HLN News - 2003

If you're interested in keeping up with what we're doing, this is the place to do it! Our mission gets us out in the community on an ongoing basis, and here's where we'll keep you up to date. Check back often, and please do let us know if you think we're not doing a very good job of keeping you informed.

November 6 - HLN Selected for Grantwriting Assistance by GWS

In our "spare time" (;-) we've been attending a wonderful series of free grantwriting classes hosted by Penny Goforth of Grant Writing Specialists (GWS). And we've learned a lot about what to do and what not to do when it comes to grantwriting. We've even tried our hand at a small proposal, but haven't yet heard if it will be funded.

GWS recently announced that they would select a couple of small, local non-profits to assist in preparing a grant proposal for the California Endowment. So we filled out and submitted the required paperwork. And we were one of the selected organizations! We're just getting started with this effort, and we'll keep you informed as we progress.

November 1 - HLN Executive Director Receives ALDA Brainstorm Award

Our Executive Director, Larry Sivertson, was honored at the recent ALDA national convention to be presented with the 2003 ALDA Brainstorm Award. The award is bestowed annually on a person whose "brainstorm" significantly contributes to the quality of life of people with hearing loss. Larry received the award for his free, weekly, email newsletter that goes out nationally (and even internationally) to people affected by hearing loss.

The newsletter includes information on technology, hearing loss organizations, events, employment opportunities, education opportunities, and pretty much anything else of interest to hard of hearing, late-deafened, and oral deaf people. Larry has been publishing HOH-LD-News for over four years.

Here's Larry with Edna Shipley-Conner at the award presentation.

October 29 to November 2, 2003 - HLN Personnel Attend ALDAcon

Board President Joan Padilla and Char and Larry attended ALDAcon in Las Vegas, Nevada. For those who aren't familiar with the Association of Late Deafened Adults (ALDA), it's one of the premier hearing loss organizations in the US. And their convention is one of the most fun. Our favorite part is Karaoke night, and yes, it's as nuts as it sounds. Don't believe me? Then check the pictures for yourself! (These pictures actually cover the entire conference, including Karaoke night.

Char and Larry co-led two workshops with friends and associates Laine and Rex Waggoner. The titles were:

And finally, for those who are interested in the ALDAcon workshops, here are the reports that we've written and collected. This will take awhile, so please check back for new material until the end of the year or so!

The recent San Diego fire emergency was the worst in the county''s history. Fourteen people died, hundreds of homes were destroyed, and hundreds of thousands of acres burned. Television and radio stations were broadcasting information, advisories, status updates, recommendations and emergency warnings around the clock during the crucial two days of the fire emergency. Those who could hear had easy access to lots of information. For those with hearing loss, much or all of the information was totally inaccessible.

Despite FCC rulings that ALL televised emergency information must be accessible to people with hearing loss, stations and carriers continue to ignore the rulings, and the FCC continues to refrain from imposing meaningful penalties. Following the San Diego fires, Hearing Loss Network filed formal complaints with the FCC regarding this illegal behavior on the part of the local stations, and we encouraged others to do the same. Here's the full story.

HLN Executive Director Larry Sivertson delivered a brief presentation about Hearing Loss Network to the San Diego County Kinship Steering Committee. The presentation was well-received, and caregivers are happy to have hearing loss resources available as the need arises.

HLN Board members Joan Padilla, Jan Mori, and John Flattery joined executive director Larry Sivertson to man the booth at Deaf Awareness Day (DAD). Sponsored by Deaf Community Services, DAD has become a popular event within the entire San Diego hearing loss community. Exhibitors include virtually all of the hearing loss-related organizations in the area.

Board members Jan Mori and John Flattery, Outreach Coordinator Michael Gergley, and Executive Director Larry Sivertson attended the HLN booth at two health fairs for San Diego county employees. Both fairs were very well attended, and HLN representatives were busy answering questions and passing out literature throughout the event.

Outreach Coordinator Michael Gergley and Executive Director Larry Sivertson exhibited at Disability Independence Day in Balboa Park. This event encompasses all disabilities and attracts a diverse group of exhibitors and patrons. It's a great place to learn about other disabilities and to "cross pollinate" with representatives of organizations representing various disabilities.

Executive Director Larry Sivertson attended the biannual conference of Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. (TDI) This conference is the place to be to learn about any technology of interest to folks with hearing loss. Telephones, TTYs, and relay service are important workshop topics, as are television and movie captioning, wireless devices, and pagers. And many of the vendors of this equipment exhibit their latest and greatest stuff at this show. Here are some great articles on the workshops.