Once I graduated from RIT in 2011, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do career wise. As you know I majored in criminal justice. I focused on corrections/policing until I found passion with court/law in the last year of college. I was considering to go to law school. I wasn't prepared to commit to another 3 years of school, so I decided to take the time to make sure it was what I wanted. I knew I had the passion for the criminal justice field so I just had to narrow it down.
I moved to Groton, CT after my graduation, reuniting with my boyfriend who had moved there for his job the previous year. I started applying to jobs in the area which I ran across Transportation Security Officer (TSO) position with T.F. Green airport in Providence, R.I. which I applied to in March 2012. This became the ultimate dream job because with my love for airplanes and security combined in one, I thought it would be the perfect job. I also loved the airport environment every time I traveled. I was invited to take the x-ray exam (identifying items in x-ray monitor images) and I drove to East Smithfield, R.I. to take the exam. I was a nervewreck not knowing what to expect, but I passed it with flying colors as I got the e-mail the very next day.
I was excited for the next step which was waiting for a call from the airport to come in for airport assessment (interview, color vision test, paperwork). A position finally opened up in August 2012 while I was employed at American School for the Deaf. I called back immediately and left three voice mails in a week period. I even tried to call to get a person on the line, but no luck. A month later, they stated that they never got any of my messages and that the position had been filled.
I didn't want to give up so I continued the search for Transportation Security Officer positions which a few opened up at Tweed in New Haven, CT and Bradley in Hartford, CT. Unfortunately I never got any calls. In April 2014, another position opened up at T.F. Green in Providence, R.I. so I applied again. The first test I had taken was only good for certain time so I had to take the test again which I passed the second time. A week later I got the call for airport assessment. I was thrilled to finally get this far.
The woman on the phone recognized that I was deaf from using the relay on the phone so she requested that I put in a formal request with Transportation Security Administration headquarters. I had a week to put in the request and have it approved in order to be able to participate in the assessment. It was a VERY stressful week of calling the headquarters every day and getting the paperwork faxed to them immediately.
The headquarters finally sent me a letter on the last day of the window to schedule the assessment. The letter had been sent to me via Fed Ex overnight. I also got an e-mail from the director of accessibility services. Both letters had REJECTED the approval to have an interpreter at the assessment. It SHATTERED my confidence for the assessment. The letter stated that TSA had a hearing level that I had to pass in order to be able to do the job. How did they know my hearing level? I didn't even the chance to take the hearing test part of the physical exam which would have came down the road. I was very disappointed and hurt because I had high hopes of being a TSO and felt very confident that I could do the job despite my disability.
I contacted the state lawyer who worked for Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities to see if TSA had the grounds to deny me the right of having an interpreter. The lawyers looked into it immediately and came back to me saying that they did have that authority since it was federal based agency. The letters stated that even through the interpreter request was denied, I could still schedule the assessment without interpreter. I decided to do so with hopes of communicating verbally as much I could and resort to writing when necessary.
After scheduling the assessment, I got another e-mail from the director at the headquarters confirming my scheduled assessment and stated I was NOT able to bring paper/pen or alternative method in communicating. She also stated it would be group style interview with 3 supervisors/employees with 3 other candidates as well. My heart broke after reading this e-mail knowing I cannot do group style interview without any assistance in communicating. My confidence SANK even further to the Earth's core. I felt that it was their mission to make it IMPOSSIBLE for me. They were making everything difficult for me and continue to shatter my hope on getting the ultimate dream job.
I was shocked at how little the ADA law could help me in this situation. This needs to change, to allow accessibility to people with disability to be able to work for TSA. Deaf people are considered to be more visible than an average person since we have the loss of hearing we rely more on our vision. That skill would be very helpful for TSA as it is the primary job to inspect civilians/their luggage which requires vision more than anything else. I hope that someday TSA will be able to hire deaf people.
12.8.14
22.4.14
Technology for the Deaf
As all of you know, technology continues to be developed in today's society. That includes technology for the deaf to allow them the accessibility. Through out my life, I have experienced various of technology devices and still experiencing new technology to this day.
TV Captioning:
My first memory of technology to allow accessibility for the deaf people was the old fashion captioning box for TV. I was born in the 1980's so all televisions then didn't automatically have closed captions. I had this old fashion captioning box on top of my VCR player. If I wanted to watch TV/movies, I would have to turn it on every time to turn on the captioning on TV. I can't recall when I finally got rid of that box when all televisions had closed captions, but I would guess somewhere in early 90's.
Movie Captioning:
My first movie theater experience with captioning was in 2006 when I was 17 years old. I have gone to the movie theater few times before 2006, but during these times my mom would sit next to me and give me a summary of what's going on every 5 minutes. It was difficult because I had to turn my head to see her (in the dark!) then back to the screen, back and forth multiple times. It also attracted attention from other moviegoers sitting behind us. I didn't like going to movie theaters, so I rarely went there. When I moved to Rochester, I started going to the movies often. There were more captioning availability in the movie theaters in Rochester, but we still had to wait a week after movie release to see it with captions. The only expectation of waiting a week after movie release only happened with movies that had midnight premieres. In late 2012, captioning changed again in the movie theaters. They stopped having captions on the screen but instead giving out captioning glasses to deaf people. I experienced the captioning glasses for the first time in Hartford, CT. I absolutely HATED it. The glasses are uncomfortable because they were so big and I had to keep my head straight the entire movie to see the captions on the screen. Every time I moved my head to look at my friend, the captions would be on my friend's face. I am very disappointed that they don't do the captions on the screen anymore because I enjoyed that the most. It allowed the accessibility to movies and blend in the crowd without anyone knowing that I was deaf. The captioning glasses made me stand out in the crowd. Now, I only go to the movies when I am desperate to see the movie.
