/index.php/news/ en sarah@hasa.org Copyright 2013 2013-04-15T15:44:22+00:00 /site/get-tested/ /site/get-tested/#When:15:44:22Z May is Better Hearing and Speech Month.  Join us for a wide variety of events and opportunities to promote the importance of communication! HASA events in May: The Entire Month of May - $10 Hearing Screenings during our GetTested! Campaign (available to new patients only). Sign Up>> today! Wednesday, May 22 - ASL Book Club. Register Today>> Tuesday, May 28 & Wednesday 29 - Let's Loop Baltimore! An Informational Community Meeting & Hearing Loop Demonstration with special guests Juliette Sterkens, Au.D. and Frank R. Lin, M.D., Ph.D. Learn more>> Want to stay involved? Follow us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/hasa.md Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/hasa_md Sign up for eNews: right to your inbox! 2013-04-15T15:44:22+00:00 /site/gateway-alumni-featured-in-baltimore-sun/ /site/gateway-alumni-featured-in-baltimore-sun/#When:20:37:45Z Congratulations to 2007 Gateway graduate Brian Bailey on all his successes! They have higher rates of employment, independence after graduation when compared to national results, study finds January 03, 2013|By Erica L. Green, The Baltimore Sun While most children see dream jobs, spouses and freedom in their futures, Brian Bailey saw only death. The autistic boy, who stopped speaking at 18 months, grew up with anxiety about getting older, and his rocky educational track record early on didn't allay his fears. "I was obsessing from the beginning about his future, asking 'What am I going to do?' " said his mother, Jennell Bailey, as she recalled his one week in a Baltimore public school general-education classroom, where she said he wasn't flourishing. But in 2014 when Brian Bailey graduates from the St. Elizabeth School in Baltimore — a nonpublic institution that is part of a group called the Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities — he will be eagerly anticipating the next stage of his life. MANSEF, which is made up of schools that take in special-education students who are referred from public schools that can't meet their needs, recently commissioned a report that showed that their post-graduation results outpace national outcomes for students with disabilities who receive services in public schools. The study found that students with disabilities who graduate from MANSEF's nonpublic schools are more likely than their public school classmates to be employed, enrolled in a post-secondary school and living independently and are less likely to have been exposed to the juvenile justice system. "It was critical for us to know and validate the heroic efforts of the staff working in our schools, and really make sure that the education we provide is really top-notch," said Dorie Flynn, executive director of MANSEF. Flynn said that while the system's nonpublic schools follow the state's curriculum and are subjected to intensive annual evaluations and regulations by the state Department of Education, the organization wanted a snapshot of its results. "It's really important to do outcome studies," Flynn said. "You don't want to do something if it's fruitless." The research was compiled by Deborah Carran, a researcher and professor at the Johns Hopkins University, who called the results encouraging. The MANSEF graduates were compared to results found in a study done by the U.S. Department of Education called the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2, which tracks a sample population of special-needs students who receive services in public schools as they transition to adulthood. The MANSEF study represented students from 18 nonpublic institutions two years after they graduated in 2007 and 2008. Carran said the longitudinal study, which served as a model for the MANSEF study, was the most comparable data available, though students in the MANSEF study often have more severe disabilities. "It demonstrates that these students, with the proper supports in place, they can go on to be very engaged in their community, in the world," Carran said. "I was surprised at how engaged they were, how many were out there doing something." For example, the percentage of students who graduated from MANSEF schools and were employed within one year was 53 percent compared to 27 percent nationally. The number enrolled in a four-year college was 11 percent, compared to 4 percent in the national sample; about 74 percent of MANSEF special-education students were living at home after one year, while 84 percent were nationally. And about 16 percent in MANSEF schools had been involved in the criminal justice system, while 58 percent in the national study were. An