Houston Mormon deaf branch finds way to serve (Utah Deseret News, October 29, 2011)

Article from LDS Church News/Deseret News today about the Fallbrook Deaf Branch (Houston, TX) and their day of service.

HOUSTON — Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from several wards in Houston combined efforts to prepare and donate clothing to Houston’s Career and Recovery Resources, or CRR, on Oct. 15. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the LDS Church’s welfare program President Henry B. Eyring encouraged members worldwide to choose one day to give service in their respective communities.



Spearheaded by the Fallbrook Deaf Branch and joined by the Kleinwood, Memorial Springs and Champions wards, more than 2,500 items of interview-ready clothing were carried in on hangers and in wardrobe-size boxes. Tony Lynch, CRR’s employment specialist for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Division, was overwhelmed by the amount of clothing that was brought through the doors of CRR.

“CRR helps anyone who has a barrier to gaining employment,” Lynch said. “These barriers could be that they are deaf or hard of hearing, have an emotional problem, a recovering addict; any barrier really. We provide clothing for job interviews, job-readiness training, computer literacy training, etc. This clothing is really going to help our clients.”

The Fallbrook Branch chose CRR, a United Way organization, in part because many of its members have used and benefited from the assistance of CRR.



“I go to CRR three or four times a week,” said Karen Hancock, a hard-of-hearing woman who has been a member of the Fallbrook Deaf Branch for 15 years. “I thought it was a wonderful idea when our branch decided to serve this organization. (CRR) really needs help down there.”

And how does she feel about the idea of a day of service?

“It shows how we all can serve different kinds of people, including the deaf and hard-of-hearing.”

The LDS Church's welfare program was organized in 1936 during the Great Depression. Its purpose is to help people not only in temporarily difficult circumstances but also to promote self-reliance as a way of life.

Mormon leaders are hoping the day of service will inspire people to get more involved in their communities and to go beyond just the one day of service. They hope it will become a life-long commitment.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705393305/Houston-Mormon-deaf-branch-finds-way-to-serve.html

Sign Language Materials Help Deaf Community Come to Christ

This article published in the Church in the News section of lds.org, explains how materials are prepared, translated, interpreted, and produced for Deaf members of the Church.

Some Deaf people read English just fine. Some prefer to have materials in their native language, just like speakers of any other language,” said Joseph Featherstone of the Church Translation Department, who is Deaf. “Having these products in ASL allows Deaf people more access to the gospel and more access to feeling the Spirit.

“The Book of Mormon translation into ASL has made a huge impact on the Deaf community in terms of being able to learn and have access to the gospel,” Brother Featherstone continued. “When I read the Book of Mormon in English, I read it and understand it, but when I see it expressed in ASL, it does something different. It is completely personal to me, and it touches me.

Correction about LDS Counseling Services for the Deaf

We previously posted that counseling services for LDS Deaf members were available through videophone. Because of recent changes regarding counseling via videophone, LDS Family Services no longer offers this service. Likewise, counselors/therapists are not licensed to provide counseling or therapy across state lines if they are not licensed in those states.

A therapist licensed in California cannot provide counseling to a person in New York through videophone, for example, because the counselor is not licensed in New York.

Please contact counselors who you trust in your area to help with these needs.

2011 LDS Deaf Symposium

The 2011 LDS Deaf Symposium website is now available, hosted by the Ogden Valley Deaf Branch. The Symposium will be held at Weber State University and looks to offer plenty to see, do, and learn about.

View the site at http://ldsdeafsymposium.org.

2011 Church Satellite Broadcasts

We’ve been informed by the Church Translation Department about the following interpreted events in 2011. All these events will have available live ASL interpreting via satellite. Remember that you must contact your Stake Technology Specialist/Clerk to get the equipment set up to receive these broadcasts.

