Title: Empowerment Advocate

Hours: Full time at 40 hours per week

Location: Deaf Abused Women’s Network office in Washington DC

Supervision: Interns

Reports to: Deaf Abused Women’s Network Advocate Coordinator

The Empowerment Advocate should have extensive knowledge ofdomestic violence and sexual assault. The Empowerment Advocate will provide direct services to Deaf, hard of hearing and Deaf-Blind survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual violence by assisting them in navigating the civil and criminal judicial process and providing crisis management. The Empowerment Advocate will serve as a direct link to community resources to assist survivors in maintaining their safety and fulfilling immediate social service needs through short-term case management. The Empowerment Advocate will provide systematic advocacy by serving as an expert on the implications for improving the criminal legal system response to Deaf, hard of hearing, and Deaf-Blind survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking.

DUTIES INCLUDE:

- Provide immediate crisis management, and advocacy for Deaf, hard of hearing, and Deaf-Blind survivors in legal and medical settings.

- Provide guidance and knowledge through the judicial system that may include protection order process, civil and/or criminal charges, and answer questions about navigating the judicial process.

- Provide guidance and knowledge through the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) process.

- Provide short-term case management to survivors by connecting them with local resources and social services.

- Provide assistance with emergency housing.

- Provide information and assistance with emergency food and transportation services.

- Provide assistance with applying for social service agencies.

- Assist the Advocate Coordinator in maintaining client services.

- Assist the Executive Director and Coordinator with Outreach and Education program efforts.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s Degree required
Extensive knowledge of and training in domestic violence and sexual violence
Excellent American Sign Language and written communication skills
Well organized and detail oriented
Able to work in diverse settings
Excellent people skills
Able to work in time sensitive situations
Knowledge of Deaf culture
Knowledge of and ability to work within the family services and criminal legal system

How to apply:

Submit a resume and cover letter detailing reason for interest in this opportunity, relevant previous experience, and two references to:

Deaf Abused Women’s Network
Attention: Amy L. Rousseau, Executive Director
5321 First Place NE
Washington, DC 20011

or email to: director@deafdawn.org

DEADLINE TO APPLY: FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2010

Anyone seeking information about domestic violence can contact the hotline in one of four ways:

Videophone: (206) 787-3224
Email: ADWAS@NDVH.org
Instant Messaging (IM): ADWASHotline
TTY: 1-800-787-3224

The hotline is open Monday-Friday, 9 am – 5 pm PST.

See the video below for more information.

Mia Orr, Consultant
Senate Health Committee
State Capitol, Room 2191
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Honorable Senate Health Committee Members:

Alternative Solutions Center, a Deaf-owned and operated private psychotherapy practice, OPPOSES Assembly Bill 2072 (AB 2072).

AB 2072 hurts Deaf children and adults by ignoring all the research and testimonials that show just how critical American Sign Language is for healthy intellectual, emotional, and social development and well-being. As psychotherapists who work on a daily basis with Deaf people who were deprived of American Sign Language as children, we can tell you that this is one of the most painful and inhumane experiences anyone could have. The failure to give Deaf children the opportunity to converse and learn in their natural, visual language is a form of communication abuse.

Vote NO on AB 2072.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Candace A. McCullough, PhD
Sharon M. Duchesneau, LCPC

Alternative Solutions Center
www.ascdeaf.com

To:
ronald.obray@purple.us,
mark.bella@purple.us,
dan.luis@purple.us,
brent.jolley@purple.us,
anthony.batte@purple.us,
rebecca.adkins@purple.us
cc: Patti Durr

Dear Purple,

We are writing with three requests. We ask that Purple:

1. Withdraw financial sponsorship from DeafRead/DeafVIDEO.TV (DVTV)
2. Remove the Purple logo/banner from both of these websites
3. Close the Purple Communications b/vlog accounts at DeafRead/DVTV

We ask you to do so because DeafRead/DVTV editors:

1. Direct online traffic to b/vlogsites where children are attacked or used as pawns to get back at adults
2. Publish links to b/vlogs that make threats to people’s employment
3. Refuse to take corrective action by removing certain links after their inappropriate content is brought to their attention, even when they DO have the ability to remove these links

Purple should take notice of the fact that people have been raising concerns about DeafRead/DVTV’s passive participation in cyber-bullying for the past three years.

We cannot imagine that Purple, a well-known VRS company, condones any of the above-mentioned practices. As a sponsor, Purple has a responsibility to educate itself about how DeafRead/DVTV operates and determine the ramifications of its continued association with DeafRead/DVTV.

Will Purple stand behind DeafRead/DVTV’s destructive online practices? Or will Purple do the right thing and make it clear to DeafRead/DVTV that it does not endorse cyber-bullying?

