HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I have had multiple requests for new vocabulary to be uploaded on to my SIGNING FAMILIES FACEBOOK page. However, it is cumbersome and you can’t offer a groovy slideshow. So, without further ado, enjoy your ASL VOCABULARY lesson to start the NEW YEAR! For more information about learning ASL online, CLICK HERE.
Other ways to connect: SIGNING FAMILIES * Twitter * YouTube Channel
This has been quite a year! So, as usual I will defer to photos instead of words to capture the year – end synopsis. From many traveling opportunities such as to Mac World with The PaperShow, EMS trainings, Parent- Child workshops, to creating educational videos for abcteach.com, products for SIGNING FAMILIES (hence all the kids in photos), and including tons of time working in media and social media and with Education.com, expanding my professional horizons with the co- creation of 411 VOICES and my joining The Linicomn Agency – LA Division for Exceptional Talent, to time time with family and friends and battling the beast (cancer) only to turn those lemons in to a Twitter-esque lemonade, and much more!… WHEW..
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 has been designated as the National Emergency Alert Test Day. This will be only a TEST. Information that is IMPORTANT for our deaf friends can be found here (The video includes American Sign Language– ASL)
Below you will find the SIGNING FAMILIES Sign Expressions Emergency Card that was created for EMS, Firefighters, Law Enforcement , to name a few, to help facilitate communication with ASL users and Spanish speakers. Send an email to INFO@SigningFamilies.com to learn how you or your organization can receive one or more cards for less than 75 cents each (this weeks special).
It is almost the anniversary of one of the saddest days in American history. A day when time seemed to have stood still. When the morning started as a day so crisp and clear it was almost too good to be true, yet ended full of darkness. And, the day which I asked myself over and over again…How are First Responders helping people who can’t hear, speak English, or are non-verbal -such as in the case of Autism?
Much has been written about 9/11 except for stories of what happened to those who couldn’t easily communicate with First Responders. A few films were made. Some tangential interviews. Yet, not much was made public about how First Responders communicated ten years ago and how they would, if need be, interact, react and communicate today. A recent publication by SAVEtheCHILDREN.org indicated that many states continue to be without viable plans in place to help special populations, especially children during disasters. I was astonished as from my own personal experience I would have suspected the opposite findings!
Since 2001, I have had the privilege of talking to thousands of First Responder. Most who were intrigued and accepting of the idea that learning sign language (the fourth most common language in the United States) should be a priority for all EMS, Firefighters and Law Enforcement staff. Thousands have now sat in my SIGN LANGUAGE FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS workshops to hear about techniques to use during a disaster or medical incident to help a child with Autism, Down Syndrome, or Deafness. The participants have taught me as much as I have shared with them. So while I believe that there is room for improvement, I am certain that progress has been made throughout many regions in the United States including making September Disaster Preparedness Month.
Perhaps many, including myself, have learned these lessons…
1. Communication is key during a disaster or medical emergency. The first ten minutes are crucial. No one is asking to replace an interpreter or translator, but during exceptional circumstances, such as those of 9/11 or recent hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes – safety and help is tantamount.
2. To facilitate communication and help a child who has learning and/or developmental challenges, use people in their surrounding area who many be of assistance to help with interaction between the non-verbal / English speaker and yourself.
3. Gestures can come in handy, although be careful, some gestures may be considered obscene by some cultures.
4. Helping children is not the same as helping adults. They will react differently. Children with Autism may drop and rock, scream, lash out (in fear) and/or flee. The latter is the most dangerous as some new information shows that children who flee often will go to water, thus a child may seek out a pool or pond during a disaster.
5. The first ten minutes of any disaster or medical incident is key. Knowing ten signs (ASL), words in Spanish/ Chinese/ French/ Vietnamese (among others) can save help to evacuate people to safety, find a child, or save a life.
In order to make safety an inclusive priority I have added some resource links below. My biggest wish – we never need to use them as that would mean another disaster or medical crisis has occurred.
RESOURCES
FIRST RESPONDERS TV – Deaf and Special Populations Video
EMS Educast- Helping deaf populations
Inclusion – Help for Disaster Preparedness
Spirit of Autism by Debi Taylor. Paramedic, mother of a child with Autism
SLINKY- yes, you read it right. One SLINKY can help to transition a child who is fearful or non-verbal from place to place. Children with significant Autism may become engrossed in the shiny and round aspects of this non-personal object and be more willing to go with a First Responder/
This has been an unprecedented week in my life. Without going more than 5 miles from my home I have experienced an earthquake, tornado, my son leaving for college and our dog, Bingo, saying his last goodbye. Talk about an emotionally charged week. Since, I couldn’t do anything to change the course of those events I will focus on another farewell… BORDERS BOOKS and MUSIC.
My love affair with BORDERS started when I first saw the shiny box store. Anyone who knows me will attest that I long have needed a program to get over my addiction to buying books (especially children’s books). BORDERS became my place to browse with my young preschoolers and keep them happy with a cookie and hot chocolate during months where the sun went down before dinner! A venue for other moms with strollers to meet and laugh over a latte. Where we could sit and hear a local or nationally renowned author read aloud excerpts from their books. And, where I heard my friend, Tom Sullivan, perform his great music.
BORDERS also was the first area store to spotlight my BABY, TODDLER and PRESCHOOL SIGN LANGUAGE DVD. They allowed me a great spot during their Educators’ Promotions week and I was so grateful for their sales and hospitality. This kind of treatment meant the world to me and helped jumpstart my business, SIGNING FAMILIES.
Goodbye BORDERS, my friend.
It has been quite a week with the stock market acting like a roller coaster at SIX FLAGS. It doesn’t take a genius to know that all the recent negative economic events have had a huge impact on families and businesses. And, if you doubt that fact simply walk in to a store that has aisles of unsold BACK TO SCHOOL products and then listen to the moms and kids running commentaries.
I recently overheard conversations at popular box stores that went like this… “Honey, let’s wait until we see if we REALLY NEED these folders”, “We’ll pick up more supplies after we get paid on the 30th, so you will need to wait until the paycheck clears and see what we have left”, “Not this year, we will all need to learn to do without new clothing”.
The situation is so dire for some that they are writing to online sites such EDUCATION.com asking where families can access the very basics of school supplies. So, here is a list of what is being offered and how you can help. Please feel free to add to this list to help others in your communities.
STAPLES is offering a DO SOMETHING 101 Campaign
Local school districts often have donations and give assistance to students in need. Here is one example from BALTIMORE CITY SCHOOLS
WALMART has several events to help with charitable community donations such as this STUFF THE BUS
Here is a blog about how to purchase supplies that cost practically nothing
My company SIGNING FAMILIES donated our ASL folders and other products to area WASHINGTON DC schools. If you are a small or large business owner will you join me by donating in your area, too?
YOUR SUGGESTION or DONATION can go HERE (actually in the comment section below)____________________
