getting creative:

A fellow blogger recently posted a great post on what we do with our hearing aids here. Some people think outside the beige box! While I'm not the bravest artist and paint all over mine with day glow colors. I'd take a moment to present my artistic vision of what hearing aids should have! (blackberry camera so sorry for poor quality)

Die Hard: with a Venegance!

Call me paranoid, but the timing of my virus couldn't have been worse. I finally hitting my stride on the HR-3101 issue and suddenly I'm shut off from the net. They can't silence me!

All kidding aside, let's get serious for a moment
 Mr Szoka of the Los Angeles Times! I salute you not only did you story here show you delved into a topic your probably not qualified to write about. Your own newspaper proved our point! on the front page of the January 27th online edition there was a video of a bomb scare  

In this day an age of technology and terrorism, this is an absolute vital piece of information to a citizen, especially late breaking and up to the minute. Now Mr Szoka please proceed to turn off the volume or cover your ears and watch the video and then report how much information you successfully obtained from it.

Information is worthless if it cannot be conveyed across channels. We Deaf citizens simply lack audio channels. Our point is not to force companies to foot the bill or to drag down business. I gave huge compliments to Google Auto-Captioning of youtube videos on my twitter feed. Interestingly enough if you did your homework, Ken Harrenstien the lead engineer behind Google's Auto-Caption is in fact Deaf himself. I wonder how long we would have had to wait for this technology if we had not taking matters into our own hands?

I don't mean to sound militant. but here's another cold hard fact!

Netflix!
According to Tech Crunch blog post

Netflix ended the fourth quarter with approximately 12,268,000 total subscribers, a 10 percent jump compared to end of the third quarter of 2009. Net subscriber change in the quarter was an increase of 510,000 for the third quarter of 2009.
The company earned $30.9 million, or 56 cents per share, in the fourth quarter of 2009. That compared to $22.7 million, 38 cents per share, in the same period of 2008.

The title of the post? "Nearly Half Of Netflix Subscribers Now Watch Streams Online"

That's super, cool,  awesome if your hearing! You see, Netflix doesn't provide captioning and or subtitles that are actually already on the commonly rented DVD. They claim it's difficult to produce, furthermore it's due out this year after much protest from the Deaf community.

This is what HR 3101 wants to guarantee us the creaters of the original ADA act of 1990 probably never imagined 6 million people watching movies on their computers.

Requires every provider of Internet access service and every manufacturer of Internet access equipment, unless it would be an undue burden, to make user interfaces accessible to individuals with disabilities. Requires that apparatus that receives or plays back video programming and has a picture screen of any size be capable of decoding closed captioning, transmitting and delivering video description, and conveying emergency information.  (Source)

Earning 30 million dollars in one quarter, does adding closed captioning or subtitles to their streaming content qualify as an undue burden? 

Now Mr Szoka, Like you I can type a long winded rant. Unlike you I make sure my facts (if any!) makes sense and are not just industry centered!


Have a good one you all !

Joey

Proof of Democracy! Re: HR3101

I got something wonderful in my inbox today.. You may recall my blog post titled HR3101 Help the cause posted a few weeks ago. Well after a frustrating day dealing with a computer virus (look for a post on this subject soon) I received an email from the Honorable Barney Frank. I'm excited to share this with you as proof that if you contact your representives and share what you beleive in to them. They do take your concerns seriously. Now hopefully my readers will take similar actions I had with your representives in congress to get HR3101 passed and ensure future technology not ancient ones are accessable to all

January 25, 2010

Joseph Ponte

(address witheld)



Dear Friend,

Thank you for contacting me in support of H.R. 3101, the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009, introduced by my colleague from Massachusetts Congressman Markey. I very much agree with you that the government should ensure all Americans are offered equal access to new communications and video technologies regardless of disability status. I have therefore contacted Congressman Markey's office in order have myself added as a cosponsor of this legislation, and you can be sure that as such I will be strongly supportive of its enactment by Congress.

Barney Frank

employment

So I'm up this am, before everyone.. coffee in hand, baby monitor in other. Got me thinking about this new role of mine. Many of you know at the present time I'm not employed. Certainly not by choice, and definitely not my preference! This week marks my first week at a new job. One that does not pay but has amazing benefits. I've been hired at Casa de Ponte as a Progenitor in Residence. Say what? A stay at home dad...

Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled to spend all this time I've missed with my growing monkey pants. He's been amazing to watch grow, learn, and play. I have a thing about providing for my family. I've come to accept my current position temporarily because in many ways I am providing for my family.

I wonder if this is capable of being put on resume?

With regards,

Joey

Smells like victory,

I'm a big fan of artist who continue to push Deafness into the mainstream through their skills and abilities. Talents such as Chuck Baird, Sean Forbes of D-PAN and of course the lovely Rosa Lee. They contribute immensely to awareness, acceptance and ultimately accessability.

I've been a fan of Marko Vuoriheimo AKA Signmark since I first heard his song "speakerbox" This amazing talent from Finland who is Deaf and signs his songs with voice from another rapper is amazing to watch. Now he released a new song "Smells like victory" if his work continues to evolve this good, indeed victory is sweet!



