Attention: Buffalo/Western NY Deaf & Hearing community

Hello! This message is regarding the Buffalo and Western New York Deaf Community. I have created this VLOG with the intent to inform you that DAS, short for Deaf Adult Services, has recently hired a new executive director. The new directors name is Tom Burns. He is hearing and has absolutely no knowledge of the Deaf Community, their Culture, or their language. He has never met a deaf person before! Last week was his first week and what an awkward start it was! He has no knowledge of ASL, the Deaf Community, their rights or issues that affect them.
For translation in English-Read texts check out:

http://eyepoetically.blogspot.com/2009/07/attention-buffalowestern-ny-deaf.html

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• DEAF
• ASL
• AUDISM

[DeafImages]

From my review of this interesting organization, it needs 51% deaf representation on the board.

Deaf Director can use common sense in balancing checkbook and program. They go hand in hand.

It is probable for the Deaf Director to run the agency.

The U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights say we can do it!

Let's roll the ball in the right direction!

=)

[Bunjer]

@Amguinane Something is not right! Do you truly think the Deaf community would buy your story? How do you expect them to believe that it's necessary to have financial expertise to be Director? Unless it is a tiny agency, you can always get someone to work under the Director to take care of the financial aspects for the agency. You need someone Deaf who knows what its like, to understand, be knowlegable about their rights, etc! A Deaf Director would be the best bet, nothing to lose!

[Bunjer]

@Amguinane, am curious why would you need someone with a MBA to be a Director?? A Director doesnt always have to have financial expertise.. Someone under such a director could take care of that part.. There aren't many deaf with MBA's, and that made your search more difficult..

[KayumiNanahara043]

why has this hearing person been elected?? especially when he has no knowledge about anything that he is currently presiding! disgrace!

[Bunjer]

Hearing people live in "Instant Society". Money talks. take out the checkbook and bam. they get what they want. It is like getting TANG. Happens forever and disrespectful for someone to take command not knowing what is real, and not even die hard of anything and assume such a position to take lead. Deaf people don't think hearing people are Gods anymore. Should Deaf do what we think is best, but no $ in our checking accts? Patronizing us, and we have pacifiers and end up too overprotected?

[Amguinane]

DAS has several Deaf persons on the staff...it cares about hiring the deaf first if he/she has the business acumen since none did we had no choice but to hire the hearing person who applied. Why did you leave Buffalo??? Maybe you should come back and help us.

[Amguinane]

There is nothing in the DAS Bylaws that say must hire Deaf person...just hire the most qualified if deaf fine but if no deaf apply then hire hearing. Why didn't you apply for this job?

[Amguinane]

Any Deaf out there who want this job? Must have Business and Financial acumen. If you do why didn't you apply? We would love to hire someone like Ruthie mentioned...wish several would apply but none did. The hearing man is a great guy I was told...some call him wonderful person...he is anxious to learn about deafness, deaf culture, etc. etc. and has already started to learn sign language...give him a chance.

[Amguinane]

This is my 3rd comment...but they do not show up...Why? Seem you do not want to hear any comments...Number one fact is that no one with the qualities Ruthie mentioned applied for the job...it would be great if we could get a Deaf person with a MBA degree and has financial expertise...Sorry no one was interested so we hired the best of those who applied for the position.

[Amguinane]

Ruthie...DAS did a lot of advertising for this position but we did not get anyone with Financial expertise that is deaf or a hearing person with the qualities you mentioned...seem they do not want to move to Buffalo which to them is a hick town but actually a great place to live. It was a tough decision by the Search Committee to choose him...it would be a great world if a deaf person with MBA applied for this job...none did...Sorry, Ruthie