Videophone:
I received my first videophone during my high school years. The video phone came with a box with webcam attached, which I had to place on top of the TV. On the TV, there was two images side by side, which one was me and the other would be the caller I'm speaking to. In high school, I went to a week long camp at RIT where I met many deaf friends, whom I stayed in touch with by video phone. I would chat with them like a regular conversation we could carry as if we were in person. The video phone also had a relay with interpreters to call hearing people. The interpreter will dial the number and speak to them on the phone while they were signing to me via the web cam. The issue with any relay service is that they open the conversation stating their company and interpreter's registry number which confuses hearing people who haven't experience the relay. I have a funny story with my grandpa, who I tried to call while I was at college to get a ride home to surprise my family. My grandpa is old fashioned - he didn't have a computer or cell phone where I could easily get in touch with him. I called him via the relay at his work. He picked up the phone, which the interpreter opened the conversation with "Sprint Relay (and rest of information including the interpreter registry number). My grandpa thought it was telemarketer from Sprint trying to sell phones so he hung up. I called back one more time and he hung up again. I didn't know what to do then. Few hours later, I called back but told the interpreter to not open the conversation in that way but state that it is me calling using an interpreter. The interpreter also was able to explain the relay to him a bit so we were finally able to have a conversation to plan the surprise. He felt terrible about what he did, but this is the normal reaction for most hearing people who haven't experience the relay.
Dorm:
When I moved into my dorm room at RIT, I was overwhelmed with the technology in the room. I had a doorbell outside of the room which I had a strobe light to signal me if someone rang the doorbell. I also had two other signals in the room for carbon dioxide and fire alarm. The carbon dioxide alarm would flash a yellow light if it ever went off (which it never did for me). The doorbell and the fire alarm both were white which was tricky to detect which was what. I had to look at the plate color, which fire alarm obviously had red. The fire alarm went off multiple times during night through out my college years and it wasn't fun to stare (I was half asleep!) at the BRIGHT light flashing in my eyes trying to see if it was the fire alarm!
Classroom technology:
At RIT, I was in mostly mainstreamed classes with hearing professors and hearing students. The deaf students had the option of an interpreter or c-print system. I am familiar with interpreters from having them through out my childhood. The c-print system was new to me, they seemed to be common with hard of hearing or deaf people who didn't know much of sign language. They had a laptop propped in front of them and someone would be typing word by word of what was said in the classroom. I personally never requested the c-print system but I have sat next to deaf classmates who had it. I would glance over at the c-print computer when I could, it was interesting. I felt that even through it was typed word by word, there was still many things missed. Interpreters also leave out some information as well, so it's just what the student prefer. If a professor called on the student with c-print system, the student have to type back their answer on the computer (but some of them were able to verbally give their reply or they would use the interpreter). We also had the option to use note takers in classes which I had that in high school so I requested it again in college. Due to limitations of access service staff, if a c-print system is already requested in the class then their typing were my "notes". That was only thing that I disliked. The note takers takes notes the way professor writes out the notes on a board, and it is more structured and organized. The c-print notes is dialogue notes. It can be difficult to pick out specific note I'm looking for in c-print notes because on average it was 20 pages long while a regular note taker's notes were 2-5 pages.
Hospital:
Growing up, I never had to go to the hospital (lucky me!) for anything until the last two years. In the last two years, I had kidney stones, pink eyes, and a kidney stones-scare (thought I had them again). I went to L+M Hospital in New London, CT. I had an interpreter for my kidney stone ER visit. The second time I went to the ER, I had a kidney stones scare which I was experiencing the same signs as the kidney stones but some how I didn't have them (still don't know what was wrong). During that ER visit, I experienced internet video conference with an interpreter for the first time. There was a mobile computer on wheels which the doctor had a conference call with an interpreter. The interpreter interpret what the doctor said, which I had to look back and forth from the doctor to the computer monitor. I also couldn't see myself so I didn't know if my signing were visible for the interpreter to interpret. I also was laying in bed which was an awkward position for me to sign to someone since they were seeing me from a side angle. It was so frustrating that after couple times of using it, I didn't want to use it anymore and started talking verbally to the doctor myself. I prefer a real live interpreter to be present in the room which I will be making sure to have for any further visits I may have (hopefully not but being realistic!).
There are many more technology that I have experienced through out my life, but this summarized the main technology that I have used which helped me to have the accessibility. I look forward to trying out more and finding out what is best suitable for me.
*I'm not forgetting the cochlear implants, which is a well known technology. It is a controversial topic in the deaf community enough to be a single post which will be coming soon!
TV Captioning:
My first memory of technology to allow accessibility for the deaf people was the old fashion captioning box for TV. I was born in the 1980's so all televisions then didn't automatically have closed captions. I had this old fashion captioning box on top of my VCR player. If I wanted to watch TV/movies, I would have to turn it on every time to turn on the captioning on TV. I can't recall when I finally got rid of that box when all televisions had closed captions, but I would guess somewhere in early 90's.
Movie Captioning:
My first movie theater experience with captioning was in 2006 when I was 17 years old. I have gone to the movie theater few times before 2006, but during these times my mom would sit next to me and give me a summary of what's going on every 5 minutes. It was difficult because I had to turn my head to see her (in the dark!) then back to the screen, back and forth multiple times. It also attracted attention from other moviegoers sitting behind us. I didn't like going to movie theaters, so I rarely went there. When I moved to Rochester, I started going to the movies often. There were more captioning availability in the movie theaters in Rochester, but we still had to wait a week after movie release to see it with captions. The only expectation of waiting a week after movie release only happened with movies that had midnight premieres. In late 2012, captioning changed again in the movie theaters. They stopped having captions on the screen but instead giving out captioning glasses to deaf people. I experienced the captioning glasses for the first time in Hartford, CT. I absolutely HATED it. The glasses are uncomfortable because they were so big and I had to keep my head straight the entire movie to see the captions on the screen. Every time I moved my head to look at my friend, the captions would be on my friend's face. I am very disappointed that they don't do the captions on the screen anymore because I enjoyed that the most. It allowed the accessibility to movies and blend in the crowd without anyone knowing that I was deaf. The captioning glasses made me stand out in the crowd. Now, I only go to the movies when I am desperate to see the movie.
