home memento to show parents or to display in the classroom.

Tours of the museum are by appointment only, Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A minimum of 15 guests must be guaranteed to schedule a tour. The admission fee is $10 per person and group rates are available. The museum is located at the International Center on Deafness and the Arts, 3444 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL. For more information, visit the website: www.icodaarts.org. To schedule a tour, contact Katherine Bus, Director, at 847-559-0110 ext. 237 (V); 847-559-9493 TTY; Katherine@icodaarts.org (Email).

(Press Release by ICODA, October 10, 2001)

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Notice

Schaumburg Township is undergoing a change of emails. Township employees will be getting their own email addresses in the few next months. Presently, the Disabled Services' email address: schaumburgtwndissvc@mediaone.net is no longer available. So if you need assistance, call 847-884-1560 TTY or 884-0039 Fax.

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Signing Santa

There will be a signing Santa Claus at the Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg on the following dates: November 21st, 27th & 30th, from 5 to 10 p.m. For more information, call Woodfield Mall at 847-330-0220 V or 847-330-9721 TTY.

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Christmas Party For Deaf Seniors

Joliet Deaf Seniors Club is hosting a Christmas Party for Deaf Seniors on Wednesday, December 5, 2001, 12 - 4 p.m. It will be held at Ashton Place, 341 W. 75th Street, Willowbrook, IL (Across from Hinsdale South High School). There will be jackpots, door prizes, and a cash bar. The cost per member is $25 and $30 for non-member. The deadline is November 20th. If interested, send a check to Jim Dignan, 20923 W. Blossom Lane, Plainfield, IL 60544. For more information, call Jim Dignan at 815-293-3311 TTY/Fax or Jim Smudzinski at 708-754-0855 TTY/Fax.

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Websites To Browse

• www.state.il.us/agency/dhs/dsdnp.html -Illinois Dept. of Human Services - Division of Services for Persons who are Deaf & Hard of Hearing
• www.icodaarts.org - International Center on Deafness
• www.deaf-center.org - Heartland Deaf Center
• www.state.il.us/dpa - Illinois Dept. of Public Aid
• www.idph.state.il.us - Illinois Dept. of Public Health
• www.iltech.org - Illinois Assistive Technology Project

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The Deaf Line newsletter is free. If you or someone you know would like to receive this monthly newsletter, call Sarita Phadke at 847-884-1560 TTY or 847-884-0039 FAX.

Deaf Line is published monthly. Any agency, organization, or group may reprint any of our articles provided proper credit is given by name of newsletter & date.

Address: Schaumburg Township Deaf Services, One Illinois Blvd., Hoffman Estates, IL 60169. Phone: 847-884-1560 TTY; 847-884-0030 V; 847-884-0039 FAX

Email: Schaumburgtwndissvc@mediaone.net

Website: www.schaumburgtownship.org

DISABLED SERVICES

• Gerry Bartnicke - Director: 884-0030 ext. 2020.
• Kitty Molander - Asst. Director: 884-0030 ext. 2022.
• Sarita Phadke -Deaf Services Coordinator/Editor: 884-1560 TTY.
• Rose Szyszka - Admin Asst./Outreach: 884-0030 ext. 2025.

Township Officials

• Mary Wroblewski - Supervisor.
• Wendell C. Howell - Clerk.
• Diane Dunham - Trustee.
• Pete Patel - Trustee.
• John Caporale - Trustee.
• Timothy Heneghan - Trustee.
• Michael Rupnow - Assessor (Through 2001).
• Robert Fecarotta - Road Commissioner.
• Frank Oliver - Collector (Through 2001).

Schaumburg Township is a Full Service TTY Regional Center for the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation (ITAC) Program (Distribution, Training, Repair & Exchange)

DEAFLINE
SCHAUMBURG TOWNSHIP DEAF SERVICES
ONE ILLINOIS BLVD.
HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL 60169

The monthly Deaf Line newsletter is produced courtesy of a grant from Ameritech & the Telephone Pioneers of America.

Dates To Remember

Our Holiday Parties

• Friday, December 7th - Schaumburg Township Disabled Services' Holiday Party for Disabled Adults - "Winter Wonderland", 11:30 a.m. Our party is sponsored by Heritage Bank.
• Saturday, December 8th - Holiday Party for Disabled Children & their Families, 12 p.m. All disabled children and their siblings age 16 and under who are in attendance will receive a gift. Parkway Bank is sponsoring the Children's Holiday Party.
Saturday, December 15th - Special Education Teen Dance, 7 - 10 p.m. LaSalle Bank is sponsoring the Teen Dance.

All events will be at the Schaumburg Township Activity Center, One Illinois Blvd., Hoffman Estates, IL. There will be food, entertainment, and raffle prizes donated by local businesses. An ASL interpreter will be provided upon advance request. RSVP is required for all parties by November 28, 2001, so please call 847-884-1560 TTY; 847-884-0030 V; 847-884-0039 Fax.

The monthly Deaf Line newsletter is produced courtesy of a grant from Ameritech & the Telephone Pioneers of America.

(Disabled Services Calendar)

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