Tag: Houston

The Twelve Days of Christmas Lights

by Taylor Southerland, posted in Uncategorized

Co-contributor Taylor Southerland

The Twelve Days of Christmas Lights

I don’t know about you, but Christmas lights bring such joy to my heart. One of my favorite traditions every year is driving around the neighborhood looking at all the beautiful lights. Every year I see people post all over social media looking for the best places to go see Christmas lights. I have decided to make a list, including hyperlinks to websites, of twelve places you and your family can go this year. 

THE LIGHT PARK

This is a drive thru place of lights.This is great for little ones if you are worried about bringing them around a large crowd. You can stay in your vehicle the whole time. You can even bring your own snacks and drinks! It has four different locations. You can click the city below and it will take you straight to the tickets page. 

  • Katy– 555 Katy Fort Bend rd Katy, Texas 77494
  • Arlington– 1800 E Lamar Blvd Arlington, Texas 76006
  • San Antonio– 1 Retama Pkwy Selma, Texas 78154
  • Spring– 21300 Interstate 45 N Spring, Texas 77373

Dates and Hours

The light park is open from November 4th to January 1st. 

Monday – Thursday open from 5:30pm to 10:00pm

Friday – Sunday open from 5:30pm to 11:00pm 

Christmas week hours- the 19th-26th open from 5:30pm to 11:00pm

Ticket costs

Tickets are available online. The venue charges per vehicle instead of per person. 

5th-8th, 12th-15th, 30th-1st 

Tickets are $39 with a $3 online fee.

9th-11th, 16th-25th

Tickets are $49 with a $3 online fee.

The dasher pass gives you a shorter wait time as well as 4 pairs of magic glasses. 

Tickets for the Dasher Pass are $95 with a $3 online fee.

26th-1st

Tickets are $29 with a $3 online fee.

NITE OF LIGHTS

Preston Wood Forest’s Nite of Lights is a long standing tradition for this Tomball neighborhood. This is their 44th year! It is completely free to drive through this beautiful neighborhood. They have contests and awards for best lights. Award winners will have something in their front yard stating they won. Lights stay on from 6pm to 10pm on week nights and 6pm to 11pm on weekends. I have not personally been to this neighborhood yet. However, I do plan on taking a trip to Tomball this holiday season!

GALAXY LIGHTS

The galaxy lights are absolutely amazing! If you have the chance to go this year, please do. The galaxy lights are at the Houston Space Center located at 1601 NASA Pkwy Houston, Texas 77058. This is not a drive thru. You can walk around and take pictures with all the gorgeous lights! 

Hours and Dates

The galaxy lights runs from November 12th to December 31st.

Monday – Sunday 6pm to 10pm

CLOSED ON CHRISTMAS DAY

Ticket cost

Galaxy lights only 

Tickets range from $19.95-$27.95

Adult admission and galaxy lights

Tickets range from $49.90-57.90

Child admission and galaxy lights

Tickets range from $44.90-52.90

Senior admission and galaxy lights 

Tickets range from $47.90-55.90

PECAN GROVE

This is one of my personal favorites! I go see the Pecan Grove lights every year. This is another neighborhood that is known for its holiday light displays. Residents of Pecan Grove are asked to have their lights up by November 26th and they usually stay up until the new year. This one is free to drive through. Most times, residents will be out interacting with people driving by. It is so much fun. To find this neighbor, just type Pecan Grove Richmond into your maps and it will pull right up. I believe the drive to Richmond is definitely worth it!

MOODY GARDENS

This place has so many beautiful lights as well as different attractions. It has a festival of lights to walk through and take pictures with. It also has a building that has nothing but cool ice sculptures. Moody Gardens is located at One Hope Boulevard Galveston, Texas 77554.

Hours and Dates

The holiday attractions at Moody Gardens are open from November 19th to January 7th.

