Tuesday, 26 July 2016

Tuning in to deaf needs

It’s a team sport, but indoor polo doesn’t take much talking—which helped make it an instant fit for Peter Hauser. During his freshman year of college, a few horse hours were a weekly routine: polo three times a week, together with training ponies or coaching local students in the sport. But Hauser had a stronger motivation than his love of the game: The horses didn’t expect him to hear them.

At the age of 5, a bout of spinal meningitis left Hauser completely deaf. While in middle school, he attempted to use cochlear implants—considered an experimental treatment at the time—but the prosthetics proved ineffective. The procedures and monitoring nonetheless had an upside: They provided his earliest experiences working with researchers, which helped him become interested in pursuing science himself.
Hauser had a longstanding interest in human psychology. As a deaf student, however, he didn’t think he could work with people as research subjects, so he chose to major in animal sciences instead. But when his advanced courses proved challenging, he began taking evening sign language classes at a community college so that he could use an interpreter to keep up—he had relied on lip-reading up to that point—and the decision was life-changing.

Learning to sign gave him the means to connect with people. He switched majors and went on to earn his Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., the only institution at the time that offered training in sign language linguistics and the study of deaf individuals. Now a professor at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in New York, he studies various aspects of how learning sign language influences cognitive function differently than learning spoken language does.

Hauser also leads the Rochester Bridges to the Doctorate program at RIT, which prepares deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals for doctoral degrees in the biomedical sciences. Having experienced firsthand the challenges that such students face, Hauser’s aim is to provide training and support for these students so that they can transition smoothly into the careers they want. “I don’t want others to go through what I experienced [when entering academia],” he says.
Unheard-of obstacles

Grad school can be tough on anyone, with its challenges of finding the right mentor, developing a research project, and building career skills, to name just a few. For deaf students, many of these challenges are amplified. Identifying a supportive mentor and establishing a professional network can be particularly tough, Hauser notes. “Part of the reason there aren’t many deaf scientists or deaf individuals in science is that they don’t have a role model growing up to help them see that they can actually go in and work in these fields,” he says. And networking, which is already uncomfortable for many early-career scientists, poses added barriers to students who must rely on an interpreter to participate in a casual conversation. “Consider a deaf student who might want to try studying toxicology, for example,” Hauser says. “If there’s no one in that field who has experience working with deaf individuals, that student’s success relies on being able to find a hearing individual who is a good ally, already has a good network and contacts, and can mentor the student along with an interpreter.”

Hauser was able to find supportive mentors who contributed to his success, but most of them were hearing individuals, so he was on his own to navigate the additional challenges of being a deaf researcher, including discrimination. “They were strong allies and advocates, but they hadn’t shared my experiences,” he says. For example, he recalls companies returning his registration fees for training workshops when they found out he was deaf because they felt they wouldn’t be able to accommodate his needs, and job interviews being canceled when he requested interpreting services. Today, instances of discrimination and barriers persist, Hauser notes, particularly when attending scientific conferences. “I have gotten some very strange comments,” he says. “People say things like ‘this stuff is very complicated and too difficult to translate into sign language.’”

Even in a supportive environment where accommodations like interpreters are provided, being a deaf researcher among mostly hearing colleagues can be isolating, as Bridges student Sara Blick has experienced. Blick fell in love with chemistry in high school, and as an undergraduate she did a summer research internship at a small company. She was comfortable lip-reading and writing back and forth to communicate, but at weekly group meetings, she struggled to follow conversations and eventually relied on a summary from her boss in lieu of attending.

Now she works with associate professor Patricia J. Simpson-Haidaris of the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York, one of the many mentors affiliated with the Bridges program. Simpson-Haidaris is familiar with deaf culture and sign language, and the two also employ text messages and writing back and forth to communicate on a daily basis. In addition, Blick relies on an interpreter a few times each month to help her have more in-depth conversations with Simpson-Haidaris.

But in Blick’s experiences working in labs with mostly hearing researchers, she finds it tough to follow casual conversations as people talk while performing experiments. “I feel a bit frustrated that I can’t participate in those conversations to share my thoughts or learn what they know,” she says. “I struggle with showing my personality and having conversations—but it’s hard to do that while also being able to work. It would be nice to have a 24/7 personal interpreter for all of that interaction, but it can’t be done.”

She also struggles with finding deaf colleagues. “I would love to meet a deaf researcher who is studying cancer or infectious diseases,” she adds, “but I unfortunately don’t know of any.”