CES Firesides
January: January 9, 2011
February: Friday, February 27, 2011 (CES Evening with a General Authority)
March: March 6, 2011
May: May 8, 2011
September: September 11, 2011
November: November 1, 2011

Satellite Regional Conference Broadcasts
Gulf Coast: January 09, 2011 (Florida, Georgia, Lousiana)
Northern California: January 30, 2011 (Fremont, Sacramento, Fresno)
Texas/Oklahoma/New Mexico: February 6, 2011 (Austin, Houston, Dallas/FTW, Albuquerque)
Nevada: February 27, 2010 (Las Vegas, Reno, Elko)
Western Idaho: April 24, 2011 (Boise/TV, Gooding)
Eastern US: May 15, 2011 (Maryland/DC, New York, Virginia, Ohio)
New England: May 22, 2011 (Boston)
Washington & Alaska: September 11, 2011 (Puget Sound, Sumner, Olympia, Wasila)
SLC South: Saturday, October 22, 2011 (PH), Sunday, October 23, 2011 (General Session) (West Jordan, Riverton, South Jordan, Herriman)
Northern Utah: October 30, 2011 (Logan, Ogden)
Hawaii: November 6, 2011
Eastern & Southern Utah: November 13, 2011 (St. George)

General Conferences
General Young Women Meeting: Saturday, March 26, 2010
April General Conference (all sessions): Saturday, April 2, 2010–Sunday, April 3, 2010
April General Conference (Music and the Spoken Word): Sunday, April 3, 2011
Relief Society General Conference: Saturday, Sept 24, 2011
October General Conference (all sessions): Saturday, October 1, 2010–Sunday, October 2, 2011
October General Conference (Music and the Spoken Word): Sunday, October 2, 2011

Special Events and Training
Interfaith Concert: Sunday, February 13, 2011
New Interpreter Training: Saturday, Feb 26, 2011
April World Report: Wednesday, March 29, 2011
Pioneer Day Concert: July 15, 2011
October World Report: Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Savior of the World: Saturday, December 3, 2011; 2:00 pm @ Conference Center, SLC
First Presidency Christmas Devotional: Sunday, December 4, 2011
Auxiliary Training Meetings: TBA

Deaf Mormons enjoy institute at Gallaudet University (LDS Church News/DesNews, March 8, 2010)

Great article from LDS Church News/Deseret News today about students in the Gallaudet University Institute of Religion program.

At first glance, it's a religion class like any other. The teacher projects an electronic slide on the wall with an illustration of Ammon tending King Lamoni's sheep, then poses a question. Students scan the pages of the Book of Mormon, zeroing in on Alma 18. Several hands go up, and the instructor calls on someone.



It soon becomes apparent that this is no ordinary classroom as the student steps in front of the class, sets the scriptures down, and begins to answer with both hands in American Sign Language. Her facial expressions help communicate her ideas. As fellow students add their comments, many hands and fingers start flying at once in a silent yet animated discussion.

This class of 18- to 30-year old college students meets each Friday in the interdenominational chapel of the student center at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., which serves people who are deaf. The university, signed into law by Abraham Lincoln in 1864, offers its 1,500-plus students a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees. Every subject and class is taught in ASL.

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58922/Silent-discussion-conducted-by-hands.html

2010 Church Satellite Broadcasts

We’ve been informed by the Church Translation Department about the following interpreted events in 2010. All these events will have available live ASL interpreting via satellite:

CES Firesides
January: Sunday, Jaunary 10, 2010
March: Sunday, March 7, 2010
May: Sunday May 2, 2010
September: Sunday, September 12, 2010
November: Sunday, November 7, 2010

Satellite Regional Conference Broadcasts
Southern California: Sunday, Jaunary 17, 2010
Southeastern: Sunday, Jaunary 31, 2010
East Coast: Sunday, February 14, 2010
Davis County (Utah): May 1–2, 2010
Eastern Idaho: May 15–16, 2010
Canada(?): Sunday, May 30, 2010
Utah South: September 11–12, 2010
Utah Salt Lake City: September 18–19, 2010
Colorado-Wyoming-Montana: Sunday, October 24, 2010
Oregon: Sunday, November 7, 2010
Arizona: Sunday, November 14, 2010