Yearly Attractions

Open: 10AM – 5PM Daily

Christmas Day Open: 12PM – 5PM

Ice Land

Peak Nights: 10AM – 10PM

Value Days: 11AM – 9PM

Christmas Day Open: 12PM – 10PM

Festival of Lights

Peak Nights: 4PM – 10PM

Value Days: 4PM – 9PM

(Including Christmas Day)

Ticket cost

7th and 8th, 12th-15th, January 3rd-5th

Holiday pass

Adult ticket is $65 and a child ticket is $45

Festival of lights 

Adult ticket is $25 and a child ticket is $21

Ice Land 

Adult ticket is $29 and a child ticket is $24

9th-11th, 16th- January 2nd, January 6th and 7th 

Holiday pass

Adult ticket is $70 and a child ticket is $50

Festival of lights 

Adult ticket is $29 and a child ticket is $25

Ice Land 

Adult ticket is $35 and a child ticket is $29

DASHER’S LIGHTSHOW

This light park is a little different. For this one, you can either drive through or you can park and watch the lights. Dasher’s Lightshow is located in humble at 8233 Will Clayton Pkwy Humble, Texas 77338.

Dates and Hours

This attraction is open from December 2nd to the 31st. 

The hours are a little different for this one. Friday and Saturday only from the 2nd to the 18th the park is open from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. 

After the 18th the park is open Monday through Sunday from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. 

Ticket Cost 

For drive through, tickets are $29.95 per vehicle.

For park and watch, tickets are $9.95 per person

MAGICAL WINTER LIGHTS

The magical winter lights is such a wonderful place to go for lights! It is stunning! However, not only do they have lights, they also have a carnival and a circus. How cool is that? Magical Winter Lights is located at 2525 FM 565 Baytown, Texas 77523. 

Dates and Hours 

This attraction is open from November 18th to January 7th. 

Sunday-Thursday the park is open from 5pm to 10pm

Friday and Saturday the park is open from 5pm to 11pm

Ticket Cost

Festival Admission 

Adult tickets are $25, Family tickets are $88, and child tickets are $17

Carnival tickets

These are $26 per person 

Circus tickets

For general tickets is it $10 and for VIP tickets is it $15

RIVER OAKS

River oaks is a stunning neighborhood filled with beautiful mansions. This is another personal favorite of mine. The lights on these houses are insane! The neighborhood is located at River Oaks Blvd Houston, Texas 77019. It is completely free to drive through this incredible neighborhood. Residents put their lights up by Thanksgiving day and keep them up until New Years Day. Lights are turned on at 5pm everyday and turned off by 10pm every night. I believe this is 100% worth the trip. 

LONESTAR LIGHTS 

Lonestar Lights is a 17 acre light park. This is a walk through with so many wonderful photo opportunities for all of those lovely Christmas cards! This massive light park is located at 5 Anticipation Drive Huntsville, Texas 77320

Dates and Hours 

The park is open from December 15th to the 22nd. 

Gates open at 5:30pm

Last entry into the park is 9:00pm

The park closes at 10:00pm

Ticket cost

16th and 17th 

Tickets are $35 for adults and $22 for children

Sunday-Thursday

Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children

ZOO LIGHTS

The Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo is such an iconic attraction for the city. You get to walk through the zoo after dark and see all the beautiful lights! This is another place that is great for Christmas pictures. The Houston Zoo is located at 6200 Hermann Park Drive Houston, Texas 77030. 

Dates and Hours

The zoo lights run from November 18th to January 8th. 

The lights are open from 5:30pm to 10:30pm and it is closed December 7th, 24th, and 25th. 

Ticket Cost 

Tickets range from $24.70 to $35.95

SUGARLAND HOLIDAY LIGHTS

This light park is pretty cool. It has different theme nights including date nights, college nights, and movie nights. It has over 3 million lights, holiday shopping, food, and so much more. It is located at Constellation Field 1 Stadium Dr sugarland, Texas 77498.

Dates and Hours

This is open from November 18th until January 1st. 

