Volume 95, Issue 4
ACC wins bid for coveted SWGURC Program
By Tim Jaech, TDT Editor
On September 22, 2010, Gallaudet University
announced that it had opened two new regional centers
at John A. Logan College in Carterville, Illinois
and Austin Community College in Austin, Texas.
Both new regional centers join the other centers in
Massachusetts, Hawaii, Washington DC, and California.
The Texas deaf community and all relevant
educational programs working
with deaf and hard of hearing
students are very pleased that
the Austin Community College
(ACC) is now the home to the
newest Gallaudet University
Regional Center (GURC) for the southwest region. For
many years, Gallaudet has operated several regional
centers to bring the knowledge and expertise of its
faculty and staff to the rest of the country. The new
Southwest GURC at ACC serves Arizona, Arkansas,
Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas,
and Utah -- states that used to be served by the GURCs
of the Midwest, Southeast, and Western regions
The SWGURC will work with schools,
agencies, and professional organizations in the
region to offer extension courses, training
workshops, and technical advice/assistance on
educational, transition (school to college or work),
and professional development needs of deaf and
hard of hearing people from birth through adulthood.
Extension courses are usually short weekend
classes taught by experts from Gallaudet in fields such
as ASL Linguistics, Deaf Studies, Deaf Education,
and Interpreting. Workshops can be on a wide variety
of topics, such as literacy, family involvement,
TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF
Mission Statement
Promote leadership, growth and equality among
Deaf and hard of hearing Texans.
Fall 2010
transition from school to postsecondary education,
and employment, as well as educational interpreting,
mental health, and student development. GURCs
can also work with your school or agency to plan
a workshop or conference that meets your needs.
One of the most fun and popular things the GURCs
do is the annual Academic Bowl competitions. Teams
of deaf and hard of hearing high school students compete
with each other in quiz tournaments first on the regional
level. The top teams from each region then travel to
Gallaudet to compete against each other at the national level.
Gallaudet University provost, Stephen F. Weiner,
was quoted in the 9/22/2010 Gallaudet University press
release regarding the new regional centers as saying, “For
more than 20 years, Gallaudet has served the nation’s deaf
and hard of hearing citizens, their families, and the deaf
and hearing professionals who work with them, through
a network of college-based GURCs. We are pleased to
welcome our new partners, who are strategically located and
who have shown much enthusiasm for this joint venture.”
The Texas Association of the Deaf fully
supports the choice of ACC as a host for the
new SWGURC and looks forward to becoming a
stakeholder among others in the new regional center’s
efforts to include other agencies and associations.
For more information about the new
SWGURC at ACC, including videos in ASL, visit
http://www.austincc.edu/swgurc/.
 INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Cover Find out what SWGURC is and why ACC has a feather in its cap.

Page 2 You’re already here!

Page 3 Editor’s View – random thoughts on random events/issues.

Page 4 News from our busy (!) TAD president.

Page 5-9 Chock-full of updates in the TAD world.

Pages 10-11 New DOE at TSD, super athletes, and Clerc tourney plans.

Page 12 Fascinating lady of “firsts” – Emily Lewis.

Pages 13-14 Remembering two legendary TSD graduates and kudos to TSDAA.

Pages 14-17 Statewide news from this very wide state.

Page 18 Remember TCCD? No? Read on!

Page 19 A warm story and an exciting new federal law for our community!

Pages 20-21 ACL Festival? Yes, deaf people do dance to music!

Page 22 Chuckles and grumbles - your call!

Page 23-27 TAD must-read conference flyers. See you there June 2011!

Back cover TDT ad rates and a typical advertisement. We want more!

2009 - 2011 TAD Board

President Secretary Editor
Paul Rutowski Steve Baldwin Tim Jaech
paul@deaftexas.org dfsmithtx@aol.com tajaech@hotmail.com
Vice President Treasurer Assistant Editor
Marcus Myers John Mills Steve Baldwin
emsquared_77710@ john@deaftexas.org dfsmithtx@aol.com
yahoo.com Layout Consultant
Clyde Egbert
Board of Directors
P.O. Box 1982
Larry Evans (2 years) Cindi Nagy (4 years) Manchaca, TX 78652
larry@deaftexas.org cindi@deaftexas.org
Proofreaders
Susie Grona (6 years) For more information Joanne Brininstool & Marcus Myers
sgrona@deaftexas.org visit www.deaftexas.org TSD Printing Services
2 Heather Goff
A Texas Association of the Deaf Publication
Editor’s View
Looking through the eyes of Texas
Greetings, once
again, loyal readers. I not like, but often a deafening silence occurs when
have a favor to ask of you
all. The next time someone
comments on our TDT
magazine, ask him or her
if they have joined the
TAD. your attention. As one reads it, one might wonder
If they have, compliment
them! Encourage them to
ask others, too. I once asked
someone if they had joined, and the response was, “I’m
waiting to see what they plan to do.” Now, that is kind of
a head-scratcher, but it is a free country. Nevertheless, I
urge everyone to step back and think what might happen
if everyone waits. The TAD would then become very
hard-pressed to continue to do the things they have done
for its deaf constituency in Texas. Join up, good people!
It was very encouraging to see our TAD
president attend the TLCDHH Latino Conference.
These two organizations have much to share with each
other. Since my arrival in Texas nearly 18 months ago,
I am amazed at the huge number of deaf people in this
state! Not only the numbers, but also the diversity of
our deaf community. I am originally from California,
but in Texas, I think there is something different, and
it is in the long history of people in Texas reaching out
to work together. California has that same history, but
there’s something I haven’t figured out yet. I’ll report
on that in the future.
TSD and TSDAA Museum certainly celebrate
each other and the TSDAA Museum is just fascinating.
I need to spend a full day there the next time. Have you
been there? You would be surprised how it compares
to other museums found in other schools for the deaf.
There’s Texas slogan in there somewhere. Perhaps, “Be
Texas Proud” or “Deaf Texas Proud.” The historical
features done by Franna Camenisch, the TSD museum
curator, deserve a bunch of waving hands.
David H. Pierce’s letter (see next column),
commending the television stations who carry live
captions during times of national or local urgency is a
good example of giving credit where and when it is due.
It’s very easy to be critical of something one does
something good has happened for the benefit of our
deaf community. Thanks, David, for giving us that
diamond of an example.
The piece on TCCD on page 18 is called to
why a local event is in a statewide magazine. We
chose to publicize this as another good example
of how an organization can achieve excellent
transparency and the result is heightened trust
from the community. Well done, Greater Austin
Foundation of the Deaf board members!
Be sure you read the article on page 20 by
Anna Hanks of the Austin American Statesman.
It’s a good look at our deaf community within the
disabled community, enjoying the musical wonders
provided by Austin City Lights, which is on PBS
nationally. Music is not always accessible to us, but
when it is, it becomes a source of joy.
This work as the new editor-in-chief of this
magazine has given me the opportunity to learn
about what deaf Texans are all about, in a very
short time. Much appreciation to you all from your
editor.
Open letter to live captioners on
television
By David H. Pierce
I wanted to take a moment to say thanks to
all the live captioners who worked hard to provide
quality realtime captioning during the television
coverage of the Chile miner rescue. I mostly
watched Fox News Channel for the coverage and
friends commented CNN did well too. I also
watched Univision’s coverage from the feed by
Chile television which had live Spanish captioning.
I can only read some Spanish but could see it was
well done.
Great job!
David 3
Fall 2010
 Greetings from the TAD President
By Paul Rutowski