Videophone:
I received my first videophone during my high school years. The video phone came with a box with webcam attached, which I had to place on top of the TV. On the TV, there was two images side by side, which one was me and the other would be the caller I'm speaking to. In high school, I went to a week long camp at RIT where I met many deaf friends, whom I stayed in touch with by video phone. I would chat with them like a regular conversation we could carry as if we were in person. The video phone also had a relay with interpreters to call hearing people. The interpreter will dial the number and speak to them on the phone while they were signing to me via the web cam. The issue with any relay service is that they open the conversation stating their company and interpreter's registry number which confuses hearing people who haven't experience the relay. I have a funny story with my grandpa, who I tried to call while I was at college to get a ride home to surprise my family. My grandpa is old fashioned - he didn't have a computer or cell phone where I could easily get in touch with him. I called him via the relay at his work. He picked up the phone, which the interpreter opened the conversation with "Sprint Relay (and rest of information including the interpreter registry number). My grandpa thought it was telemarketer from Sprint trying to sell phones so he hung up. I called back one more time and he hung up again. I didn't know what to do then. Few hours later, I called back but told the interpreter to not open the conversation in that way but state that it is me calling using an interpreter. The interpreter also was able to explain the relay to him a bit so we were finally able to have a conversation to plan the surprise. He felt terrible about what he did, but this is the normal reaction for most hearing people who haven't experience the relay.
Dorm:
When I moved into my dorm room at RIT, I was overwhelmed with the technology in the room. I had a doorbell outside of the room which I had a strobe light to signal me if someone rang the doorbell. I also had two other signals in the room for carbon dioxide and fire alarm. The carbon dioxide alarm would flash a yellow light if it ever went off (which it never did for me). The doorbell and the fire alarm both were white which was tricky to detect which was what. I had to look at the plate color, which fire alarm obviously had red. The fire alarm went off multiple times during night through out my college years and it wasn't fun to stare (I was half asleep!) at the BRIGHT light flashing in my eyes trying to see if it was the fire alarm!
Classroom technology:
At RIT, I was in mostly mainstreamed classes with hearing professors and hearing students. The deaf students had the option of an interpreter or c-print system. I am familiar with interpreters from having them through out my childhood. The c-print system was new to me, they seemed to be common with hard of hearing or deaf people who didn't know much of sign language. They had a laptop propped in front of them and someone would be typing word by word of what was said in the classroom. I personally never requested the c-print system but I have sat next to deaf classmates who had it. I would glance over at the c-print computer when I could, it was interesting. I felt that even through it was typed word by word, there was still many things missed. Interpreters also leave out some information as well, so it's just what the student prefer. If a professor called on the student with c-print system, the student have to type back their answer on the computer (but some of them were able to verbally give their reply or they would use the interpreter). We also had the option to use note takers in classes which I had that in high school so I requested it again in college. Due to limitations of access service staff, if a c-print system is already requested in the class then their typing were my "notes". That was only thing that I disliked. The note takers takes notes the way professor writes out the notes on a board, and it is more structured and organized. The c-print notes is dialogue notes. It can be difficult to pick out specific note I'm looking for in c-print notes because on average it was 20 pages long while a regular note taker's notes were 2-5 pages.
Hospital:
Growing up, I never had to go to the hospital (lucky me!) for anything until the last two years. In the last two years, I had kidney stones, pink eyes, and a kidney stones-scare (thought I had them again). I went to L+M Hospital in New London, CT. I had an interpreter for my kidney stone ER visit. The second time I went to the ER, I had a kidney stones scare which I was experiencing the same signs as the kidney stones but some how I didn't have them (still don't know what was wrong). During that ER visit, I experienced internet video conference with an interpreter for the first time. There was a mobile computer on wheels which the doctor had a conference call with an interpreter. The interpreter interpret what the doctor said, which I had to look back and forth from the doctor to the computer monitor. I also couldn't see myself so I didn't know if my signing were visible for the interpreter to interpret. I also was laying in bed which was an awkward position for me to sign to someone since they were seeing me from a side angle. It was so frustrating that after couple times of using it, I didn't want to use it anymore and started talking verbally to the doctor myself. I prefer a real live interpreter to be present in the room which I will be making sure to have for any further visits I may have (hopefully not but being realistic!).
There are many more technology that I have experienced through out my life, but this summarized the main technology that I have used which helped me to have the accessibility. I look forward to trying out more and finding out what is best suitable for me.
*I'm not forgetting the cochlear implants, which is a well known technology. It is a controversial topic in the deaf community enough to be a single post which will be coming soon!
16.7.13
The ASD Chapter
First of all, I want to apologize to everyone for lack of blogging. I can’t believe it’s almost a year since I last blogged. I had a very hard year where I had to find myself again.
Unfortunately I am no longer working at ASD. Today marks the one year when I began the job of residential counselor (RC) at American School for the Deaf in West Hartford, CT. It continued through the school year until end of 2012. As you may have previously read my blog about the summer employment there, I was very happy and excited about working there. I went in there completely lost about my future goals to developing long term goals of either become a Crisis Intervention Specialist or return to college to get a master’s degree in counseling for the deaf. The employment at ASD confirmed my passion of working with kids.
So what happened? The first few months of my employment were great. In the last blog, I stated that my summer employment was ending at ASD and that I have asked HR to consider me for a position in the regular school year – there weren't any openings so I was offered a sub position. The position of RC counts on the students’ enrollment number in the PACES program which students often came at many different times throughout the year so there were chances of openings throughout the year. However, I got called in to sub every day. I was very happy about that, but it was more difficult as a sub because I got assigned to different students daily so I don’t always know their routines or background information which is necessary in helping them meet their needs.
Soon enough I got burn out because I wanted a permanent employment. I continued to work hard, trying, and it was still not good enough. I put in my bid for about 6 openings in the time period from September to December but the priority of the job was given to people who had been at ASD longer than me. There also were other reasons that made me unhappy to work at ASD. Summer was great because it was flexible time for everyone. During the fall, I realized that I wasn’t getting good leadership from my supervisors so that didn’t help the workplace to be a happy place for me. They never supervised me in action or communicated to me about my work performance, so I had no idea how I was doing. There also was a strong dislike towards ASD from other staff so it was difficult to work in high negativity environment.