Sundays-Thursdays it is open from 6pm to 9pm

Fridays-Saturdays it is open from 6pm to 10pm

Ticket Cost

General Admission 

Adult tickets are $17, Child tickets are $14, Senior tickets are $14, and Military tickets are $14

SANTA’S WONDERLAND

Santa’s Wonderland is a crazy big park! This is another iconic attraction. This park has so many different attractions as well as beautiful lights. This one is located in College Station at 18898 Hwy 6 College Station, Texas 77845. 

Dates and Hours 

Santa’s Wonderland is open from November 11th to December 30th.

Mondays-Thursdays it is open from 6pm to 11pm

Fridays it is open from 6pm to midnight

Saturdays it is from 3pm to midnight

Sundays it is open from 3pm to 11pm

Ticket Cost

If you buy tickets online, adult tickets are $44.95 and child tickets are $40.95

If you buy tickets at the gate, adult tickets are $49.95 and child tickets are $44.95

I hope this article helps you find great places to look at Christmas lights. Go out and make some amazing traditions this year. Take all of the pictures with your significant other and your family, post them everywhere. Show them off! Maybe you will find a new place that will become your tradition every year. Happy Holidays everyone!

Coming to you from 258 Terp Time

By yours truly,

Taylor Southerland

Stress Awareness

by Taylor Southerland, posted in advocacy

Co – Contributor: Taylor S.

Stress awareness

When you google how to deal with stress, everything will say the same things. They say breathe, meditate, exercise, eat healthy, ect. However, what if your stress is money, time, or your relationship. How is meditating, or eating healthy, or breathing supposed to help with those stresses. Some of those things could even add to your stress. What if you don’t have time to exercise, or the money to eat healthier? How is meditating going to help with your relationship?  This isn’t your average article about stress. Here we are going to discuss three different topics of stress and how to try to manage those stressors. 

Almost everyone I have ever talked to stresses about money. With increased gas prices and inflation on pretty much everything, money is a huge stressor. How do you start to manage your money stress? The biggest thing is to redo your budget. I started saving over $500 a month just by redoing my budget. You would be surprised how many of us have memberships or subscriptions that we don’t even use or have completely forgotten about. There are many of us that eat so much because delivery is so convenient nowadays. The easiest way to start redoing your budget is to go through your bank account for the last 90 days. Write down all recurring charges to your account and look up what they are for. If it is a subscription that you forgot about or something you don’t use anymore, cancel it. That gym membership you have not used in four months, or that streaming service you started paying for so you could watch that one show, cancel them. You don’t need them. I just did this myself last month and started saving $300 just by canceling unused memberships. The next thing you do is, go through your bank account for the last 30 days. Write down all the charges you have for takeout or restaurants. You will be surprised how much you actually spend in just door dash or uber eats orders alone. I realized I was spending over $800 a month in food. For just two people! I was completely flabbergasted when I saw that amount. Now I know not everyone wants to cook every night or for lunch everyday. However, you will be amazed by how much you could save by only eating out once or twice a week. You don’t have to cut out door dash or uber eats completely. Just maybe don’t order it for every meal, every day. Doing those two tasks will help you save so much a month and will lower your stress when it comes to money.

Everyone always says there aren’t enough hours in the day. Sometimes it may feel like this when you have a busy schedule. Time management can be very stressful for a lot of people. How to reduce this stress? Make a schedule. But don’t just make the schedule, actually stick to it. Make a schedule for your day. Plan out how much time you are willing to spend on each task that is needed to be done for that day. Now don’t just wake up and make your schedule for that day. Sit down the night before and plan out what needs to be done. You want to do this the night before so you will know what time you need to go to sleep and what time you will need to wake up. Sticking to a schedule will give you a visual on what you actually have time for and what can wait til later. Once you make your schedule, do not add to it. Did friends or family ask for your help with something that’s not already in your planned schedule for that day? Learn to say no. Now, I know we all want to help our friends and family. However,  it is okay to tell someone that you do not have the time. Don’t be afraid to make your own life and daily activities a priority. Keeping a schedule and not adding more to it will help reduce your time management stresses. 

