News Article

The data represents that, for the most recent school year for which there is available data, Iowa d/hh children account for just over 4 percent of the total students who have disabilities, and approximately .6 percent of all the students

enrolled in this state. What are the ages of these children? Who are their service providers? More importantly, how are these students performing academically? Watch for upcoming newsletters or become a member to receive our newsletters!

News

In the fall of 2008, Iowa’s Coordinating Council for Hearing Services created a report for the Iowa Department of

Education, Bureau of Student and Family Support Services. The report, titled, “Data on Iowa Students Who are

Deaf or Hard of Hearing,” was compiled from the school year 2006/2007. This is the first comprehensive report

on deaf/hard of hearing students in Iowa. (The Coordinating Council‘s purpose is to examine services for children

and youth who are deaf or hard of hearing and make recommendations designed to coordinate services to the

State Board of Education and the Board of Regents, State of Iowa.)

Facts About Iowa’s Deaf and Hard Of Hearing Children

Date: February 2009

What works for your child is what makes the choice right.

Iowa Hands & Voices

Co-President, Vicki Hunting, was interviewed on May 7, 2009 by Mitch Matthews at Big Dream Gathering. To hear the interview please click or copy this link:

http://www.bigdreamgathering.com/2009/05/another-big-dream-gathering-podcast-with-vicki-hunting.html

“Big Dream Gathering is a safe place for BIG dreams... little dreams... and everything in between. At the Big Dream Gathering... you'll have the chance to come... remember your dreams... think about 'em... and write 'em down.” -BDG Web Site

To learn more about Big Dream Gathering, visit their webpage at: www.bigdreamgathering.com/

Vicki and Mitch met at an University Alumni Network Luncheon.

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There are now several rear-window captioned theater’s in Iowa and Omaha. Please check out MoPix for more information about rear-window captioning at http://ncam.wgbh.org/mopix/.

Here is a list of theaters in the surrounding areas:

Carmike Wynnsong 16

Johnston, IA Auditorium 8

Marcus College Square Theatre

Cedar Falls, IA Auditorium 4

National Amusements Showcase Cinemas Davenport

Davenport, IA Auditorium 11

AMC Oak View Plaza 24

Omaha, NE Auditorium 20

For a more detailed list of theaters around the US click here.

The following is a word document which briefly summarizes Susan Hagarty’s trip to the National EHDI Conference in March 2009.

EHDI Article

Here is a sneak preview of what our Spring 2010 Iowa Hands & Voices Newsletter looks like. Become a Member to begin receiving yours quarterly.

Mission To Haiti… (continued from newsletter)

Lisa VanSant

I did NOT want to leave when we did. I never feared for my life as I knew God had placed me there and He was with me at all times. I desired to help people within the wreckage, but knew I couldn't and we had professionals working on doing this. I also felt like I had abandoned the children at the deaf school and orphanage. I had only gotten to spend 2 days with them and that was cut very short. Many were crying when we left. They do not understand the extent of all of this. Things seemed normal where they were. A total of 16 of us were brought to the US Embassy in Port Au Prince. We saw quite a bit of damage and long lines at the gas stations. People were on the streets with rice bags filled with their belongings trying to leave town. We did not see the worst of it where we drove. We felt very safe once we got to the Embassy. We set up camp and waited until 10:30 Thursday evening when we were told we could get an air force flight on a C17, but we had to leave our large luggage. We could only take what would fit on our lap. We were quietly whisked away in a convoy of vehicles that took us to the PAP airport (which was now run by the US forces). We were brought out to the tarmack, and put us on the plane. It was an experience I'll never forget. We were told after we left that we were headed for New Jersey McGuire Air Force Base. We had about a 4 1/2 hour flight. Once we arrived we were bussed to a gym where we were treated by the Air Force like royalty! We were given a place to sleep, shower, eat and had Doctor's available and people to talk to if needed about our experience. I was impressed by how wonderful our armed services in this country are! They deserve much respect and thanks! Once we had airline flights booked, we were policed escorted in a bus to the Philedelphia airport where we started our trek home. We landed at the Des Moines airport around 6:45 pm Friday evening and were greeted by many family members anxious to hug us and see that we were ok. We are so thankful that God protected us during our trip. I know I will be going back this year to continue my work there at the deaf school. There is so much to do!

A Few Facts:

I have been to Haiti once before working at the school for the deaf there through Global Vision Citadelle Ministries. I had been working this past year to gather a team to go. The Lord led 5 other people to join me on this mission trip.

We were 40 miles from the epicenter and 26 miles from Port Au Prince (in Fedja, right by Mirebelais)

1) Who were the 6 that were on your team? Bruce Jansen, Nathan Blunck, Trudy Eggink, Shelly De Ruiter, Laurie Struve and myself, Lisa Van Sant

2) Where did you meet to leave? We met at Grace Fellowship for a time of prayer and then Darryl De Ruiter drove us all to the airport in Des Moines. 3) When did you leave from the airport? which airport?

4) Where were you housed? The men stayed at the orphanage in the Team Building on airmattresses. The women all stayed at the Wozo hotel which was just down the road from the orphanage.

5) How many mission trips have you been on previous to this one? Where to? When? Jamaica (2004), Mexico, (2008), Haiti (2007 & 2010)

6) What preparations did you have to make to go to Haiti? I had to prepare a week long lesson plan (for each day working with the deaf students) and get ALL the supplies needed for the lesson (books, story, etc), crafts, games, snacks, etc. We also had been told they needed clothing, shoes/sandals and underwear. So, we gathered those items as well. I led the team, so I also had to get all the documents, paperwork and fees collected and sent in to GVCM. I also had to set up the airline tickets and housing plans. Once we were in Haiti, GVCM would take care of our expenses.

7) When did you start preparing? I started planning in August 2009. Didn't really get everything going full force until October/November.

8) What was the name of the orphanage? All God's Children Orphanage, supported by Global Vision Citadelle Ministries.

9) About how many children would you say were at the orphanage at that time? 55 orphans, and 11 deaf students staying there. The nannies and orphanage workers, cooks also stayed living there. 10) Who have you shared your experience with since you have returned? (PC Chapel, Channel 8 news, radio stations, churches, etc.??) Please list all PC Chapel, TV 8 news, KNIA/KRLS "In Depth", Grace Fellowship church, Town Crier newspaper, The Banner, will be speaking in chapel at SCS and we are still getting more requests.

This film is a family-friendly story that will be enjoyed by viewers of all ages. The Legend of the Mountain Man, set in picturesque Montana, features a typical, dysfunctional family of five. The father, who has been at odds with his parents for many years, decides to send his three children to his parents’ ranch for the summer. The children unexpectedly encounter a creature, one that has never been seen nor recorded in history books. Viewers accompany the children on a

heartwarming journey as they navigate the family’s past and try to reconcile some of the estranged family members. All dialogue is in ASL, with captions for the Signing Impaired.

Saturday, May 22nd at 7:00 pm

Kirkwood Community College Ballantyne Auditorium

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

$10.00 Admission

Proceeds to Communication Service for the Deaf, Deaf Iowans Against Abuse (CSDIowa/DIAA)

Tickets/Info: Jennifer Upah: jennifer.upah@yahoo.com

Teresa Legg: tlegg@c-s-d.org