e----JI THE SHHH CALIFORNIANA Newsletter of, by and for the California State Association of Self Help for Hard of Hearing People, Inc.

The Future of SHHHVolume 10, Issue 2

Summer 2000

Inside this Issue

Contacts 2

Chapters 6

Desks 7

e ThankYou's 11

Clockwise from top: SHHH

National Executive Direetar,

John Jacoj SHHH CA VP,Grace Tiessenj SHHH Orange

County VP Elect, Caroline Mar­

tin and President Elect, Toni

Barrient, meet to discuss SHHH

rearganization plans, including

the hope that all chaPters be­

come one nationwide carparation

with a single 501(c) (3) status.

I n mid-June, SHHH held a Town Hallmeeting in St. Paul to grapple with a

new strategic plan that will shape its pro­grams and services in the future. RockyStone, who has been brought into thestrategic planning process by the Board ofTrustees, addressed the audience andasked that those present demonstrate lead­ership and participate in developing theplan. John Jaco, the SHHH Executive Di­rector, presented a progress report.Among the highlights:- Strategic plan has been evolving through12 months of discussion.- Publications Dept. has reproduced"Selecting and Purchasing a Hearing Aid"and "Preparing for and Getting the MostOut of a Visit to a Hearing Aid Dis­penser"- A new 8-page newsletter for chaptersstarted in May and is available at the web­site (www.shhh.org).- A bimonthly newsletter is being plannedfor all members.- A book was prepared and released on theResearch Symposium.- Bequests made up 18% of SHHH's reve­nue in 1999.- Fundraising has become more challeng­ing due to company mergers and electionyear; the 2000 convention was the first in5 years to have an increased registrationfee.- During the past 5 months, SHHHgained 500 new members.- The web page received 93,645 hits onthe day in April that a letter about SHHHwas published in Ann Landers' column;web hits averaged 6.001 hits per day inMay.

- The amount of time people are spendingon the web page has been increasing also.- SHHH has been involved in proceedingssuch as the FCC's captioning for emer­gency warnings, review of the ADA acces­sibility guidelines (Access Board), insur­ance coverage of hearing aids for federalemployees, movie captioning.- The bill to amend Title Five of the U.S.Code to require hearing aid coverage un­der the Federal Employees Health BenefitPlan has been introduced in the House ofRepresentatives with 19 cosponsors, andhas been referred to the Civil ServiceCommittee for consideration.- SHHH has subcontracted with PEPNet'sNortheast Technical Assistance Center,which provides technical assistance to stu­dents in postsecondary education institu­tions who are deaf and hard of hearing.- SHHH has subcontracted with the Reha­bilitation and Research Training Centerin San Diego on employment needs ofpeople with hearing loss.- A day-long workshop was held on advo­cating for children who are hard of hear­ing in the school system.- Three sites have maintained Heroes withHearing Loss mentoring programs.- The National Center on Assistive Tech­nology has presented 11 workshops in thefirst 5 months of 2000, and exhibited atthe AARP convention.- The third SHHH leadership training willbe held September 15-17 through a grantfrom the AT&T Foundation.

- Thanks to Cheryl Heppner of NVRC News

Page 2 The SHHH Californian

- Caroline MartinEditor,SHHHCA

Californian since moving toCA three years· ago, I havealways been impressed by thequality newsletter Don haspublished. Clearly, I willhave a hard time fillingDon's shoes!'

So, I guess this all comesback to change. Change isinevitable and we face it ta­day-with having a new editorfor the SHHH Californian tochanges at the NationalSHHH level in terms of stta­tegic planning. Whateverour future holds, I look for­ward to us walking into ittogether... Supporting eachother through positive feed­back, teamwork, mentorship,and dedication...

I would like to take this op­portunity to thank Don Sen­ger for all his wonderful workputting together this newslet­ter for you year after year. Asa subscriber to the SHHH

Granted, change will not takeplace overnight. Nor will ittake place without effort.But, with forward, positivethinking and lots of team­work, we can make a differ­ence.

The saying, "United westand, divided we fall" cer­tainly holds true in our case.In a time when advocacy andchange is so desperatelyneeded, our SHHH member­ship is spiraling downward.It is up to you and me tochange this.

newsletter a product of, byand for SHHH Chapters andAffiliates across the GoldenState as well as a means tokeep in touch with what isgoing on at the NationalSHHH level.

In my new role as Editor, Ihope to eventually make this

Well, for starters is a newlook fot the SHHH Califor­nian. You may also noticethat the articles will hold asttong focus on advocacy andsupport for all of the wonder­ful, hardworking SHHHChapters and Affiliates acrossthe State of CA

D oes your SHHH Chapter need copies of the 2000 SHHH PublicationsCatalog or Membership Brochures? If so, send a self-addressed, busi­

ness-size envelope with two sramps to: SHHH Publications, 7910 WoodmontAvenue, Suite 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814. 301/657-2248 Voice; 301/657-2249TTY. Catalogs and membership brochures can be ordered in bulk for no charge.

As a person who is HOH andactive with SHHH for manyyears, I hope that this news­letter will inspire you to keeppositive within your own per­sonal life as well as take anactive role within your localSHHH Chapter. Withoutyou, there is no SHHH.

