CEU Cruise: NIC Interview Workshop - Last Offering

Hi Everyone,

Austin came to Baltimore last month and it was a well received workshop. All the reviews were stellar and many of the workshop attendees were saying how much more prepared they are for the test. For those of you who missed him at RID or in June here in Baltimore, here is your LAST opportunity to take Austin Andrew's NIC Interview workshop. He will not be presenting it after December so that he can focus on other workshop offerings that he's working on. If you are looking to take the NIC and want some pointers on the NIC Interview, I highly recommend this workshop!

Please pass it on to all your colleagues and friends.

Thanks!

Austin Andrews here - I'll be presenting my NIC Interview workshop for the last time *ever* on a CEU Cruise this December, leaving from your area: Baltimore, MD!

• A 9-day vacation cruise to the Bahamas?
  
• 2.2 CEUs, just in time for the end of your CEU cycle?
• The last time that "The NIC Interview: Aim High" will ever be presented?
• Already taken my NIC Interview workshop? Then Workshop Package #2 is for you: Three new workshops, totaling 10 hours (1.0 CEU).
• All for under $1,000?
• And it's totally tax deductible?
• And you can bring friends and family?!

Yep! Who says you can't have it all? But need to act soon, you need to pay for the cruise portion before September 1, 2010. Visit www.awtiproductions.com for details today!

Austin W. Andrews
Nationally Certified: CI, CT, NIC Master
www.awtiproductions.com
585.451.7033

2010 PCRID Annual Conference - Call for Presenters

The Potomac Chapter of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (PCRID) is soliciting workshop proposals for the 2010 PCRID Annual Conference taking place on November 5 -7, 2010 in Annapolis, Maryland. The PCRID Conference Committee is looking for a wide variety of topics, including, but not limited to, signed and spoken language linguistics, decision making, interpreting in specific settings, community and culture, and more. Check out the PCRID Website to get details and application forms.

Please let your colleagues and friends know about this opportunity.

2010 Census Multimedia Center: It's Easy - American Sign Language -

2010 Census Multimedia Center: It's Easy - American Sign Language

Announcing the release of the "It's Easy" video from the U. S. Census. This video is presented in American Sign Language and will help guide you through the process of correctly filling out your Census form. Please feel free to pass it along to your friends, family and colleagues.

-Heather

Heather Mewshaw: The NIC Interview: Aim High

Heather Mewshaw: The NIC Interview: Aim High

The NIC Interview: Aim High

Registration for "The NIC Interview: Aim High" is now open for the Baltimore, MD event on June 12 & 13, 2010!

Most of you know me and know that I am determined to obtain NIC Master. After being a part of a wonderful study group, taking cues and points from some of the best in our area and having taken the NIC Performance/Interview last year to learn that I was awarded a NIC level, I knew I was missing something. I knew that my interview did not represent me at my best. I also recognized that I was so focused on the interview, that I didn't perform as well on the performance section. I wanted to change that.

The common question among interpreters in the Washington DC/Baltimore area is "How is it possible that seasoned, highly skilled and respected interpreters are getting NIC?" We all have our own opinions about the NIC test and would like to see changes. However, like it or not, the test is here and the Deaf community we serve expect us to be the best.

I heard of Austin Andrews through a fellow interpreter at the PCRID Conference last fall. She attended his workshop at RID Conference in Philly last summer and told me about his proven and straightforward technique for the NIC Interview.

After looking at his website and setting the date for my NIC Performance/Interview I decided to head down to Atlanta to take his workshop and get a new perspective, I was blown away. All that I learned about the NIC Interview was literally thrown out the window! After this two-day workshop, I no longer struggled to figure out how to answer the scenarios I was having a hard time with. I also had a renewed sense of confidence that allowed me to use my years of interpreting experience to my advantage. Another great aspect of the workshop was that Austin showed us what an NIC Master level answer could look like. What a wonderful resource!

