Effects of professors’ language choice at Gallaudet When the professor asked her to stay after class, Melissa felt her pulse quicken. She had always been uncomfortable with some of this professor’s behavior. She knew she should speak up and ask him to stop, but for a student to confront a professor was risky, especially before grades were posted. It did not seem to be a wise decision as she considered [...]

  I am back with another dialogue about the phrase “the elephant in the room.”   I am positive that most have heard this phrase before.  The problem is that there are so many different interpretations that my friends and I decided to dissect it. The conversation started because there has been an election.  The National Association for the Deaf (NAD) presidential election.  Shortly after the election, conversations from both sides—those [...]

  It was a sunny and beautiful Saturday afternoon. We were gathered to celebrate the graduation of several African and African American men. For us, it was a milestone of great accomplishments. After fixing a plate of fried plantains, Jolly of Rice and chicken stew, and mixed vegetables, an excellent impromptu conversation began. This time, the conversation was about the acronyms TUGs (Traditionally Underrepresented Groups) and thugs (here is another [...]

  Deaf Echo is joining #captionTHIS in its bold, amazing effort to get more internet news providers to caption online video content! Watch the video below to learn more about what is happening. Deaf Echo’s share of the fight will be to take the issue to the Washington Post! If you wish to join our efforts to do this, stay tuned! Otherwise, consider forming your own group and confronting your -possibly- favorite [...]

  Just as I’m flying to California State University Northridge to present at their Deaf College Student Leadership Conference, I was reading a copy of Newsweek. There was a story on the infectious appeal of the #Occupy Wall Street movement. One particular quote stood out to me: “In 2008 vast new numbers of Americans transformed the political process through social media and small-donor fundraising, electing a rank outsider, Obama, who [...]

  …an ASL rendition of Jabberwocky, lots of nonsense in-between, and a video clip of Gallaudet President Alan Hurwitz and First Lady Vicki Hurwitz at the end of the play!” -Tami Santimyer, Director Announcing Director Tami Santimyer’s new play: “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland!” Where: Model Secondary School for the Deaf, Theatre Malz, 800 Florida Avenue, NE, Washington, DC, 20002 When: Thursday, November 10th, 10:00 a.m.; Friday, November 11th, 7:00 p.m.; [...]

The Washington Times has a great article here about how the H Street corridor in Washington, DC near Gallaudet University is now a hot spot for deaf friendly bars, restaurants, and clubs.  As much as 10 percent of any given establishments’ revenue comes from deaf patrons from the area. The amazing thing is that this has taken place during a development boom on the H Street corridor; many new businesses have [...]

[Author's note: I have known Keith as a colleague and classmate in deaf education.  While watching Keith’s story through the Tedxislay series, I saw his perseverance and the can-do attitude I have known and adored.  While I knew he would be a good role model for his students, I instantly saw what a good role model he was to me as an adult.  He had grown considerably in teaching and [...]

This is part two of a four – part series, focusing on Virginia. Saving money and gas due to the rising cost of living and oil prices? Live in the Greater DC Metro area and “been there/done that” everything the travel websites and books recommend to do in the area?  Don’t want to go where the tourists slow you down and irritate you with their one-thousand camera snapshots of everything including your [...]

Saving money and gas due to the rising cost of living and oil prices? Live in the Greater DC Metro area and “been there/done that” everything the travel websites and books recommend to do in the area?  Don’t want to go where the tourists slow you down and irritate you with their one-thousand camera snapshots of everything including your shoes? If you are like my fiancée and I, you’ve said [...]