A group called Western New York Deaf United are protesting the appointment of Thomas Burns to lead a sign language interpreting agency called Deaf Adult Services in Buffalo, New York. The group was formed by a DAS staff member and a certified ASL instructor. Burns once headed up public relations for the local minor league baseball club and comes from Medaille College where he served as a Vice President. But Burns does not know sign language and has a limited knowledge of deaf culture. Western New York Deaf United says other qualified candidates were passed over and Burn received only 9 of 15 votes from the board of trustees. The board held a forum this week to hear the grievances but no changes were made.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Appointment Protest
A group called Western New York Deaf United are protesting the appointment of Thomas Burns to lead a sign language interpreting agency called Deaf Adult Services in Buffalo, New York. The group was formed by a DAS staff member and a certified ASL instructor. Burns once headed up public relations for the local minor league baseball club and comes from Medaille College where he served as a Vice President. But Burns does not know sign language and has a limited knowledge of deaf culture. Western New York Deaf United says other qualified candidates were passed over and Burn received only 9 of 15 votes from the board of trustees. The board held a forum this week to hear the grievances but no changes were made.
