SONIC NEWS - April/May 2001
"Striving to work together with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing with the intent to meet common challenges and overcome them by sharing experiences, concerns and hope for the future."
MAY SONIC MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT
The next SONIC meeting on May 10th. at the Cranston Public Library, 140 Sockanossett CrossRoad,Cranston, RI should be very exciting as Dr Brian Duff, Neutrology, and the only physician performing Cochlear Implant surgery in Rhode Island will be the guest speaker. Dr Duff has been performing implant surgery in Rhode Island for almost two years at RI Hospital. To date, there have been 16 implants performed in our state. Prior to his work in Rhode Island, Dr Duff was involved with cochlear implant surgery in the midwest. Many individuals have been given the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of this amazing device because of his work.
We are looking forward to hearing his account of how he became interested in this exciting field and learn how and why the implant works. Members of the Rhode Island community who have had the surgery will be there to share their experiences. There will be an opportunity to ask questions of both Dr Duff and the CI recipients in attendance. This meeting will be held from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
Light refreshments will be available at the close of the meeting.
Please come and share the evening with us and support SONIC's effort to enhance community awareness of hearing loss issues and promote a better understanding of Cochlear Implants.
LEGISLATIVE NEWS
There has been much activity at the State House over the last two months and the deaf and hard of hearing community was very much involved in working with our state legislators in our behalf.
Two bills initiated by the CDHH were passed unanimously at the House Health, Education and Welfare Committe meeting. Bill H-5320 Sub A would increase the number of CDHH commissioners from 9 to 13. There would be 11 volunteer commissioners, 5 Deaf who sign, 1 oral deaf, 3 Hard of Hearing plus 1 senator and 1 representative. The changes will ensure that a majority of the Commission members will be Deaf or Hard of hearing.
The second bill passed was H-5321 Sub A. It would require RI companies to use an automated telephone answering service that allows callers to reach an operator immediately. This will prevent Deaf and Hard of hearing people trying to call thru the RI Relay from being cut off by automatic systems.
These two bills now go to the House Floor for debate.
MAJOR CHANGES AT CDHH:
CDHH Chair Beth Wilson and Executive Director Marilyn Levin are leaving the commission and leaving Rhode Island.
Beth is heading for Washington, 0D.C. to become the new national Executive Director of Self-Help for the Hard of Hearing. After 18 years of dedication to the Rhode Island Deaf and hard of hearing communities and employment as an engineer at Raytheon, Beth will now bring her considerable talent and expertise to the national scene. (See SHHH press release.)
Beth will be leaving for Washington in the middle of April, but before she leaves, there will be a farewell reception in her honor on Friday evening, April 6th, 7:00-11:00, at the American Legion Riverside Post #10, 830 Willet Ave., Riverside, RI. Let's all come to see her off and show our appreciation for all her years of work. (See further party information below.)
Marilyn returns to Massachusetts to accept a new position as Director of Case Management and Social Services for the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She has enjoyed her work and all the people she met as the first RICDHH Executive Director, and she hopes she has left the agency stronger than when she came. She was impressed by the list of accomplishments achieved during the past year and a half. It is through the hard work and dedication of the staff and commissioners that such a small agency has been so successful. Marilyn's last day of work will be sometime in mid-April.
As to who's going to be running the Commission, Jan Luby, currently Vice Chair, will become Chair until new Commissioners can be added and new elections can be held. Mary Catherine Hess, Information and Referral Coordinator, along with part-timers Jill Bradbury, Gilbert Valdez, and Alina Engelman, will keep the office on track until a new Executive Director is hired.
RIAD SPECIAL EVENT
On Saturday, April 28th., from 1-5 PM, The RI Association for the Deaf will present a special event "Celebrating Our Diverse Communities."Many Deaf and Hard of hearing community groups will perform skits and give brief presentations about their organization. The event aims to highlight Deaf Culture and raises money for RIAD Communtity Programs. The general public is encouraged to attend. ASL Interpreters and CART will be provided. This celebration will be held at the RI School for the Deaf. The charge is $8 for RIAD members and $10 for non-RIAD members. There is a $5.00 charge for students and youth between 13-15. Admission is free for children under 12. A light cold buffet will be served. SONIC is participating in this event.
THE MINUTEMAN COCHLEAR IMPLANT RETREAT
This Retreat is Fri-Sun, June 29-July 1, 2001. There will be four parallel tracks of presentations for parents and two parallel tracks for CI adults. This retreat will be held in Sturbridge, MA. There will be many sessions of interest for all who attend. Come to the SONIC meeting to find out more. SONIC will be participating in this meeting.
COCHLEAR IMPLANT ASSOCIATION, INC. 2001 CONVENTION July 13-16, 200l Minneapolis, MN
Improved hearing through the use of cochlear implants has become a reality for thousands of people over the past 20 years. As we enter the new millennium, scientific research and clinical application have demonstrated the benefits of cochlear implants in providing opportunities for people of all ages to develop and maintain communication skills; enhance education, learning, and career opportunities; and maintain an independent way of life.
The 2001 Cochlear Implant Association, Inc. (CIAI) Convention will provide a rich offering of learning, networking, and social opportunities for all individuals who have or are interested in cochlear implants. CIAI warmly invites you to join us in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and participate in our exciting program. Don't miss this special event.
For more information go to http://www.cici.org/convmain.html. You can download an application to attend at this website.
SONIC DUES
If you have not paid your SONIC dues, please contact John Tolento at Johnttol@aol.com for information on how you can do this. Of course we must request dues to keep the organization going as we have financial responsibilities on a regular basis.We thank you in advance for your help with this.
More Websites (As Promised)
Http://www.myci.org/
Http://www.lori.state.ri.us/TBP/disorgs.htm
http://www.info.state.ri.us
NEXT SCHEDULED SONIC MEETING
The next SONIC meeting will be held on September 13, 2001 at the Cranston Public Library. Please keep the date on your calendar and watch for more information regarding the meeting in the near future.