After talking with quite a few people, I found that another big stressor in life is relationship stress. Couples who have been together for 10 or 20 plus years still stress over their relationship. It is very common. Now, did I read this online somewhere? Absolutely not. I asked real people in very real relationships. New couples, long term couples, engaged couples, married couples. It is the same thing across the board no matter what stage you are in. Am I doing my part, is my partner happy, does my partner feel seen and respected? These are questions that people ask themselves throughout their entire relationship. How do we deal with these stresses? This is actually a very simple answer. Keep doing the little things. Don’t spend the whole day stressing over your relationship. Instead spend the day doing something small for you, your partner, or both of yall as a couple. You would be surprised how the little things can make a big impact. Maybe you and your partner are hanging out with friends outside on a cool night. You know that your partner only drinks water. Next time you go over to the cooler to get yourself a drink, maybe take that bottle of water that’s underneath all the ice and put it on top. Your partner will talk about that one small gesture for days. They will have felt seen and know that you thought about them. Is your house a mess after a long week and you have a day off? Clean the house. Your partner will come home and know that you thought of them and did something so that they didn’t have to after a long day at work. They will know that you respect everything they do by not adding something else for them to do. Now let’s say that you are stressing over feeling like you and your partner are not spending enough time together. Does that mean that you have to plan a fancy date night to add to your money stresses previously mentioned? No! Do something small. Plan an evening in. Maybe yall cook dinner together instead of only one person doing it. Watch that show that yall have been wanting to watch, or watch that episode of that show you missed from last week. Again, it doesn’t have to be big. Continuing to do those little things will help reduce the stress of “am I doing enough”.

 Let’s take a beat and talk about how these stresses can impact your life and your mental health. If you are someone like me, when you get stressed you get very anxious. Not dealing with those stresses head on will make that anxiety grow until you feel that it is impacting your motivation to get things done. We all get overwhelmed with our stresses and this can lead to anxiety. It’s not always easy to deal with anxiety. Now, I am not a doctor so I can’t touch too much on the subject. However, I can share a few links at the bottom of this article that can touch more on the subject as well as a hotline you can call to talk through the anxiety you are feeling

Stress is something we all deal with. It can be overwhelming. However, there are ways to try to reduce each stressor. I really hope this article can help you deal with daily stressors. I have attached a link and a few different numbers you can call if the stress becomes too much and starts impacting other aspects. Please do not hesitate to call one of them. You are not alone. There will always be someone who is there for you. 

Coming to you from 258 Terp Time

By yours truly,

Taylor Southerland

Mental health services link 

https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-crisis-services

24/7 mental health helplines 

Citations

Anxiety Hotline Number, https://www.mentalhelp.net/anxiety/hotline/. 

Bulgn. “National Stress Awareness Day Holiday Concept Vector Image on Vectorstock.” VectorStock, 9 Oct. 2020, https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/national-stress-awareness-day-holiday-concept-vector-34167769.

“Mental Health Crisis Services.” Texas Health and Human Services, https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-crisis-services. 

Applying for and Training Service Animals in Texas

by The Capsule Group Inc | Sign Shares Inc, posted in advocacy, Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind Communities, disability advocacy, Education, Emergency Management

The Capsule Group Inc and Sign Shares, Inc. team enjoyed meeting attendees from across Texas at the Abilities Expo Houston in early August 2019. Sign Shares, Inc. provided sign language interpreting to help make the expo more accessible. While there, CEO and Detective Eva Storey, TPLI met with staff from Service Dogs, Inc.

Specialized Service Animals for a Variety of Needs

Seeing eye dog guiding a person on a conveyor belt.
Most people are aware of guide dogs aiding people who are blind, but there are also service dogs for hearing, mobility, and emotional needs. photo credit: EX22218 – ON/OFF This White Dog…. via photopin (license)

The nonprofit Service Dogs out of Dripping Springs provides a variety of service animals that many people may not be aware exist, including hearing, service, courthouse, first responder facility, and PAWS juvenile offender dogs. Whatever the type of dog, Service Dogs provides free trained dogs and lifetime training for them for qualified applicants. They have been providing free assistance dogs since 1988.