Similarly, most deaf graduate students are the only ones in their class, which makes interacting with peers to form social relationships difficult, says Marie Coppola, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Connecticut, Storrs. Coppola is a hearing professor who has advised Bridges graduates. “When I was a graduate student, I certainly learned easily as much from my peers as I did from my professors,” she says. “That part of [deaf students’] training is lessened, but also just the camaraderie and social support that’s really necessary for graduate students to succeed is not as available to them.”
Bridging the gap

These issues are among those Hauser aims to address with the Rochester Bridges to the Doctorate program, which is supported by a grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. The program, which began taking students in 2013 and currently admits three trainees each year, is open to those who have been accepted at RIT for a Master of Science degree. In addition to offering traditional scientific training and a sense of camaraderie and community, the program includes weekly professional development seminars that cover topics such as working with interpreters and networking at scientific conferences as a deaf person. Hauser also often invites working deaf researchers to give talks so that students can learn from their experiences.
In the fall, Bridges student Jessica Contreras plans to start a Ph.D. program in psychological sciences at the University of Connecticut, where she’ll study how using sign language impacts the way children mentally represent numbers. Her future mentor, Coppola, has firsthand experience of the challenges that lie ahead: She was the adviser to Erica Israel, a graduate student who took a leave of absence from her doctoral program because of access issues. The university, like most institutions, was well equipped to handle the needs of deaf undergraduate students—but not those at the graduate level, Coppola says. After Israel’s experience, Coppola, Hauser, and Contreras are trying to ensure they have the resources needed for Contreras to succeed.

Not all deaf students want or need the same degree of accommodations, so it’s critical for each student to recognize their own needs early on and to negotiate with their institutions, Coppola says. While some students might choose to request an interpreter for a few hours each week, for example, others might prefer to have someone for all their coursework and research. Contreras has requested note takers and real-time captioning services for classes and a sign language interpreter who will remain with her for the duration of her degree.

But just making the request doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be granted, explains Mark Leddy, a program director in the Directorate for Education and Human Resources at the National Science Foundation. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires institutions to provide such accommodations, but it also states that this requirement can’t place an undue financial burden on institutions. So, Leddy says, “if the interpreting or captioning services prove extremely costly, then a university may decide to only provide what they believe is required by law,” even though “for some students that might feel insufficient.”

In Contreras’s case, because she is a student, the university’s Center for Students with Disabilities will pay for the accommodations she has requested. Coppola’s department pays for interpreting services for her deaf lab members who aren’t students. But this arrangement is less than ideal, Coppola notes, because “it’s a disincentive for departments to hire deaf people. … If they are a department that’s relatively well off it’s possible, but smaller departments can really struggle.”

Coppola sees a problem with this system. “This does not seem like something that should be left to individual departments or units,” she says. “Departments aren’t responsible for providing wheelchair ramps to all our buildings. I see this as an analogous situation.”

Even when universities are willing to foot the bill, interpreters can be tough to find. Few are trained to specialize in various technical disciplines, and many scientists work with their interpreters to create their own signs for their specific research area. As a result, an interpreter trained with one researcher may find it difficult to work with another, who might have developed different signs for the same terms.

Institutions such as Gallaudet University or NTID minimize many of these barriers. Students at such schools have a strong sense of community and support from several hundred deaf peers, along with easy access to interpreters and captioning services. But those attending mainstream graduate schools may feel the lack of such accommodations and must be prepared to advocate for themselves to get the support they need, Leddy says.

By taking some of these challenges head-on, Hauser aims to expand the number and kinds of institutions—and fields of study—where deaf scientists can feel at home. In addition to the Rochester Bridges to the Doctorate program, Hauser spends much of his time preparing interpreters to meet the growing needs of his students. He’s also expanding his efforts to deaf postdoctoral training at RIT, and a “mentoring the mentor” program at the University of Rochester that helps equip professors to work with deaf students.

The activities leave him little time for his own research these days—and even less for horses. He hasn’t played polo since his sophomore year of college, but he doesn’t mind. For now, he’s more interested in widening the scientific playing field for other deaf scientists.for more info, check out avant career

Friday, 4 December 2015

Winter Hills flats for Resale in Sector-77, Gurgaon

Winter Hills is an ongoing residential project by Umang Realtech. It offers BHK apartment for sale and 3BHK apartments. It brings the tranquil beauty encapsulating the poetic surroundings that definitely adds to the subtle grandeur in life style and makes home a green zone. The site is well equipped with modern day amenities and facilitates all major needs of its residents. The site is well connected by different modes of transportation and is in close proximity of various civic utilities.

