DPHHH

Da Marco discriminate deaf customer and her service dog

By Billy Koch | Posted in News | Jul.09, 2009 | 1 Comment

As posted from the Houston Chronicle, Da Marco a nice restraunt located off Westheimer had four ladies who were customers, one of them apparently was deaf and had a service dog.  Well, Da Marco told the lady that the dog was not allowed in the restraunt regardless if it was a service dog or not.

Granted, if it was any dog then I can understand but this dog was a service dog.  Da Marco was WRONG for refusing service to this deaf individual.  I really do hope this deaf individual steps up and files legal action vs. Da Marco.  By the ADA law, she should have been allowed the opportunity to bring her dog in.

Hopefully action will be taken in regards to this – and they are educated on this issue that this will not happen again.

~B

Deaf GLBT Support Group

By Billy Koch | Posted in Blogs | Jun.22, 2009 | Leave a Comment

*Day: *Every other Thursday
*Time:* 6:30-8:00 p.m.
*Date:* Beginning June 4, 2009
*Duration: *8 weeks
*Contact*: *EMAIL
Video Phone: *832.413.6192

http://www.montrosecounselingcenter.org

*Additional Info: *This FREE* confidential group will be open to all
Deaf who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. No one
will be identified as HIV– or + and you do not have to be a client
at MCC. The group’s facilitator (LBSW) is hearing but is fluent in
American Sign Language. This group will consist of up to ten (10)
participants who may join at anytime during the 8 week group duration.
Participants will sign agreement of confidentiality upon entering the
group meeting.

Montrose Counseling Center
401 Branard
Houston, Texas 77006

*Donations are welcome.

Leann Randolph
Email: interpreters@montrosecounselingcenter.org

Houston Deaf Rights Update

By Billy Koch | Posted in Blogs | Jun.20, 2009 | 1 Comment

They finally updated the Houston Deaf Rights Blogsite with an update to what happened and what has been going on with the March and the results of it.  There is also a video of it here – it starts around at 6:00 if you want to see it – Click here for video and click on Public Speakers 2 of 4 and around 6:00 is where Dan Warthling comes in and gives his presentation to the City Council. 

Results from the March??

By Billy Koch | Posted in Blogs | Jun.17, 2009 | 1 Comment

Apparently a day has passed and at this time many of us have watched eagerly the news media, the Chronicle who were supposed to be at the event cover this March.  And yet we, the deaf community have not heard anything.   So meaning we did not make the impact that we had hoped?   If you participated in the March please let us know how it went!   We have checked the blogsite for updates and information and nothing has been posted.   Where is the communication to the deaf community?  For those of you who were at the event let the deaf community know how it went and provide your insight!  We would love to hear from you!

Update from 3rd Meeting for March

By Billy Koch | Posted in Politics | Jun.16, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Written by Brad Porche and Billy Koch

Last night meeting at Woodhaven church served a constant reminder of the issues that many deaf/hoh face after a long sought settlement between the Department of Justice and the City of Houston.

The truth is the City of Houston has continued to fail in the requirement that has been outlined in the settlement when it comes to meeting the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing individuals. That was one of the main reason to have the March, to bring awareness to the city council of Houston. Brian and Kathy and the other co-founders hope to bring that awareness to the City of Houston and ensure that the requirements are met in the 1998 settlement.

There were about 40 people at the meeting, and some were able to watch the meeting online. Some were there to prepare for the March and others were there to question the integrity of the March and the co-founder’s preparedness. In the meeting, there were more questions than answers and many felt uneasiness in the way the March has been planned. From our observations, we could see many of the audience members did not receive a satisfied answer and was more puzzled than before. However, the March Founders was adamant to go on with the March regardless and mentioned that Brian will be having a meeting with the ADA Coordinator, Robby Laws on the issue of the settlement agreement.

Some has expressed concerns on facts and evidence that could be presented to the City Council in regards to our situation.  Others has expressed that this issue is really a two way street, not just necessarily the City of Houston failure to meet our needs but because we had no one to really follow up with the City of Houston.

So as a result, many of those in the audience had the renew call for an establishment of an organization. An organization that will meet the needs for everyone in the deaf/hoh community. We ask for those to continue to participate and bring more awareness/voice in the establishment for a organization. Please keep an eye on the update on DPHHH.com for information.  Remember this is not about you, but about the deaf/hoh community as whole.  Updates will be coming soon about upcoming meetings in regards to the deaf/hoh community.

Next Protest Meeting – Monday at 7 p.m.

By Billy Koch | Posted in Blogs | Jun.12, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Here is the information for the next protest meeting – now whether you are FOR, OPPOSED, or UNSURE about this protest – I highly encourage you to show up and voice your opinions – because this is YOUR COMMUNITY so you need to make sure that you are informed.

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Our next meeting officially is held at Woodhaven Deaf Baptist Church, located at 9920 Long Point Road, Houston, 77055. Again, it’s scheduled on Monday night, June 15 at 7pm for a final preparation for our June 16 march.