Hearing dogs alert partners to sounds from their environment, such as a baby crying, smoke alarm, and other beeps and buzzes around the home or at work. Service dogs provide motor skills support, such as retrieving objects, opening, closing, and pushing things within their partner’s environment, as well assisting with movement or dressing. Courthouse dogs provide emotional support for children in tense courtroom situations.

According to the organization’s website, one of their programs, PAWS, is “the first and only juvenile offender service dog training program in the country.”

First Responder Facility Dogs work with emergency medical professionals, such as EMTs, paramedics, Emergency Room staff, and others in the hospital setting. The dogs help staff “de-escalate from the traumatic things they see every day,” such as fatalities, accidents, and emergency room happenings.

Seeing Eye Dogs in Texas

While Service Dogs, Inc. provides many types of service animals, they do not provide seeing eye dogs, which are provided by Guide Dogs of Texas. If you’re at least 17 and legally blind, you can call the organization to set up an appointment at (210) 366 4081. No matter which organization’s service animal type you need, expect to wait one to two years to secure a service animal that is trained to your specifications.

Additional Services Provided by Service Dogs, Inc.

Picture of a service dog from the Wisconsin Academy for Graduate Service Dogs.
Service animals are finely trained to devote their attention to work and to have the appropriate temperament for a working animal. The amount of dogs who qualify is limited. photo credit: slambo_42 Friendly service dog via photopin (license)

Service Dogs, Inc. also provides training for professional dog trainers.

Besides assisting people, the organization provides a new start for shelter and rescue dogs, as well as dogs changing careers from other organizations.

If you wish to apply for a Hearing, Mobility or Facility dog, you must be at least 25 years old, have a hearing or mobility disability or represent a facility that provides some of the services listed above, such as at first responder or law and justice programs. The application process may take up to six months, and it may take 10 months to a year before a service animal is placed.

Contact Us to Increase Accessibility and Adaptability

Sign Shares and The Capsule Group is on your side. Contact us regarding interpreting services or advocacy needs.

The Capsule Group, inc & Sign Shares, inc will be at Abilities Expo Aug. 2-4: Join Us for a Book Signing, Advocacy, & New Launches for Fall 2019!!!

by The Capsule Group Inc | Sign Shares Inc, posted in advocacy, Civil Rights, Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind Communities, disability advocacy, Education, Emergency Management, social justice

Capsule logo_bigGearing up for Abilities Expo, Houston, TX, on Aug. 2-4, 2019!!! The event will be held at the NRG Center, Hall E from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 2-3, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 4.

The expo is a national, annual event that celebrates the abilities of all. It includes:

Register for the event

The expo is free to attend. Register now. Indicate on the registration if you will need a sign language interpreter or CART live captioning. When you register, you can opt to receive Abilities Expo updates.

Find us at the expo

The Sign Shares and The Capsule Group Inc team will be at booth 930, which is located toward the back right of the expo hall, around the corner from 3E Love and directly across from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

Author and audiobook cast book signing

This year, Sign Shares, Inc and The Capsule Group, Inc will host author Christina Goebel for a book signing for her novel, the science fiction fantasy, Birth Right: Galak’s Rising.

Birth Right Galak's Rising logo
Join Birth Right: Galak’s Rising’s audiobook cast and get your book signed at the Abilities Expo Houston on Aug. 2-4, 2019.

Members of the agency’s team read parts in Goebel’s upcoming audiobook for the novel and will be available for the book signing, including The Capsule Group’s Eva Storey and Anthony Butkovich, and Kade D.M. Murdoch, Faith L.D. Storey, and Gerald Goebel. The audiobook is in the editing phase and will be available later this year. This is a rare opportunity to have most of the audiobook cast sign Birth Right.

GoldenHeart: How to Love Humanity by Christina Goebel
Christina Goebel’s book, GoldenHeart, contains a chapter on disability with information about awareness and resources. GoldenHeart focuses on how to love yourself, others, and humanity.

Goebel will also sign copies of her self-help love manual, GoldenHeart: How to Love Humanity. This book was the start of the Twitter movement of 29,000 followers (@lovegoldenheart) promoting love and kindness and using the #GoldenHearts hashtag.