With my trusty MacBook in haul, I elected to find a comfortable table

at a local dive as I am attending the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD)
Conference in El Paso, Texas while I write this article to share with y’all what
we have been up to the last few months.
On behalf of the TAD, I was honored to receive a statewide award for the best
newsletter in the state of Texas from the CTD. Credit goes to Dr. Steve Baldwin
and Trudy Suggs for putting together one masterpiece after another and we trust
that you all agree that those last few issues have been nothing but magnificent.
Our current editor-in-chief, Tim Jaech, has big shoes to fill! However, he is
doing superbly as you can see with this issue and the recent one.
I attended an event at the Lone Star College-Cyfair during the Deaf
Awareness Week in Houston, Texas last September and updated the community
on the activities of the TAD. There were a number of young deaf and hard of
hearing individuals who learned about the TAD for the first time!
As for the upcoming legislative year, as many of you know and understand that our economy is
not supporting the idea of any new mandates that involve dollars. For example, if we want to see better
interpreter pay at local school districts, chances are very low that this will pass.
Congratulations to Jose Ovi Velasquez for winning the TAD Gonzalo Barrientos volunteer award.
On top of his deep involvement with the community, Jose is also the TAD membership director.
Hats off to The Texas Latino Council of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (see photo below) for hosting
their 3rd biennial conference in Corpus Christi, Texas! We enjoy seeing them prosper!
Our Co-Chairs for our upcoming TAD
Conference in Big Spring, Steve Meyer and Kathy
Weldon, are scurrying around making plans for an
awesome conference. See TAD conference flyers on
pages 24-27. Be sure to attend! If you are on a budget,
there is good news! They will open the dorms for the
TAD participants on a first come, first serve basis.
Also, if you are a VR client, you can ask for assistance
in paying your travel, lodging, and registration
expenses.
Deaf Link, Inc. has a relationship with Frost
Bank to provide VRI services for deaf and hard of
hearing clients. Frost Bank is not a national chain that
some people have thought. It is a Texas-based bank. L to R: Petra Chavez, JoseLuis Campos, Veronica
I have become friends with one of their senior vice Lbarra, and Oscar Sotelo
presidents and admire their support for the deaf and
hard of hearing community. On October 28th, Larry
Evans, and I attended a grand opening at one of their banks in San Antonio, Texas.
Many of us have direct and indirect relations with the Texas School for the Deaf. In August 2010,
Larry Evans and I testified in front of the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) to encourage them not to do the
10% budget cut for the TSD. I applaud Claire Bugen and her executive team for giving such a wonderful
presentation to the LBB members. We hope they will consider our community’s plea and find cuts
elsewhere. However, in reality, we do not know if that is possible as everyone is feeling the pinch. We
encourage you to talk to your state legislator in both the house and senate. Encourage them not to impose a
budget cut of any kind on the TSD.
The TAD always enjoys new members! If you have not joined yet, go to www.deaftexan.org and
sign up -- and donate if you want -- to keep our organization running. We are all volunteers in this and any
monetary contribution will help cover operating costs. Every little bit helps!
4
A Texas Association of the Deaf Publication
TAD swears in three new
board members
As mentioned in previous issues of The Deaf
Texan and announced on the TAD website, three
new members of the TAD board were selected to
fill in vacancies caused by moving out of state or
resignations. Marcus Myers of Corpus Christi
became vice president, Susie Grona of Hide-Away is
a four-year board director, and Cindi Nagy of Garland
was also appointed as a four-year board director. The Left to Right: Marcus Myers, Cindi Nagy, Susie
swearing-in took place at Vaughn House in Austin Grona, and TAD Secretary Steve Baldwin
on August 14th, before a regular board meeting.
Frost Bank provides VRI services

On October 28th, TAD President Paul Rutowski and board

member Larry Evans attended the open house at Frost
Bank’s Stone Ridge Financial Center and Motor Bank in the
northernmost part of San Antonio, Texas, where 25 of the
more than 100 statewide banks are located. The Frost Bank
Stone Ridge Financial Center also very generously donated
$200 to the TAD. The occasion related to the business
connection between the bank and Deaf Link, a video remote
interpreting (VRI) company based in San Antonio. Deaf
Link has been providing VRI for Frost Bank customers who
are deaf or hard of hearing. It is one of many Frost Banks
that Deaf Link has established VRI services for deaf and
President Paul Rutowski tries out Deaf hard of hearing customers.
Link video interpreting at Frost Bank.
TAD attends CTD rally at capitol
Board members Larry D. Evans and Steve
Baldwin joined 300 people for the “Invest in
Community rally at the northern side of the state
capitol on September 1st. The Coalition of Texans
with Disabilities (CTD) and its executive director,
Dennis Borel, organized the rally with many
organizations of/for the disabled and aging. Texas
State Rep. Naishtat Elliott of District 49 was one of
the many speakers who opposed any cuts for state
programs serving the essential needs of the disabled
and aging. CTD is in favor of raising taxes instead
of eliminating and curtailing services across the
state. The 82nd Texas legislative session is facing
a $25 billion shortfall in January 2011. The rally TAD Secretary Steve Baldwin speaks at “Invest
lasted one hour and could be heard loud and clear in Community” rally at the Capitol.
by the legislators from inside the hallways.
5
Fall 2010
 CTD awards TAD the 2010
Newsletter of the Year!
On October 13, President Paul Rutowski
received a surprise announcement from executive
director Dennis Borel of the Coalition of Texans
with Disabilities (CTD): “TAD won the CTD
Newsletter of the Year award for 2010!” According
to Rutowski, Borel exclaimed, “I am elated!”
Rutowski flew to El Paso to attend the 32nd annual
CTD conference where Borel presented the award
before the members, El Paso deaf community, and
prominent politicians on October 21.
to recognize the hard work that TAD, especially past
President Baldwin, and TSW put in the newsletter. It
also recognizes the power of collaboration between
people within a community. Given that TAD and TSW
are both deaf-run, this shows just how key being part of
one’s own community is when utilizing a newsletter as a
change agent.”
Past editor Steve Baldwin and current editor
Tim Jaech did not rest on their laurels after President
Rutowski made the exciting announcement and showed
the plaque to both writers. Without hesitation, Baldwin
and Jaech started working on the current issue and
thinking of new ways to improve The Deaf Texan. Both
Baldwin and Jaech will continue to provide members
and readers with content that befit TAD’s standards of
excellence. The CTD award is a deserving tribute to
those two fellows, writers, contributors, photographers,
proofreaders, printers, sponsors, advertisers, and
supportive board members!