original MANSEF school, St. Elizabeth is one of 93 programs in Maryland that serve students in a setting that is small, well equipped and heavily staffed. "We are able to collaborate and individualize to an intense degree," said Lori Revitz, clinical coordinator at St. Elizabeth. "Because we understand them so well, we can help them understand themselves." The debate around inclusive settings, in which special-education students are in general-education classrooms rather than being segregated, continues to be contentious. But parents and educators at St. Elizabeth — which has extracurricular activities like proms, sports teams and a student council, and where students have jobs and can even take college courses — say that young disabled adults are in a setting where they can flourish. "The truth is [there is more] normalization here than in inclusion," said Joshua Gervais, transition coordinator for St. Elizabeth. "One of the biggest things that holds students back is socialization. Here, they're good enough." For Mary Lee Richardson, that was key to choosing St. Elizabeth for her 16-year-old, autistic son, who was struggling in a Baltimore County high school. Soon after starting school, he fought going every day because few knew his name, let alone his frustrations. "He kind of hit a wall in the public school, where he was doing it — but he wasn't learning," recalled Richardson. "He was just lost. It has made a difference in our lives." DOWNLOAD THE PDF 2013-01-25T20:37:45+00:00 /site/give-to-hasa-through-the-ira-charitable-rollover/ /site/give-to-hasa-through-the-ira-charitable-rollover/#When:21:43:50Z The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extends for 2012 and 2013 the IRA rollover giving incentive, which expired at the end of 2011. Provision Extended Through 2013 From now through December 31, 2013, individuals who are 70 1/2 and older may give up to $100,000 directly from an Individual Retirement Account to charity. This opportunity comes as part of The American Tax Relief Act of 2012, which provides a reinstatement of the IRA Charitable Rollover.  The new law also allows any eligible gifts made by February 1, 2013, to be treated as a 2012 donation to satisfy the taxpayer's minimum distribution requirement for 2012. Traditionally, all transfers from an IRA, even to charity, are subject to income tax. The IRA Charitable Rollover allows you to make a gift directly from your IRA to charity without paying any federal income tax or withdrawal penalties. The IRA Charitable Rollover provision was originally part of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, but expired at the end of 2007, was reinstated and expired several times and has now been reinstated through December 31, 2013. Gifts made directly to charity from your IRA can satisfy some or all of your required minimum distribution, allowing you to reduce your taxable income. For some, these advantages may make 2013 an excellent time to make gifts from an IRA to a favorite non-profit organization, including The Hearing and Speech Agency 2013-01-15T21:43:50+00:00 /site/hasa-launches-video-remote-interpreting-vri-program/ /site/hasa-launches-video-remote-interpreting-vri-program/#When:23:04:10Z This new program will offer remote access to ASL and foreign language interpreting - the first of its kind in Baltimore! In a hospital emergency room, deaf and hard of hearing patients typically have to wait for up to an hour for a professional sign language interpreter to arrive on-site. Thanks to a new VRI (video remote interpreting) program from The Hearing and Speech Agency | CIRS Interpreting, hospitals can connect with a remote interpreter quickly to conduct registration, intake, and triage with the patient or caregiver without significant delay. Once the live interpreter arrives, the VRI interpreter signs off and becomes available to dozens of other hospitals for the next emergency. This kind of technology is also useful in workplace and educational settings, where organizations are increasingly converting to VRI services for brief interactions and regular meetings that would otherwise be difficult and costly to schedule. Businesses and schools located in areas not adequately serviced by existing community interpreters can also benefit from increased access to professional interpreters. Now, instant access to an interpreter can be available to people who are deaf, hard of hearing or non-English speakers. HASA is installing two iPads in its own building for clients and students so that staff can immediately communicate with anyone who walks in the door for therapeutic or educational services. Interpreting will be available for Spanish and up to 175 other languages all