Despite lack of leadership from my supervisors, I continued to be devoted employee of ASD by showing up early every day, never saying no to picking up on extra shifts, and being available to everyone. I was a very reliable employee that allowed ASD to become my life too much than I should have allowed. It affected my life to where I was living ASD 24/7. However during winter break, I went home to Upstate NY where I had PLENTY of time to think about everything, I decided that it was best for me to leave ASD because I wasn’t satisfied. I also wasn’t impressed with the supervisors’ lack of leadership which killed my passion because they didn’t let me grow. So how can I grow with that lack of leadership from them? I was turned off by that, so that played a huge factor in my decision to leave because I didn’t want to work for them when they don’t allow me or others to grow. I am looking for an employment where I can grow and learn every day. The supervisors didn’t give me that challenge that I’m looking for (but the students did).
I wish that the ASD chapter could have been much better, but it did teach me a lot of what I want in my work environment. I realized that due to poor leadership from the supervisors, I wasn’t confident in my role because I never was properly guided by them. In my heart, I know that I remained a very devoted employee to ASD and I gave them my all. I remember the Welcome Back assembly for staff on first day of school year in September 2012, the assistant executive director quoted “I want all of you to get up in the morning excited to come to work at ASD!”, I sat there in the back of the gym proudly thinking that is me. I came every day very excited to work with these amazing students. It is ASD that is missing out on one of the best employees that they could have had.
Unfortunately I am no longer working at ASD. Today marks the one year when I began the job of residential counselor (RC) at American School for the Deaf in West Hartford, CT. It continued through the school year until end of 2012. As you may have previously read my blog about the summer employment there, I was very happy and excited about working there. I went in there completely lost about my future goals to developing long term goals of either become a Crisis Intervention Specialist or return to college to get a master’s degree in counseling for the deaf. The employment at ASD confirmed my passion of working with kids.
So what happened? The first few months of my employment were great. In the last blog, I stated that my summer employment was ending at ASD and that I have asked HR to consider me for a position in the regular school year – there weren't any openings so I was offered a sub position. The position of RC counts on the students’ enrollment number in the PACES program which students often came at many different times throughout the year so there were chances of openings throughout the year. However, I got called in to sub every day. I was very happy about that, but it was more difficult as a sub because I got assigned to different students daily so I don’t always know their routines or background information which is necessary in helping them meet their needs.
Soon enough I got burn out because I wanted a permanent employment. I continued to work hard, trying, and it was still not good enough. I put in my bid for about 6 openings in the time period from September to December but the priority of the job was given to people who had been at ASD longer than me. There also were other reasons that made me unhappy to work at ASD. Summer was great because it was flexible time for everyone. During the fall, I realized that I wasn’t getting good leadership from my supervisors so that didn’t help the workplace to be a happy place for me. They never supervised me in action or communicated to me about my work performance, so I had no idea how I was doing. There also was a strong dislike towards ASD from other staff so it was difficult to work in high negativity environment.
Despite lack of leadership from my supervisors, I continued to be devoted employee of ASD by showing up early every day, never saying no to picking up on extra shifts, and being available to everyone. I was a very reliable employee that allowed ASD to become my life too much than I should have allowed. It affected my life to where I was living ASD 24/7. However during winter break, I went home to Upstate NY where I had PLENTY of time to think about everything, I decided that it was best for me to leave ASD because I wasn’t satisfied. I also wasn’t impressed with the supervisors’ lack of leadership which killed my passion because they didn’t let me grow. So how can I grow with that lack of leadership from them? I was turned off by that, so that played a huge factor in my decision to leave because I didn’t want to work for them when they don’t allow me or others to grow. I am looking for an employment where I can grow and learn every day. The supervisors didn’t give me that challenge that I’m looking for (but the students did).
I wish that the ASD chapter could have been much better, but it did teach me a lot of what I want in my work environment. I realized that due to poor leadership from the supervisors, I wasn’t confident in my role because I never was properly guided by them. In my heart, I know that I remained a very devoted employee to ASD and I gave them my all. I remember the Welcome Back assembly for staff on first day of school year in September 2012, the assistant executive director quoted “I want all of you to get up in the morning excited to come to work at ASD!”, I sat there in the back of the gym proudly thinking that is me. I came every day very excited to work with these amazing students. It is ASD that is missing out on one of the best employees that they could have had.
9.8.12
American School for the Deaf
I apologize for the lack of blogging in the past 3 months. I was busy with the job hunting. In July, things began to look up for me. I landed about three interviews in one week for positions such as residential counselor, teacher's aide, and office assistant. I had an interview at American School for the Deaf in West Hartford, CT for residential counselor position for PACES program (will explain further about PACES later) for the summer. I still remember the day of the interview because I was so nervous and excited. I had hopes for this job as it is in deaf culture which mean efficient communication for me as well a chance to develop social life with people my age that knew sign language.
I showed up to ASD campus on the day of the interview, which was a beautiful campus despite the construction mess, and went to the location of the interview. I was interviewed by three staff which two were Crisis Invention Specialist (CIS) for PACES program and the third person was a counselor for the PACES students. I felt that I was confident in the interview and left there with even higher hopes of getting an offer.
Sure enough, the day after the interview I received an e-mail with a job offer for the summer term. I was thrilled. I also started the job the following Monday (I got the offer on Thursday or Friday) so it was in a short period of time.
Now this is the irony part, I was excited about the job to have something to do beside sitting around in my apartment job hunting - I still wasn't entirely excited because I didn't see myself in that position in the long run. In the first two weeks of the job, I still had that opinion.
After two weeks passed by, I started looking at the positive aspects of working at ASD. I really enjoy working with staff who knew sign language, it was really simple to communicate to anyone on campus. The students are deaf, which I have always carried the passion to help kids with disabilities so after getting to know them - I gained more passion to help these kids. We obviously have the common understanding of the deafness so I feel that helps some of them to have someone like me there. Most of the residential counselors are hearing people who knows sign language. They are wonderful people who also help out the kids. Growing up, I always had hearing people around me but never a deaf person. I always wanted a deaf role model to see that I can succeed in the future. That's what I want to be for those kids at ASD.