“The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities

(CTD) is not obligated to present the Newsletter
of the Year Award annually and, in fact, only four
times in the last nine years has CTD deemed
a nominated newsletter meritorious. Only
TAD has a long history of publishing outstanding efforts are recognized. The Deaf
newsletters over the last 95 years, on and off, and Texan of the Texas Association of the Deaf (TAD)
it is very rare to receive such a prestigious award has made huge improvements in newsletter
from a powerful statewide organization with whom content and presentation. The Deaf Texan has a
TAD has been proudly affiliated over the years.
professional look and effectively communicates
Borel has personally told longtime CTD member
and TAD board director Larry D. Evans that “CTD TAD news, values, and goals...”
is proud to have TAD as a partner.” -Dennis Borel, Executive Director of CTD,
Three issues were singled out as representing e-mail 11-08-2010
the mission and goals of CTD, which includes
publishing advocacy work, listing achievements of
the deaf Texans, and sharing news about the daily
lives of deaf Texans. The submitted issues were
for the fall of 2009, winter of 2010, and summer
of 2010. Those three informative issues obviously
met the criteria for the newsletter competition on a
statewide basis.
Since the TAD board in January of 2008
approved the contract with T.S. Writing Services
(TSW), the quality of The Deaf Texan started to
improve immediately. TSW provided professional
work on the design, layout and editing for about
the last 15 issues. When informed of the coveted
award, Trudy Suggs, founder, owner, and CEO of
6 TSW, commented, “This award is a fantastic way
A Texas Association of the Deaf Publication
TAD sends letter to ACC about GURC
As mentioned in TDT front page story about
the establishment of the Gallaudet University Regional
Center (GURC) in the U.S. southwest region at the
Austin Community College (ACC) in Austin, the TAD
President Paul Rutowski sent a congratulatory letter
to the ACC President Stephen B. Kinslow on October
20th. In the letter Rutowski explained how important
the erstwhile GURC at Eastfield College was to Texas
and other states years ago. With the GURC back in
Texas where it belongs, the TAD assures the ACC of its
support for the mission and goals of the new southwest
regional center. Additionally, as stakeholders in the
Texas deaf and hard of hearing communities with a
significant number of the Gallaudet University alumni
as members, the TAD wishes to forge a meaningful
partnership that will benefit all parties concerned in the
years to come.
Celebrating the 125th birthday of
TAD
One of the highlights of the 46th TAD
conference from June 16 to 18 is the celebration of
the state association’s 125th birthday. The TAD board
and our conference host SWCID invite you all to Big
Spring, Texas to celebrate one of the oldest advocacy
groups in Texas. Watch for more details in subsequent
issues.
Host SWCID will plan a 125th birthday bash for
TAD in Big Spring
Call for nominations of TAD
officers and board directors
The Texas Association of the Deaf is
looking for new officers and board directors
to serve the state association for the term from
2011 to 2013. The biennial election will take
place in Big Spring, Texas, where the SouthWest
Collegiate Institute for the Deaf will host the 46th
biennial conference during June 16-18, 2011.
If a member wishes to nominate someone,
be sure the nominee is a paid member in good
standing of TAD and agrees to be nominated.
Although the deadline for all nominations is
May 2, 2011, last-minute nominations may be
taken from the floor during the election session
of new TAD officers and directors after the
general meeting in the afternoon of June 18th.
You may email your nomination to TAD
Secretary Steve Baldwin - dfsmithtx@aol.com
Your nomination will be confidentially
delivered to the nominations committee, as
the committee does not have an email address.
You also may mail your nomination to:
Texas Association of the Deaf
c/o Awards & Nominations Committee
P.O. Box 1982
Manchaca, TX 78652
Flash News!
NAD Board coming to Austin
The NAD plans to have their national board
meeting in Austin, Texas during January 21-
23. For upcoming details, go to the TAD web-
site at: www.deaftexas.org.
7
Fall 2010
 Call for TAD award nominations
The Texas Association of the Deaf is also
seeking worthy nominees for four traditional
awards to be given at its 46th Biennial Conference
at the SouthWest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf in
Big Spring, Texas. The criteria for each award are
as follows:
TAD Volunteer Award: Given to a TAD
member who volunteers consistently on his/her
own free time for the last two years with a “heart of
gold”, in the best interests of the TAD’s mission and
goals.
Education Award: Given to a person who is
a dedicated educator working as a teacher, admin-
istrator, classroom aide, or some other professional
capacity in the field of deaf education, in a residen-
tial or day school setting. The nominee must dem-
onstrate a strong bond with his/her students, com-
municate well with the parents, and is considered
by his/her peers to be an excellent model for the
profession.
Distinguished Service Award: Given to a
person inside or outside the TAD whose services
on behalf of the deaf and hard of hearing persons in
Texas have had a significant impact on the welfare
of such persons.
TAD/NAD Golden Hand Award: Given to
any person or organization which has actively been
involved in impressive activities from 2009 to 2011,
that improves the social, economic, and educational
well-being of the deaf and hard of hearing commu-
nities in Texas.
Notes: One helpful rule of the thumb is that
the nominee in general must be someone who goes
over and above the call of duty in any conspicuous
capacity and is not substantially paid by an agency
or company to perform those given responsibilities
to or for the Texas deaf community.
Nominations must be received by the dead-
line of 5:00 p.m. May 2, 2011. Nominators do
not have to be a TAD member. Send nominations
by email only to TAD secretary Steve Baldwin at
dfsmithtx@aol.com. The winner will be notified by
the end of May 2011. There is no formal nomina-
tion form; nominators must include justification for
the award as well as the nominee’s email address
8 and mailing address.
A Texas Association of the Deaf Publication
2009 award recipients:
TAD Volunteer Award – David H. Pierce
Education Award – Lesa Thomas
Distinguished Service Award – Larry D. Evans
TAD/NAD Golden Hand Award – Franna Camenisch
More facts about the TAD and the
Texas legislature
In essence, the TAD has always been the
watchdog before, during, and after any legislative
session. In the 2010 winter issue of The Deaf Texans,
there is a list of 20 out of over 50 chosen laws that,
indirectly or directly, the TAD has made possible since
1967. During the 66th legislative session in 1979, all 10
recommendations that the TAD submitted became laws!
Other facts:
 TAD legislative committee is currently made
up of Steve Baldwin, Billy Collins Jr., Larry
Evans, Paul Rutowski, Mark Seeger and
others
 TAD has a direct line with the capitol when
interpreters are needed for certain legislative
activity
 TAD has its own alert system via a public
forum called Texas Deaf Issues, an ongoing
Yahoo group (See Pierce’s write-up on page 15)
 Other consumer-based organizations such as
CTD and TSID contact TAD about certain bills
or issue affecting all of us
 TAD has a list of supportive legislators
 TAD has set up other connections to keep us
abreast of news
 TAD is the oldest consumer-based association
in Texas (1886), thanks to the infamous Milan
Resolution and Alexander Graham Bell’s
efforts in attempting to deny us our native sign
language and civil rights.
Why Big Spring for TAD’s
46th conference?
Big Spring? Where is that? Why that little dot
in the middle of West Texas? Why have the 46th bien-
nial conference of the Texas Association of the Deaf
in the Panhandle Plains? Are there more prairie dogs
than the population of Big Spring? Again, why that
particular location at the crossroads of State Highway Historic Big Spring waterhole.
87 and Interstate 10? Those are some of the common town, a visit to the Big Spring State park is a must.
questions conveyed to the TAD board members. You can walk or drive, then park at the highest point
and enjoy the breathtaking sunsets with the South-
Three reasons for the site selection: West Collegiate Institute for the Deaf campus in
 The Highland Council for the Deaf under the foreground. Don’t be surprised if you literally
the presidency of Marcus R. Myers and see a jackrabbit and roadrunner racing across your
his committee produced a very successful path. Be sure to visit Comanche Park, where you
33rd conference for the TAD in Big Spring, can view what is left of the waterhole and marvel
which substantially justified the host and at the beauty of the Comanche Trail amphitheater,
site selection. Hence, we bestow the same courtesy of the Civilian Conservation Corps during
confidence upon the current staff at SouthWest the mid-1930s Depression era.
Collegiate Institute for the Deaf. For those who are not aware of the histo-
 SWCID has two equally qualified co-chairs ry of the SWCID, the TAD was one of the prime
in Kathy Weldon and Steve Myer and a large movers in the founding of the SWCID in 1980. In
concentration of local volunteers. fact, current TAD board members Steve C. Bald-
 The weak economy nowadays challenges all win, Larry D. Evans, and Marcus R. Myers were
of us to bite the bullet and the TAD board part of the original staff members of SWCID. After
supports this cost-effective and resourceful 30 years, SWCID is still considered one of the best
decision. well-rounded two-year post-secondary programs
for deaf and hard of hearing students. Indeed, the
In fact, having our conference in a larger city TAD is pleased that the SWCID is hosting our 46th
would mean having our members and friends face pro- conference so that we can unite the Texas deaf com-
hibitive expenses. Furthermore, the Howard County munity and assure ourselves a memorable event.
Junior College District, in conjunction with SWCID, Co-chairs Kathy Weldon and Steve Myer
offers their facilities for little or no charge to the TAD promise the conference attendees plenty of western-
and its members! style food, western atmosphere, a rodeo, exciting
Historically speaking, the buffaloes and oth- and inspiring speakers, logistical effectiveness and a
er critters depended on the rich water holes in Big professional rodeo! See the conference forms else-
Spring. The Comanches and other Native Americans where in this issue. Take advantage of the early bird
also thrived on that convenient oasis in time of war and combo rates. For further questions or comments,
peace. The early 16th century Spanish explorers were email Weldon at: KWELDON@howardcollege.edu.
there before the U.S. Calvary mapped out Big Spring
in the middle of the 19th century. Thanks to the Texas *FLASH NEWS*
and Pacific railroad, Big Spring became a convenient The 2011 Ms. Deaf Texas pageant will not be held
stopover until Midland and Odessa, 50 miles west of at the 2011 TAD conference in Big Spring during
Big Spring, developed rapidly during the oil boom of June 16-18, 2011. It has been rescheduled for fall
the 1920s. 2011 in Houston, Texas. More details on when and
Geographically speaking, Big Spring is where where the pageant will be held will appear in future
the great Edwards Plateau starts all the way down south TDT issues.
9
for 300 miles to Austin and San Antonio. When in
Fall 2010
 Sean Virnig appointed TSD “attacks” the ball by sending it over the net and the op-
posing player is not able to return the ball over the net.
Director of Education
The TSD
Superintendent,
Claire Bugen,
has announced
that Sean
Virnig, a native
Minnesotan,
has accepted the
position of the
TSD Director of Education, effective November 1, 2010.
Virnig has been a classroom teacher, K-12
Principal, and a Public Policy Specialist during his
career. He received his BA degree in Government Kylene Etkie Alyssa Castro
and Education from Gallaudet University and his
Master’s degree in Educational Psychology and Deaf
Education from the University of Minnesota. Currently,
TSD record-breaking pigskin duo
he has completed all of his doctoral coursework Dalton Etkie and Austin Hill of Texas School
in Educational Administration and Policy and is for the Deaf are breaking passing and receiving records
working on his dissertation. He has administrative at TSD. Etkie, whose father is Kelvin Etkie the varsity
certification as a Principal and Superintendent. football coach, broke the passing record of Jackie Newman,
Virnig and his wife Anna also operate which was set in 1954! As of this newsletter, Etkie, only
Rawland Cycles, a successful bicycle company. He a sophomore, has placed 2nd in the final statistics of
has long been a cycling enthusiast. The Virnig family the central Texas high school Class A/ private schools
includes Abigail (10) and Ethan (7). Anna and the with a total of 2,356 passing yards and 21 touchdowns.
children will join Sean at the end of the school year. Senior Austin Hill is the Class A final season
Virnig has already begun an exciting new phase leader in pass reception yardage, with a total of 1,145 yards
of his professional career at the Texas School for the and 46 receptions for an amazing average of 24.5 yards
Deaf. The Texas Association of the Deaf welcomes him per catch! Without doubt, Hill and Etkie are considered
and his family to Texas and wishes him well on his new the best quarterback and receiver duo in central Texas.
appointment. According to Coach Etkie, Dalton broke the old
TSD passing record of 18 touchdowns with a final season
Source: TSD Supt. Bugen letter to parents, 10/2010
count of 21 touchdowns. Coach Etkie also said that Austin
TSD girls shine in tough volleyball Hill broke the TSD season and career receiving yard record,
formerly held by Bobby Fuller 42 years ago in 1968, who
season ended his season with 895 yards. Hill ended this season
The TSD volleyball team had a 14-26-2 sea- by a huge margin of 250 yards over Fuller’s old record.
son record, but did well at the Spike-Out tournament TSD’s Akeem Guidry also did well, ranking
held at the California School for the Deaf, Riverside 7th in receiving yardage, with a final total of 416 yards
last October. Our girls came in third place after beat- and 33 receptions for an impressive 12.6 yard average.
ing five other teams and losing to two teams, Mary- Hill also landed in 8th place for rushing yardage, with
land and Indiana, the eventual Spike-Out champi- 499 yards on 67 rushes for an average of an astounding 7.4
ons. The schools for the deaf participating were: yards per rush.
California (Riverside), Indiana, Maryland, Minne-
sota, Model, Phoenix, and Texas. The 2011 Spike-
Out will be held at the Indiana School for the Deaf.
Two volleyball players, Kylene Etkie and
Alyssa Castro, placed well in the final season sta-
tistics for central Texas high school volleyball
teams. Etkie came in 8th place with a total of 83
aces and Castro bagged 15th place with 69 aces.
An ace is made when our player serves the
ball to the inside of the other team’s court lines and
10 an opposing player cannot respond by making con-
tact with the ball. A kill is made when our player Dalton Etkie Austin Hill
A Texas Association of the Deaf Publication