Enjoy the video

Joey

Decisions...

Eh here we go.. Being a parent brings out soo much in you that you never know was there. Decisions, something that erks me sometimes. Not that I'm happy go luckly what-ever on a whim type of guy. Im pretty meticulous about things, sometimes borderline anal. But major life decisions are tough. I have a standing job offfer. It ain't much at first but eventually it could lead to something better. I could start almost immedietly. It's in MA. My current life is AZ, I would have to uproot my legs, pry my arms and heart off of the two single most important things in my life and wait till May for them to rejoin me. Do I wait? perhaps find a meaningless job somewhere or be stay at home monkeypant wrangler? I do like the idea of waiting and coming to our new life together.

Listen to me, hmmmm maybe somewhere in my heart my mind's made up?

to be continued....

Joey

Do babies dream of battery powered blinking loud beep-beep-boo-boo sounding sheep?

This one's for my Mom cuz she knew I would,

What do babies dream of? Hayden was sound asleep then suddenly Diana hears him loudly whining. Bounding up the stairs like a sprinter she see's him with a terrified look on his face and his eyes closed clutching his "blue bear".  Hayden has had night terrors before but none like this. She picked him up and gently soothed him back asleep in the living room. Then she placed him back in the crib. Moments later she bounded back downstairs to the bathroom. I thought I heard something but it stopped, Diana came out of the bathroom "Haydens crying!" Ohhh? so now Daddy bounds up the stairs. Sure enuff once again eyes closed, face in fright and clutching his blanket. So I picked him up and he began to wake a bit.

Diana comes up, offers him a bottle. No go, rocks a bit, ok monkeypants in fully awake mode now. So we're discussing, what do babies dream of? Sour milk? Strangers?  it's an interesting topic! Eventually Hayden slept on the bed with us as he was too terrified to go back to his crib waking up each time we tried. he finally slept in his crib after multiple attempts in the middle of the nite.

What do you think babies dream of? leave a comment!

Joey

CODA Brothers: Naturally Signing 1

Everyonce in a while I come across something that just makes me laugh.. not only because its funny but you can relate to it in real life. To my hearing non-ASL fluent readers I apologize however I think if you watch it you can still get the gist of what is happening.

These two brothers Ben and Andy are CODA (Children of Deaf Adults) and have brought their unique perspective to the internet world. I thank them for that!



Enjoy,

Joey

HR-3101 Help the cause!

I recently sent an Email to Congressman Barney Frank, A fabulous congressman from my home state who I had the pleasure of interning for when I was a senior in High School. I urged him to support HR 3101, The Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009.


It took me 10 minutes to do this!
How? go here Write your Representive and simply type in the info, it will connect you with your appropriate district Congressional representive, copy my letter if you want but please remember we are the voice of the people regardless of our abilities!

Honorable Congressman Barney Frank,

I had the pleasure of my first internship as a high school senior back in summer of 1996 working your New Bedford office along side of Elsie Souza who has taught me many important lessons I still carry today.


I am writing to urge you to consider supporting the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009 (H.R. 3101), and sponsoring the introduction of companion legislation bill for Senate. This bill is very important to me along with millions of Americans who depend on closed captions.


I think you can understand what it would feel like not to be able to watch a live internet broadcast because there was no sort of captioning present for me to read. Or perhaps download a rental from Netflix only to learn captioning that would otherwise be available on the dvd had been left out.

This is what we face today given the state of technology in our world. the Passing of HR 3101 would bring about the same sweeping changes that enabled Deaf people to enjoy the same rights as the original American with Disability Act passage in 1990 in which I was only 12 years old. I'm hoping with the passing of HR 3101 I can contribute to the next generation behind me.


Thank you for your time,

Joseph Ponte


 (address withheld)

Tips for traveling: with a Monkeypants

1) Variety is the spice of life..

Without variety you would grow bored quickly.. Now imagine your 6 month old with the attention span of a Golden retriever at a dog park. Bring several toys and remember not the loudest most obnoxious ones the kid owns.. The fellow sardines err passangers will thank you. Hint: buy one new toy.. The newness will keep your sanity an extra 3 minutes

2) Prepare prepare prepare...

At the spur of the moment would you just get up decide to go climb Mt Rushmore with your kid leaving all things behind? Didn't think so, while I laughed months ago at Diana's preparation rituals when the time approached it really did make things easier.. Prepare a list in advance. My mom, I used to think she was the queen of organization, had lists for camping in copies so every time we went just took a new sheet out and checked the equiptment off as she went. All hail the Queen and Princess.

3) Entertainment

My mom said to me once, Joey you are Hayden's favorite toy.. Still holds true. Try to keep your nerves in check. The calmer you are the calmer he'll be. I'm typing a draft of this while the monkey and Momma are sleeping..

3) Southwest

Bless them and their two baggage allowance! Hayden has his own suitcase I kid you not! Diana and I share one!

4) Make the most of family time.

After all your packed in the can for a couple hours (see referrence to passangers above). Chat, play a game peekaboo works great.. Its all good and fun till someone gets hungry!