Greetings everyone from yournew editor for the SHHHCalifornian!

From the Editor's Desk

Your long awaited newsletterhas arrived to your door, andyou are probably wonderingwhat holds in store for youreyes to feast upon.

SHHH

Darlene Fragale,Corresponding Secretary

818-242-2218 Voicedfragale@pacbell.net

Lucy Case, Northern CAState Chapter Coordinator707-226-7784 TIYIFAXLCase94559@aol.com

Richard Matthews, Presidem818-242-2770 Voice818-547-3666 FAXDICK3666@aol.com

Bob Wistort, Southern CAState Chapter Coordinator

btort@pacbell.net

John Darby415-447-5757 Voice415-447-5766 FAX

birdarby@yahoo.com

Jim Montgomery,Immediate Past Presidem

925-370-2256 Voice925-944-1380 FAX

SHHHPEST@aol.com

CALIFORNIA

Leo Maggio, Southern CAState Chapter Coordinator818-340-1503 V!ITYIFAX

leowmaggio@cs.com

Barbara Bishop925-846-9518 V!ITYIFAX

Ptownmoma@aol.com

Grace Tiessen, Vice Presidem626-796-0034 Voice626-795-2663 FAX

gracetiessen@earthlink.net

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Tom Goulder858-623-2777 x 408 Voice

858-642-0266 FAXtgoulder@mail.cspp.edu

Colette Noble530-622-2243 Voice

sevenseven_98@yahoo.com

Bob Rennie714-870-9135 Voice

The SHHH Californian is published quarterly in mid February, May, August and November.

Annual Subscriptions (No back issues will be mailed):Paid before January 30th: Bulk Rate: $7.50/First Class: $9.50

Paid before April 30th (3 issues): $5.75/$7.25Paid before July 30th (2 issues): $3.75/$4.25

Paid before October 30th (1 issue): $2.00/$2.50

Make your check payable to: SHHH-California andmail to SHHH CA, c/o Grace Tiessen, 714 Prospect Blvd, Pasadena 91103

Tom Walsh, Ex-officio member805-253-0287 Voice

tomw@advancedbionics.com

Mention of goods or services does not imply endorsement,nor does exclusion suggest disapproval.

Volume la, Issue 2

SHHH California Appoints New Editor

Page 3

Ms. Caroline A. Martin of theSHHH Orange County Chapterhas been appointed to Editor ofthe SHHH Californian Newsletterand will fill the vacancy created bythe recent resignation of Mr. DonSenger.

Editor Caroline recently broughtnational recognition to the OrangeCounty Chapter by having beenawarded the SHHH National 1999

Best Overall Newsletter Award.We are indeed honored that

she will now be in charge ofour SHHH CalifornianNewsletter!

In reviewing her accom­plishments, one cannot be

more impressed withher outreach and

commitment to theHard-of-HearingCommunity

right from the start at age 16 whenshe was diagnosed with a progres­sive hearing loss. Caroline holds aMaster's Degree from New YorkUniversity in Deafness Rehabilita­tion, and she received her under­grad degree from Arizona StateUniversity, graduating Magna CumLaude.

Professionally, she has been deeplyinvolved in hard-of-hearing!deafissues throughout her career. Sheis currently a Rehabilitation Coun­selor for the Deaf within the Stateof California Department of Reha­bilitation. Prior to her current po­sition, she has held several key em­ployment responsibilities includingDirector of a Residential Programand Casemanager with NYC ChildWelfare. She has a substantial his­tory of personal accomplishments.

Her youthful attitude and outlook

will be of great benefit to the devel­opment of our newsletter and theentire SHHH CA program.Frankly, it is hard to contain herenthusiasm! Her forthright com­mitment to change and improve­ments will be wonderful as weguide SHHH CA to meet theneeds of our hard-of-hearing mem­bership.

Caroline can be reached via emailat: SHHHCAeditor@aol.com. HerFAX number is: (877) 461-7995,and home telephone is: (949) 768­3990 Voice.

Please join me in welcoming Ms.Martin to our SHHH CA Manage­ment!

·4/11/00Richard Matthews, President,SHHH California

New Appointment to SHHH California Board

Mr. Robert E. Rennie of the Orange CountySHHH Chapter has been appointed to the SHHHCA Board of Trustees to fill the vacancy created bythe recent resignation of Mr. Don Senger. Thisappointment is in accordance with our Bylaws, Sec­tion 6.15. In Addition, Mr. Rennie is hereby ap­pointed as the Board of Trustees State ConventionLiaison and will be working directly with Ms. SandiStreeter, Convention Chairperson, on our upcom­ing February 2001 State Convention to be held inOntario, CA.

Mr. Rennie has served in many management ca­pacities within the Orange County Chapter, andcurrently serves on their Board of Directors. Hewas Chapter President, 1994-1996. SHHH StateConvention Chairperson, 1994-1996, and he cur­rently serves as Parliamentarian. Mr. Renniebrings a wealth of experience to our Board. Hisaccomplishments with the widely recognized andsuccessful Orange County SHHH State Conven­tion will be of great benefit as we plan our next

convention. In addition, with his SHHH experi­ence and professional career in finance, he will beof direct benefit to the Board as we plan the futuredevelopment of SHHH within California.

