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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!

My child is deaf…What do I do?

By Jay Jackson | Posted in Blogs | Apr.10, 2009 | 4 Comments

When I was in college, I went home to visit my parents for the summer. There, they had a couple who just found out their child was diagnosed with deafness. It was a surprise to them and they turned to the closest people they knew that had been in the same situation. Out of curiosity, I accompanied them on a trip to a nearby town to meet them.

They were faced with several options: to send him off to a school for deaf in another town, to teach him sign language, or send him to an oral school. They were daunted by the tasks all equally. As it was their first child, they were faced with an enormous responsibility: the education and mental growth of their child. I remember that we discussed my experiences growing up. I had grown up with sign language as my first language (not exactly ASL, but it was more of a mix between ASL and SEE depending on my interactions with family and friends). My parents were set on learning from the onset when they found out about my deafness as they believe it to be a best way of communication between me and them. I started out in a local deaf program before mainstreaming in second grade and above.
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Twitter – A New New Thing

By Bradley Porche | Posted in Blogs | Apr.07, 2009 | 6 Comments

What is up with Twitter being the new new thing? Actually, it is not new. It has been around since its development in 2006. What makes Twitter stand out from the rest is its’ pure simplicity. All you have to do is pick up your cell phone for a SMS text, go to a website, or use a third party API to twitter away. From the time you text (up to 140 character is allowed) and send, all of your friends know where you are or what you are up to. How awesome is that? Simple and practical for our everyday busy lives.
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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 »

Together We Stand, Divided We Fall….

By Billy Koch | Posted in Blogs | Mar.26, 2009 | 14 Comments

Well you know I have lived in the Houston area for over 35 years and there is no other city I can imagine living in.  Houston has it all – Food, Sports, Entertainment, and more.  You name it – Houston has got it.  But there is one thing that Houston is definitely lacking – a true deaf awareness and services.

Seriously folks – sure we have what? three or four interpreting agencies here.  We have DARS here but they can only do so much.  But honestly we are really lacking on a true political social system here.   I mean seriously Houston has to be one of the most uneducated cities in the U.S. when it comes to accomodating the deaf employees.  Even the school systems here are not very beneficial for our future deaf leaders and followers.   How do we go about educating people/organizations our rights, our needs, and more.   It seems that Houston is more interested in socializing (which is good and fine) than really building a political team that can influence and encourage support for the deaf individuals.
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DARS 101: Reducing the Barrier in the Workplace

By Julie Reese | Posted in Blogs | Mar.25, 2009 | Leave a Comment

What is DARS? Many of you have been a DARS client at one point in your lives or maybe you are still a current DARS client, perhaps? For those of you who would like a glimpse into what DARS is all about. DARS is not just all about giving you hearing aids, paying for your school, or placing you with jobs. DARS is actually a spectrum of services provided to people of all disabilities funded by the state and federal government. DARS is not limited to the deaf and hard of hearing only like most may assume.
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Barriers we live in…

By Longster | Posted in Blogs, Politics | Mar.25, 2009 | 2 Comments

Have you ever take a step back and analyze situation you face in this world? There are times when we forget who we are… an outsider. Unfortunately, no one can be told what it’s like. Experience is the best teacher we can learn from. Every obstacle we face is our job to seize the opportunity and use it to our advantage. What you’re about to see is a video that closely remind our daily lives we face. We’ve come a long way, but it’s fascinating that this problem still exist where technology are readily available for us.

Happy New Year!

By Longster | Posted in Blogs | Jan.01, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Now is the time to reflect on the changes we want or need and follow through on those changes. More importantly, get rid of your bad habits and start with a clean slate! We all wish you a Happy New Year and a good start in 2009! Don’t do anything crazy out there!

Merry Christmas!

By Longster | Posted in Blogs | Dec.25, 2008 | Leave a Comment

May Christmas sprinkle your life with good cheer and may all your hopes and dreams come true! Have a very safe holiday and always be courteous to each other. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!