Project Details
Total Area:16.5 Acres
Number of Towers: 12
Number of Floors: 11


PROXIMITIES
Airport : 20.0 kms
Railway Station : 10.0 kms
Hospital : 0.5 kms
City Center : 0.5 kms
School : 0.5 kms
ATM : 0.5 kms

Contact Us     

Vijay Chawla

Aurum Estates
Shop No 1 Main Sohna Road
Opposite Uniworld Garden,
Adjoining indian oil petrol pump,
Sohna Road Gurgaon
(Haryana) 122018 India
Tel : +91 124 3295123
Mob : +91 9999597969
Fax : +91 124 2217833
Email : info@aurumestates.com
Website : http://aurumestates.com

Wednesday, 17 December 2014

Project Overview : The Sapphire Sector-49

The transforming urban lifestyle and the turmoil in the global economy has brought in a sea change in the attitude of Indian consumers towards shopping. From dingy by –lanes to glitzy glamorous malls , we have experienced it all. But today consumers look forward to shopping as a practical, need oriented activity where there are not too many distractions, prices are not jacked up due to high maintenance costs and the products offer true value for money.

Retailers on their part look forward to commercial space with low operational costs, high visibility and an affluent catchments area.

Besides shopping, people seek to shorten the commutation times between work and home. Walk to work is the most sought for option in selection of the workplace.

The changing aspirations of urbane population have been the prime focus in the development of “THE SAPPHIRE”.

The Sapphire is our answer to need of the changing market scenario .It has been conceptualized as a commercial centre offering facilities for shops , offices and restaurants.

It is more than shopping complex , Sapphire is a living and dynamic entity in sync with time .It is a hub that redifines shopping and workplace for all.

The Sapphire located at Sohna Road , Sector -49, Gurgaon , is the first exclusive shopping complex in the sector. Well connected and strategically located , it offers all possible conviniences and facilities within its fold.
The transforming urban lifestyle and the turmoil in the global economy has brought in a sea change in the attitude of Indian consumers towards shopping. From dingy by –lanes to glitzy glamorous malls , we have experienced it all. But today consumers look forward to shopping as a practical, need oriented activity where there are not too many distractions, prices are not jacked up due to high maintenance costs and the products offer true value for money.

Retailers on their part look forward to commercial space with low operational costs, high visibility and an affluent catchments area.

Besides shopping, people seek to shorten the commutation times between work and home. Walk to work is the most sought for option in selection of the workplace.

The changing aspirations of urbane population have been the prime focus in the development of “THE SAPPHIRE”.

The Sapphire is our answer to need of the changing market scenario .It has been conceptualized as a commercial centre offering facilities for shops , offices and restaurants.

It is more than shopping complex , Sapphire is a living and dynamic entity in sync with time .It is a hub that redifines shopping and workplace for all.

The Sapphire located at Sohna Road , Sector -49, Gurgaon , is the first exclusive shopping complex in the sector. Well connected and strategically located , it offers all possible conviniences and facilities within its fold.

Vijay Chawla
Aurum Estates
Shop No 1 Main Sohna Road
Opposite Uniworld Garden,
Adjoining indian oil petrol pump,
Sohna Road Gurgaon
(Haryana) 122018 India
Tel : +91 124 3295123
Mob : +91 9999597969
Fax : +91 124 2217833
Email : aurumestates@gmail.com
Website : http://www.aurumestates.com

Latest Top Links:

RMOS

HR Manager-Sr. HR Recruiter in RMOS LTD

2015 Rmos Jobs

RMOS LTD - Careesma

RMOS Consultancy is in which area of gurgaon ?

Rmos Ahmad Profiles

Rmos Service Provider in Gurgaon Sector 14

RMOS Consultancy Profile connection with blogger profile

Rmos - Placement India

RMOS's Presentations on authorSTREAM

RMOS LTD Jobs - TimesJobs

RMOS | India's largest Outsourcing Recruitment Company

Rmos Jobs in India

Friday, 8 November 2013

Vatika Sector 88 Gurgaon


Vatika Now at Sector-88A, 88B & 89A, Vatika Express City- Gurgaon
In continuation with the success of INXT Township in Sector-82, 82A, 84 and 85, Vatika is coming up again with anoter self sustainable future ready Integrated Township “Express City” in Sector-88A, 88B & 89A. Sprawling over more than 300 acres*, this township is strategically located right on 150 meter wide Dwarka Expressway and is in close proximity to National Highway 8 and commercial sector