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
National
 Deaf
 Prep
 Basketball
 Tournament
 and
 Cheerleading
 Competition
 

 

 
Alabama Arizona Fremont Indiana Maryland
 

 
Model Riverside
  Texas The
 Learning
 Center
 

 

 

January  13  –  15  

 
 
Check  the  website  for  tournament  information,  schedule,  and  
teams  
 
 
www.tsd.state.tx.us/clerc2011  
 
  Clerc  Classic  XI  Main  Sponsor    
   

Media  Sponsor  

Texas School for the Deaf will host 8 schools for the deaf at the Clerc basketball tournament during
January 13-15, 2011, in Austin, Texas. The participating schools in this year’s tournament are Alabama,
Arizona, California (Riverside), California (Fremont), Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts (The Learning
Center), Model, and Texas. Massachusetts will send only a boys’ team, while Arizona will send only a girls’ 11
team.
Fall 2010
 Profile: Miss Emily Lewis and seven enrolled boys, Emily, being homesick and
By Franna Camenisch timid, refused to stay there. Lettie and she rode a ferry
TSDAA Archives and Museum across the Colorado River to stay at the Smith Hotel for
a while. Just at that time, Professor Jacob Van Nostrand
First female student at TSD had arrived from New York to be the only teacher at the
First TSD student to be a teacher new school. Through his influence, she was persuaded
First female to be a principal at TSD to remain. She was the first girl pupil that entered the
One of the earliest historians of TSD Deaf and Dumb Asylum. She continued as a pupil there
from 1857 to 1864.
Miss Emily Lewis was fondly called “Em.” In 1864, Emily was appointed assistant teacher
Her name sign is made with the manual alphabet for beginners. For two years, she taught without pay, as
sign for J -- moving one’s hand from the top of the the state was not in any condition to pay her any money
head, on the side, down the side of the face, like due to the breaking out of the Civil War In 1876, a new
drawing long hair. superintendent named Henry McCulloch wrote in the
She was born near La Grange, Texas on April twentieth annual report of TSD, “Having no acquaintance
7, 1844. Her parents had thirteen children, of whom with the sign language, I did not propose or pretend
Emily was the seventh. She lost her to teach any class in the school, but reorganized it by
hearing when she was three years old placing Miss Emily Lewis, who had
and very sick with high fever. Her been assistant teacher in the school, in
country doctor accidentally gave her charge of it as principal, and it affords
an overdose of quinine that might me pleasure to speak in the highest
have been the cause of her deafness. terms of her capacity as a teacher
She grew up on the Gonzales Road, and her marked ability and efficiency
five miles south of La Grange. She in the management of the school and
was called Little Em. Even though control of the pupils.” She was the
she went to school in the country principal for a year until she resigned
with her brothers and sisters, she at the close of the 1876-1877 session.
was not able to learn to speak and The reason for her resignation was her
comprehend much. She could only loyalty and deep admiration for the
copy what was written on a slate and unfairly dismissed Superintendent Van
was delighted to learn to write. After Nostrand and her frustrations with the
a while, she knew the alphabet, her new superintendent who knew nothing
Emily Lewis - Artist unknown
name, and a few words before coming January, 1913
about educating the deaf. Four years
to the then-named Deaf and Dumb later in 1880, Emily Lewis was called
Asylum in Austin. back to teach by Colonel John S. Ford,
One afternoon about sundown in 1856, a who succeeded Superintendent McCulloch. She taught
well-educated deaf man named Matthew Clark at the school until she retired in 1913. In her declining
stopped at her father’s house for the night. He years, the authorities of the school had recognized the
was traveling on horseback, and came because he worth of her services and shown that she had not been
had learned there was a twelve-year-old deaf girl adequately rewarded by pensioning her with 25 dollars
living there. Mr. Clark wrote on a piece of paper to per month for the rest of her life. The school also set up a
the father, “I have come to tell you about a special comfortable, well-furnished room within the institution
school for the deaf.” The family invited him to stay where she could come at her pleasure and visit the
for dinner. He and her father communicated with students and those with whom she had worked so long.
each other on a slate to get the whole story about When she was retired, her friends and former
the new school. Her father knew that Emily had pupils presented her a life-size oil painting of herself
a very bright mind and would learn quickly at the done by a prominent Eastern artist. The Miss Emily
school as he said, “You may be the answer to our Lewis painting now hangs in the school professional
prayers.” library on the fourth floor in the High School and Middle
Early in May 1857 after a severe winter, School building.
12 she rode to Austin in a stagecoach with her oldest “Miss Lewis is dead.” This was the message
sister Mrs. Lettie Seiders. After seeing the school sent out from the home of Mrs. Lettie Seiders, Miss
A Texas Association of the Deaf Publication
Lewis’ sister, early Thursday morning, January 25,
1917. The body was brought to the school [TSD]
that evening and lay at rest in the chapel during
the night. The deaf teachers and school officers --
all but one of whom had been her pupils -- kept a
vigil. The funeral occurred at 10 o’clock on Friday,
conducted by Rev. J. W. Michaels and Mr. J. H. W.
Williams, former superintendent of the school. Six
of the pupils signed Miss Lewis’s favorite hymn,
“Nearer, My God to Thee.” The body was laid to
rest in the Seiders family lot in Oakwood Cemetery,
the following acting as honorary pallbearers:
Jefferson Johnson, Joe Koen, George Begg, J. H.
W. Williams, Prof. Urbantke, W.M. Thornberry,
and W. M. Davis. The active pallbearers were G.
A. Brooks, W. H. Davis, W. A. Barnes, R. M. Rives,
A. O. Wilson, R. L. Davis, W. J. Wood, and Eugene
Bremond.
Mr. J. H. W. Williams, former Superintendent, paid
the following tribute:
“There lie in our presence the remains of
one of the sweetest, purest, most unselfish, lovely
characters that it has ever been my pleasure to
know. I knew her intimately for twenty-five years.
I have known her intimately as a teacher, as a friend,
as a co-worker, and I never knew any one to have
aught but love, respect, honor, and reverence for her
lovely character.” He added, “I once remarked I
never saw a finer set of girls, and better behaved,
from year to year than in this institution. I thought,
“Why is it?” I at once reverted in memory and
thought of this good woman, sweetly, longingly,
like a mother, like a sister, constantly doing for
them, and giving of herself, to them. If in trouble,
she was there; sick, she was there; disappointed, she
was there to comfort. She was a mother. Many
a time have I seen her with her arm around such
an one, comforting, counseling, advising, making
them feel they had a friend and mother, a sister who
would do all she could do for their good. Though
such influence the girls in this institution developed
into sweet lovely characters.”
Emily Lewis, being one of the earliest
historians of TSD, is the reason we were able to
know the early days at the Deaf and Dumb Asylum.
She recorded in pencil the history of the Texas
School for the Deaf from its beginning in 1857.
Her great niece Mildred Caller Gainer discovered
it and later gave it to the school after Mrs. Gainer
rewrote it and named it “The Silent World of Emily
Lewis, Deaf Teacher of Early Texas.”
Glynn Arvin Whittemore: 9/24/96 –
8/20/10
Glynn Whittemore passed away on Au-
gust 20, 2010, after struggling to recover from a
stroke earlier in the year. Glynn became deaf at
an early age from spinal meningitis and his family
decided to move from Waco, Texas, to Austin, Tex-
as to enroll him at the Texas School for the Deaf.
Glynn excelled at TSD and met his future
wife Alma Aydelotte in high school. He later enrolled
at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC, but de-
cided to return home and marry Alma. He eventu-
ally wound up in the printing profession and spent
over 30 years with the Houston Post. He enrolled at
the University of Houston at age 42 and received his
B.A. degree there as the first deaf person to do so.
Community activism was a way of life for
Glynn, as he was a member of many organiza-
tions, such as the Houston Association of the Deaf,
Texas Association of the Deaf, and the National
Association of the Deaf. He was active with the
Texas Commission of the Deaf, Texas Society of
Interpreters of the Deaf, and Captioned Films for
the Deaf. A noteworthy achievement in his activ-
ism was his term as the first deaf person to serve as
chairperson of the TSD Governing Board. (1983)
The Whittemore family looks back upon
Glynn’s life with much respect and love.
[Ed. Note: I first met Glynn as a participant in
the Captioned Films summer workshop in the
1980s, where over 30 teachers of the deaf met
for one month annually during the summertime,
to write captions into educational films for deaf
and hard of hearing students in programs for the
deaf on a nationwide basis. Glynn was an easy
person to like and respect. Funny, yes. Thought- 13
ful, definitely.]
Fall 2010
 TSDAA elects new officers at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. There,
During the annual Texas School for the
he played four years and had the good fortune to play
Deaf Homecoming on October 9th, the TSD Alumni with one of the most renown quarterbacks in football his-
Association members elected new officers and board tory, Sammy Baugh, for two years. Sammy won honor-
directors: able mention as an All-American collegiate football player.
Officers After his college years ended, he played two years
in the National Football League for the Houston Oilers.
President Andrew Horn (pictured)
Vice president Kent Kennedy Football at that level did not come easy for a deaf man, and
Secretary Delia Ramis it was due to the communication barrier in those days, ac-
Treasurer John Mills cording to his Houston Oilers coach, the legendary Pop Ivy.
Board members Sammy Oates Sr. made his mark on athletic history
Rudy Gomez not only in the deaf world but also in the hearing athletic
Tom Becker community, where hearing players could not stop his exploits
Franna Camenisch on the field.