It is rewarding to be in this job at ASD working with the kids in PACES program. It can be challenging because PACES program is specifically for kids with emotional or behavior issues. They aren't blended in with other deaf kids who are in a traditional education setting because of their special needs that needs to be focused on. The PACES students are in their own classroom instead of the grade level - they are separated by the age ranges which is under 13 and 13-21 years old. I am working with the 13-21 years old range students. I am assigned to three female students which I am responsible to know their whereabouts, help them to control issues such as anger, etc. One thing I enjoy about the job is that I have to expect the unknown every day. I never know what will happen. That is one thing keeping the job interesting. If you want further information about PACES program - it is available on the American School for the Deaf website: http://www.asd-1817.org/page.cfm?p=351
And here I am, a week away from the end of the summer job. That idea makes me very devastated because I don't want to leave the wonderful friends I made with the staff and especially the students. I grew to love American School for the Deaf. It also have been a long time since I was happy to be in the deaf world as you all have read my past blogs about my deaf identity issues which deterred me from being involved in the deaf world. I never imagined that being back in the deaf world at ASD will make me as happy I feel right now. I feel like I belong again. I have already asked Human Resources at ASD to consider me for a permanent job in the same position for the school year so wish me luck!
I showed up to ASD campus on the day of the interview, which was a beautiful campus despite the construction mess, and went to the location of the interview. I was interviewed by three staff which two were Crisis Invention Specialist (CIS) for PACES program and the third person was a counselor for the PACES students. I felt that I was confident in the interview and left there with even higher hopes of getting an offer.
Sure enough, the day after the interview I received an e-mail with a job offer for the summer term. I was thrilled. I also started the job the following Monday (I got the offer on Thursday or Friday) so it was in a short period of time.
Now this is the irony part, I was excited about the job to have something to do beside sitting around in my apartment job hunting - I still wasn't entirely excited because I didn't see myself in that position in the long run. In the first two weeks of the job, I still had that opinion.
After two weeks passed by, I started looking at the positive aspects of working at ASD. I really enjoy working with staff who knew sign language, it was really simple to communicate to anyone on campus. The students are deaf, which I have always carried the passion to help kids with disabilities so after getting to know them - I gained more passion to help these kids. We obviously have the common understanding of the deafness so I feel that helps some of them to have someone like me there. Most of the residential counselors are hearing people who knows sign language. They are wonderful people who also help out the kids. Growing up, I always had hearing people around me but never a deaf person. I always wanted a deaf role model to see that I can succeed in the future. That's what I want to be for those kids at ASD.
It is rewarding to be in this job at ASD working with the kids in PACES program. It can be challenging because PACES program is specifically for kids with emotional or behavior issues. They aren't blended in with other deaf kids who are in a traditional education setting because of their special needs that needs to be focused on. The PACES students are in their own classroom instead of the grade level - they are separated by the age ranges which is under 13 and 13-21 years old. I am working with the 13-21 years old range students. I am assigned to three female students which I am responsible to know their whereabouts, help them to control issues such as anger, etc. One thing I enjoy about the job is that I have to expect the unknown every day. I never know what will happen. That is one thing keeping the job interesting. If you want further information about PACES program - it is available on the American School for the Deaf website: http://www.asd-1817.org/page.cfm?p=351
And here I am, a week away from the end of the summer job. That idea makes me very devastated because I don't want to leave the wonderful friends I made with the staff and especially the students. I grew to love American School for the Deaf. It also have been a long time since I was happy to be in the deaf world as you all have read my past blogs about my deaf identity issues which deterred me from being involved in the deaf world. I never imagined that being back in the deaf world at ASD will make me as happy I feel right now. I feel like I belong again. I have already asked Human Resources at ASD to consider me for a permanent job in the same position for the school year so wish me luck!
21.5.12
The worst interview
On May 1st of this year, I had an interview for volunteering with the judicial system in the State of Connecticut. I have been actively seeking for a full time job in New London County area, but haven't been receiving any any job offers yet. I thought it would be good idea to volunteer for few reasons such as having something to do in my free time, network, and meet new people.
I sent an application to New London judicial system for volunteering opportunity. I got a voice mail on my cell phone from the volunteer coordinator wanting to meet for an interview, which I replied back by e-mail to discuss appointment times. We agreed on May 1st at 10am. Her office was located in the Probation building so it was weird for me to be back in the Probation department after my internship with Monroe County Probation in NY. I was hoping for a volunteering position with the Probation department because I am already familiar with Probation. I also enjoyed my internship with Monroe County Probation so much. I even applied to be a Probation Officer shortly after I moved to CT (of course, no callbacks).
On the morning of the interview, I just had a bad feeling in my guts about the interview. I didn't even want to go in the first place. I usually am very eager in going to interviews in hopes of landing a job offer. I arrived at Probation building in New London, CT. I went to the check-in desk and they had me to enter the restricted area to stand & wait for the volunteer coordinator whom I was meeting with (I really didn't mind sitting in the waiting room with other probationers).
Once the volunteer coordinator came down to grab me, we walked upstairs to her office. I was using the paper & pen method for communication (that's what I have been using on all interviews) so I had a paper with written message already ready to show her. I showed her the paper which started with the introduction of my name, told her that I am deaf and how I would like for us to write things down explaining that I WILL get overwhelmed from lip reading with all the new information. The lady looked at me with a big hesitance like it was such a hard task to write back and forth. She mentioned an interpreter. I said that it will take a while for one to show up at last minute notice (I don't think it even was possible to get one that last minute anyways which we would have to reschedule the interview which I did not want) and how I have gone without interpreters a few time at my internship with Monroe County Probation in NY.