Township will offer a mix of
  • Plots
  • Group Housing
  • Exclusive Villas
  • Commercial
  • Retail
  • Clubs
  • Entertainment Facilities
  • Landscaped greens and much more
The Urban Expression – Sector-88B
  1. The Seven Elements will be a part of our upcoming integrated township Vatika Express City on Dwarka Expressway covering sector 88A, 88B and 89A.
  2. The group housing will have a mix of mid-rise and high-rise towers
  3. The apartment categories are as follows:-
Type
Area (Sq. Ft.)
BSP
Booking Amount
2BHK+SQ.
1500
Rs. 7750/- per sq. ft.
Rs. 7,00,000/-
3BHK+SQ.
1900
Rs. 8,00,000/
3BHK+Study+SQ.
2100
Rs. 9,00,000/
4BHK+SQ.
2500
Rs. 10,00,000/

BSP is inclusive of one car parking in 2BHK+SQ. Category & Two in 3BHK+SQ. and above categories

Cheques in favour of "Vatika Ltd"

 

Project Specifications:-
  • Direct Access from 150 mtr. Dwarka Expressway
  • Premium location within Vatika Express City
  • Luxury Apartments
  • All Units with Centralized VRV Air-conditioning
  • Modular Kitchen with Chimney & Hob
  • High-end Sanitary & CP Fittings

Township - Vatika Express City - Plots, Sector-88A & 88B


Booking Open! Exclusive Gated Community of Plots in Sector-88A & 88B at Vatika Express City
Vatika Express City (XPC) is a 300 acres* integrated township located in Sector-88A, 88B and 89A. EPC is deigned by a team of designers of international repute who designed mega townships – Vatika India Next, Gurgaon and Vatika Infotech City, Jaipur.
Strategically located along the 150m wide Dwarka Expressway and the 75m wide State Highway SH-15A, XPC is designed along the principles of sustainability and conservation of water and energy.
Ample green spaces have been planned including parks, incidental greens and tree lined streets and avenues, Emphasis has been given to street design with minimum 12m width, lined with shady trees and wide sidewalks. The township will offer a mix of residential, commercial and retail offerings. It includes local shopping centres, educational facilities, landscaped greens, clubs, entertainment facilities and community centres for the convenience of residents.

Township will offer a mix of
  • Plots
  • Group Housing
  • Exclusive Villas
  • Commercial
  • Retail
  • Clubs
  • Entertainment Facilities
  • Landscaped greens and much more
Plots – Sector-88A & 88B
  1. Gated community
  2. Cul-de-sac
  3. Plots will be a part of our upcoming integrated township Vatika Express City on Dwarka Expressway covering sector- 88A & 88B
  4. Exclusive pocket of Gated 300 / 400 Sq. Yard. Plots
  5. BSP :  Rs. 85,000/- Per Sq. Yard.
  6. Booking Amount : Rs. 11,00,000/-
  7. Next payment in 3rd month (To Complete 10%), 6th month (10% of BSP, 9th month (10% of BSP), Balance: DLP

Ansal Highland Park, Sector-103


Ansal Highland Park is a new group housing project in Sec-103 Gurgaon near Dwarka Expressway to be built by Ansal Housing and Construction Ltd a premium real estate developer since 1983. Among many projects on Dwarka Expressway Ansal Highland Park is best located project. This new project on Dwarka Expressway is spread over 11.70 acres plot having 2,3 & 4 BHK apartments. This upcoming new residential project is a 17 stories gated community with all ultra modern facilities like 24 hrs power backup, round the clock security with lush green landscaping having club facilities with swimming pool, gymnasium, play areas etc to name a few. This project will also be equipped with rain water harvesting system. A community hall for social gatherings will also be provided. In brief the Ansal Highland Park is a dream project on Dwarka Expressway.

Gurgaon : Sector-103
Contact Name : Mr. Vijay Chawla
Contact No. : 9999997969

Find Us On Facebook

Popular Posts

About Me

My photo
Online Ayurvedic medicines for sex might not have worked for you in the past. But if you decide to pay a visit to the best sexologist in Delhi, Dr. Manu Rajput and Dr. Kanu Rajput, who knows? Your life can change for good! If you reside in Delhi and searching for best sexologist, then your search ends here. Book an appointment with our experienced and qualified doctors and get rid of your problems. DR. Kanu Rajput is NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY QUALIFIED DIET AND NUTRITIONIST, SEXOLOGIST, STD SPECIALIST & AYURVEDIC REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE SPECIALIST. Sidri International Skin Hair and Sexology is a place which has been providing Ayurvedic Skin care treatments, Hair care treatments and solutions for sexual problems from past so many years. Skin Hair & Sexology Clinic Sidri International - Skin Hair & Sexology Clinic - Best sexologist in Delhi B-1/ 72 , JANAKPURI, NEW DELHI-110058 (NEAR JANAKPURI EAST METRO STATION) +917838963383 +918744095552 Email:- kanusinghrajput33@gmail.com Website : http://www.sidriinternational.in http://www.sidriinternational.com