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News
The Silent Word Ministries headquarters was built in Trenton, Georgia in a one-week building program by the Men & Women of Action. The office was dedicated to the memory of Alvin Spurgin the first deaf person who influenced the ministry. 2010 – The ministry expanded into three buildings that headquarters a mission board, Deaf Bible Institute (Correspondence), Teaching and Training Bible Institute, Silent Word Newspaper, Internet ministry and a 24/7 ministry that reaches the deaf worldwide. -
Technology
IP Relay was first introduced as a means of communication for the deaf community. Rather than rely on a TTY and telephone to connect an operator, IP Relay utilizes a computer, the Internet and web browser to contact the IP relay operator who calls and voices the conversation between the deaf or hard-of-hearing person and the hearing person. – Sorenson Communications. -
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Deaf History
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Religious
Deaf Pastor Bruce Kelly established Deaf Baptist Church 1243 Belmont Avenue in Smyrna, GA 30080. – DeafBaptistChurch.com -
Hispanic Deaf Church
Mimmac Deaf Ministry established. Mimmac in Spanish means Mira Mis Manos y Cree (Look at my hands and believe..) 2010 - Relocated as “Miami Deaf Church” within "Miami Deaf Center." The church is now praying for Deaf leaders. -
Technology First
“Sidekick” phone, released on October 1, was the first cellular phone to include instant messaging along with on-device email and a full QWERTY keyboard. -
Technology
The original Hiptop was released in October. All the units, from the beginning, have featured "Menu", "Back", "Jump" and other keys accessible even when the unit was closed. The Hiptop also featured a speaker which is used for device sounds but not telephone. The headset jack serves a dual purpose, as it is also used for the accessory camera. A later revision of the Hiptop upgraded its screen from monochrome LCD to color LCD. It is slightly bigger than any later Hiptop. It is rare to come acros -
News
Deanne Bray-Kotsur (known as Deanne Bray) was the first deaf person to star in a TV program . Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye originally aired on the Pax Channel from October 2002 to May 2005. Deanne played a deaf FBI employee based on a real-life person named Sue Thomas who had really worked for the FBI -
BSL
The British Government recognized British Sign Language as a bona-fide language -
Technology
Sidekick became the first cellular phone to place unassisted TTY and Relay Operator calls through the phone's web browser using a system developed by Jon B. Sharpe at Lormar Logic Company. -
Technology
VP-100 videophone introduced to provide deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing users with access to VRS. Videophone technology becomes available, granting Deaf people greater comfort and autonomy in telephone communications – Sorenson -
Deaf Nation
founded by brothers, Joel and Jed Barrish. The DeafNation Expo trade show is held in 10-15 different cities across America. DeafNation is the international leader in video content, news coverage, social networking and special events for the greater deaf and hard-of-hearing community. DeafNation.com -
Religious! (Missions)
Silent Word Ministries International in Trenton, Georgia was established with Director, David Bennett a veteran missionary who served and established a deaf church in Brazil. The goal of SWMI is to send more Deaf and Hearing missionaries to establish Deaf Churches and Ministries in foreign countries – swmi.org). -
Technology
The Sidekick 2 was released July 10 -
Technology
Videophone VP-200 was introduced. It included improved video quality and deaf-friendly features like visual caller ID, a pan/tilt/zoom camera, a new interface and remote control. – Sorenson Communications. -
News!
Miss Deaf USA contest began in Las Vegas, Nevada. The first winner was Lacy Tingey of Washington D.C. -
Sports
Gallaudet football enjoyed a 9-0 undefeated season with coach Ed Hottle. -
Technology
Relay Operator providers (Hamilton, MCI, Sprint, Sorenson, and i711) provided direct Relay Operator access from the Sidekick using either one of the instant messenger clients or through a free download, and two companies (Lormar Logic and i711) provided direct TTY access. The free Lormar Logic service provided direct encrypted calling to the United States Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service. -
News
(Gallaudet) Students again marched on Gallaudet University, demanding the Board of Trustees rescind its appointment of Dr. Jane Fernandez as I. King Jordan's successor as president. The GUFSSA (Gallaudet University Faculty, Students, Staff, and Alumni) gave them a voice in the naming of Jordan's successor. -
Technology
The SK3 was released and manufactured by Sharp. It was smaller than previous versions, measuring 130 mm wide x 59 mm high x 22 mm thick. All features, including the line-by-line scroll feature remained the same. Software remained basically the same, but with the addition of more applications. -
News
(Cochlear Implants) Worldwide over 30,000 individuals with Cochlear implants (1999 - Over 3,000 cochlear implants) FDA approved cochlear implants in children as young as one-year. Excellent speech and hearing results resulted with proper training. -
Technology
VRS Providers & FCC – Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced its decision to establish a multi-year reimbursement rate for relay service providers. The multi-year rate allows VRS providers to increase numbers of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who use American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate. -
Interpreter Courses!
Sorenson Communications announced sponsorship of professional education courses that allows interpreters to improve their skills while earning college credit. It is accredited by American Council on Education (ACE). The six-course qualifies for Continuing Education Units for RID Certification Maintenance Program. -
Technology
Sorenson Communications launched Video Center giving VP-200 videophone users a central location to access both information and entertainment in (ASL). Video Center includes SignMail messages/missed-call messages recorded in ASL; videos for VRS services; deaf-related news; and educational information. -
Sports
Pennsylvania School for the Deaf inducted Allen Snare to the P.S.D. Sports Hall of Fame for an outstanding athlete who excelled in football, basketball, and baseball during 1963-1967. -
News!
DeafNation Expo (July) met in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was estimated that 23,400 people from 73 different countries attended this large annual event. -
Gallaudet
Gallaudet University Press published a book on deaf people in the Holocaust, "Crying Hands" by Horst Biesold. The fate of the deaf in Nazi Germany...few are aware that during the Nazi era human beings – men, women, and children–with impaired hearing were sterilized against their will, and that many of the deaf were also murdered. -
Technology
IP Relay - (October) Sorenson launched IP Relay. Messages and Outbound Caller I.D. -
Technology
(November) Sorenson began distribution of "Storytime" through Sorenson VP-200® videophones. New Deaf Kids Network™ (DKN™) Storytime will be available for individuals and schools. -
Technology
December) The Video Center is available through BlackBerry (Note: All Sorenson services are provided at no cost to Sorenson users – SWM).