General Conferences
General Young Women’s Meeting: Saturday, March 27, 2010
April General Conference (all sessions): Saturday, April 3, 2010–Sunday, April 4, 2010
April General Conference (Music and the Spoken Word): Sunday April 4, 2010
Relief Society General Conference: Saturday Sept 25, 2010
October General Conference (all sessions): Saturday, October 2, 2010–Sunday, October 3 2010
October General Conference (Music and the Spoken Word): Sunday, October 3, 2010

Special Events and Training
Interfaith Concert: Sunday, February 21, 2010
Interpreter Training: Saturday, February 27, 2010
April World Report: Monday, March 29, 2010
Pioneer Day Concert: Saturday July 16, 2010
October World Report: Monday, September 27, 2010
Worldwide Leadership Training: November 12—13, 2010
Savior of the World: Saturday, December 4, 2010
First Presidency Christmas Devotional: Sunday, December 5, 2010
Christmas Concert: December 11, 2010

In Memoriam: David G. Woodhouse

We will miss our dear friend David Woodhouse, who passed away October 4, 2009. Brother Woodhouse served a mission to the Deaf in Southern California from 1970-1972 and was recently serving on the high council of the Provo South Stake. We'll post his obituary when we receive it. Your prayers for the Woodhouse family are welcomed.

LDS Counseling Services for the Deaf

Readers,

We’re pleased to pass along this announcement from Brad Houck, MSW, LCSW (Portland, Oregon) about counseling services via VP for LDS Deaf members. Please inform your unit leaders about this wonderful service. Please contact Brad directly; his information is listed below.

A new resource is now available for Deaf members with counseling needs. The Oregon LDS Office employs a licensed Deaf therapist who is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). Brad Houck, LCSW has worked for LDS Family Services since May 2006, providing services to Deaf clients in the area. Thanks to improvements in technology, most Deaf people have or will have a videophone, used for communicating with others in ASL. Brad has made himself available to meet with these clients anywhere in the country using this technology.

Often the Deaf community lacks direct access to counselors in their respective regions who are both fluent in ASL and educated in Deaf culture. Because of this scarcity, Deaf people are often referred to therapists who utilize interpreters for communication. This can be less effective and time consuming. Counseling may include issues such as addiction, marriage/family problems, pornography, depression, abuse, anxiety, and same-gender attraction. and other issues.

When local resources are not available, bishops/branch presidents may refer Deaf/hard of hearing LDS members, or members themselves can request counseling, by contacting the Portland LDSFS office by phone ([503] 620-1191) or by email: fam-or@ldschurch.org. The Oregon Office will arrange the paperwork and billing of the client. Any questions/concerns, please contact Brad.houck@comcast.net.

2009 LDS Deaf Symposium

The Symposium is back, this year in Salt Lake City. The schedule looks great and, if you're in the area, why don't you come stop by?

Tell us about your favorite classes and experiences at the Symposium this year.

Two New Units

We’ve added two new Kansas City area Deaf units to deaflds.org:

• Olathe 3rd Ward (Olathe Deaf Group), Olathe, KS
• Lenexa Ward (Lenexa Deaf Group), Lenexa, KS

Thanks for your emails. Keep your information coming.

New ASL Curriculum: "On the Lord’s Errand"

On the Lord’s Errand, a new DVD about the life and service of President Thomas S. Monson, is now available in 14 languages through distribution centers and on ldscatalog.com. The 60-minute video, broadcast between sessions of the October 2008 general conference, includes interviews with President Monson, family members, colleagues, and friends. The DVD is available with ASL interpreting and subtitles.

—Doug Hind, Church Special Curriculum Department

Changes to Eastern Idaho Units

We made some changes to two Eastern Idaho units today:

• Pocatello Deaf Group (Alameda 6th Ward)
• Idaho Falls 32nd Deaf Branch

We took a trip to Idaho this last weekend and could not find the Idaho Falls Deaf Branch anywhere in Idaho Falls. The listing seems to have been taken off the lds.org Stakes and Wards listing for Deaf units. If anyone knows any information about the branch or and Deaf members in Idaho Falls, please contact deaflds.org.