In Mr. Rennie's own words: "It has been my privi­lege to serve the Orange County SHHH in a num­ber of ways, and I would like to see the StateSHHH grow. It is important that we get the mes­sage out about the 'Hard-of-Hearing' populationas a large group of people that is often misunder­stood, and SHHH CA is the way to educate thecommunity at large."

Please join me in welcoming Mr. Rennie to theBoard of Trustees. I am very pleased and confi­dent about his commitment to our goal of in­creasing our membership and outreachwithin the State of California.

. 4/11/00, Richard Matthews,President, SHHH California

Photo Captions:Caroline Martin, Editor

and Bob Rennie,SHHHCA

Board of Trnstees

The SHHH Californian

Reaching Out to SHHH Members Online... Free!

The SHHH Advocatesprogram is a network ofSHHH members all acrossthe country that haveexpressed interest inadvocating for issues ofimportance to people withhearing loss. If you wouldlike to be added to theSHHH Advocates databasesend your name and emailaddress to Jackie Sternberg<jstemberg@shhh.org>

1) Start an eGroup Discussion/AnnouncmentList for your Chapter. Visit ..www.egroups.com..for more info and to set up your Chapter'seGroup.2) Set up a toll-free phone number/FAX and anemail address that can remain with your chaptereven when there is a "changing of theguards." (www.ureach.com)3) Mail your Chapter's newsletter and flyers viaemail (email as an attachment).4) Save important files with Adobe Acrobat (.pdffile) and upload them to your eGroup.5) Distribute info from SHHH National's onlinenewsletter for chapters titled "News You CanUse" found at "www.shhh.org".6) Sign up to receive the latest news about open­captioned movies by sending an email to major­domo@lists.stanford.edu with only the words(minus the quotes) "subscribe deaf-movies" in themessage BODY, not the subject line. Or send e­mail to deaf-movies-owner@lists.stanford.edu.7) Develop a website for your Chapter and in­clude information such as meeting times, dates,announcements, etc. (Check out some of theexisting SHHH sites found on the last page ofthis newsletter for some examples.)8) Check Tripod's website ..www.tripod.org.. be­fore your chapter meetings and distribute infoabout the latest, up and coming open captionedmovies in your area.9) Visit the Northern Virginia Resource Centerfor Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons (NVRC)at ''http://www.nvrc.org'' and join their mailinglist. Contact NVRCheryl@aol.com for details.The NVRC is an excellent resource for informa­tion.10) Direct chapter members to ''http://www.

usdoj.gov/crtlada" and ''http://www.adainfo.org" for valuable info related to the Ameri­cans with Disabilities Act.11) Encourage your Chapter's members tojoin SHHH Advocates, a network of mem-

bers from all across the country volunteeringto work together on issues of importance topeople who are hard of hearing (see sidebar).

12) Visit the Captioned Media Program ontheir web site at "www.cfv.org", or call

them toll-free at 1-800-237-6213 (V)or 1-800-237-6819 (TTY). Individu­als can join this program and re­ceive free captioned videos fortheir educational and viewing

pleasure.13) Start a lending library for your Chapter andpost some of the titles offered on your website.The following are some great resources youmight want to consider for a library (as well as tomention/offer at Chapter meetings:- The "new and improved" 5th Edition of "LegalRights: The Guide for Deaf and Hard of HearingPeople". Info on this book can be found onlineat ''http://gupress.gallaudet.edu/LRS.html".- A new video offered by the League for the Hardof Hearing titled "A Guide to Assistive Devicesfor People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing."The video is open captioned and costs $20.00US, plus shipping. Visit ''http://www.lhh.org/catalog/comehear.htm" for more info or to or­der.- Consumers Guide To Telecommunications Re­lay Service Available now available from theFCC's Disabilities Rights Office to aid consum­ers in how to use the telecommunications relayservice. Visit ''http://www.fcc.gov/ db/dro/trs/con_trs.html" (print for your Chapter's lendinglibrary).14) Encourage members to join an onlinelistserve and/or newsgroup concerning HOHissues. Some worthy lists to join? Deaf Califor­nia News (email "deafcalifornia­subscribe@egroups.com"), Larry Sivertson'sHOH/Late Deafened news list (email "HOH­LD-News-subscribe@egroups.com"), Beyond­Hearing News (email "bhNEWS­subscribe@egroups.com") or the Beyond-HearingListserve (visit ..http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/4n 7/bhframe.htm"). As aword of caution, sign up for "digests" as opposedto individual emails to avoid becoming over­whelmed by too many individual emails.15) Direct job seeking or working members to anew website "For Employers on AccommodatingPeople with Vision or Hearing Loss" which canbe found at ''http://www.ilr.comell.edu/ped/accessforall."16) Point members to "http://gri.gallaudet.edu/Demography/factsheet.html" for demographicinfo on those with hearing loss.17) Receive late-breaking news about SHHH andHOH topics from Dana Mulvany by emailing"EmailAlerts@shhhca.org".18) Encourage Chapter members and visitors tovisit SHHH National's website at "www.shhh.org" and to join SHHH National!