We trust you will do the right thing. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Candace A. McCullough, PhD
Sharon M. Duchesneau, LCPC

Alternative Solutions Center (ASC)

http://www.ascdeaf.com

English transcript: Just this past week, our Deaf community faced the sad reality of two of our members ending their lives through suicide. These are just two, among far too many other suicides, that have occurred over the years. As many people know, suicide is a difficult topic to discuss, particularly when since it brings up a whole range of feelings, including guilt, sadness, anger, and fear.

Approximately 25% of the people who commit suicide never show any warning signs or share their despair with anyone. In these cases, people are often caught off guard and shocked. Without any warning signs, there is little we can do to help in these situations.

The other 75% of people who commit suicide do show warning signs that often become clear in retrospect. Lists of these warning signs can be found on the Internet. Signs include, but are not limited to, untreated chronic depression, erratic mood swings, increase in alcohol use, giving away prized possessions, and withdrawing from activities.

Occasionally, people who are having suicidal ideations openly state their desire to die to a friend or family member. When this happens, people are often at loss for how best to respond. If you face a situation where someone is hinting or clearly stating a suicidal wish, you should ask for more information. Encourage the person to talk more and offer your presence to listen.

Find out how serious the person’s intentions are. Is it just wishful thinking or is there an actual plan? When questioned if they mean what they are saying, many people will correct themselves by admitting they are just talking and clarify that they do not plan to do anything.

Asking outright if someone has actual plans for committing suicide often makes people hesitant. They worry that mere mention of the word “suicide” might give someone the idea of actually following through with it. In reality, if someone has already been thinking of it or has made plans to commit suicide, addressing the issue in a straightforward manner is not going to cause the suicide to happen.

If the person is unable to state that the suicidal talk is just that, or if the person gives vague answers about suicidal intentions, ask if there is a plan in place. If the plan involves overdosing on medications, ask if the person has the medications ready and what kind. If the person mentions plans to use a gun, find out if there is actually a gun available to use.

When there is a clear plan for suicide, don’t look the other way. Let the person know how concerned you are. Suggest talking with a therapist or seeking treatment at a hospital. Do not keep the information you have a secret, no matter if the person has asked you to do so. Even a therapist will break confidentiality when it comes to the point where a life is at stake.

If you find yourself in the situation where someone has clear and immediate plans to commit suicide, or even if your instincts are telling you things are serious, when the person denies it, take action. If the person will not go for help, alert family members or close friends. Let them know what is happening.

Do not spend the whole night worrying about whether or not the person is safe or sending one email after another in a desperate attempt to reach the person. Call 911 and give them the person’s address. Your local police can contact the police department in the suicidal person’s home area to send help.

Should you hesitate to call 911 out of fear of angering the person, please consider which of the two alternatives – anger or death – is worse. If the person is angry at first, chances are the anger will dissipate in time, when your concern and caring actions are recognized.

It is an unfortunate fact of life that for Deaf people today, there are very few accessible Deaf-friendly inpatient and outpatient treatment programs all across the country. This is an ongoing issue that we, as a community, need to continue addressing. Hopefully, more states will take inspiration from the 13 Deaf people in Missouri, who recently filed a lawsuit demanding improved mental health services in their state.

Our current imperfect mental health system, however, should not deter anyone from seeking help for a suicidal friend or family member. Although every single suicide cannot be prevented, and no one should assume the blame for the suicidal person’s actions, if you do have an opportunity to help someone who is considering suicide, please take the opportunity to do so.

To cite: Duchesneau, S. (2010). Suicide: What You Can Do. ASC on the Couch. Retrieved (date retrieved), from http://www.ascdeaf.com/blog/?p=590.

English transcript: From time to time, in the Deaf community, I have noticed some Deaf adults using children to settle scores or to take revenge against people. This is very distressing and a cause for concern. It is important to take a look at the issue of using children.

The concept of using children actually encompasses a wide spectrum of possible situations. At one end, there are situations that are harmless and cause no trauma to children. At the opposite end, there are truly awful and unhealthy situations that cause much harm and can damage children’s self-esteem.

Some of the adults that engage in these kinds of behaviors exhibit characteristics common to narcissists. Taking a closer look at narcissism, the personality traits, and the reasons for certain behaviors, can help us better understand how narcissists function.

To start, let me share an example of situation using children, which can be considered undamaging. A while ago, my family went on vacation to Russia, joining a Deaf tour group, led by a Deaf tour guide. One day when we were out sightseeing, some adults needed to use the bathroom or get a drink of water. They were hesitant to make their request to the tour guide, who they were sure would dismiss them with an impatient admonition to wait, seeing as they were adults after all. Desperate for a solution, they came up with the idea of asking my then-11-year old daughter if she minded telling the tour guide that she needed to use the bathroom or get a drink of water. My daughter, who didn’t need the bathroom or water, thought it was funny and readily obliged. The tour guide responded to her request with immediate understanding – and the whole group was happy and appreciative. In this harmless example of using children, it was clear my daughter enjoyed conspiring with her fellow sightseers and suffered no emotional damage at all.

