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[.....]

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[.....]

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[.....]

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[.....]

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[.....]

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[.....]

Originally appeared in Silent News, January 2002.
When a couple has a child that needs immediate care, they expect top-notch, accessible service. Even with the Americans with Disabilities Act having been enacted a decade ago, doctors’ offices and other medical providers often continue to violate the powerful law when deaf patients ask for equal communication[.....]

Originally appeared in Silent News, January 2002.
Well, deaf schools are taking yet more blows from the press. I’ve been following the series published in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer about sexual abuse at residential schools for the deaf nationally. Some of them I read in depth; others I skimmed through. I think a lot of them[.....]

Originally appeared in Silent News, December 2001.
In late August, I had to get some blood tests done for a routine exam. The doctor referred me to a lab run by Lab Corp, so I went in a few days later. Never did I imagine what would happen to me next.
I entered the office, and[.....]

Originally appeared in Silent News, December 2001.
The United States flag has long been a source of pride and patriotism. In the wake of the recent tragedies in the nation, the flag has suddenly become even more meaningful and necessary. Americans United Flag Across America was one of the organizations trying to help raise funds[.....]