through one device. States VRI Director Steve Frank, "The really exciting part about VRI is that we now have the capability to expand our interpreting services to include foreign languages, as well. Our mission as an organization that facilitates communication can reach many more people in need of interpreting services." Read the full press release here>> 2012-12-20T23:04:10+00:00 /site/hearing-loss-association-monthly-meeting/ /site/hearing-loss-association-monthly-meeting/#When:18:36:47Z Meets on the 3rd Tuesday & 4th Thursday of each month     Life Coaching for People with Hearing Loss  Ava Barron-Shasho Tuesday, May 21, 2013 | 10:30 a.m. - Noon Thursday, May 23, 2013 | 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.  Ava's approach to Life Coaching is based in the theory and research of Positive Psychology. Scientific studies show that we perform best when we are rewarded and acknowledged for our efforts. Individuals are more likely to feel happier when they are achieving their goals. Coaching helps you achieve your goals by identifying your strengths and using them to bring about change in your life.  Ava Barron-Shasho, MSW is a Life Coach who specializes in working with deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. What is life coaching you may ask? If you have ever felt unmotivated, frustrated or disorganized, life coaching sessions are a time to focus on you. Ava has her Masters in Social Work and a Bachelor's in Psychology and brings 20 years of counseling experience to her Life Coaching practice. She works with individuals in the Baltimore area and across the country. Her philosophy of life is that change is ALWAYS possible! *Hearing Loss meetings are free and open to the public. Captioning and Sign Language Interpretation Provided The Hearing Loss Association of Greater Baltimore meets at The Hearing and Speech Agency (5900 Metro Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21215) on the 3rd Tuesday morning and 4th Thursday evening of each month. Meetings are open to the public and free of charge. CART services and interpreting are provided, as well as assistive listening devices. 2012-10-18T18:36:47+00:00 /site/contest-winners-announced/ /site/contest-winners-announced/#When:23:25:39Z Five contributors to the Baltimore Soundscape Project have been chosen to have their "found sounds" included on the new MOBTOWNmoon CD! Interested in hearing the winners?  Click the links below: Jake Heagy: AQUARIUM SOUNDS Bruce Jacobs: LIGHT RAIL James Jefferson: BARBERSHOP TALK Grace O'Donnell: RAVENS The Students of Gateway School: PEP RALLY LISTEN to more of Baltimore's unique soundscapes or contribute your own here>>! 2012-09-25T23:25:39+00:00 /site/Making-the-Connection/ /site/Making-the-Connection/#When:23:22:02Z On October 10, join special guest Dr. Frank Lin as he shares his research on the link between hearing loss and cognitive function in older adults. Wednesday October 10 7:30 PM HASA Auditorium Event is Free and Open to the Public     Learn more about the groundbreaking research on the link between hearing loss and cognitive function in older adults. Presented by: Frank Lin, M.D. Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Division of Otology Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology Bloomberg School of Public Health Core Faculty Member Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Health About the Presenter Dr. Lin's research focuses on how hearing loss impacts the health and functioning of older adults and the role of different modalities (hearing aids, cochlear implantation) in mitigating these effects. In particular, he is interested in exploring how hearing loss may be mechanistically associated with cognition, dementia, functional decline, and social isolation. He conducts both observational and interventional clinical studies of hearing loss treatment in older adults. He is also currently the Co-Principal Investigator of a Phase1b clinical trial of a pharmacologic drug that could potentially improve hearing ability on a daily basis and is now in the process of planning the SMART 2 pilot study, which will develop and operationalize a community-based multilevel/multimodal intervention for hearing loss. 2012-09-20T23:22:02+00:00 /site/call-for-presenters/ /site/call-for-presenters/#When:01:09:19Z HASA | CIRS is soliciting presenters in the field of interpreting. Papers are sought on ALL aspects of interpreting for all levels ranging from student to advanced. 