Those purchasing the novels will receive a discount price and free giveaway items not available elsewhere, including buttons for the book. You can learn more about Goebel’s books at her website. Goebel is the Advocacy Advisor for The Capsule Group.

Creating capsules with you

Besides providing access for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, The Capsule Group teams enjoy meeting people with all abilities and providing information and resources for a variety of needs so that all Texans can live a full and rewarding life. Stop by to discuss any concerns you have, and the team will assist you in finding answers during or after the event. The Capsule Group creates capsules that enable your growth and success.

Stop by the The Capsule Group Inc | Sign Shares Inc’s booth 930, receive some goodies, and enjoy a chat with our team. See the floor plan for the Abilities Expo Houston.

Receive updates

For updates, join Sign Shares’ more than 55,000 followers on Facebook.

Getting to the expo

NRG Center events utilize Gate 10 on the corner of Kirby and McNee. Type in the address: 8600 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77054 for the most accurate driving directions. Learn the location of accessible parking here. Parking will be $15 and is accepted via cash only and does not include any debit or credit card payments.

Abilities Expo Links

Facebook: @AbilitiesExpo
Twitter: @AbilitiesExpo
Imstagram: @abilities_expo
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AbilitiesExpoTV
Pinterest: @abilitiesexpo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/abilities-expo/

Houston Deaf Grassroots Movement National Corner Rally this Thursday

by Christina Goebel, posted in Uncategorized

The Houston Deaf Grassroots Movement will have a National Corner Rally this Thursday, Oct. 20, at Houston City Hall. This is part of a national effort to raise awareness about Deaf issues.

The three goals of the national Deaf Grassroots Movement are: Communication Access, Education, and Employment.

Street painting of sign language hand showing beginning of alphabet, A, B, C, D...
When people don’t know sign language or use captions, Deaf and Hard of Hearing community members need accommodations to have equal rights. photo credit: Hindrik S put your hand … via photopin (license)

Deaf Grassroots members will hold events at 85 cities across the nation, including:

According to Deaf YouVideo, the National Association of the Deaf met together with the Deaf Grassroots Movement to plan events for this Oct. 20.

Howard A. Rosenbaum of the National Association of the Deaf signed, “DGM and the NAD work together and support each other. Allow me to explain how. The NAD has always met with the federal government to discuss various issues including education, employment, and access. While such discussions are productive, sometimes we get nowhere. Thanks to DGM’s movement and making noise about our needs, the federal government reached out the NAD recognizing their actions. This helps the NAD continue the dialogue we want to have with the federal government. I am very appreciative of the work DGM has done to support the rights of deaf and hard of hearing people.”

“October 20th is a very important day! You can get involved by looking for the DGM Facebook page in your state, and find out details about October 20th. You can join for an hour, a few hours, or all day! Your time contributed to this movement will have an impact across the country!”

Map showing location of City Hall at 901 Bagby Street, Houston, Texas 77002The Houston event will be from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at 901 Bagby Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

“There is a serious need to fight for the Deaf rights of communication, education, for jobs and many other issues of discrimination. The Deaf community must continue to fight for these rights and the best way to do so is to make the public aware of the issues of discrimination,” according to the event’s listing at the Deaf Network of Texas.

Participants will meet at corner intersections. Members of the Houston Deaf community are encouraged to attend to bring attention to their rights.

According to the event listing, “There is power in numbers and you will want to attend with your friends.”

To learn more, contact Darla Conner at dconner@cbfl.cc,  at 713-491-2381VP, or at 713-974-4621voice/tty.

Click here to let event organizers know you wish to attend.