Sammy Marvin Oates Sr., 3rd TLCDHH conference a hit!

By Susie Grona, TAD Board Member
12/2/38 – 10/6/10
The 3rd Biennial Statewide Conference of the
Sammy Oates Sr. passed away on Octo-
Texas Latino Council of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
ber 6, 2010 after a long battle with prostate can-
was a hit at the Holiday Inn Emerald Beach in Corpus
cer. Born in Trinity, Texas on December 2, 1938,
Christi, known as the City by the Sparkling Sea, during
his family moved to Austin so he could attend the
October 15-16, 2010. The theme was “Our Dream Shall
Texas School for the Deaf. During his years at TSD,
Live On”.
he became a literal legend in every sport he took up.
About 150 people attended the opening ceremony
His wife of 47 years, Brenda and three chil-
presented by Melly Flores Serrano, a teacher from Texas
dren, Toni, Jodi, and Sammy Jr. survive Sammy. While
School for the Deaf. Saturday was filled with various
at TSD, every sport Sammy took up turned into gold.
workshops, such as “Texas Trilingual Certification”,
His athletic prowess at all levels in all sports is consid-
presented by David Myers and Yolanda Chavira; “Prepare
ered magnificent, as he was very much a natural ath-
the Interpreter with Deaf People Using Mexican Sign
lete who excelled. TSD has a large display of his ca-
Language”, by Felipe Bonifacio and Jennifer Powell;
reer in the TSD Museum. He is also listed in the TSD
“Leadership Within” by Melissa Draganac-Hawk;
Hall of Fame. In what other sports besides football,
“Equal Communication Access” by Alma Bebee; “CDI:
basketball, track, and swimming did Mr. Oates excel?
Do I Need One?” by Ann Horn; “Keeping The Promise
In 1958, the American Athletic Association of
Program by Educating Deaf Latinos”, by Delia Lozano
the Deaf honored Sammy as “Athlete of the Year” for all
Martinez; and “VRS Consumer Association” by TAD’s
sports. However, his
own Larry Evans.
football achievements
The conference closed with a delicious Mexican
had people talking and
fare theme called “Viva Belleza Por La Noche”, which
repeating all over the
means, “Shining the Beauty through the Night”. It
country. At TSD, he
was an inspiring and beautiful evening with the Miss
once scored 6 touch-
Texas Latina pageant. Before the pageant began, Carlos
downs in one game –
Mendez, TLCDHH president gave out appreciation
the gem of this story is
certificates to the following: Texas School for the Deaf-
that he scored a touch-
Gold Sponsor, Coastal Bend Silent Club, and Hola VRS-
down the first 5 times
Bronze Sponsors. Circle of Friends Sponsor certificates
he carried the ball.
were given to Sorenson Communications, Inc., and
Upon graduating
Communication Axess Ability Group.
14 from TSD, he had a
Susie Grona, TAD board member, presented the
football scholarship
TAD’s Gonzalo Barrientos Award to Jose Ovi Velasquez
A Texas Association of the Deaf Publication
for contributing his time and talents to the Hispanic deaf
community. The pageant began shortly after the awards,
and the newly crowned Miss Texas Latina is Yesenia
Ballesteros of San Antonio, Texas.
Kudos to Jose Ovi Velasquez and the awesome
TLCDHH conference committee for an inspiring and
educational weekend that concluded with an enchanting
evening banquet.
Yesenia Ballesteros, Miss Deaf Texas
Latina
Left: Andrea Saenz, San Juan and Miss Deaf Texas
Latina, Yesenia Ballesteros, San Antonio.
TLCDHH members re-elect board for
2011-2013
The TCDHH members reelected the same board for the
next two years, which is as follows: President, Carlos
Mendez, Vice President, Jose Ovi Velasquez, Secretary,
Anabel Martinez, Treasurer, Jaime Lugo, Board director,
Rogelio Fernandez, and Board director, Linda Lugo Hill.
Barrientos award to Jose Ovi Valasquez
Left: Susie Grona, TAD board, Carlos Mendez,
TLCDHH President and winner Jose Ovi Velasquez.
2011 Legislative Watch
By David H. Pierce
The 82nd Texas Legislature will begin on
January 11, 2011 and end on May 30, 2011. All
of us need to keep an eye on any legislation that
will affect deaf and hard of hearing Texans.
There are two ways to monitor any leg-
islation that may be introduced in the upcom-
ing session. One is the Legislature’s Website at
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/. One can enter
keywords such as “deaf” or “sign language” or
any similar words to check what bills involve
deaf issues. Once a bill is identified, you can set
up email alerts to keep you informed of the bill’s
progress.
If you do not want to go through all the
trouble of researching the legislative site, you
have a second option. You can become a mem-
ber of Texas Deaf Issues, which is a Yahoo forum
that covers statewide as well as national issues
that have an effect on Texans. Several members
of Texas Association of the Deaf (TAD), Texas
Society of Interpreters for the Deaf (TSID), Ad-
vocacy, Inc., and other related organizations are
involved with this forum. They provide criti-
cal updates on various bills or laws in a timely
fashion. The home page can be found at http://
groups.yahoo.com/group/TexasDeafIssues/ and
it costs nothing to join.
Because the State of Texas is facing an
$18 billion budget shortfall [Ed. note: At the time
TDT went to press, the state has revised its es-
timate of the budget shortfall to $25 billion], it
is most unlikely any new deaf-related legislation
that costs money will be introduced. However,
we need to keep an eye on any legislation that
may cut into services that deaf and hard of hear-
ing people depend on for full participation in our
society. We need to be especially mindful of “rid-
ers” which are last minute additions to bills that
may or may not be relevant to the main bill. We
cannot be passive in 2011. We need to pay close
attention if we are to maintain the quality of life
we have now. Never take anything for granted.
End of sermon. 15
Fall 2010

