Welcome to Deaf Services Commission of Iowa SIGN of the TIMES “Equal Communication, Education, and Access” July 2009 Visit the DSCI website: http://www.state.ia.us/government/dhr/ds/index.html Questions or Comments? Email us at dhr.dsci@iowa.gov or call 515-281-3164 V/TTY or Toll-Free: 1-888-221-3724 V/TTY ANNOUNCEMENT Junior Commission Program Leadership Camp Our new camp mascot, Rob Last year, we had a very special visitor that came to visit us almost every night at the fire site, a young raccoon! His name was Rob. He was very cute and everyone was so fascinated with him. What was so special about him? He came back! He loves our campers. DSCI staff is pleased to announce another successful JCP camp was held from June 14—19, 2009. We want to share our gratitude and thank all of the camp staff for their hard work, excellent team work, generosity in donating and contributing their time and donations to our camp. It’s greatly appreciated. Many thanks to two Ft. Dodge Sertoma Clubs for their generous contributions of firewood, pork chop dinner, and financially supporting the camp. Also many thanks to Hamilton Relay for donating funds for camp T-shirts. And these companies for supporting the camp through contributions: Fort Dodge Water Bottling Company, Sound Clarity, MacDonalds, Panera Bread, Crystal Clear, DMACC, Harris Communications and Papa Murphy’s. We would also like to thank the following group and individuals for their financial support of the camp: the Deaf Awareness Committee, Don Kissell, Sue Tyrell, Jan Fletcher and Theresa Legg. The 19 campers, all Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Hearing, and even CODAs were terrific! They learned so much in one week and we see a lot of potential in each of them to be great leaders. Barb Jones provided and taught the workshop where they discovered the importance of all different kinds of cultures as well as the qualities for being a good leader such as team player, listener, positive attitude, leadership tools, communication access, decision making, goal setting, etc… Special thanks to volunteer staff for giving up their vacation time from work and time away from home: Sally Bowden, Activity Director, Theresa Legg and Elaine Pudans, Cooks, Camp Counselors, Jan Fletcher, Howie Kent, Nate Garrels, Hershel Jackson, Mark Noblet, Brittany Fletcher, Roberta Ryerson and our Junior Counsleor, Peter Schwietz. Many thanks to the wonderful Communication Access Team: Sign Language Interpreters: Mary Brandt, Peggy Chicoine, Sue Tyrell, Joe Trelstad, Typewell Captioners: Lisa Furney and Donna Ellington. We couldn’t have camp without our Camp Nurse, Linda, she’s hoping to come back again next summer! There were some new highlights of JCP Camp this year. We held a contest for campers to design a new logo for next year’s camp T-shirts. Rob awarded daily achievement awards to campers that demonstrated the values that were being taught. These campers had the privilege of doing something special like throwing water balloons or dumping a bucket of water on a JCP Camp staff. We also had a special visit from the two Fort Dodge Sertoma clubs and the Cedar Valley Sertoma Club who was challenged to donate $1,000! Big thanks to everyone for the great team work and enjoyable camp! They all were very much appreciated. Thanks for an exceptional job! We’re hoping to have a 2010 JCP Camp! If you ever want to see Rob again, every camper must sing and sign at every meal, Mary Had A Little Lamb, I’m A Little Teapot, & Rain, Rain Go Away. If you don’t believe us, look at this picture! Welcome to Deaf Services Commission of Iowa SIGN of the TIMES “Equal Communication, Education, and Access” July 2009 Visit the DSCI website: http://www.state.ia.us/government/dhr/ds/index.html Questions or Comments? Email us at dhr.dsci@iowa.gov or call 515-281-3164 V/TTY or Toll-Free: 1-888-221-3724 V/TTY CALENDAR OF EVENTS July 3: 6:00 pm American Sign Language Social hosted by Deaf Awareness and DMACC located at ALL-Play at 615 - 3rd Street, Des Moines, games, eat and drink. First Friday of every month. July 11: 10 am—3 pm: Deaf Awareness Annual Picnic in Des Moines at Greenwood Park, 4500 Grand Ave., Des Moines July 11: 10:30 am—?? pm: Fairfield Deaf 21st Annual Picnic in Fairfield at Jefferson County Park, 2003 Libertyville Rd. Look for posted signs on the new bypass US 34 on the south side of town and also on east US 34 East and US 34 West. July 11: Families & Friends Community Night at Cedar Rapids Kernels Baseball Game, Veterans Memorial Stadium, 950 Rockford Rd SW. Gate opens at 6:00 p.m.; game starts at 7:00 p.m. Dead- line to get tickets is July 9th (Tickets are only available at CSD-IA office). For more information, con- tact Theresa Leg: tlegg@c-s-d.org July 12: 6:30—8:30 p.m. Relay Iowa Summer Splash Swimming Party will be held at Teachout Family Aquatic Center, 2601 Hubbell Ave., Des Moines. Enjoy swimming and summer fun in this beautiful facility, compliments of Relay Iowa. FREE Food & Refreshments! Bring your family and friends! Receive Giveaways and a chance to win Door Prizes! For more information contact Lori Sporrer email at lori.sporrer@hamiltonrelay.com Thanks to everyone who wrote to their legislators regarding children's hearing aids. Despite the horrible budget this year, HF811- the Human Resources budget bill, allocated $190,329 to provide for audiological services and hearing aids for children for the upcoming year. Although this amount is less than the last two years, I am so thankful that we didn't get completely cut. Here is what I think we should do to keep this issue moving forward: 1. Write a brief e-mail thank you to your legislators and, very importantly, to our Governor. (If you need e-mail addresses, I would be happy to get them for you!) 2. Use this money and spread the word about these resources. Remember, this money is not on a needs base. It is for any family with a child who needs amplification. 3. Let's communicate with each other via e-mail and get some fresh ideas on how to raise awareness for our issue. Because hearing loss in children is such a low incident disability, many people don't know about our goal of getting hearing aids to every child in Iowa who needs them at no cost to the family. Have a great summer! Amy Pettit ANNOUNCEMENT Happy 4th of July!