NAD and DGM Links:

Follow @National Association of the Deaf:
Facebook – https://facebook.com/nad
GooglePlus – https://plus.google.com/nad
Twitter – https://twitter.com/nad
YouTube – https://youtube.com/nadvlogs
Website – http://nad.org

Follow @Deaf Grassroots Movement:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/events/deafgrassrootsmovement
Official Website – http://www.tdgm2015.org

Deaf Grassroots Movement Hashtags:
Facebook – https://facebook.com/hashtag/dgm
Instagram – https://instagram.com/explore/tags/dgm
Twitter – https://twitter.com/hashtag/dgm

Related Deaf Deaf Grassroots Movement:
Deaf Grassroots Movement – National Deaf Rally
Deaf Grassroots Movement Nationwide Rally
Deaf Protest at White House in Washington DC
Deaf Protest At The White House 2015 Live Video

Houston Deaf Community to Meet with METRO

by Christina Goebel, posted in Uncategorized

The Houston Center for Independent Living will host “A Time To Speak Up/Advocate and be heard METROLIFT Customers.”

Some customers who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing are having difficulty getting picked up on time and communicating with dispatch about it. This could lead to customers waiting in unsafe situations. photo credit: hvandjez msp2016-236 via photopin (license)
Some customers who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing are having difficulty getting picked up on time and communicating with dispatch about it. This could lead to customers waiting in unsafe situations. photo credit: hvandjez msp2016-236 via photopin (license)

The Community Engagement Meeting with METRO Staff will be on Tuesday, Oct. 18 from 12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m. at the Bayland Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet, Houston, Texas 77074.

The meeting topics that will be discussed with METRO staff include:

  • METROLift same-day policy
  • Feeder Service Pilot Program
  • Pedestrian-Accessible Review (PAR) Program

Since refreshments will be served and METRO will provide ASL interpreters, contact HCIL staff to let them know you wish to attend at 713.974.4621 Voice/TTY or 713-491-2381 V.P.

In a Deaf Network of Texas post, Robert Yost shared how the Houston Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community is impacted by METROLift services, including:

  • late pick ups,
  • difficulty reaching the dispatcher when pick ups are late, and
  • driver’s favoring hearing consumers and people who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing being dropped off last.

Houston presentation will share ways lawyers can have interpreter fees reimbursed

by Christina Goebel, posted in Uncategorized

Tuesday, Aug. 2, the Houston Police Department will host a presentation about a fund that will help lawyers get reimbursed for interpreter or other communication aids needed with Deaf and Hard of Hearing clients.

Picture of courtroom showing judge's desk far from seats of other people.
Court rooms present special challenges for people with hearing or vision loss. The long distances between speakers makes the environment challenging. photo credit: 1897 Courtroom via photopin (license)

This event is a part of the department’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Positive Interaction Program.

According to a flyer from the department, Brandon Tuck, member of the Texas State Bar of Disability Issues, and also a certified sign language interpreter, will discuss the fund, which was created by the State Bar of Texas.

The fund reimburses lawyers sign language interpreters, Computer Assisted Real-Time Transcription (CART), Braille documents, and screen readers to support effective communication.

Sign says Lawyer and points to a business.
A fund helps lawyers get reimbursed so that they can maintain effective communication with Deaf and Hard of Hearing clients. photo credit: Lawyer via photopin (license)

There will be door prizes at the event and anyone wishing to volunteer to bring food or drinks to the meeting should email James Sobota.

The event will be held on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at Woodhaven Church for the Deaf at 9920 Long Point Rd. Houston, TX 77055.

If you’d like to learn more or have questions, contact Officer James Sobota at Voice # 713-308-9079 or by email.

An ASL Interpreter and captioning will be provided.

Texas Cities Open Cooling Centers to Cope with Heat

by Christina Goebel, posted in Uncategorized

man in suit and tie sweats profusely
Texas cities brace themselves for hot temperatures. photo credit: Misery via photopin (license)

Houston and Dallas have opened cooling centers across their metropolitan areas for people to escape the heat.

Houston-area cooling centers

With temperatures forecast in the upper 90’s all week, and heat indexes making it feel like it’s in the mid-100’s, the City of Houston has activated its heat emergency plan to provide cool places for people to spend hours or the day.