2012 Professional Development Series for Interpreters HASA | CIRS is soliciting presenters for our 2012 Professional Development Series. We endeavor to provide educational opportunities to advance individuals in the field of interpreting. Our goal is to participate in the further development of the knowledge, ability and professional practice of individuals and to support the expansion of the professional. Papers are sought on ALL aspects of interpreting for all levels, ranging from student to advanced.   Topics sought include, but are not limited to: LANGUAGE/INTERPRETING SKILLS Processing * Discourse Analysis * Voice to Sign | Sign to Voice * Demand | Control * Semantics *  Classifiers * Fingerspelling * Product * Linguistics SPECIALTIES Deaf-Blind * Legal * Medical * Educational * CDI | Deaf Interpreting * Interpreting Business * VRS Interpreting * Mentoring * Creative Arts UNIQUE COMMUNITIES Law Enforcement * Probation * Mental health * HIV/AIDS * Aging * Teens * Religious | Spiritual * Video Remote Interpreting BEST PRACTICES Ethics * Finance * Entrepreneurship * Team Interpreting * Diversity | Cultural Sensitivity * Health * Critical Thinking * Ethical Decision-Making Send proposal packages electronically to Interpreter Education Coordinator Proposal Package Should include: One page abstract/presentation description Outline of educational objectives Photo Presenter resume/ CV and bio Description of support services/media needs/accommodations Additional Information: Workshops may be 3, 4, 5, or 6 hours in length. Consideration will be given to any submission of a workshop series (two or three-day). All workshops will be held at The Hearing and Speech Agency | 5900 Metro Drive | Baltimore, MD 21215. RID CEUs will be offered where applicable. Compensation will be commensurate with workshop level and length. 2012-07-28T01:09:19+00:00 /site/grant-awarded-from-safeway-foundation/ /site/grant-awarded-from-safeway-foundation/#When:19:04:23Z The Safeway Foundation has chosen The Hearing and Speech Agency as a recipient of their community grant program. The Safeway Foundation recently hosted an awards ceremony to distribute grants to local charities.  The Foundation is funded through the generous contributions of Safeway employees throughout its Eastern Division, which operates 127 stores in Northern Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Washington, DC.   The Foundation distributes more than $250,000 annually with special emphasis on organizations in the areas of hunger relief, education, health and human services and special needs.   Among the groups receiving funding was The Hearing and Speech Agency, which was awarded $2,500.  Pictured here are Marguerite Montgomery of The Hearing and Speech Agency  (left) and Gregory Ten Eyck, chairman of the Safeway Foundation for the Eastern Division. 2012-07-10T19:04:23+00:00 /site/vri-announcement/ /site/vri-announcement/#When:18:58:17Z Monday, September 24 at 10:30 am Join us on Monday, September 24 10:30 AM HASA Auditorium for a Live Demonstration of our Newest Technology! Learn more & register>>     Check in often for news and announcements about our newest offering from CIRS Interpreting. 2012-06-13T18:58:17+00:00 /site/congratulations-gateway-school/ /site/congratulations-gateway-school/#When:19:57:49Z Congratulations to five of our students who "stepped up" from Pre-K to Kindergarten!  Watch the video of the ceremony. 2012-06-11T19:57:49+00:00 /site/hasa-board-member-feature-in-online-magazine/ /site/hasa-board-member-feature-in-online-magazine/#When:19:46:47Z Board member Aaron Marshall featured in online magazine Bmore Media.com PAUL STURM | TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012 Bmore media.com photography by steve ruark Growing up in Upper Marlboro, Aaron Marshall wanted to overcome his stuttering. After many years of work with speech pathologists, Marshall succeeded and the attorney is now a board member for an agency that helps others find their own voice. The senior counsel for Northrop Grumman Corp. in Linthicum became a board member of the nonprofit Hearing and Speech Agency of Baltimore. Last year, HASA provided diagnosis, speech therapy, family education and other assistance to more than 100 individuals who stutter and hosted a special viewing for the Oscar-winning movie “The King's Speech.” This summer, Marshall says he will participate in HASA’s Turtle Beach Club, a weeklong workshop that builds self-confidence and speech fluency for children who stutter and are approaching middle school years. “I think it will be great,” Marshall says recalling his own childhood struggles to speak. “Serving on the HASA board has given me a broader, deeper perspective about how others are living and helps me remember how much others need helping hands.” Marshall got connected to the agency through Business Volunteers Unlimited Maryland, a nonprofit with eight staff in South Baltimore that operates