Community Newsletter

December 18, 2019
School News
The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf
wishes you and your family the happiest and healthiest of holidays, and the very best in the coming year.  
We are so grateful for your continued
support of our wonderful PSD community.


PB VLOG

Peter Bailey, Head of School
PSD & Comcast Announce New Internet Essentials Features & Partnership with Communications Services for the Deaf (CSD)

On December 3, 2019 PSD hosted the Comcast Digital Inclusion Rally which announced new Internet Essentials services for people with disabilities, Comcast's partnership with the Communications Services for the Deaf (CSD) Connect Direct services that will provide ASL communication directily to Deaf & Hard of hearing consumers; and, surprised each student in middle and high school with free iPads with six month free internet service. CLICK HERE for Comcast press release.

The event was featured in multiple news articles and on the NBC 10 News on December 3rd. Click the link to the coverage - please click on CC for complete access:  https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Comcast-Launches-New-Service-for-Deaf-Customers_Philadelphia-565758902.html

Check out the PSD Facebook page posting more images at the Flyers/Maple Leaf game that evening; And even MORE exciting:  PSD was featured on the JUMBO SCREEN at the Flyers Game, too!! Please see attachment for the FULL video moment!!!


For more information on Internet Essentials, visit:   https://www.internetessentials.com

PSD Families Featured at the Comcast Holiday Spectacular
We are very honored that Comcast featured the PSD Early Intervention Program families upon their visit to the Comcast Holiday Spectacular Christmas Show at their headquarters at 17th & JFK Blvd in downtown Philadelphia on December 4th. The Comcast Holiday Spectacular is a tradition featuring the sights and sounds of the season. The 15-minute show (free and open to the public) takes visitors on a festive, musical journey. The visually stunning performances are shown weekdays all day in the lobby of the building and will run through the holiday season. CLICK HERE to view the Comcast PSD Blog post.


Come join us at the home games to cheer on our teams!

Girls & Boys Basketball
November 2019 - January 2020
For schedules, click the link below to our website https://psd.org/athletics/
Click here to print schedule
Go Panthers!!!
Fall/Winter 2019/2020
Ontono/Invierno 2019/2020
Parent Support Groups
Grupo de Apoyo para Familias

Sessions October 16, 2019 - February 22, 2020


Saturday Sessions for Hearing Parents of Young Deaf/Hearing Children
English and Spanish Schedule & Sign up Flyers Click here

Wednesday Sessions for Deaf Parents of Young Deaf/Hearing Children
English and Spanish Schedule & Sign up Flyers Click here
CALL FOR EXHIBITORS!!
Interested in being an exhibitor at this event? Want to learn more? Contact Karen Leslie-Henry at [email protected] or 215-754-4772 Voice, 267-331-4349 VP
Community Events
Philadelphia Police Department
Listening Session
Saturday, December 21, 2019
1:00 to 3:00pm
Friends Center, 150l Cherry Strteet
Philadelphia, PA


The Philadelphia Police Department will be hosting a listening session on Saturday, December 21, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Friends Center, 1501 Cherry Street. First, I would like to sincerely thank all of you for your contributions over the past several years in helping to improve the Department's service to the deaf and hard of hearing community. 

I have attached a very brief agenda for the event. While we will speak briefly at the beginning, the purpose of this event is to obtain feedback and learn. ASL interpreters and CART services have been scheduled. In the event that any other auxiliary aids or services are needed, please let me know as soon as possible. 

The space that we obtained can accommodate up to 25 people. 

Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions or concerns. 

Thank you,

Matt

Matthew White, Esq.
Special Advisor's Office
Police Headquarters
750 Race St.-Room 310
Philadelphia, PA 19106
P: 215-686-3022
F: 215-686-3025






Everyone Welcome! 
Join us for Sensory-Friendly Chanukah at the NMAJH!We are excited to join the NMAJH for a sensory-friendly experience. Program participants will experience a modified, sensory-friendly version of the Museum’s core exhibition, featuring lowered sounds, a quiet area to use as a cool-down space, sensory-friendly backpacks, and more. We’ll also do Chanukah crafts and read Chanukah stories with two therapy dogs! This event is a part of the Museum’s accessibility programs to help those with autism and other special needs explore the Museum in a way that is calming, enjoyable, and informative. An ASL interpreter will be present. Recommended Ages: All
Location:  National Museum of American Jewish History,
101 S Independence Mall E, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Date and Time:  Sunday, December 22, 2019 from 1:00pm-3:00pm
Cost:  Free Register here
Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/756255671505637/
NEWS & INFORMATION
PSD ALUMNI NEWS

Check out the NEW PSD Alumni website

CLICK HERE FOR VLOG
New Art-Reach ACCESS Philly Card


For the first time ever, individuals with disabilities can purchase an ACCESS Philly Card directly from Art-Reach that allows them to receive $2 admission to over 50 museums, gardens, theaters and cultural sites throughout Greater Philadelphia. Each cardholder can bring three guests with them allowing up to 4 people to visit each time for $2 per person.