Also, we happened to run into an interpreter from the Pocatello Deaf Group who told us about the six Deaf members and four to five interpreters who are part of the Alameda 6th Ward in Pocatello. We hope to hear from them again soon too.

Three New Units Added

We're proud to announce the addition of three new Deaf units to deaflds.org:

• Cottonwood Ward (Cottonwood Deaf Group), Anderson, CA
• Kamloops 2nd Ward (Kamloops Deaf Group), Kamloops, BC
• Olympia 4th Ward (Olympia Deaf Group), Olympia, WA

Thanks for your emails. Keep your information coming.

2009 Regional Stake Conferences To Be ASL Interpreted

According to the ASL Division of the Church's Translation Department, all North American regional stake conferences will be ASL interpreted in 2009. Here's the known schedule:

• Northern California: Feb 21–22
• Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico: Feb 28–Mar 1
• Nevada: Mar 7–8
• Midwest: Apr 11–12
• Western Idaho: April 18–19
• Eastern: May 2–3
• New England: May 16–17
• Washington, Alaska: Sep 12–13

Please tell other Deaf LDS members in your area. Also, the ASL translation division would like to know or get feedback if any of you are watching these stake conferences. A lot of money and time is sacrificed to interpret and satellite broadcast these meeting; email them or us and let us know where you watched stake conference.

ASL Video Seminary and Institute of Religion Classes

NEW Seminary and Institute of Religion classes on your videophone for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing! Classes begin on January 12, 2009.

If you are interested in applying for any of these classes, please go to www.ldsces.org/asl-pilot. Classes are ongoing, so there is no “closed” registration (unless classes are full), but there are a limited number of spaces available. For students in the metro Salt Lake City area, you may attend the classes at those times at the Granite Seminary Building, 3328 South 500 East (map) in Salt Lake City.

Seminary classes (ages 14–18)

1. New Testament; Tuesday/Thursday (6:00–7:00 am MST)
2. New Testament; Tuesday/Thursday (4:00–5:00 pm MST)
3. New Testament; Wednesday (3:30–5:00 pm MST)

(All classes begin at the times listed above on Mountain Standard Time. Be aware of your time zone.)

Institute of Religion classes (ages 18 and up)

1. Scripture Study: The Power of the Word; Wed (7:00–8:30 pm MST)
2. Book of Mormon; Thursday (7:00 - 8:30 pm MST)
3. Book of Mormon: Tuesday (7:00 - 8:30 pm MST; class located at the Logan UT Institute)
4. New Testament: Tuesday (5:00 - 6:00 pm MST; class located at the NYC Institute)

(All classes begin at the times listed above on Mountain Standard Time. Be aware of your time zone.)

Spread the word! For more information, contact Nathan Van De Graaff, Coordinator of Seminaries and Institutes for the Deaf, at 1-866-671-7778 VP/VRS or vandegraaffn@ldschurch.org. Confirmation of your enrollment will be emailed to you.

The New deaflds.org

Welcome back!

We’re sorry this took a long time to get the site back up again. There’s only a few of us working on the site and between family, jobs, callings, and all the other stuff, sometimes there doesn't seem to be enough time.

But we researched and listened and watched how past users were using deaflds.org and found out some interesting things. Most of you look at the Directory and want to know where other Deaf members are. You also came to deaflds.org to find out about events in the community. So we redesigned deaflds.org around the Deaf Unit Directory and gave you a map to find exactly where Deaf units are around the world. We hope you’ll email us and talk to us about where you are and where you know other Deaf members are—just one or a whole Deaf ward, it doesn’t matter.

We also learned that many Deaf members are using Facebook to contact each other so we've included links to Facebook groups for Deaf LDS members.

And finally, we’ve added this blog to make it easier to write stories and make announcements and for you to make comments about these events. Please come back often.

So, what else would you like to see?