as the Match.com for business people who want to serve the community and nonprofits that benefit from their expertise as board members and volunteers. Since 2003, Business Volunteers Unlimited’s signature board matching program has placed more than 500 professionals from 75 companies – including Constellation Energy Group Inc., Legg Mason, PNC Bank and T. Rowe Price Group Inc. -- on the boards of 350 Baltimore-area nonprofits. “We’re the bridge connecting the business community’s time and talent with the needs and opportunities of Baltimore’s nonprofits,” says Business Volunteers’ Executive Director Kelly Hodge-Williams. “We strengthen the community by inspiring volunteerism.” After an initial meeting with a Business Volunteers Unlimited staff member, prospective board members attend a half-day board-training program. At a follow-up meeting, Business Volunteers Unlimited identifies one or two nonprofits that could be a good match. This is the process that brought Jennifer Bowers to the Hampden Family Center nine months ago. Her company’s Regional Managing Principal, David Gillece, initially contacted the vice president of marketing and communications for downtown Baltimore real estate firm Cassidy Turley about getting involved with a Baltimore-area nonprofit. “The training was interesting and eye-opening,” Bowers says. “It defined the difference between a nonprofit and for-profit business.” Bowers was particularly intrigued when she learned about the Hampden Family Center, which provides educational programs and support to children, families and seniors. The center was looking for a board member with marketing expertise, so Bowers scheduled meetings on-site with the executive director and board president. “I loved what I saw,” she says. “They’re making a big splash in a small area, and I realized I could be helpful in many ways.” Serving on the board since September has given Bowers a more holistic view of what goes into a nonprofit organization versus just giving money. Her efforts have made an impact, the center’s Executive Director Elisa Ghinger says. Bowers’ contributions included securing auction items for a fundraising event and recommending the center thank donors with notes from the children it serves. “Jennifer brings a fresh view of our organization and understanding of its culture and capacity,” Ghinger says. “Her suggestions are realistic and doable.” As Business Volunteers Unlimited looks ahead to its 10th anniversary and beyond, Hodge-Williams says she wants to connect more volunteers and nonprofits through increased marketing and PR efforts. The organization wants to double the number of businesses it works with and increase its board matches by 50 percent over the next three years. Its goal is to work with 100 businesses and make 150 board placements per year. Says Hodge-Williams: “We’re increasing (Business Volunteers Unlimited’s) visibility so businesses see what we’re doing and how much impact they can make on the community.” Download this article at a PDF>> Paul Sturm coordinates the Baltimore Nonprofit Leaders Circles and teaches in the Nonprofit Management Program at Notre Dame of Maryland University. He lives downtown where he feeds his addiction to crab cakes and Berger Cookies. 2012-05-22T19:46:47+00:00 /site/learn-to-fingerspell/ /site/learn-to-fingerspell/#When:20:47:06Z Learn to fingerspell with this fun game for kids of all ages... if (WIDGETBOX) WIDGETBOX.renderWidget('4bb168c2-1283-4398-aed4-65bdd749a5c6');Get the Practice ASL Fingerspelling widget and many other great free widgets at Widgetbox! Not seeing a widget? (More info) 2012-05-11T20:47:06+00:00 /site/cancellation-policy-accommodations/ /site/cancellation-policy-accommodations/#When:02:49:39Z Cancellation Policy CIRS reserves the right to cancel this workshop within seven days of the scheduled event. All paid registrations will be refunded. Registration cancellations will be refunded in full if requested at least five days prior to the scheduled workshop. 50% of registration fees will be refunded for cancellations requested within five days of a scheduled event. Failure to attend event for which registration is confirmed will result in fortfeiture. Forfeited registration fees may not be applied to a future event. Special Accommodations The Hearing and Speech Agency honors all requests for accommodations.  If you have dietary restrictions or are in need of special accommodations, please contact us via email with your request at least seven days prior to the scheduled event. 2012-01-10T02:49:39+00:00 /site/2011-annual-report-now-available/ /site/2011-annual-report-now-available/#When:03:04:11Z View it online or download your own copy. 2011-11-29T03:04:11+00:00