I wanted to bring Austin to this area since there are so many interpreters, students and teachers that can benefit from the information he teaches. My company, Chesapeake Interpreting LLC, is proud to be a co-sponsor this event.

If you are planning to take the NIC Performance/Interview, I would HIGHLY recommend this workshop. It will provide you with the tools to succeed and become NIC Certified.

Please click on the header link or go to www.awtiproductions.com to view workshop goals, see interpreter comments and details about the Baltimore event. Registration is $150 for 1.2 PS CEU's. Please spread the word to anyone who may be interested in this opportunity.

I hope to see you there!

-Heather Mewshaw

Discussion about Cochlear Implants

Today, I had an interesting discussion with a deaf mother of two hearing children and a fellow interpreter who is also a CODA, married to a Deaf man and has Deaf and hearing children. We began discussing the system of education for parents who find out that their baby is Deaf. It seems that there is a prevalence of doctors and other parent/infant professionals to discuss the cochlear implant as the only way to make their child "normal" again. However, they often leave out another viable option for parents. The option to leave the child's ears alone, encourage them to learn sign language as a family and allow their child take part in the world of Deaf culture. 

During our discussion, a YouTube video by LagunaZurfer came up and we talked about how the tables are turned in the scenario posed by the video's narrator.  What a video! I was disappointed when the story led us into the fact that they did the surgery and made their child Deaf despite the child's obvious fear and disappointment of losing his ability to hear. It is scary to think that some Deaf children are actually experiencing virtually the same thing by being subjected to a cochlear implant, perhaps even against their own wishes.  

Can parents, either Deaf or hearing, look past their child for who they are rather than their disability? Obviously, Deaf individuals are at a slight disadvantage when it comes to not being able to hear but they are able to be successful in all aspects of their lives. They make adjustments, there are federal laws that require specific accommodations and the technology for the Deaf has never been better.  Hey, there are many idiots out there regardless of the fact that they are Deaf or hearing. And there are many smart Deaf and hearing people. It runs the gamut and we all aren't so different after all.

Being a child of Deaf parents and working with Deaf professionals day in and day out, I can say that there is no shame in being Deaf - its simply a way of life for many people. I am proud to be able to have a foot in both the hearing and Deaf "world" as a CODA and a sign language interpreter. 

So, as the struggle continues between groups who support the Cochlear Implant and those who don't, its important to note that the best way parents can make a decision for their Deaf baby is to be completely informed of all options that their child has. Something needs to change in order to educate new parents of a Deaf baby about both sides of the issue. What do you think would be the best way to do this? 

Check out the YouTube video below and let me know what you think about this topic by posting a comment on this blog.

Till' next time,

Heather

Six Flags America Deaf Awareness Day - June 20, 2009

Spring is slowly but surely creeping in, which means, Summer will be upon us. With Summer brings the annual event that most deaf families wait for, the Six Flags America Deaf Awareness Day (DAD)! Six Flags America is located near the Nation's Capital in Bowie/Mitchellville, Maryland.

I am volunteering my sign language interpreting services for DAD to give back to the deaf community in a fun and relaxing environment. For the past seven (7) years, Tina Burke has been volunteering her time to coordinate interpreters for this event. However, she has passed the baton to Gary Thomas and he is looking for a few more excellent interpreters for DAD. If you are looking for a way to volunteer your services in an informal setting, this could be the opportunity for you!

Since DAD has had such great turn outs and quality interpreting in the past years, Six Flags America is continuing to provide access to more and more shows with more and more performance times.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Gary Thomas at garyterp70@yahoo.com.

Also, Six Flags America Deaf Awarenes Day is a great opportunity for deaf families, hearing families, KODA's/CODA's and even interpreting students to come out and enjoy all of the shows, rides and attractions with the ease of communication accessibility. There will be interpreters at the first aid and guest services stations too.

I hope to see you there! :)

~Heather Mewshaw