At the other end of the spectrum, however, there are situations that can cause lasting damage to children. Consider, for example, a custody case in which the parents’ constant arguing ends up with them in the courtroom. The narcissistic father has one goal – to win custody – and he will do anything to win. Because he doesn’t have any empathy or sensitivity to his daughter’s feelings, he might go so far as to fabricate statements, right in front of his daughter. He might, for example, tell the court that his daughter had revealed to him that she didn’t care about or love her mother. In an effort to paint a terrible picture of his wife, he might even testify that she was unfit and abusive. Never mind the emotional turmoil his daughter must be experiencing, as witness to the lies about her mother. Or the distress she feels being stuck in the middle, unable to challenge her controlling father or defend her mother. All the father is concerned about is protecting his image as a good father and husband, no matter the cost. This type of situation is an extreme example of using children in harmful way.

How do we define narcissism, exactly? The DSM IV TR published by the American Psychiatric Association, lists criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), among other disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, and ADHD. Rather then run through the entire list of criteria for NPD, I will give a brief overview of the most important characteristics.

Narcissism is characterized first and foremost by an inflated sense of self-importance or grandiosity. The narcissist’s image is so important that someone with NPD will over-exaggerate personal achievements and accomplishments in order to impress others. For example, one man with narcissistic traits boasted that out of 700 applicants to a prestigious and highly competitive graduate program, he was one of the few selected. The fact that he was Deaf made his accomplishment quite impressive. Not quite believing that 700 people would apply to this particular graduate program, however, I called the school to verify the number of applicants for recent admission. Interestingly, I learned that 70 people had applied recently. Even though being one of 70 selected is an admirable accomplishment itself, this narcissist found it necessary to tack on an extra zero to the admissions pool, in order to ramp up the impressiveness of his selection and boost his ego.

Not only is pathological lying prevalent among narcissists, so is the need for an approving audience. The attention and admiration from many people feeds the narcissist’s ego. If faced with the prospect of losing attention or approval, the narcissist often responds with rage and will do anything to get back this source of ego-boosting.

Another striking characteristic of narcissism is a lack of empathy, or an inability to understand and feel other people’s pain, such as the father in the courtroom who showed such insensitivity to his son’s emotional well-being. No matter how hard someone might try to enlighten the narcissist about the need for developing empathy, this is a next-to-impossible task because narcissists are primarily fixated on their own selves.

Very few narcissists seek therapy or help. Since they do not recognize that anything may be wrong or that they are hurting people, they rarely address their issues or behaviors. They are content with themselves. Typically, 50-75% of narcissists are men, and they are generally intelligent people. They may know how to show behaviors that appear empathic or socially appropriate, but they are acting with ulterior motives, and not with genuine feelings. Behind every action is a drive to satisfy their narcissistic needs.

Research has not pinpointed a clear cause of narcissism, but some indications suggest genetics may be a factor, as are abusive and neglectful experiences during childhood. Additionally, children who are overindulged or whose every need is gratified, may develop narcissistic qualities.

Protecting yourself or children from narcissists poses a challenge. Whenever possible, the best defense is to avoid narcissists. Unfortunately, this is not an option for everyone. The narcissist may be your spouse, family member, co-worker, or someone who is impossible to avoid. In these situations, it is often best to ignore the narcissist’s behaviors. Sometimes narcissists will be forced to confront their behaviors when faced with serious life issues or the possibility of losing too much. The more their behaviors are reinforced, the more they will continue their behaviors. When children are involved, it is important to explain to them about narcissism and let them know that the person’s behaviors are not their fault. Give them plenty of support and teach them to develop thick skin against the narcissist’s attacks. Counseling can be helpful when children deal with narcissistic family members on a daily basis. Last, but not least, community members can support each other in dealing with narcissistic people in the community.

Disclaimer: Please note that this video is not directed toward any particular individual or individuals. Any resemblance of the examples to persons in real life is purely coincidental.

To cite: McCullough, C. (2010). When Narcissists Use Children. ASC on the Couch. Retrieved (date retrieved), from http://www.ascdeaf.com/blog/?p=571

ASL = English: ASC is pleased to see the trend of more Deaf professionals taking advantage of the internet and technology to formally present their ideas and research in ASL. Traditionally, even in environments proclaiming bilingualism, there has been a longstanding, often unspoken, message that English still reigns superior to ASL. Compare how readily academic articles published in English receive credibility and status, while lectures and videos delivered in ASL are frequently viewed as less serious or scholarly. Bilingualism may refer to two languages, but in many so-called bilingual Deaf educational institutions it has not always been the case that both are accorded equal respect.