How it works: 
  • The card is $75 and valid for one year.
  • To be eligible cardholders must identify with having a disability.
  • To sign up, complete the form and pay the annual fee using a credit card. You will receive a renewal notification in 11 months from sign up date.
  • Note Art-Reach ACCESS Philly card is not affiliated with PA state benefits
Already have an ACCESS Card? You can continue using your PA State ACCESS Card to visit participating ACCESS Philly locations at the deeply discounted rate of $2 per person. The Art-Reach ACCESS Philly card does not replace your current PA State ACCESS Card. Instead, the Art-Reach ACCESS Philly card is suggested for anyone that identifies with having a disability but does not receive Pennsylvania state benefits.

Art-Reach ACCESS Philly card is coming January 1, 2020. Click here to visit  Art-Reach.org/ACCESS  for more information. This message is brought to you in partnership with:
Need More ACCESS Philly Info? 
Click ACCESS Philly below for more information on our ACCESS Philly program, including locations of all participating venues. 

Notice: Housing Unit Available
Park View at Cheltenham
1990 Ashbourne Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027
Montgomery County, 62+ Community
 
Effective February 1, 2020 Park View at Cheltenham will have a hearing/ vision unit available.
 
The apartment information is as follows:  
  • First floor 
  • 1 bedroom, 1 bath
  • rent $750.00 plus electricity (everything in the apartment is electric)
  •  
 
The requirements for the apartment are as follows:  
  • Applicant(s) be 62 years of age or older
  • Satisfactory results from credit and background check
  •  A gross annual income that does not exceed the property's 50% income limit of $31,550.  
 
Please contact Danyell Lewis, Property Manager, with any questions or for an application.  The contact number is 215-572-4490 or email  [email protected] . Thank you.
Described and Captioned Media Program
Free Resource for Qualifying Teachers and Families – more information and apply for a free membership here https://dcmp.org/
Salvation Army 2019 Christmas Assistance Program
Do you know of someone who may need assistance this holiday season? Here is information on the Salvation Army Christmas Assistance program for 2019. Contact the local Salvation Army (listed by zip code) and ask when they will start accepting applications, which days, and what information to bring (for example, birth certificate, utility bill, etc.).
Padlet – Online Bulletin Board
for D/HH Resources
 
This free application was utilized to create an online bulletin board to accumulate resources relevant to families of children with hearing concerns and the professionals who work with them.  http://padlet.com/kherb/PAdhhresources
2020 Summer Youth Camps at Gallaudet University
We're thrilled to be able to share information about the 2020 Summer Youth Camps at Gallaudet University. Registration is now open for all of our camps. Please feel free to share this information with anyone at your school/program including students, teachers, and families. O ur Summer Youth Camps are designed for middle and high school students up to the age of 19. Our programs provide stimulating summer learning and experiential opportunities that blend excitement, education, and enjoyment in a bilingual environment rich in cultural diversity and located just minutes away from the U.S. Capitol.  Registration for our camps will open on October 1st, 2019 and the last day to register is Friday, May 1st, 2020. Five different camps run June 20 - 27 and June 28 - July 5. 
NEW! Parent Advocacy App
A collaboration between the National Association of the Deaf - NAD, Gallaudet University Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center, American Society for Deaf Children, and Hands and Voices.

The Parent Advocacy: D/HH app helps you to understand your child’s rights and prepares you to work with the school in the best interest of your child.
 
For more information, visit: 
Search “parent advocacy: d/hh”
on Google Play or the Apple App Store
Free Smoke Alarms and Installation for Philadelphia Residents
Adaptive and Traditional Alarms
The Philadelphia Fire Department (PFD) is giving away both traditional and adaptive smoke alarms and installing them in Philadelphia homes. An alarm should be located on each floor of your home.
What is an adaptive smoke alarm? Adaptive alarms warn individuals with hearing and/or visual impairments of a possible fire by shaking beds and activating strobe lighting. These alarms can cost 10 times the price of traditional smoke alarms, and the PFD is giving them away!
To request an alarm, call 311 or 215-686-1382. For more information, visit  www.phila.gov/311
DID YOU KNOW......
PSD is a beneficiary organization of AmazonSmile! Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. Support your charitable organization by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com
Consider a gift today to help PSD continue the important work we do for our
Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students.

United Way #737
Combined Federal Campaign #87714
or click below.

We thank you for your support!

Please forward comments and announcements for posting considerations to:
Karen Leslie-Henry, Community Relations Coordinator:  [email protected]
Content Disclaimer
The information contained in the e-newsletter is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the newsletter or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the e-newsletter for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this e-newsletter. Through this e-newsletter you are able to link to other websites that are not under the control of PSD. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.