She refused to write back to me and began to talk to me. I did my best to lip read her. She said that she was suppose to read questions off this paper that she had in her hands to me for me to answer but instead she gave me the paper itself to fill it out. It was two pages long with the common interview-type questions. I was so defeated in my self-esteem from the way she was treating me so I quickly scribbled the answers while thinking how bad I wanted to be out of there. I didn't give the the best answers because I didn't care anymore at that point. Meanwhile, she was on the phone clearly talking about me. I had no idea who she was speaking with. How did I know she was talking about me? I picked up the vibe from her facial expression which she often looked back and forth from me and looking down at her desk (nothing was there). I finished answering the questions and handed over the papers to her. She still spoke on the phone leaving me hanging there for approximately 5 minutes.
Eventually she got off the phone. She started to talk (again, refusing to write) to me about volunteering opportunities, explaining that there was only one left with the courts. She described the position which I didn't get a word of (like I clearly explained to her that I will be overwhelmed to lip read), I only caught the part that she said the position had included a fast paced and tense environment. I had to reply with only knowledge of that last piece of information. How do you do that? I was feeling so stressed. I had asked her a numerous time to repeat what she said by saying "What?". I kept writing all of my replies via paper. She would read it then talk back to me verbally.
I didn't get a word of everything she said about the position in the courts, only that it was fast paced and tense. She had concerns with my deafness that it wouldn't work. Pretty much to me she was literally saying that it wasn't possible for ME because I am deaf. She ended the interview saying that she will call the courts (I THINK?) to talk to them and see what the resolution can be. I kept trying to sell myself to her saying it IS possible for me. I explained how I have experienced the environment of being in courts from being a criminal justice major at RIT. I often attended trials at court house for court observations for SEVERAL classes. I repeated many times that I was able to do it but she kept that facial expression of uncertainty and hesitance. It just was too good to her to believe my own words that I would be able to do it.
I left the building feeling so angry with how she disrespected me by not writing back and forth as I asked. It was very stressful for me to try to grasp her words which I didn't at all. I was so disappointed because I knew leaving there that I would not hear back from them. This was perfect way for me to start networking with the judicial system as I had plans to go to law school in 2013. I even explained that to her about my plans to attend law school. I told her I wanted this.
After the interview, I had plans to go down to Mystic Aquarium to watch the first swim of a baby penguin that I spent the last 3 months watching it grow via web cam on their website. I had plenty time to get there to witness the first swim, but of course due to the nature of the interview - I was too depressed that I went straight home. I spend the rest of the morning feeling really down, tweeting "had the worst interview today. it's definitely the kind day i wish i wasn't deaf", and cried.
Nobody had the right to make me feel like it wasn't possible for me to do a position because of my deafness. It is irritating when people at job interviews ask me questions regarding my deafness because they AREN'T suppose to focus on my disability. They are suppose to focus on my ability to do the job. I am not going to let this incident to happen again anywhere else. It was first (and hopefully the only) bad interview I experienced in my life so it taught me what to do and how to handle that situation for further interviews. I was discriminated because she clearly felt that it wouldn't work for me to be in this position with the courts because of my deafness. The irony of this situation was that the volunteer coordinator lady who interviewed me was a different race from Caucasian which placed her in the minority group with me. I expected better from her, since she was in a minority group which I am sure she experienced discrimination or at least something regarding her race. A member of minority group had discriminated someone else in the minority group.
When I look for jobs or volunteering experiences, I always look for these kind places where there IS diversity. New London County Judicial system (and every court in America) definitely have diversity. My expectations of this place have been defeated. I still hope to get a job within the judicial system in the State of Connecticut so hopefully the RIGHT place will help me to achieve my dreams.
I sent an application to New London judicial system for volunteering opportunity. I got a voice mail on my cell phone from the volunteer coordinator wanting to meet for an interview, which I replied back by e-mail to discuss appointment times. We agreed on May 1st at 10am. Her office was located in the Probation building so it was weird for me to be back in the Probation department after my internship with Monroe County Probation in NY. I was hoping for a volunteering position with the Probation department because I am already familiar with Probation. I also enjoyed my internship with Monroe County Probation so much. I even applied to be a Probation Officer shortly after I moved to CT (of course, no callbacks).
On the morning of the interview, I just had a bad feeling in my guts about the interview. I didn't even want to go in the first place. I usually am very eager in going to interviews in hopes of landing a job offer. I arrived at Probation building in New London, CT. I went to the check-in desk and they had me to enter the restricted area to stand & wait for the volunteer coordinator whom I was meeting with (I really didn't mind sitting in the waiting room with other probationers).
Once the volunteer coordinator came down to grab me, we walked upstairs to her office. I was using the paper & pen method for communication (that's what I have been using on all interviews) so I had a paper with written message already ready to show her. I showed her the paper which started with the introduction of my name, told her that I am deaf and how I would like for us to write things down explaining that I WILL get overwhelmed from lip reading with all the new information. The lady looked at me with a big hesitance like it was such a hard task to write back and forth. She mentioned an interpreter. I said that it will take a while for one to show up at last minute notice (I don't think it even was possible to get one that last minute anyways which we would have to reschedule the interview which I did not want) and how I have gone without interpreters a few time at my internship with Monroe County Probation in NY.
She refused to write back to me and began to talk to me. I did my best to lip read her. She said that she was suppose to read questions off this paper that she had in her hands to me for me to answer but instead she gave me the paper itself to fill it out. It was two pages long with the common interview-type questions. I was so defeated in my self-esteem from the way she was treating me so I quickly scribbled the answers while thinking how bad I wanted to be out of there. I didn't give the the best answers because I didn't care anymore at that point. Meanwhile, she was on the phone clearly talking about me. I had no idea who she was speaking with. How did I know she was talking about me? I picked up the vibe from her facial expression which she often looked back and forth from me and looking down at her desk (nothing was there). I finished answering the questions and handed over the papers to her. She still spoke on the phone leaving me hanging there for approximately 5 minutes.
Eventually she got off the phone. She started to talk (again, refusing to write) to me about volunteering opportunities, explaining that there was only one left with the courts. She described the position which I didn't get a word of (like I clearly explained to her that I will be overwhelmed to lip read), I only caught the part that she said the position had included a fast paced and tense environment. I had to reply with only knowledge of that last piece of information. How do you do that? I was feeling so stressed. I had asked her a numerous time to repeat what she said by saying "What?". I kept writing all of my replies via paper. She would read it then talk back to me verbally.