Volume 10, Issue 2

CA. Courts Violate the ADANote-The ADA is a complaint driven law. As such, represent­ing organizations of Californians with disabilties need to com­plain together to get USDOJ to fix the problem. If the courts donot implement the ADA in our courts then why should theyrule in any cases involving the ADA for appropriate auxiliaryaids and services? Compliance of the CA courts with the ADA isparamount!

Committee for the ADA Compliance Review of the CaliforniaCourts, 20 Sunnyside Ave., Suite A-336, Mill Valley, CA 94941.Contacts: Carin Memmer - (707) 825-7421 and Perry M. Hall ­(800) 408-4322. Visit Advocacy Action - www.dizbiz.com

Californians are organizing a statewide ADA Compliance Re­view of the California Courts because the courts are not in com­pliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.The statewide Compliance Review will be performed by the U.SDepartment of Justice. The basis of the Compliance Review isADA Title II Complaints filed by organizations representingCalifornians affected by disabilities, and most importantly, ADATitle II Complaints filed by individuals who have been deniedequal access to court proceedings because they were not accom­modated effectively nor in a timely manner.

By 1995 all 58 County Courts were to have a program in placewhich makes available appropriate auxiliary aids and services tobe utilized by the courts as reasonable accommodations duringcourt proceedings for Californians with disabilities.

In March of 1999, a Statewide Telephone Survey of the 58 Cali­fornia County Courts was performed. The survey results showthat the courts have a haphazard program for the hearing im­paired. Not one of the 58 county courts have a program whichmakes available trained court personnel, appropriate auxiliaryaids and services to accommodate for any other impairmentsuch as: sight, speech, cognitive, environmental sensitivities, de­velopmental, et cetera.

Final reports are available from the Judicial Council at no cost.The Publications Hotline is (800) 900-5980 press #2 and leaveyour request on the recording. The conclusion of the survey re­sults are outlined in 19 detailed recommendations in the Sum­mary Report made by the Subcommittee to the California Judi­cial Council.

These 19 recommendations would improve Access and Fairnessin CA Courts, however, none of the 19 Recommendationslisted in the Summary have been implemented by the JudicialCouncil in the California Courts. The courts remain inaccessi-

_ ble to six million Californians affected by disabilities.

To remediate this public injustice, as well as noncompliance ofthe CA Courts please fill out an ADA Title II Complaint which

Page 5

can be printed from the website http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/adalt2cmpfrm.htrn. Organizations (such as SHHH) representingCalifornians affected by disabilities, please state that there is noprogram in place which makes available trained court personnel,appropriate auxiliary aids, and services to be utilized by thecourts as reasonable accommodations for disabled Californiansduring court proceedings except for the hearing impaired. Mostimportantly, individuals please explain on an ADA Title IIComplaint Form the incident(s) during court proceedings whenyou were not reasonably accommodated, subjected to prejudicialjudicial demeanor, judicial bias, or non-statutory decisions bythe court.

To be sure these important complaints do not get lost in piles ofcomplaints received daily at the Department of Justice, pleaseboth FAX (202) 307-1198, Subject: CA Courts and mail (thefollOwing address is different from the address listed on thecomplaint form) a signed copy of an ADA Title II Complaint to:John Wodatch, Chief, US Department of Justice Civil RightsDivision, Disability Rights Section 1425, New York Ave. NW,Washington, DC 20035, Subject: CA Courts. And retain theoriginal for your records.

To date, organizations representing 100,000 Californians af­fected by disabilities have filed ADA Title II Complaints withDOJ and sixty individuals have filed Complaints describing theincidents in which they were not reasonably accommodated byCA Courts during court proceedings. By filing ADA Title IIComplaints with DOJ outlining your experiences of noncompli­ance of the CA Courts you are supporting this undertaking, aswell as making a profound difference in the future conduct ofthe California Courts towards six million Californians affectedby disabilities.

Your assistance is appreciated,Carin Memmer, Chair

** Please contact Perry Hall, a member of the Committee for theADA COMPLIANCE REVIEW of the California Courts at(888) 715-1378, and/or carinmemm@aoLcom, if you have par­ticipated in the CA Courts and the outcome of your involve­ment has been affected by you having a disability. With yourhelp, this advocacy project will bring our court system up todate!

**An ADA Act Information line at the U.S. Department of Jus­tice can be reached at (800) 514-0301. ADA Specialists are avail­able to answer questions about Title II of the ADA includingquestions about ADA Compliance Reviews performed by the U.S. Department of Justice.

** All SHHH Chapters-please check ..http://www.ocnow.com/community/groups/shhhoc/Advocacy.htrnl" for a sample letteryour chapter can use to join in this advocacy project!

