Archive for February, 2002


Making strides in closed captioning

Originally appeared in Silent News, February 2002.
Believe it or not, babies born in 1980 – now 22 years old – do not remember a life without captions. But for the rest of us old-timers, we certainly remember life without that funny-looking brown box on top of our TVs that we could buy for $299[.....]



Editorial: The birds and the bees

Originally appeared in Silent News, February 2002.
I have a little secret to tell you.
I am a ballet failure.
But, ah, I quit ballet for a reason. You see, Sesame Street was on at 5 p.m. daily – the same time as my ballet lessons. So I was given the opportunity to pick one or the[.....]



Texas deaf inmates researched, results to become book

Originally appeared in Silent News, February 2002.
There’s been a lot of publicity surrounding deaf prisoners within the past few years, including Joseph Heard, who was wrongly jailed for 22 months in a Washington, D.C. jail. Often deaf inmates are forced to deal with officers and other prisoners who do not understand deafness, prison systems[.....]



Hobby turns into sweet taste of victory

Originally appeared in Silent News, February 2002.
Council Bluffs, Iowa – Robert Patzner always dreamed of facing what seemed to be his biggest challenge: owning race horses and training them on his 10-acre hobby farm in the countryside of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Many of his friends warned him, saying that it wouldn’t be a good[.....]



Pontiac-GMC provides interpreters

Originally appeared in Silent News, February 2002.
Auto shows allow people to check out the latest accessories, marvel at concept cars, and sigh over vehicles they’ll never be able to afford. There are often gimmicky performances and conversations with people about new innovative products, and fascinating details behind each car that are told by presenters[.....]



Simple Concept Becomes Valuable Interpreter Tool

Originally appeared in Silent News, February 2002.
At first glance, the concept seems ridiculously simple. Set up a tripod-like device in front of you with two mirrors attached, and you can see what’s being shown on the wall behind you in order to interpret effectively.
Interpreters often have to interpret blindly what is being presented on[.....]