Press Announcement - Survey Launched for Sign Language Users

From: CSD - Apr 6, 2007

PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
Release Date: April 6, 2007
Contact: Derric Miller
CSD Communications Office
dsmiller@c-s-d.org



Survey Launched for Sign Language Users

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (April 6, 2007) — CSD is launching a national survey targeting deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing individuals who use sign language and sign language interpreters. The survey is part of the Deaf Advocacy Training (DAT) project, funded by the National Consortium of Interpreter Education Centers (NCIEC), to identify effective practices for self-advocacy related to deaf community rights to communication access.

The information gathered from survey participants will help determine the type of advocacy information the deaf community should know and help to identify the most effective means for delivering or teaching this information to the deaf community.

The online survey is now available on CSD’s Web site, in both text and in American Sign Language (ASL). Just go to www.c-s-d.org and click on the Deaf Advocacy Training Project survey icon on the top right-hand column. All deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing people who use sign language and sign language interpreters are encouraged to complete this survey. The goal is to include as many participants as possible, and the survey takes approximately 5-10 minutes.

“Providing this survey in our consumers’ native language, ASL, was paramount in the survey’s development,” said Ben Soukup, CSD chief executive officer. “Access to critical information in their desired medium is a right deaf and hard of hearing are still fighting for everyday. By providing this survey in ASL, we expect a greater response than if we merely offered this survey in a text format. ”

For more information about the DAT, contact Larry Puthoff via telephone at (800) 737-2051 (voice), by e-mail at lputhoff@c-s-d.org, or by videophone at lputhoff.csd.tv.

About CSD — CSD (aka Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc.) was established in 1975, primarily to provide sign language interpreting services to deaf and hard of hearing adults in South Dakota. Today, CSD employs over 3,000 individuals in offices across the nation, providing a broad continuum of social and human services programs, as well as telecommunications relay services. CSD is a private nonprofit agency dedicated to providing quality services; ensuring public accessibility; and increasing awareness of issues affecting the deaf, hard of hearing and individuals with speech disabilities. For more information, please visit www.c-s-d.org.

About the NCIEC — The National Consortium of Interpreter Education Centers is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration, #H160C030001, Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Individuals Who Are Deaf-Blind. The National Consortium is dedicated to challenging the status quo by promoting innovation, strong partner networks and multiculturalism throughout its programming. As responsible stewards of public funding, the Consortium is committed to products, programs and services that maximize resources and are replicable, measurable, sustainable and non-proprietary.

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