Page 6

SHHH Chapters & Affiliates Across California

The SHHH Californian

I

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Northern CA Chapter CoordinatorLucy Case, LCase94559®aol.com1537 East Ave, Napa, 94559707-226-7784 TIT/FAX

Diablo Valley ChapterDon Ray, donrayl@attglobal.net2730 Ryan Road, Concord, 94518925-682-0170

East Bay GroupPat Boese, patboese®aol.com6840 Colton Blvd., Oakland, 94611510-339-8374 V

Fresno ChapterAnne Betancourt, Raulb@csuJresno.edu6750 No. Woodrow, Clovis, 93710559-299-4607 V 559-297-8990 FAX

North Bay Chapterlone Mason, 707-226-1239V4458 Tanglewood Way, Napa, 94558Bern Klein, 707-226-9832ZBCKLEINZ@aol.com

Peninsula ChapterHazel Becks, 650-366-9652 V950 Main St, #216, Redwood City, 94063Marjorie Heymans650-593-6760 V mtroidl@best.com

Sacramento ChapterJim Ray, jamesmcrae@Worldnet.att.netDon Varley, DAV30@aol.com

San Francisco ChapterRonda Bonati,935 Diamond Street, San Fran, 94114415-705-0550 RBEBE@aol.com

San Jose ChapterRichard Stefanko,1914 Murguia Ave, Santa Clara, 95050408-249-0354 shhhsj@jps.net

SHHHasta ChapterLyman Miles,19393 Covey Lane, Redding, 96007530-275-5727 V lyman@c-zero.netMarion Peterson,P.O. Box 864, Anderson, 96007530-365-0790 bornarx@aol.com

Tri.Valley ChapterHiram Van Blarigan,716 Katrina, Livermore, 94550Barbara Bishop, rrownMoma@aol.com925-846-9518 V/TTY/FAX

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Southern CA Chapter CoordinatorLeo Maggio, leowmaggio@cs.com23410 Kittridge, West Hills, 91307818-340-1503 V/TTY/FAXorBob Wistort, btorr@pacbell.net

Burbank. SHHH GroupLeo Maggio, leowmaggio@cs.com23410 Kittridge, West Hills, 91307818-340-1503 V/TTY/FAX

Casta del Sol Group (Mission Viejo)Pril Worcester, pworcester@hotmail.com28471 Barbosa, Mission Viejo, 92692949-587-1344 V 949-470-0721 TIT/FAX

Chula Vista GroupNick Nichols, Nicknfreda@aol.com819 E. Fifth Ave, Escondido, 92125760-745-4577

Conejo Valley GroupMarjie J. Alger, rnbalger@earthlink.net1438 EI Monte Dr, Thousand Oaks, 91362805-495-6380 V/TTY

Escondido ChapterDorothy Wormser, ewormser@Stylelogic.com851 Concerto Glen, Escondido, 92025760-747-3813 V/TTY 760-737-9149 FAX

Inland Empire ChapterBetty Hemm,36612 Carter, Yucaipa, 92399909-797-1692 bhernrn@cybertime.net

Leisure World /laguna Woods GroupWoodley Butler,2248-A Via Mariposa East, Laguna Woods,92653-2179 woodjr@reambase.com949-859-4088 V 949-699-2931 FAX

Long Beach/Lakewood ChapterRaye Fairchild, rayefair@gre.net562-429-2161Raymond Blue, RBlueI243®aol.com

Los Angeles GroupDarlene Fragale, dfragale@pacbell.net356 W. California St, #2B, Glendale, 91203,818-242-2218 V

Orange County ChapterToni Barrient and Caroline Martinshhhoc@Ureach.net1-877-898-1421 V/FAX

Redlands Area GroupJim Koski, jkoski@pe.net18711 Tereticornis Ave, Lake Elsinore, 92532

San Diego Student SffiIHNick Nichols,819 E. Fifth Ave, Escondido, 92125760-745-4577 Nicknfreda®aol.com

San Fernando Valley ChapterPhilip Kaplan,9262 Pebble Beach PI, Northridge, 91326818-368-1303 philillini®aol.com

Santa Barbara GroupDorothy Holland-Kaupp,5140 San Lorenzo Dr, Santa Barbara, 93111805-967-5241 72644.2450@compuserve.com

Santa Maria Area ChapterNorman Larson, oldshoe@Surfari.net505 Allen St, Arroyo Grande, 93420805-481-9369Enid M. Gilham, herbs4you2@juno.com1157 Via Mavis, Orcutt, 93455805·937-9869 V/TIT

SHHH NATIONAL

7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1200Bethesda, Maryland 20814301-657-2248 V 301-657-2249 TIT301-913-9413 FAX national@Shhh.org

Thank you Grace Tiessen & Joan Irelandfor giving us these pages.

Both the Chaprers/Groups and Desks arecurrent as of May 2000. If you see anychanges/additions needed, please contact

Grace at gracetiessen@earthlink.netor Joan at JoanIrel@aol.com.

Volume 10, Issue 2

Desks are Volunteer Resources Just For You!

Page 7

Do YOlt have questions needing answers? PTOblems you'd like to discuss? Opinions you want to express? Desks are very special people with expertise in subjects ofinterest to hard of hearing people. They will find the answers for YOU-OT know where to go for assistance. They will listen to your comments and provide feedbackto the SHHH-CA board so that you will be better served. It's up to you.!