911 access now possible via internet
media
Cindi Nagy, TAD Board Director
photo credit: Steve Baldwin
The Dallas deaf community had a chance to
learn from staff of a regional 911 program based
in Arlington, Texas how 911 service access can be
greatly improved for members of its community.
This new access to 911 is made through an
effort titled “Next Generation 911” (NG911), which
uses an IP (internet protocol) based system. It provides
the capability for various types of media such as SMS
text, pictures, streaming video, email, and the like to
be delivered to the 911 centers and help save lives!
Speakers emphasized that while the
technology is here, but funding has not been
mandated and allocated by the Texas legislature.
This is where you (the deaf community and the
Texas Association of the Deaf) can help. For many
deaf people, the only reason to keep their TTYs
(teletypewriters) is for 911 access. However,
many deaf people have instead chosen to get rid
of their TTY in favor of using their videophone
and/or wireless smartphones which use text
(SMS). The disadvantage in the past was that 911
responses could be slower for various reasons.
Right now, there is a way to text directly
to a 911 center with a short code of 3 to 6 digits.
However, it requires collaborative work between
16 911 centers, equipment providers, carriers, and a
A Texas Association of the Deaf Publication
data base provider. This type of 911 access has already
been done in Iowa and various cities that will use various
methods that achieve the same access. In Texas, this
access does not exist yet.
The deaf community needs to rally and become
actively involved in making this possible in Texas.
Twenty years ago, the deaf community worked to get
TTYs connected to 911 centers. The TAD needs to
make this new technology happen and should consider
establishing a committee to focus on this issue.
The Travis Association of Deaf Senior
Citizens
By Joanne Brininstool
The Travis Association of Deaf Senior Citizens (TAD-
SC) enjoyed some field trips recently. In June, a large
group visited the new Dallas Cowboy Stadium in
Arlington, Texas and in September, some seniors visited
the exhibition of Our Body at the University of Texas in
Austin. Members also went to Fredericksburg, Texas
October 21st for a little shopping.
Some of the TAD-SC members attended a
potluck given by the La Vista Seniors of San Marcos,
Texas on Labor Day. On December 2nd, the TAD-SC
plans to have a Christmas luncheon at Matt’s El Rancho
on South Lamar Blvd. in Austin. Tickets are being sold
by Beth Strain.
In September, Paul Rutowski, the President of
the Texas Association of the Deaf, came to detail TAD
activities and goals. He is also a board member of the
Greater Austin Foundation for the Deaf and discussed
it briefly. Finally, he advertised his new business
to manage various services. He also gave us more
information on the business in October. Our main
speaker for September was Larry Umberger, a Wellness
Lifestyle Consultant from Waco, Texas. He discussed
nutrition.
During the October meeting, Kent Kennedy, the
new Texas Operations Manager for CSD, specified the
services that CSD offers in Austin. Interpreting services
are handled by his assistant, Sharon Morrell. There is
a service room available for community use. The most
exciting service CSD now offers in Austin is van service.
The van can seat 13 passengers (2 wheelchairs and 11
regular seats), and will cost seniors fifty cents to a dollar
per trip for doctor/dentist/hospital visits and senior
citizen meetings. For pleasure (shopping, visiting, etc.),
there would be costs yet to be determined. It can serve
the Austin and San Marcos areas.
Larry Evans announced that the Greater Austin
Foundation for the Deaf would have an open forum on
October 12th at the Omni Hotel. The funds are doing
well. There is a new board of directors. Representatives
of organizations (2 each) and the public are welcome
to the forum. This all started when the senior citizens
asked the Texas Association of the Deaf to look into the
status quo of the funds of the defunct organization that
preceded the establishment of the foundation. So, we
have started something that will have lasting effects.
We currently have 330 members. Our meetings
are the first Thursday of every month at 1:00 p.m. at
the Senior Activity Center at 3911 Manchaca Road in
Austin. Dues are $10 a year. We also have a monthly
newsletter. If you would like to join, contact our
membership chairperson, Nick Garza, at
ngaghga@hotmail.com or by postal mail at 2602 Euclid
Ave., Austin, TX 78704. You may also contact our
treasurer, Glenn Brunson at gbrunson@austin.rr.com or
by postal mail at 7101 Hanging Oak Circle, Austin, TX
78749.
Christmas drama program in Houston
By Kathy Walters
Keeping up with tradition since the year 1988,
the Woodhaven Baptist Deaf Church will once again put
on their Christmas Drama. This year’s drama is slated
for performances during December 10-12, 2010. On the
opening night of Friday, Dec. 10th, the performance will
start at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, Dec. 11th, there will be
two performances. One is at 2:30 p.m. and the other is
at 7:30 p.m. The final performance will be on Sunday,
December 12th at 2:30 p.m. There is no admission charge.
Pastor Arthur Craig has remarked that they
offer this story about the Good News free because
they want everyone to have the opportunity to see it.
They do take a love offering at the end of the drama
to help pay for the expenses of putting on the shows.
With the passing years, each drama
production has become bigger and more complicated.
Pastor Craig recalls that one year an interpreter
was voicing for the character of Jesus and did some
of the lines in a deep John Wayne voice. This year,
the story is based on the real life story of one of
their deacons and his wife. The story is interesting,
touching and funny. Each year they weave the
Christmas story into whatever script they write
For more information about this
Christmas Drama, you may email Pastor Craig at
arthur.craig@hfbc.org or call the church at (713-467-
3325) Voice.
Update on VRS rule proposals by
the FCC
By Ed Bosson
The FCC has released several Notice(s)
of Inquiry (NOI) on several Video Relay Service
(VRS) issues over the past few months. All public
comments made to the NOI from relay providers,
national organizations, and individuals have been
done. Now the next step is for the FCC to analyze
all the comments, and the FCC will release a Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for each issue
that the FCC has created to formulate rules for
particular VRS issues and ask for public feedback.
We will see quite a few NPRMs being released the
next 8 to 10 months, as I know the FCC hopes to
have Order Ruling(s) to finally decide appropriate
content for the required regulations on such issues.
If you wish to read FCC updates, go www.
edsalert.com as “edsalert” often posts summaries of
the FCC Public Notices.
Notes from La Vista Deaf Seniors of
San Marcos, Texas
By Earl Day
La Vista’s Red Hat organization, The Dozen
Red Roses, is hosting a Fifth Annual Texas Deaf
Red Hat Christmas Luncheon at the Gruene Riv-
er Grill in Gruene, Texas, on December 11, 2010.
Gruene is a tiny and delightful town just north of
New Braunfels, Texas. It is full of antique stores
and great eating-places. Barbie Vicencio is the cur-
rent Queen of The Dozen Red Roses. She and her
group have been working very hard to make the
Christmas luncheon a highly memorable event for
the Red Hat ladies. Best wishes and hopes for suc-
cess to them.
Since many members of the Red Hat groups
have expressed their wishes to visit La Vista Re-
tirement Community in San Marcos, Texas, dur-
ing the weekend of December 10-12, 2010, the
La Vista Deaf Seniors of San Marcos is host-
ing an open house on December 10, 2010 from 2
p.m. to 5 p.m. that day. Three apartment models
will be shown. Anyone may contact Earl Day at
earlwday@aol.com for additional information.
17
Fall 2010
 Former TCCD revitalized!
By Tim Jaech, Editor

A special forum for the deaf community in central Texas was called on October 10th at the Omni Hotel
in Austin, Texas. The purpose of this forum was to introduce changes made to the former Travis County Coun-
cil for the Deaf (TCCD) and to introduce current and additional board members. The TCCD is now known as
the Greater Austin Foundation for the Deaf (GAFD).
GAFD board chairperson, Paul Rutowski, led this forum to introduce the changes that have led to a
revitalized TCCD, which now has its new name, GAFD.

Current board members, Left to Right:

Paul Rutowski, chair, executive committee
Tom Cowan, financial committee
Ann Horn, secretary, executive committee
Jo Bienvenu, board member
Rosemary McGaugh, executive committee
Jerry Katz, treasurer, financial committee
Larry Evans, executive committee