I didn't get a word of everything she said about the position in the courts, only that it was fast paced and tense. She had concerns with my deafness that it wouldn't work. Pretty much to me she was literally saying that it wasn't possible for ME because I am deaf. She ended the interview saying that she will call the courts (I THINK?) to talk to them and see what the resolution can be. I kept trying to sell myself to her saying it IS possible for me. I explained how I have experienced the environment of being in courts from being a criminal justice major at RIT. I often attended trials at court house for court observations for SEVERAL classes. I repeated many times that I was able to do it but she kept that facial expression of uncertainty and hesitance. It just was too good to her to believe my own words that I would be able to do it.
I left the building feeling so angry with how she disrespected me by not writing back and forth as I asked. It was very stressful for me to try to grasp her words which I didn't at all. I was so disappointed because I knew leaving there that I would not hear back from them. This was perfect way for me to start networking with the judicial system as I had plans to go to law school in 2013. I even explained that to her about my plans to attend law school. I told her I wanted this.
After the interview, I had plans to go down to Mystic Aquarium to watch the first swim of a baby penguin that I spent the last 3 months watching it grow via web cam on their website. I had plenty time to get there to witness the first swim, but of course due to the nature of the interview - I was too depressed that I went straight home. I spend the rest of the morning feeling really down, tweeting "had the worst interview today. it's definitely the kind day i wish i wasn't deaf", and cried.
Nobody had the right to make me feel like it wasn't possible for me to do a position because of my deafness. It is irritating when people at job interviews ask me questions regarding my deafness because they AREN'T suppose to focus on my disability. They are suppose to focus on my ability to do the job. I am not going to let this incident to happen again anywhere else. It was first (and hopefully the only) bad interview I experienced in my life so it taught me what to do and how to handle that situation for further interviews. I was discriminated because she clearly felt that it wouldn't work for me to be in this position with the courts because of my deafness. The irony of this situation was that the volunteer coordinator lady who interviewed me was a different race from Caucasian which placed her in the minority group with me. I expected better from her, since she was in a minority group which I am sure she experienced discrimination or at least something regarding her race. A member of minority group had discriminated someone else in the minority group.
When I look for jobs or volunteering experiences, I always look for these kind places where there IS diversity. New London County Judicial system (and every court in America) definitely have diversity. My expectations of this place have been defeated. I still hope to get a job within the judicial system in the State of Connecticut so hopefully the RIGHT place will help me to achieve my dreams.
8.5.12
Parenting a deaf child
My boyfriend and I went shopping at the mall about 2 months ago where I ran into a new parent of a deaf child. She was employed at Gap store as she cashed out my purchase. She had noticed my boyfriend and I signing to each other so she asked me (via my boyfriend) how long I have known sign language. I found the question awkward but I replied that I am deaf so I have known it for a long time. She then explained that she has a hearing impaired son who is 9 months (at the time of the encounter). The cashier had asked us a lot questions regarding deafness, schools, sign language, etc. which I eventually picked up the vibe that she is VERY nervous about being a new parent of a deaf child.
It took me back to the memory that I had of asking my parents about their reaction to me being deaf. As a child or teen, I asked my parents how they felt when they found out that I was deaf. They had replied that they had mixed emotions such as shock, scared, even devastated. I was surprised by that answer, I didn't understand at the time why it sounded like a tragedy to have a deaf child. To me, that's like parents being devastated that the blonde hair child they have always wanted turned out to be a brown hair child. Being deaf was already the norm for me, I didn't see anything different about it.
Meeting the new parent of a deaf child immediately gave me that flashback. I had finally understood now. I saw the fear, worry, and concern in her eyes as she was talking about her son. She had no idea what to do with him regarding school, hearing aids, cochlear implants, etc. It was difficult maintaining a straight face when I wanted to cry with her. I realized that she had a huge burden on her shoulder to decide the identity of her deaf child for next 18 years (or teen years).
I have blogged about many identities that exist in the deaf world. How do new parents know what their deaf child want their identity to be? My parents didn't know what I would want to be at the age of 18 when I was a baby, but they had to make that decision of what I should have in life. It is never too late to change identity as I have seen many students at RIT that changed their identities once they got to college. Some deaf people have grew up with major confusion through out their lives as of what their identities are. I wasn't aware of identity until college, so through out my life I didn't stress about what identity I should be until I came to RIT. I had a long time of conflicting feelings about my identity during my college years, even considered cochlear implants for a long time. In my last year of college, I have accepted the identity that I originally grew up with with much more comfortableness of the deafness. I cannot imagine being in the shoes of a new parent to decide what identity to give their deaf child.
Growing up deaf is already the norm for me, but it never had occur to me about the burdens of some decisions in lives. If I give birth to a deaf child, obviously I will be prepared as I am deaf, right? Nope. I may like the identity that I have, but it doesn't mean if I give that identity to my deaf child that they will like it too. A deaf parent also have that burden of deciding what identity. In a way, I would be more prepared to raise a deaf child than hearing parents as I know what life is like as a deaf person. I can help them with exploring their identity through out their life, exposing them to deaf world, and being able to understand them on the same level when hearing parents may have never been aware of deaf world in the first place. My parents never been exposed to deaf world or deaf people before I was born. I am already exposed to deaf world so I know what it is like for my deaf child but my parents and I would have one thing in common, which is deciding that identity.
It can be a HUGE and very DIFFICULT process in making the decision. I am very proud of my parents for what they have decided for me before I had a voice. I am proud of who I am. I love me for who I am. I wouldn't be the person I am today without my parents (as well many other people in my life). Thank you, Mom & Dad.