Advocacy & Legislative IssuesPhil Kaplan, PHlLlLLlNl@aol.com

Audiology IssueslEthicsfTrainingKenneth 1. Billheimer, MA. CCC925-484-3507 V 925-484-3556 FAXkenbill@Pacbell.net4460 Black Ave. Suite CPleasanton 94566

California (Northern):The What, Where & When of SHHHLucy Case, LCase94559@aol.com1537 East Ave., Napa 94559

California (Southern):The What, Where & When of SHHHLeo Maggio, 818-340-1503 V/TIY/FAX23410 Kittridge, West Hills 91307

Cochlear ImplantsDarlene Fragale, 818-242-2218dfragale@pacbell.netor dfragale@hei.org356 W. California Ave., Glendale 91203

Coping with Hearing LossCarren J. Stika, Ph.D.858-623-2777 x.386 V; 858-554-1540 TTY858-642.-0266 FAXcstika@mail.cspp.edu6160 Cornerstone Court EastSan Diego 92121-3725

Education: Hard of Hearing ChildrenGrace Tiessen, gracetiessen@earthlink.net626-796-0034 V 626-795-2663 FAX714 Prospect Blvd, Pasadena 91103Helen Walter, rhijah@earthlink.net909-849-6713 V4325 Mockingbird Lane, Banning 92220

Email Alerts (to receive late-breaking newsabout SHHH and HOH topics)Dana Mulvany, EmailAlerts@shhhca.org

Health Care Access and AdvocacyMargaret Azcona, margazcona@aol.com51Q.53 1-6183 V; 51Q.531-6788 TTY ans.51Q.531-SHHH Vans, FAXl ~ S'ndrin""'" Rd, P'edmon' 94611

Jean Puffer, 5 1Q.53Q.84233827 Linwood Ave., Oakland 94602

Hearing Aids & ALD'sEllen Baker, EBakerFAAA@aol.com805-522-2159 V; 805-584-1505 FAX2541 N. Clearfield Pl., Simi Valley 93065

Hearing DogslLip ReadingBarbara Bishop, Ptownmoma@aol.com925-846-9518 V/TIY/FAX848 Abbie Street, Pleasanton 94566

Independent Living CentersMary Skyer, 415-543-6698 TTY649 Mission St., San Francisco 94105415-543-6222 V 415-543-6318 FAX

Newsletter DevelopmentCaroline and Alan Martin949-768-3990 V 877-461-7995 FAXSHHHCAeditor@aol.com

PALS-Places with Assistive ListeningSystems (customized lists available for $2.)Richard Panzer, rpanzer@juno.com707-257-1718 TTY, V, FAX1315 Lorna Vista Dr., Napa 94558-9443

SHHH California State AssociationRichard Matthews, President818-242-2770 V short msg. onlyRelay calls welcome! 818-547-3666 FAXDlCK3666@AOL.COMP. O. Box 1107, Glendale 91209-1107

SHHH NationalTom WalshtomW@advancedbionics.comandSHHH, Inc. (the National office)301-657-2248 V; 301-657-2249 TTY301-913-9413 FAXnationa!@Shhh.org7910 Woodmont Ave., Ste. 1200Bethesda, MD 20814

Telecommunications &California Relay Service:Deaf & Disabled TelecommunicationsProgram Administrative CommitteeJohn L. Darby, BIRDARBY@yahoo.com

415-447-5757 V; 415-447-5766 FAXSan Francisco Towers1661 Pine St., Apt. #443, San Fran, 94109

Telephone EquipmentDana Mulvany408-379-6065 V 209-396-8050 FAXPhoneEquip@canwetalk.com

Work Related Issues:Getting & Keeping a Job when HOHRobyn Tenensap310-641-3214 TTY; 310-417-8326 FAXMRTENENSAP@aol.com8929 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 300Los Angeles 90045orCindy Jagger, 707-422-3753cindy-Jagger@horrnail.com1213 Pheasant Drive, Suisun, CA 94585

Would like to be a Desk?Do you have any suggestions?

If so, please contact:

Joan Ireland,JoanIrel@aol.com

858-485-5189 TrYIFAX 858-485-7684 V12276 Casero Ct., San Diego 92128

orBarbara Bishop,

Ptownmoma@aol.com925-846-9518 VrITYlFAX

848 Abbie St., Pleasanton 94566

Call for SHHH California Nominations

Page 8

Wishing Robyn Well. ..I had a very cordial and pleasant meeting withour recently elected SHHH CA Treasurer(Ontario Board Meeting election), Ms. RobynTenensap, on Wednesday, May 17, 2000.The reason for our meeting was to discuss Ms.Tenensap's decision to resign from the SHHHCA Board of Trustees Treasurer Position dueto numerous family emergencies and currentwork schedule conflicts. At this time, Robynjust simply cannot fulfill the responsibilities ofTreasurer. It was with great reluctance, buttotal understanding that I accepted Robyn'sresignation with the agreement she will onceagain assist SHHH CA in the future with hermany talents when she is more capable.Please join me in wishing Robyn all the bestand looking forward to seeing her back withus soon.

-Richard Matthews, President, SHHH CA

The SHHH Californian

CA State Conference...Be sure to mark your calendars for the SHHH CAState Conference coming our way February 9th tothe 11th, 2001! Want to learn more about volun­teering, donating, attending, etc.? Be sure to keepyour eyes peeled for the next SHHH Californian.Sandy Streeter who is "in charge" of pulling every­thing together will be providing us "the scoop!"