Double Standard: What is one to make of the fact that at Gallaudet University last Friday, a hearing doctoral candidate presented a dissertation defense in spoken English rather than ASL? The student spoke to an audience that included Deaf students and professors, as well as hearing students who are planning on careers working with Deaf people. This reflects a lack of an institutional commitment to honoring ASL, something that should be a minimal expectation at the premier higher education institution for Deaf people. This concession to a hearing, English-speaking graduate student, whose choice to forgo presenting in ASL did little to convey a sense of respect and courtesy, is a sad commentary on the university’s double standard. What such concessions are ever made to Deaf students, who have no choice but to write their dissertations in English, a second language for many? Imagine the reaction if a Deaf student made a request to do a dissertation entirely in ASL! Hearing students can cite insufficient fluency or discomfort in using their second-language ASL in front of an audience, but Deaf students can never opt out of having to use their second-language English to meet their program requirements.

Academic ASL: Without a doubt, Deaf people have been proving that academic ideas, once erroneously believed to be “too complicated” or “too abstract” to be explained in ASL, can be presented perfectly well in ASL. Check out the late and widely-respected Dr. Larry Fleischer’s elegant ASL lecture for a shining example of one of the earliest academic ASL presentations. Take a look at the promising new online Deaf Studies Digital Journal for another example of ASL in academia. There are many more examples online. Please feel free to share your favorites here.

ASC would like to thank Raychelle Harris, who was one of the first people to reference and cite an ASC vlog in a published paper. We also appreciate the many people who have requested permission to show our vlogs for different workshops, classes, and conferences. This is the type of respect and acknowledgement that all ASL vlogs and videos deserve.

To cite: Duchesneau, S. (2009). ASL in Academia? ASC on the Couch. Retrieved (date retrieved), from http://www.ascdeaf.com/blog/?p=498.

As many of you already know, Deaf counselors are few and far between. The reason for this, in part, may be due to the fact that the national licensure exam for counselors is largely English-centric. Below, we are reprinting a letter from a Deaf lawyer, who is working to rectify the situation, and hopefully, enable more Deaf counselors to obtain their licenses. Kudos to Jonathan Whitby for his mission!

DEAF COUNSELORS AND THE LPC CREDENTIAL

Some Deaf people who obtain master’s degrees in counseling subsequently struggle to obtain the Licensed Professional Counselor (“LPC”) credential. (I say “some” Deaf people, but anecdotal evidence leads me to believe that “many” or even “most” would be more accurate.) Without that credential, their marketability as counselors is severely limited.

Although licensing requirements and procedures vary somewhat among states, many require that applicants pass the National Counselor Examination (“NCE”), which is administered by the National Board of Certified Counselors (“NBCC”). The NCE, like many standardized examinations, is more about test-taking abilities and English language fluency than about the subject matter it purports to test. It is not unusual for Deaf individuals with a high level of counseling knowledge and skill to fail the NCE repeatedly, become discouraged, and give up.

Deaf counselors seeking the LPC credential might have a fighting chance if the NCE were available in American Sign Language (“ASL”), i.e. through an interpreter. However, I am personally aware of multiple cases where the Deaf individual has asked NBCC to provide an interpreter for the NCE, and that request has been denied. I am presently unaware of any instance where NBCC allowed the examination to be interpreted. (It appears that NBCC’s policy is to provide interpreters for the directions prior to the examination, but not for the examination itself.) This is puzzling and frustrating, especially given that the Association of Social Work Boards (“ASWB”) is known to provide ASL interpreters for its examination, which is used by most states to license social workers.

If you are a Deaf person with a master’s degree in counseling and have struggled to pass the NCE, I am interested in hearing from you. Please email me at whitbylaw@gmail.com.

Jonathan R. Whitby
www.whitbylaw.net

Seeking Deaf FTM Individuals

My name is Mel Whalen. I’m a Deaf graduate student in clinical psychology, writing my dissertation on the life experiences of Deaf adults who self-identify as female-to-male (FTM) transgender individuals. Anyone who identifies as both Deaf and FTM is eligible for inclusion in the study. I will pay participants for their time, as well. I will be doing interviews through videophone for those that use ASL, or via VRS for anyone wishing to utilize spoken English. If you or anyone you know would be interested in getting involved, please email me at : emupsychclinic@gmail.com. The interviews will be completely confidential and can be done under a pen name. Results will be used to help society better understand this unique community.

Thank you for your time!

Sincerely,

Mel Whalen, M.A., M.S., TLLP
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Fellow
Eastern Michigan University Psychology Clinic
611 W. Cross Street
Ypsilanti, MI 48198

Email:emupsychclinic@gmail.com