SIGN of the TIMES E-NEWS Deaf Services Commission of Iowa January 2010 GREETINGS I want to take this opportunity to extend warm wishes to you and your friends, loved ones for this year’s holiday season and New Year, on behalf of the DSCI Commissioners and Staff. SUBMITTING ARTICLES, NEWS, RECENT EVENTS, OR INFORMATION The deadline for submission for the February issue is January 30th. Send e-mail submissions to the editor dhr.dsci@iowa.gov CALENDAR OF EVENTS 1/8: 6:00 p.m. American Sign Language Social hosted by Deaf Awareness and DMACC located at ALL-Play 615 - 3rd Street, Des Moines. Games, eat and drink. First Friday of every month. 1/16: 10:00 a.m. "Interested in being an Officer of IAD's Deaf Awareness Committee?" Come to the Election for positions of Chairperson, Co-Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer located at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), Building #6 - Rm 14, 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny. More information, contact jmhalischak@dmacc.edu AN EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT! Deaf Services Commission of Iowa has several pieces of equipment available to be loaned out to anyone Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Deaf-blind, businesses and organizations. We have non-printing and printing TTYs, Captel and Uni-phones, Dlink Videophones and FM Systems. If your TTY is in need of repair or has broken down, we can help you until yours is fixed and back to you. FM systems are available to be loaned out to the public for an event. If you are in need of using our FM Systems, please check with DSCI providing us specific information on your needs. Equipment is loaned out for a period of three (3) weeks. If an extension is needed, we can grant an additional 3 weeks. If we can be of assistance, please contact DSCI at 515-281-3164 TTY/Voice or VRS DSCI has a new website! Check it out! www.deafservices.iowa.gov If you have any comments, concerns, or complaints, send an email to dhr.dsci@iowa.gov Your feedback is greatly appreciated. MARK YOUR CALENDARS February 1: Deaf Capitol Day hosted by IAD and Deaf and Hard of Hearing East High School students located in the Capitol Building in Des Moines from 9 am to 2 pm. February 1: DSCI Commission Meeting will take place after the Deaf Capitol Day in Lucas Bldg. 321 E. 12th St., Room 424 from 2—5 pm. February 20: Iowa Association of the Deaf Board Meeting hosted by North Central Club of the Deaf located at Citizen’s Central in Fort Dodge starting at 8:30 am. April 16: CEPIN—Emergency Responders & Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community Training hosted by CEPIN and Rural Consortium sponsored by DSCI located at Ames from 8 am—5 pm. INFORMATION Internal Revenue Services has an official YouTube channel. This channel will feature videos produced by the IRS on various tax administration topics in American Sign Language (ASL). For more videos in ASL you can watch, please go to www.IRSDeaf.org/PSA. To subscribe, please open the YouTube, click on the yellow button "Subscribe" and follow instructions. IRS/DEAF Public Relations is pleased to partner with IRS to distribute important information in American Sign Language (ASL), open captions and voice over to you. Please point and click on the photo on the right, so you may view video Public Service Announcements (PSAs) online. IRS/DEAF is committed to communicate with the deaf and hard of hearing taxpayers any PSAs in ASL. Please feel free to post the videos and/or pass the vital information along to anyone who will benefit from the tax tips. Thank you! To send feedback or report error, please email to: PSA@IRSDeaf.org Courtesy of www.IRSDeaf.org” RESOURCES Promise Jobs: http://www.iowaworkforce.org/region1/promisejobs.htm Iowa’s welfare reform program designed to assist Family Investment Program (FIP) recipients in becoming self sufficient. New Iowan Center: http://www.iowaworkforce.org/centers/newiowan/staff.htm Provides free assistance to new Iowa residents with employment searching, building a resume, completing a job application and more. LIHEAP: http://www.dcaa.iowa.gov/bureau_EA/index.html Assistance with your heating bills. Weatherization – http://www.weatherization.iowa.gov/ Insulate your home and reduce energy costs for free. Home, Inc. – http://www.homeincdsm.org/ A non-profit organization providing housing counseling and information, confidential financial counseling, mediation, education and client advocacy. Iowa Rental— http://www.iowarentalhelp.com/ A new program that is administered by the State of Iowa and provides temporary financial assistance to help qualified renters who are experiencing financial problems. Visit DSCI website: www.deafservices.iowa.gov Questions or Comments? Email us: dhr.dsci@iowa.gov