Congratulations!Congratulations to the Long Beach/LakewoodChapter for winning the Best Overall NewsletterAward for Year 2000! This is an award well de­served by the Chapter and Editor, Raymond Blue!And given this is the 2nd year in a row a CA Chap­ter has been chosen for this award, one must ask,"who will be awarded next year?" Questions aboutNewsletter Development? Feel free to contact yourSHHH Californian Editor by email at SHHHCAe­ditor@aol.com or by phone: (949) 768-3990.

UpcomingSHHHCAElections!Seeking

Nominations

Applications are invited for people wishing to serve as one of the nine members of the SHHH Cali- afornia State Association. Any California resident who is a member in good standing of SHHH Na- ..tional and is personally committed to the mission and philosophy of SHHH may apply. The term ofoffice is three years. At least two all-day board meetings will be held in the state with some reimburse-ment for travel.

To receive an application, send a self addressed stamped #10 envelope to Darlene Fragale, Corre­sponding Secretary, 356 West California St, #2B, Glendale, CA 91203, dfragale@pacbell.net. Re­turned applications must be postmarked on or before October 10, 2000.

- Grace Tiessen, Vice-President, SHHH CA

Introducing Bob Wistort - South CA. Co~CoordinatorI would like to introduce you to Bob Wistort,Southern CA Co-Coordinator with Leo Maggio.Bob lives in Poway, near San Diego, and is look­ing forward to meeting all of the southern CASHHH people as he travels from chapter to chap­ter. Bob is a retired engineer, recently moved tosouthern CA from northern CA to be close tohis daughter and her family. Bob is hard of hear­ing, smile, a past president of a chapter, DiabloValley Chapter, and a former treasurer of theCA state association. He brings a desire to con­nect all the CA chapters to one another in spirit,keep you informed on what is happening nation­ally for SHHH, and work at problem-solving

with you. He is a great person and I know thatyou will enjoy working with him. His email ad­dress is "btort®pacbell.net". Leo also has anemail address...leowmaggio@cs.com... Leo andBob will be working together with you and yourmembers to increase SHHH presence for hard ofhearing people in southern CA- through educa­tion, information, and support. Please feel freeto contact either of them.

Sincerely,Marilyn Finn,Chapter Development CoordinatorSHHH National

California Relay Service (CRS)Dedicated Number forVoice Carry Over (VCO) users!

• Automatic connection to veo agents-no more asking for "veo"• Works with PBX (office) or home phones-anytime• Easier connection using new veo equipment without keyboards

...~ · t.•- (Jprm ®

The point of contact'" CRS is funded by the CA Relay Service and Communications Device Fund CRS

Page 10 The SHHH Californian

Captioning Contacts When looking for a RTC...

Enjoy every conversationCrystal Clear!

Your "Single Source" for Assistive Devices2716 Ocean Park Blvd.. Ste. 100 • Santa Monica. ('.\90405TOLL FREE: 1·800·233·9130 (VI11Y)(310) 452-8613 (VfITY) • FAX (310) -150-9918E-Mail: sales@weitbrechlcom.com·w..~v.weitbrecillcom.com

Additional questions or comments you would like to see

here? How about a "dictionary" of commonly used words

specific to HOH issues? Please forward your recommen­

dations to the Editor at SHHHCAeditor@aoLcom

* What is the captionist's training and experience?* Does his/her experience include work for hearingimpaired individuals/audiences?* What experience do they have captioning thetopic that is to be captioned? (Le.: Do they havesufficient dictionaries to do the captioning well?)* Will they provide their own equipment? (ie: Over­head screen, LCD display, projector and/or over­head, etc.)* Can they provide references/recommendationsfor their work? Is it possible to see a demo of theirwork?* What are their prices?* What happens if the captionist can't make it?Will a substitute be provided?* Provide the captionist/agency a list of SHHHvocabulary/dictionary whenever possible

Pageant of the Masters Real-Time Captioned!

IVisit ..http://www.ocnow.com/community/

groups/shhhoc/Special_Events.htrnl" for info!

WEITBRECHTCOMMUNICATIONSINCORPORATED

Enjoy phone conversations - crystal clear - with thepowerful CrystalTone ThI amplified phone. It not onlyincreases the volume up to 35dB (one of the mostpowerful amplifiers available!) it actually enhancesthe sound quality for crystal clear reception.The unique combination of amplification andsound enhancement lets you select thevolume, tone, and frequency rangethat work best for you.

For more information or answers to fre­quently asked questions about the Rear

Window Captioning (RWC) system,contact WGBH or visit their WebSite:Mary Watkins, Outreach Manager

WGBH/Media Access Group125 Western Avenue,

Boston, MA 02134(617) 300-3400 V

(617) 300-2489 TrYncam@Wgbh.org

\ www.wgbh.org/access\_, or wv.,-w.mopix.org

\

-: \

Have concerns about captioning? Please visiteither www.wgbh.org/caption (follow thelinks to FCC and captioning) or the FCC'ssite, www.fcc.gov, to find the background infoon the mandates and what broadcasters/cablecompanies can and cannot do. There is alsoinfo there on the guidelines you should followto submit your complaint and the variousdeadlines and procedures to eventually con­tact the FCC if the problem is not resolvedand/or you do not hear back from the station.

