The REAL ID Act, enacted by Congress on May 11, 2005, was a response to the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.” The purpose of the ID is for accessing Federal facilities, entering nuclear power plants, and boarding commercial aircraft. There…
On May 17, 1954 the Supreme Court of the United States unanimously stated in the case of Brown vs the Board of Education, Topeka, that facilities segregating white and black children were unequal and therefore violated the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The justices also ordered the states to integrate. How did…
Dear Pop, A deaf or hard of hearing child will be mainstreaming into my class next semester. What can I expect? How do I make my lessons understandable? How can I ease her transition into my class with her peers? Signed, Nervous Dear Nervous, Teaching a deaf or hard of hearing (hoh) student is similar…
Historically, deaf people have been pretty much ignored by the hearing community. The general feeling has been, “They’re just too difficult to communicate with, so why bother?” However, throughout history, many deaf people have made a name for themselves, and in spite of their hearing impairment, they have stood out and contributed their skills for…
On September 24, 2019 Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg (16) delivered a fiery speech at the United Nations climate summit. She said, “We are at the beginning of a mass extinction and all you can talk about is money and fairytales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!” While she was speaking thousands of fires…
Dear Pop, I want to do something fun with my kids this Halloween season that’s scary, but not too expensive. I looked into Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Night and discovered that the least expensive ticket is $72 per person. Ouch! Have any ideas what my family can do this Halloween season? Fun Dad Dear Fun…
When my daughter Koren was five years old, I took her to the Los Angeles Zoo with her sister, Channie (10). We were strolling through the monkey area when I noticed Koren missing. Channie and I hunted the area in a panic. I never felt so frightened in my life. Fortunately, five minutes later, we…
I was a member of Temple Judea, a reform synagogue in Tarzana, California, for twenty-five years. Even after a virus robbed me of most of my hearing and forced me out of my tenured sixth grade teaching assignment, I stayed a temple member. Though I couldn’t understand a word of the rabbi’s sermons or capable…
Amelia Montgomery returns to her childhood home in Shady Knolls, New Jersey over Christmas to escape the stresses of her lucrative life as a New York City commercial real estate broker. She also needs to dodge Jake Grayson, her domineering ex-fiancé who won’t accept her desired break-up. Amelia takes refuge in her family home with…
Magz, a senior at Saint Christopher’s High School, can’t wait to graduate and leave Santolsa, a sleepy desert town in the middle of nowhere. Her parents are never around, busy running from one business trip to another. Her best friend Jack is like a brother to her as they fend off bullies and a boring…