Words read Air Cooled
Spending time in cooler air helps the body prepare for the stress. photo credit: air cooled – Phoenix via photopin (license)

Most of the locations are libraries. Some run regular business hours, as early as 8 a.m. to around 4, 5, or 6:00 p.m. Others stay open as late as 9 p.m. The cooling centers are open different days, with many being closed on weekends or having certain days open.

Click here to locate a Houston-area cooling center near you.

To arrange for transportation to a designated cooling center in Houston, call 3-1-1.

Dallas-area cooling centers

In the Dallas area, Salvation Army has opened cooling stations. According to CBS DFW, centers have weekday business hours, except for the homeless shelters, which provide cooling seven days a week.

Locate a Dallas-area cooling station here.

man dumps ice bucket over his head
Before dumping an ice bucket on your head, maybe you can visit your local cooling station! photo credit: Mission Accomplished – ALS Ice Bucket Challenge via photopin (license)

Planning for heat safety

The Houston Fire Department has many suggestions for heat safety, including:

  • drinking water before going outside,
  • wearing light, loose clothing,
  • avoiding leaving children, seniors, or pets in hot cars, and
  • working early in the day to avoid the heat.

Heat exhaustion or heat stroke can be caused by too much exposure to the heat and/or not enough fluids. Learn more about the symptoms for these two illnesses here.

Deaf heat safety video

Watch an American Sign Language Extreme Heat Emergency Information Video.

The video was produced by the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Northeast Texas Public Health District.

 

Business Provides Medical Access Cards to Celebrate Health Care Law Revisions

by Christina Goebel, posted in Uncategorized

Sign Shares boat logo with blue handsIn honor of new Section 1557 revisions that place first preference on the person with a disability’s choice of accommodations with their health care providers, Sign Shares, Inc. will provide free wallet cards for individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf-Blind.

Sign Shares is an interpreting agency for all languages, and is Deaf and Hard of Hearing friendly, providing services 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

Through Galveston and Houston focus groups in partnership with The Capsule Group, or Capsule, as well as advocacy calls, the company has discovered that many health care providers don’t ask individuals which accommodation they need, causing problems for members of the Deaf Community.

One recent example is when providers offer Video Remote Interpreting, or VRI, without consent of the individual needing services. Some individuals don’t know what it is, while others insist on face-to-face interaction for important events concerning their health. Other problems result from the denial of interpreters, or pressure for individuals to use unqualified friends or family members to interpret for them.

According to the company’s website, “Patients who are Deaf & Hard of Hearing, now must be given an option for their choice of proper language communication access. They make the choice, since they know their language. It is their human right to choose. A Deaf person’s language is 3D – a flat screen device does not do justice towards their voice.”

Wallet cards will give those with hearing loss or deafness the ability to “Keep your rights, right by your side!” according to the website.

The Galveston Daily News article says At Galveston rally, a call for live sign language interpreters
Galveston resident Janie Morales demonstrates how she can use the cards to point out her rights.

Orders your free cards here. Scroll down to enter your contact information.

The Sign Shares’ website has also provided a countdown for when Section 1557 goes into effect, which you can see here by scrolling to the bottom of the screen. As of today’s writing, it’s 20 days away, but complaints may be filed now.

Complaints may already be filed because the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, who drafted the revisions, determined that existing laws that impact Section 1557 already required that health care providers attempt to use the patient’s choice of accommodation as a first choice.

Want to keep up more with Deaf Community news? Like Sign Shares on Facebook.

 

Want to Advocate for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Access Needs?

by Christina Goebel, posted in Uncategorized

Black and white picture of hand breaking through paper, maybe an art canvas.
Join us to help educate others about the Deaf/Hard of Hearing/Deafblind communities. photo credit: A criatura da mão via photopin (license)

Do you want others to know about access needs for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind communities?

Are you Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Deafblind?

Are you a parent, advocate, or organization that wants improved communication access for those with hearing loss and deafness?

Are you a business or organization wanting to learn more about communication access?

Sign Shares, Inc./International and The Capsule Group invite you to share your stories at future Focus Groups.

To be placed on our email list, send an email to info@signshares.com.