Volume 10, Issue 2 Page 11

lfhank You The Spirit of SHHH... Do You Have It?The SHHH CaliforniaBoard of Trusteeswishes to thank thefollowing people fortheir generous dona­tions that help SHHH­CA serve hard of hear­ing people throughoutthe State of California:

$50 - $100Richard MatthewsStephen Morley-MowerN. Arden Danekas

$25 -$49Helen SpiesFrances MarsolaisRichard R. Ballinger

There is a national SHHH Committee currently working on plans for thefuture of our organization, simplifying some of the rules, encouraging moreof the 26 million Hard of Hearing people to become members, trying tobuild the constituency Rocky Stone spoke of at the beginnings twenty yearsago.

In these twenty years, changes have really happened, thanks to SHHH. Bet­ter hearing aids, new assistive technology, help with telephones, lots ofthings we appreciate. There are also more big issues, many reflecting theefforts and advocacy of the national staff-see the report from Brenda Bat­tat, Deputy Executive Director, in the last issue of this newsletter.

We couldn't have envisioned all the progress made since then, but we doremember the excitement of finding other people in the same situation withhearing loss, finding help in books and articles by experts in the Journal,learning about confirmed methods of coping with our hearing loss. Leaderswere all sent a closely-typed mimeographed newsy letter from Joan Klein­rock, full of advice in getring groups involved, exchanges of ideas from oth­ers, making our group feel like a warm, helpful family.

$10-$24Laine WaggonerNorman LarsonAlice Fischgrundulie Mason

Mrs. Edwina CampbellJoan FleerViolette BenhamBob & Marjie AlgerWilliam BaileyMolly CorumPatricia ChalmersMargaret WonnellTerry WohlbergEdith SchneiderNick NicholsBeverly WallyMr Soenke BoysenMiriam FishmanJames BeauchampRonda BonatiDonna Eskwitt

It is important to recall that early enthusiasm and to appreciate that we haveall made good friends, working with local chapters, the state association,and being part of the national effort.

One aspect that gives us pause is that so many of the "old timers" arestill working as leaders. Some have grown a bit cynical and don't pro­ject the right spirit. Others seem to use their positions as ego-tripsor have social problems that lend little credence to the self-helpphilosophy that may even lead to the end of a group. These peo-ple need to move over and let others take on the job. We need toencourage the "Spirit of SHHH" as exemplified in the annualawards given at the National Convention.

Didn't mean to lecture here, but I find that sometimespeople forget what a wonderful thing we have inSHHH~ So please pass the word, let everyone whoneeds it know about it! It's important!

-Lucy Case, Northern CA State Chapter Coordina-

SHHH in Lieu of FlowersOne of our members (who prefers to remain anonymous) recently completed his funeral arrange­

ments. It's what the funeral industry calls, "Pre-Need Planning." There weremany questions to be answered to assure that one's wishes are followed tothe letter. One of the issues was flowers for the funeral. Our far-thinkingmember opted that "In lieu of flowers, donations be made to SHHH Na­tionaL" Not a bad idea. However, it is estimated that only 1 in 1,000 peopletake the time and trouble to have a pre-need plan prepared. 999 choose theeasy way and leave the details to their survivors. That is a bad idea.

To learn how your state is doing on UniversalNewborn Hearing Screening, Click on:

http://www.infanthearing.org/status/unhsstate.htmL Information from the national center for

earing Assessment and Management, www.

infanthearing.org at Utah State University.

THE SHHH CALIFORNIANA NEWSLETTER FOR THE

SELF HELP FOR HARD OF HEARING PEOPLE,

CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION

Postman, please forward return mail to:

Colette Noble3741 Missouri Flat Road

Placerville, CA 95667

SHHHCALlFO.IIA

Supporting SHHH Chaptersthroughout California

11111111111 !111111111111111111 i 1111111,1/ I,I! 11111 11111 I! I1I1I

About SHHH CASelf Help for Hard of Hearing People,Inc. is an international, non-sectarian,educational, consumer organization ofhard of hearing people, their relativesand friends. It is devoted to the wel­fare and interests of those who cannothear well but are committed to partici­pating in the hearing world. Its ad­dress is: 7910 Woodmont Ave., Suite1200, Bethesda, MD 20814; tele­phone (301) 657-2248 V or (301) or657-2249 TrY.

SHHH Webpages are for You!

Have a computer? Are you linked to the Internet?

Be sure to visit SHHH at the following addresses!

SHHH California: http://www.shhhca.orgSHHH National: http://www.shhh.org, email national@Shhh.org

Chapter Website Addresses:Orange County: http://www.ocnow.com/community/groups/shhhocLong Beach/Lakewood: http://www.geocities.comllb_shhh/

** For contact and email addresses of SHHH CA board members, see page 2.** For contact and email addresses of SHHH CA Chapters, see page 6.

SHHH-California, Inc., is affiliatedwith and sanctioned by SHHH Na­tional as a state-level organization.Both are non-profit and tax-exempt.All persons residing in California whoare members in good standing ofSHHH National are considered mem­bers of SHHH California with fullvoting privileges.

Is it true that only two chapters have websites?If your Chapter has a website and it is not listed here, please send

the name of the Chapter and its website link/address to the Editor.

** To reach the SHHH Californian Editot,email CarolineMartinatSHHHCAeditor@aol.com.