Not Pictured:
Faye Kuo, financial committee
David Myers, executive committee

Rutowski further explained the history of TCCD and the current purpose and changes that comprise the
GAFD mission. TCCD was founded in 1977 and collaborated with the Travis County Services for the Deaf
and Hard of Hearing (TCSDHH). The focus of the TCCD at the time was on interpreting services for the deaf
community in Travis County, Texas.
The TCCD originally was named the Austin Deaf Community Center “ADCC” in its founding year of
1977, and then renamed TCCD in 1995. The TCCD purchased a building in 1996 to house its activities of-
fices and service facilities for the deaf community. It owned and operated an independent interpreting agency,
Capital Interpreting Services. It was sold to another entity in 1996. TCCD rented out space to non-profit orga-
nizations and provided space for various activities and events. After several renting organizations and service
agencies departed, the TCCD was forced to sell its building in 2001.
The ADCC/TDDC building sold for $775,000 and made possible all debt reconciliations and the final
profit amount was placed with two financial advisors, creating two separate accounts in different financial pro-
grams. The funds were allowed to grow, increasing the TCCD’s ability to continue to provide financial support
for qualified applicants in their endeavors that supported the deaf community of Travis County. However, the
board membership dwindled due to relocation and resignations, leaving only three board members: Rutowski,
Katz, and Mark Hanson. When Hanson relocated to Arizona, it became necessary to infuse new members into
the TCCD board of directors. Several meetings were held with stakeholders from the greater Austin, Texas
area to essentially revitalize the TCCD entity.
The TCCD name has now become the Greater Austin Foundation for the Deaf (GAFD). GAFD not
only focuses on Travis County, but also includes four other surrounding counties, Bastrop, Burnet, Hays, and
Williamson counties.
The GAFD mission statement is, “The mission of the Greater Austin Foundation for the Deaf is to
provide financial support to the deaf and hard of hearing community of Greater Austin to enhance cultural
enrichment, educational exposure, and personal growth.”
18 In summary, GAFD now has 9 board members, new bylaws, hosted a forum for the deaf commu-
nity on October 12th, and plans to establish an advisory committee. Future requests for funds will require
A Texas Association of the Deaf Publication
filling out an application, meeting established criteria,
and are limited to disbursements twice a year. Finan-
cial investments from the final profits of the sale of the
TCCD building have resulted in a composite increase
of 41% growth over 8 years. It went from $400,000 to
$533,000, a good average return of 5% per year. This is
rather remarkable, given the economic instability during
the previous recent years.
Rutowski took questions from the floor and an-
swers were given by him and other members of the board.
The attendees were rewarded with a delicious spread of
refreshments and drinks. It was a meeting well planned
and communication between GAFD and the deaf com-
munity projected an excellent sense of transparency. it has also created barriers. For example, as news
A heart-warming story
By Ed Bosson
I had a very unusual text chat with a person just
a few weeks ago. This woman said she recognized
me from the early 1990s at a media event, where I
(representing the Public Utilities Commission), Larry
Evans (representing the Texas Commission of the
Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing), and other supporting team
members did a media blitz practically all over Texas to
provide outreach services on a then-new relay service
(the traditional TTY relay service).
The woman was referring to a particular media
blitz at Waco, Texas. What the team did was to first
contact a public school with mainstreamed deaf/hard of
hearing students and asked a teacher to get the phone
number of the student’s parent who was a stay-at- home
parent, but not tell the parent about it. In the classroom,
Larry instructed a deaf girl about 10-12 years old to call
her mother via TTY relay service unbeknownst to her
mother. This adorable little deaf girl made a TTY relay
call to her mom and the relay agent had to explain to
Mom what was going on, and then proceeded to let the
girl type. She typed “Hi Mom. This is Mary. GA.”
The relay agent signed, “Total silence”, then typed
“Background noise -- Mom is crying.” and it was from
sheer joy knowing that her little girl made a TTY relay
call to her Mom. Oh, boy -- there was not a dry eye
in that classroom -- especially the adults. “Mary” is a
fictional name, as I don’t remember her real name.
This woman who text-chatted with me was one
of the hearing students in that classroom. She is now an
interpreter. She was reminiscing with me and said that
it had an impact on her.
Larry and I have often reminisced about that
media blitz as we had a great time and it had a powerful
impact on the people of Texas. We considered it a very
successful project.
21st Century Communications and
Video Accessibility Act of 2010
By Faye Kuo
As we all know, technology has improved at an
incredibly accelerated rate over the last twenty years.
Many of us remember a time when pagers and the use
of Internet were viewed as a newfangled “geek thing.”
Today, most of us cannot conceive of ever leaving home
without our various PDAs (personal data assistant)
and other electronic toys that enable us to remain
connected with our family, friends, and to the world.
While this boom in technology has been
a life-changing catalyst for many deaf and hard of
hearing people, as well as for people with vision loss,
outlets and the mainstream media increasingly turn
to the Internet as a way of spreading information via
videos of various stories and re-posting of television
shows, deaf and hard of hearing people are left out
because of the lack of captioning over the Internet.
Unfortunately, this illustrates how the law is
often very slow in keeping up with the times. When
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was
passed in 1990, effective in 1992, much of today’s
technology did not exist then and were deemed to not
be under the coverage of the ADA. However, with
the passage of the 21st Century Communications and
Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CCVA), access to
certain technology for deaf and hard of hearing people,
as well as those with vision loss, has been improved.
Here is a short summary of some of the key
changes that CCVA brings: (taken from the National
Association of the Deaf web site)
 Making access to the Web possible through
improved user interfaces for smart phones
 Enabling Americans who are blind to enjoy TV
more fully through audible descriptions of the on-
screen action
 Making TV program guides and selection menus
accessible to people with vision loss
 Providing Americans who are deaf the ability to
watch new TV programs online with the captions
included
 Mandating that remote controls have a button or
similar mechanism to easily access the closed
captioning on broadcast and pay TV
 Requiring that telephone equipment used to make
calls over the Internet is compatible with hearing
aids
 Providing up to $10 million per year to purchase
communications equipment to access the telephone
system and the Internet so these individuals who
are low-income Americans who are both deaf and
blind, can more fully participate in society.
19
Fall 2010
 A festival everyone can enjoy and physical limitations while talking to people using the
By Anna Hanks festival’s accommodations for people with disabilities.
Yet it wasn’t until seeing the Flaming Lips play that song
Local contributor Austin American Statesman that I examined why I had chosen to write about this issue.
A dozen years ago, my father started using a
[Ed. Note: The following article appeared in the wheelchair. Since then, I’ve spent considerable time
October 12, 2010 issue of the Austin American determining what’s accessible for a large man in a power
Statesman. Ms. Hanks’ observations regarding chair. Thus, I often notice curb cuts, handicap bathrooms
the presence of deaf people at a musical event, the and well-located wheelchair ramps. In previous ACL
Austin City Limits (ACL) Musical Festival, were of visits, I’d noted the presence of accommodations
great interest, hence our desire to share the article mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
with readers of The Deaf Texan. The latter part of Talking to consumers of ADA services at ACL
the article focuses on the initially puzzling desire of was eye-opening. I chatted with people including: a
deaf persons to have access to the auditory sensation couple from Boston on their honeymoon (with a service
of music. ACL dog), a woman
is shown on recovering from
television with a kneecap-
closed-captions shattering injury,
on national and Rod Kennedy,
PBS schedules.] 80, founder of
I had the Kerrville
an unexpected Folk Festival.
realization during Surprisingly, they
the Flaming Lips were all fairly
set at the Austin happy with the
City Limits accommodations
Music Festival. — with only
Watching the one recurring
Oklahoma-based complaint.
band closing their Nearly everyone
show with “Do was frustrated
You Realize??” I that there were no
discovered tears longer portable
streaming down bathrooms inside
my face. I was so the viewing
Interpreter Amber Galloway and attendees at ACL Festival
embarrassed that I Photos courtesy of: Anna Hanks, Austin American Statesman areas for the
quickly donned my disabled, because
sunglasses, hoping no one noticed. it was sometimes difficult fighting the huge
crowds in a chair to visit the facilities.
The song includes the following lyrics sung slowly Otherwise, the people I talked to indicated that
by the Lips’ frontman Wayne Coyne: physical limitations don’t get in the way of having fun atACL.
“Do you realize — that everyone you know In addition to the accommodations for people
someday will die with mobility issues, a number of performances
And instead of saying all of your goodbyes — let were interpreted in American Sign Language (ASL).
them know Sheepishly, I asked Barbie Parker, owner of Lotusign (the
You realize that life goes fast firm providing ASL interpreters) why deaf consumers
It’s hard to make the good things last ...” go to concerts. “They come for the same reason we do
— to hang out with like-minded people,” Parker said.
Listening to the lyrics, I started thinking It looked like the ASL crowd had a great time,
about how fragile our bodies really are. They particularly during the highly visual shows from Muse and
bleed. Things break. They don’t especially the Flaming Lips. At those sets, with everyone excitedly
enjoy the unaccustomed exercise of traipsing signing around me, I felt like I was at the coolest party
20 around Zilker Park for three days in the sun. ever — except for feeling exceptionally awkward that I
I spent a lot of time thinking about bodies didn’t speak the language. I’ve communicated with non-
A Texas Association of the Deaf Publication
 Deaf Masquerade Gala
The “Deaf Masquerade Gala” is a fund-raising
event for the Ms. Deaf Texas Pageant, which has been
rescheduled from its original summer date to a fall date
to be announced in future press releases as well as in the
Texas Association of the Deaf website, www.deaftexas.
org . The pageant itself will be held in Houston, Texas.
The Gala is a TAD-sponsored event and
will be held on February 12, 2011, from 6:00 p.m.
to 12:00 midnight. The event will be at the Double
Tree Hotel in Austin, Texas. The address of the
hotel is 6505 IH-35 North, Austin, Texas 78752.
Tickets may be purchased now for $50
per person or $95 per couple. After December 30,
2010, tickets will be $70 per person or $135 per
couple. Formal attire is required. For information
or questions, send email to deafgala@gmail.com .
English speakers everywhere from villages in Africa to an The TAD encourages everyone interested in
abandoned naval base in the former Soviet Union. Yet, as attending an exciting evening of competition among the
a non-signer, I’ve never felt so awkward around a group impressive deaf women of Texas!
of people as I did around ASL speakers at the festival.
Watching ASL interpreter Amber Galloway, 33, perform
for the wordless start to the Flaming Lips show, I was
impressed by her artistry. The group of ASL speakers
clustered around her appeared to be signing more
excitedly at the moments when the roof of my own
mouth was vibrating with the Lips’ low-end frequencies.
One of the more interesting comments I heard
during the festival was from Aaron Terry, 38. When I
was standing near the ASL interpreters, Terry leaned
over the fence after Pat Green’s show and thanked
me for what I was doing. After I clarified matters, he
explained he how he liked the festival’s inclusiveness.
“I think it adds a total Austin vibe,
because the concert is for everyone, including
people you wouldn’t think it’s for, deaf people.”
I was struck by what he said, because it’s important
to open up a festival experience to everyone. Our bodies
don’t last forever. It’s important to appreciate the fleeting
pleasures of life, like music and sunsets. The ADA
accommodations at ACL help people do exactly that.
Hanks lives in Austin.

credit: Nicole Zatzkin

Words editors live by!
Linus: If you have some problem in your life, do you
believe you should try to solve it right away or think
about it for a while?
Charlie Brown: Oh, think about it! I believe you
should think about it for a while.
Linus: To give yourself time to do the right thing about
the problem?
Charlie Brown: No, to give it time to go away! 21
-Overheard by Snoopy
Fall 2010
 Major League Baseball player
salaries
By Tim Jaech, Editor
The average yearly salary of major league
baseball players is a measly old $3 million per
year. Just for the sake of simple math, let’s divide
$3 million by 365 days, and we arrive at $8,219
per day for the “average” major league ball player.
Keep in mind that ball players play 162 games per
season, not counting post-season play – so, the
daily average would be even more if we divided
the $3 million by 162. That would come to
$18,519 per game.
Want to stop here? Or, do you want more
punishment? I’ll assume you all want to be well-
informed readers. The highest paid baseball player
in the major is none other than Alex Rodriquez of
the New York Yankees – whom the Texas Rangers
beat for the 2010 American League pennant.
A-Rod, as he is affectionately nicknamed, earns
$33 million a year --11 times the average, you
math lovers. My calculator says he earns $90,411
a day if you want to go by 365 days in the year.
Curious about how much he makes if we divide
his yearly salary by 162 games? That’s $203,704
per game. Yes, per game.
Might as well go for the ultimate
punishment, and do the math for something
scuzzier. Let’s do the math for how much A-Rod
22
A Texas Association of the Deaf Publication
makes each at-bat. At $203,704 per game, he generally
gets 4-5 at bats each game. Let’s see what happens
with 5 at bats – Whups, $40,741 each time he goes to
the plate. Ok, ok – with 4 at bats, it’s $50,926 each
time. Remember, he gets paid the same whether he
hits a homerun, strikes out, or walks. Well, here’s the
lowest we can get in pain management – Say he swings
3 times and strikes out.
Good old reliable math tells us he earns
$13,580 with each missed swing, if you are going by
4 at-bats per game. With 5 at-bats, he earns a wimpy
$10,185 for each missed swing
The final insult – Alex Rodriguez hit 30 home
runs during the 2010 baseball season and while he
was clean of steroids (that we know of), his annual
salary of $33 million divided by 30 homeruns comes
to $1,100,000 per home run. When I was 12 years
old, my father actually told me, “Stop dreaming about
becoming a pro ball player! Be a dentist, like your
uncles (twin uncles, both dentists, honest!) and make a
lot of money!” Sigh…
From the refrigerator door
Here’s a favorite observation posted on Minnesota
good friends’ refrigerator door: “Blessed are the deaf,
for they do not have to listen to the dumb.”
 23
Fall 2010
 Texas Association of the Deaf
46th Biennial Conference
June 16-18, 2011
SWCID Community College for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Persons
Big Spring, Texas
Texas Association of the Deaf (TAD) would like to invite you to attend the conference in Big Spring, Texas!
This is a very special conference because TAD will celebrate it’s 125th birthday. It was founded in 1886.