Everyone is encouraged to attend. Don’t forget to bring to the meeting (optional) as follows:

-One white cardboard (size 22” X 28”),
-Several markers (black, red, or blue ink is preferred, but if you prefer other colors, that is fine),
-One wood stick (wood sticks must be ¼ inch thick, according to the city’s rules for the march). These are for making signs/posters.

We also suggest a blue shirt to wear for our march in order to be recognized as a group of marchers for our own cause (can be light blue, royal blue, or navy blue). If you have any questions regarding our march, please email at HouDeafRights@aol.com.

Dr. Singleton’s Response to One’s Man’s Opinion to Protest

By Billy Koch | Posted in Politics | Jun.12, 2009 | 1 Comment

Dr. Patti Singleton responded to my posting on Deafnetwork – http://deafnetwork.com/wordpress/blog/2009/06/07/deaf-protest-one-guy’s-opinion…/  So I have asked for permission to post her response here on DPHHH.com so you as the individual can read it here.   And she approved my posting her response here.

======================================================

Folks,
This email caught my eye & I can’t help but smile at the similarities in the feelings expressed now and back during the first protest at Gallaudet University for a “Deaf President Now” in March, 1988…
I was fortunate to be there as a graduate student at Gallaudet and on the front lines as history was made…and I learned some valuable lessons in working with the media & politicians in general. There were folks who opposed the protest and those who supported it, but the important thing is that we put aside our differences and worked together for a common cause. I’m not sure that waiting to have a Deaf Awareness Week the most appropriate thing to do to get your legal issues addressed now…I’m also not saying that the Deaf Awareness Week isn’t important, it IS but you need to do much, much more than that…protecting your legal rights is a daily, weekly, monthly, year-round thing…not a onetime event during the year!

You need to have your act together – the Houston Deaf Rights group needs to organize and put out a list of Issues with concrete examples of each, i.e.: legal rights not being addressed or respected, discrimination, etc. What have you tried in terms of resolving these issues in the past? Again you needs dates & data to prove your case..
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Deaf Protest – One Guy’s Opinion…

By Billy Koch | Posted in Blogs, Politics | Jun.05, 2009 | 6 Comments

Okay folks – I just got an email about a pending protest that some deaf individuals are planning to have on June 16th.  Now I am going to have to admit, I am really bothered by this approach.  I am speaking from a personal level – this approach in my opinion will not reflect positively with us and the deaf community.  We, the deaf community have already been reflected negatively by the people from our two protests at Gallaudet.  The first one was acceptable and totally understandable – but the second one people were like again?? 

Granted they may NOT understand why, but its is not the point.  The point is we need to make our opportunities in a positive manner and have people to reflect off us in a positive manner.  For example I am going to say this – we are at fault for where we are.  As I wrote in my “Together we Stand, Divided we Fall” article.  We are just as responsible for this situation as they the hearing community is.  You ask why?  I’ll tell you why! 
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Come Support your Local Softball Team…

By Billy Koch | Posted in Blogs | Jun.01, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Houston Xtremes Men’s Softball team will be hosting a BBQ fundraiser at Meyerland Park on June 6th.  From 1:00 p.m. to ?? Combo BBQ Plate can be purchased for $5.00 a plate

This event is a fund raiser to help the Houston Xtremes travel to Southwest Deaf Softball Association Regional Tournament in Oklahoma in July.   And for the National Tournament in August to Florida.   So come and support your local deaf men’s softball team.  If you are unable to attend but would like to contribute you can do so by contacting us at coach@houstonxtremessoftball.com

Thank you!

Let’s Play By the Rules…

By Billy Koch | Posted in Blogs | Apr.06, 2009 | 2 Comments

As some of you folks might know, I am an avid sports fanatic.  I love sports of all kinds and I usually participate in various of sports along with other deaf individuals.   But it was kind of funny, I run a site for a particular sport, (and there was even a discussion about this in Facebook for another sport).  Well one of the discussion was based on how we keep changing the rules every year to benefit “US”.   Now that “US” really annoys me, keep in mind these are deaf people voting and modifying the rules here.   Well point being is for softball there are a few associations like the National Softball Association (NSA), Amatuer Softball Association (ASA), and United Sports (something – USSSA).   We have governing associations which we could abide by and follow.  Just say okay we will be following USSSA rules and just follow it.  But do we do that, no what we do is we say we will play by USSSA rules – modified.  (Modified to FIT us and our needs).  Now off to another sport – Golf – there is a sport USGA – United States Golf Association.  Simple follow the rules and play.   But no, we as deaf individuals want to modify the game to our needs.   Now going to both sports – I can’t tell you how many hours I have SAT in a meeting watching them argue and debate on how the rules were going to be made.  Which is ridiculous!  We already have set rules just follow it and be on your way and enjoy the game.  continue »