It took me back to the memory that I had of asking my parents about their reaction to me being deaf. As a child or teen, I asked my parents how they felt when they found out that I was deaf. They had replied that they had mixed emotions such as shock, scared, even devastated. I was surprised by that answer, I didn't understand at the time why it sounded like a tragedy to have a deaf child. To me, that's like parents being devastated that the blonde hair child they have always wanted turned out to be a brown hair child. Being deaf was already the norm for me, I didn't see anything different about it.
Meeting the new parent of a deaf child immediately gave me that flashback. I had finally understood now. I saw the fear, worry, and concern in her eyes as she was talking about her son. She had no idea what to do with him regarding school, hearing aids, cochlear implants, etc. It was difficult maintaining a straight face when I wanted to cry with her. I realized that she had a huge burden on her shoulder to decide the identity of her deaf child for next 18 years (or teen years).
I have blogged about many identities that exist in the deaf world. How do new parents know what their deaf child want their identity to be? My parents didn't know what I would want to be at the age of 18 when I was a baby, but they had to make that decision of what I should have in life. It is never too late to change identity as I have seen many students at RIT that changed their identities once they got to college. Some deaf people have grew up with major confusion through out their lives as of what their identities are. I wasn't aware of identity until college, so through out my life I didn't stress about what identity I should be until I came to RIT. I had a long time of conflicting feelings about my identity during my college years, even considered cochlear implants for a long time. In my last year of college, I have accepted the identity that I originally grew up with with much more comfortableness of the deafness. I cannot imagine being in the shoes of a new parent to decide what identity to give their deaf child.
Growing up deaf is already the norm for me, but it never had occur to me about the burdens of some decisions in lives. If I give birth to a deaf child, obviously I will be prepared as I am deaf, right? Nope. I may like the identity that I have, but it doesn't mean if I give that identity to my deaf child that they will like it too. A deaf parent also have that burden of deciding what identity. In a way, I would be more prepared to raise a deaf child than hearing parents as I know what life is like as a deaf person. I can help them with exploring their identity through out their life, exposing them to deaf world, and being able to understand them on the same level when hearing parents may have never been aware of deaf world in the first place. My parents never been exposed to deaf world or deaf people before I was born. I am already exposed to deaf world so I know what it is like for my deaf child but my parents and I would have one thing in common, which is deciding that identity.
It can be a HUGE and very DIFFICULT process in making the decision. I am very proud of my parents for what they have decided for me before I had a voice. I am proud of who I am. I love me for who I am. I wouldn't be the person I am today without my parents (as well many other people in my life). Thank you, Mom & Dad.
3.4.12
Advantage of Using Relay on April's Fool Day
A transcript of my April's Fool prank on my mom (and unexpectedly, my dad too). The Sprint Relay operator is a male so my parents were thinking it was a male calling them for whatever reason when in reality I was the one typing every thing for the operator to say to them (Operator's role was to interpret).
Relay terms:
Ga - Go Ahead
SK - Hang up
----
(Me): Please do not use the Sprint Relay introduction.
(Operator): SPRINT IP XXXXM DIALING XXX-XXX-XXXX RINGING 1 ... 2 ... 3 ... 4 ... 5 ...
(F) Hello? ga
(Operator): hold a moment please.
(F) no i won't hold a moment, who's this?
(Operator): hold a moment.
(F) no i won't hold a moment, it's already past my bedtime!
***The operator had to tell my mom to hold on as I typed which took a minute***
(Me): Hello, is this (Mother's name)? (F interrupting): you tell me who this is! (Me continuing): This is Officer (Fake name) with Connecticut State Trooper. I just have pulled over your daughter, and she doesn't have the car registration with her. She is saying that your husband may have the paperwork of the car registration, ma'am ga
(F): okay just a minute please ...
***My mom passed the phone over to my dad, then she went back in the living room where she was chatting with my younger brother. She was freaking out about her attitude (the call occurred late at night) which she thought for sure that the "Officer" would give me a speeding ticket.***
(M) hello? ga
(Me): Hello is this (Father's name)? I am Officer (Fake name) with CT State Trooper. I just pulled over your daughter for speeding and she doesn't have the registration on her which I believe you may have the vehicle registration paperwork? ga
(M): yes .. ga
(Me): April's fool, it's Kelly using Sprint Relay ga
(M): (laughing) thats a good one kel ga
(Me): Thought so, good night love you both bye ga to sk
(M): love you goodbye (PERSON HUNG UP)
(Operator): i will need to take a 5 minutes break to stop laughing (smile) SK SK
----
Hope your April's Fool Day was funny too!
Relay terms:
Ga - Go Ahead
SK - Hang up
----
(Me): Please do not use the Sprint Relay introduction.
(Operator): SPRINT IP XXXXM DIALING XXX-XXX-XXXX RINGING 1 ... 2 ... 3 ... 4 ... 5 ...
(F) Hello? ga
(Operator): hold a moment please.
(F) no i won't hold a moment, who's this?
(Operator): hold a moment.
(F) no i won't hold a moment, it's already past my bedtime!
***The operator had to tell my mom to hold on as I typed which took a minute***
(Me): Hello, is this (Mother's name)? (F interrupting): you tell me who this is! (Me continuing): This is Officer (Fake name) with Connecticut State Trooper. I just have pulled over your daughter, and she doesn't have the car registration with her. She is saying that your husband may have the paperwork of the car registration, ma'am ga
(F): okay just a minute please ...
***My mom passed the phone over to my dad, then she went back in the living room where she was chatting with my younger brother. She was freaking out about her attitude (the call occurred late at night) which she thought for sure that the "Officer" would give me a speeding ticket.***
(M) hello? ga
(Me): Hello is this (Father's name)? I am Officer (Fake name) with CT State Trooper. I just pulled over your daughter for speeding and she doesn't have the registration on her which I believe you may have the vehicle registration paperwork? ga
(M): yes .. ga
(Me): April's fool, it's Kelly using Sprint Relay ga
(M): (laughing) thats a good one kel ga
(Me): Thought so, good night love you both bye ga to sk
(M): love you goodbye (PERSON HUNG UP)
(Operator): i will need to take a 5 minutes break to stop laughing (smile) SK SK
----
Hope your April's Fool Day was funny too!
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