Registration
The registration includes early-bird combo tickets and at-the-door combo tickets. Individual day tickets and single event
tickets are also available. To see more information, check out the registration form or visit www.deaftexas.org.

To take advantage of the Early Bird prices, send in your registration and payment by May 15, 2011! Any registrations
postmarked after May 15th, will be assessed the “At the Door” rate.

Each combo ticket covers daily registration, admission to the President’s reception, the TAD delicious banquet and
entertainment! Individual tickets for day attendance and individual events are also available.

About the Hotel Conference Highlights—TENTATIVE AGENDA

THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011
Hampton Inn & Suites
805 West I-20, Big Spring, Texas 79720 TAD Board Meeting (2 - 4 p.m.)
(432) 264-9800 Registration (1 - 6:30 p.m. at the Hotel)
Registration (7 - 9 p.m. at the SWCID MSC)
Group Name: TX Association of the Deaf
President’s Reception & Keynote
Group Code: TAD 2011 at the SWCID MSC Auditorium (7 - 9 p.m.)

The Hampton Inn offers the following amenities: FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2011

Registration in the Dorm Lobby (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

Each room has complimentary
Exhibits at the SWCID Activity Center (8 a.m. - 5p.m.)
high-speed internet access
Keynote Presentation at the SWCID Activity Center (8 - 9 a.m.)
Workshop Sessions in the MSC Building (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
On-site pool and gym Big Spring Rodeo (7 - 10 p.m.)

Wheelchair accessible
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2011
Complimentary hot breakfast Registration in the Dorm Lobby (8 a.m.- 3 p.m.)

VP will be available during the conference
Please register for the Conference
when you check in at the hotel.
Exhibits at the SWCID Activity Center (8 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Keynote presentation at the SWCID Activity Center (8 - 9 a.m.)
Workshop Session (morning only)
Free Lunch served in the MSC Auditorium (noon to 1:30 p.m.)
TAD GENERAL MEETING & ELECTIONS in the MSC Auditorium (1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.)
TAD Conference Group Picture on the Pedestrian Plaza (4 p.m.)
Banquet and Entertainment at the HC Coliseum (6 - 11 p.m.)

Conference Sponsors - So Far!

SWCID Howard College

24
A Texas Association of the Deaf Publication
 2011 Conference
Early Bird Registration Form
ATTENDEE INFORMATION

Name: ___________________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip: _____________________________________________________

Phone: ___________________________________________ Voice TTY VP

E-Mail: __________________________________________________________

Texas Association of the Deaf Special Needs: ASL interpreters will be provided during the conference. CART will be available for
select programs. If you require additional accommodations, please contact Kathy Weldon at
46th Biennial Conference kweldon@howardcollege.edu or Von Rumer at (432) 264-3748.
June 16-18, 2011
SWCID Community College for Deaf &
Hard of Hearing Persons
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
Big Spring, Texas
(For early registration, form must be postmarked by May 15, 2011
After this date, all registrations will be assessed the “At the Door” rate.)
Hotel Information
Name Badge Information
Hampton Inn & Suites Please PRINT CLEARLY the name that should be on the badge.
805 West I-20, Big Spring, Texas 79720
(432) 264-9800 ________________________________________________________________
Group Name: TX Association of the Deaf Combo Registration
Group Code: TAD 2011 Combo tickets include: Daily Registration, President’s Reception and Banquet
Night. All TAD Membership Fees are due at the time of registration. Please see
The Hampton Inn offers the following ameni- enclosed application.
ties: Combo Ticket Early Bird by At The Non Member by Non Member Total
May 15, 2011 Door May 15, 2011 At The Door
Each room has complimentary high-speed
internet access Regular $ 75.00 $ 90.00 $ 125.00 $ 140.00
On-site pool and gym Senior Citizen¹ $ 50.00 $ 75.00 $ 125.00 $ 140.00
Wheelchair accessible
Student² $ 50.00 $ 75.00
Complimentary hot breakfast
VP will be available during the conference ¹Senior Citizens must be 55 years or older, in accordance with TAD bylaws.
²High school and college students must attach a copy of student ID card.
Please register for the Conference when
Individual Event Registration
you check in at the hotel. The deadline for Choose ONLY if you are not purchasing combo ticket(s).
the Hotel Room Reservations is May 16,
2011. Individual Event Early Bird by At The Door Total
May 15, 2011
Cancellation Policy Daily Registration $30.00 $40.00
(per day)
Refunds will be given only for registration fees
only. All cancellations must be made in President’s Reception $15.00 $25.00
writing. Registrations may not be transferred.
Banquet Night $20.00 $30.00

A partial refund (50%) will be given until June

5, 2011.

No refunds after June 6, 2011. PAYMENT INFORMATION

1. Combo $ ___________
Mail Registration and Payment to: 2. Individual Event(s) $ ___________
3. Non Members $ ___________
4. Conference Donation $ ___________ Total: $ ___________
SWCID
TAD 2011 Conference
Payment can be made by Cashier’s check or money order to SWCID-TAD 2011 Conference. If
c/o Priscilla Cervantes registration is paid by state agencies, please provide requisition and purchase order numbers.
3200 Avenue C
Big Spring, TX 79720 For on-site registrations, only cash, money orders or cashiers checks will be accepted. No personal
checks or credit cards will be accepted.
25
Fall 2010
 Texas Association of the Deaf
46th Biennial Conference
June 16-18, 2011
SWCID Community College for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Persons
Big Spring, Texas

CALL FOR EXHIBITORS

The conference will have excellent exhibit space. There will be over 200 in attendance. This will
include Deaf and hard of hearing individuals, families with children, teachers, and Audiologists. This
is a great opportunity for you to have contact with these people and share information with them.
Please respond by April 10, 2011.

Name (Title): ____________________________________________________________________

Company/Program: ______________________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Phone: _____________________________________ Fax: ______________________________

Email: _________________________________________________________________________

Products/Services Exhibited: ______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Booth Signage to Read: __________________________________________________________

Badges (2) to Read: __________________________ ______________________________

Each booth space will consist of an 8’ x 10’ booth space and 2 chairs. If you need electricity, please bring an extension
cord. Wireless access is available at no charge. Booth set up is June 15, 2011 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and take
down is June 18, 2011 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Any other requests, please contact: Priscilla Cervantes at
pcervantes@howardcollege.edu.
( ) For Profit $ 100 ________
( ) Non-Profit/State Agency $ 60 ________
( ) Electricity (one-time charge) $ 25 ________
Exhibit Total ________

Cashier Check or Money order payable to: SWCID—TAD Conference 2011

26 c/o Priscilla Cervantes
3200 Avenue C
Big Spring, TX 79720
A Texas Association of the Deaf Publication
 Texas Association of the Deaf
Membership Application Form
P.O. Box 1982, Manchaca, Texas 78652
Established in 1886

PLEASE PRINT OUT THIS FORM AND FILL OUT OR FILL OUT
AND EMAIL TO US OR GO ONLINE TO DEAFTEXAS.ORG TO JOIN

Today’s Date: ___________________________

Full Name:
Organization/Department:
Address:
City: State:
Zip/Postal Code:
TTY Phone:
Voice Phone:
FAX Phone:
E-mail computer address: (No pager address, please.)
Total paid: $

Check which is applicable:

Active Members: $20.00 for two years – Any person, 18 years old and up, who is a
resident of the State of Texas*
Associate Member: $15.00 for two years – Any person, 18 years old and up, who is a
non-resident of the State of Texas*
Retired Member: $15.00 for two years – Any Texas resident who is 55 years of age or
older * *Membership term lasts from conference to conference

Payable to: Texas Association of the Deaf

P.O. Box 1982
Manchaca, Texas 78652
TAD is a 501(c)3 organization. All contributions are tax-deductible.
A returned check fee of $30.00 will be charged to defray bank-processing fees
Thank you for your support of TAD!
For questions about TAD membership,
Contact Membership Chair, tadmember@gmail.com
Website address: deaftexas.org 27
Revised October 14, 2010
Fall 2010
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