5) Milk it!

beleive it or not, Stewardesses don't often get to see Monkeypants on planes, They are magnets for positive attention. Milk it for what it's worth, an extra bag of peanuts.. sure! an blanket to keep monkeypants from imaginary chills, sure! The only reward for them is a smile from monkey pants resulting in oooh-awwww effects.

Our flight was great, hope yours will be too

Happy traveling

~Joey~

EnCompass Photography: Support your local small Deaf-friendly business

Yesterday late night, with much joy I received an email from Pamela Dancil of Encompass Photography. Based in the Scottsdale area, she (CODA) and her brother Jason Gervase (Deaf) together make up EnCompass Photography. We decided we wanted to have 6 month professional portraits done and had seen their amazing work!

We were more then satisfied! Not only is it so easy to work with someone who understands Sign Language but it reduces the stress level considerably.

Diana and I commend Pamela for her beautiful work and most certainly will return in the future.

Watch for more photos from EnCompass as I post them time to time. and be sure too check out their awesome website.

Happy Customer
Joey

With my head spun around.

Slightly off axis this morning, I decided to go completely off topic..
    It's funny I'm a New England bred son, you could say Yankee's and I'll hurl a couple explictives at you. I eat my clam chowder white and it's the only acceptable way. I love quahogs and if you don't know what they are your not from around here. Though people tell me I have no "Bawston" accent I do occasionally through the word "wicked" In my sentences.
  In my life leading up to know I've lived

Mass: It's home period!
Conn: Mom hated washing the soil off my pants something about "red clay". Too many Yankee fans
Rochester NY: Great place for family, no so great place for sunbathing. Very transient Deaf Community.
Iowa: Don't ask!
Phoenix AZ: My current home, great place for sunbathing not so great place for clam chowder

 Perhaps now that I'm without a job, not having much luck in my applications.. Being a firm believer in following where God guides me. It's time to return home?
That much remains to be seen,

Joey

Person of the Month January 2010

As I promised, I plan to continue honoring people and or groups who make the world a better place for us in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.

Person of the Month

January 2010

Howard Weinstein of Solar Ear Inc 

There is no question, hearing aids an be expensive! I know my own BTE (behind the ear) hearing aids ran $1600 dollars for two. Now imagine your living in a country such as India or Botswana where that can mean a year's salary. Certainly puts better hearing out of reach for millions of people. 

Enter Solar Ear the brain child of Howard Weinstein. His company Solar Ear has managed to create an ground breaking product at a cost that nearly everyone can attain. A digital hearing aid that runs of a battery rechargable by solar power. the battery cost a mear $1 and last 2-3 years (being rechargable) the digital aid itself? about 100 dollars. 

The story is truly even more remarkable, as it brings jobs to Deaf and Hard of Hearing in developing countries. I strongly suggest you read this article to get an understanding how truly humanitarian Mr. Weinstein  is with this project! 

Planet Green: Solar Powered Hearing Aid Brings Jobs.... 

Solar Ear Website can be found here. Click on the American flag to turn text to english...

Solar Ear 

Mr Weinstein! I Salute you....

Special thanks to G. Lensbower (GFinish) for bringing this important article to my attention...

Open Letter to NickJR

 This is a letter I sent via online form to NICK JR network, Hayden loves their programming but the inbetween shows have a lot of content not captioned. I would understand it if it was product commercials but it's usually network commercials and puzzle stuff that absolutely should be captioned. I will post any follow ups I get from the network.

Jan 2, 2010


 To Whom it May Concern,
     I am writing to you in both praise and suggestion regarding the content of your television network NickJR. I am the proud father of a 6 month old boy Hayden who has absolutely fallen in love with "Yo Gabba Gabba" and occasionally likes "The Wonder Pets". Your programming I feel is really top knotch and well thought out. My suggestion however follows.
    I myself am profoundly deaf in both ears. My son is hearing but in consideration of the future when we may watch shows together and he may ask me questions, If the said programming does not have closed captioning I cannot follow along. While Yo Gabba Gabba and Wonder Pets are broadcast captioned. your in between "commercial" programming with "Moose" as well as music videos ( I truly love Rachel Coleman's SigningTime!! More please!!!) "Moose" presents puzzles that Hayden just seems fascinated with. I'm not just doing this for myself but think of all the viewers you may have out there with deafness. Closed captioning also allows young and old alike to build their reading skills.
Thank you for your time

Sincerely,


Joseph Ponte
(Contact detail left out here)

New Year, New Job?

          Some of my readers may already know, I was laid off by the State of Arizona recently. After nearly 3 year working at Phoenix Day School for the Deaf they decided that I was expendable in lieu of the fact my salary is not even paid by them (I am paid out of a contract with the state's Vocational Rehab) They still have not been able to explain this to me.
         Am I gonna cry? No, am I gonna whine? No, I took a deep breath ask for a steady hand in guidance from God and realized at this stage of my life it's time for me to go places. For me to obtain a career job, something that will support me and my new found family. It's a new year, a new decade, a new job! Now if only there was an automatic job-application filler-outer thingamajig

Happy New Job Year
Joey