Automatic translation of text to sign

Mohamed Jemni spoke at the TED conference today about his efforts to educate the deaf in developing countries. Jemni's lab at the University of Tunis in Tunisia is building e-learning environments for students with tools like the app MMS Sign, which makes mobile phones accessible for deaf people, and the new WebSign, which unlocks web data using an avatar who speaks sign language. His lab won the UNESCO Prize in 2008 for their e-learning curriculum for visually impaired and the World Summit Award (WSA) Mobile 2010 in the field of social inclusion. He told the TED audience today that “80% of deaf people in the world do not have access to education.” He demonstrated automatic translation of text into sign using a new piece of software. His app, for example, could be used to translate public address announcements into sign. Jemni said he believes “The disability is not the problem, the accessibility is the problem.” TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It's yearly meetings have blossomed into major events and many offshoots. Here's a video of Jemni appearing at the TED event in Tunis last summer.

ASL Episode Recalls Gallaudet Protest

The ASL episode of Switched at Birth—titled, fittingly, “Uprising,” and airing March 4—will bring fresh attention to the Deaf President Now movement at Gallaudet, recalling a time of deaf activism that continues to inspire a new generation of students today.  Read more at The Daily Beast.

Crime against Deaf-Blind Man

Kieran Kirk admits he broke into the workshop of a deaf-blind man and stole thousand of dollars of special equipment including an ATV near Peterborough, England. Kirk pled guilty to the burglary charge today in court. He'll return to court for sentencing on March 14. There may have been others involved in the crime against Graham Hicks, but police haven't figured out who they are. Hicks is known worldwide for being a world record holder. He holds the world record for the greatest distance travelled on a jetski within six hours - from England to Holland in record time.

Inside the ASL Episode

The cast of Switched at Birth talk about being a part of the first ASL episode in American TV history here (captions available).

Ohio Deaf Woman Robbed

Not only was she robbed twice in two weeks, burglars killed her dog. Read the story and watch a video report from WSYX-TV here.

Inuit Sign Language

ASL is not the same as Inuit Sign Language. Learn more about it here.

A "insensitive and tactless" Poster?

Marvel has created two comic book covers showing a superhero called Avenger Blue Ear whose blue earpiece confers on him superpowers. But a CNN iReporter says the attempt to promote hearing aids is misguided. Read her article here.

More on Brookyn Killing

WCBS-TV has a video report about the Brooklyn man who was shot and killed Sunday in his apartment. We told you about the crime yesterday and that he was found by his deaf-blind wife. You can read the story here. Police have determined whether the shooting was premeditated or whether the man was hit by a stray bullet.

Switched interview: The ASL episode

Backstage talks with members of the Switched at Birth cast about the upcoming episode that uses no spoken English, only ASL. Find out things like how many interpreters were needed on the set, how the hearing actors went about learning sign and other behind the scenes info here.

Deaf footballer: Abuse he experiences is 'the same as racism'

Deaf semi-pro soccer player Daniel Ailey almost quite the sport over the mocking by fans. Read the story in the Guardian here.

Deaf Needed to test new Emergency System

NPR Labs will get federal money to work on delivering emergency alerts to the deaf along the Gulf Coast through local public radio stations. The goal is to show that battery-powered radios will keep people informed during emergencies even when electricity, the Internet and other communications channels are disrupted. This pilot system developed by the research arm of NPR is supported by Homeland Security and FEMA and offers real-time emergency messages, such as weather alerts. The system will work through CAP, the Common Alerting Protocol. CAP is the emergency system that took the place of the EAS (Emergency Alert System) and before that the EBS (Emergency Broadcast System). There will be 25 public radio stations in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas involved in the testing since the Gulf Coast often contends with hurricanes and tornadoes. During the test, the stations will broadcast alerts to receivers that can accept text messages. Deaf volunteers will be alerted to the message by a flashing indicator on their radios or a bed-shaker triggered by their radios.NPR Labs will look for 500 deaf people to volunteer in the effort. If all goes well, the system will be offer nationwide through public radio stations.

Deaf Rugby Player

Mat Gilbert is a deaf rugby player in the UK. His coach says it is humbling to watch Gilbert overcome the challenges he faces every day. Watch a BBC video report here.

Switched: Episode Preview

Switched at Birth returns tonight with an episode called the Tight Rope Walker. Daphne feels she must choose sides when students at her deaf school rally the school board to stop more hearing kids from attending through a pilot program. Here's a video sneak peak.

New York Man Killed in Own Apartment

A Brooklyn deaf-blind woman found her dead husband, shot to death. Watch the video report below or read the story here.

Teaching Animal Care Skills

South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind students are given the opportunity to work with dogs. Read the story here.

Deaf Comic Will Make You Rethink Funny

Deaf entertainer CJ Jones is getting some extra attention after the Huffington Post put him in their Good News blog this week. See the post here.

DJ rocks despite hearing loss

Robbie Wilde lives in a world of rhythm and bass. He just can't hear it. Watch this video report about Wilde below or read the Deaf DJ story here.

Deaf Leader Dies

The founder California's Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center is dead at the age of 50. Richard Roehm suffered a heart attack and died at a local hospital earlier this month. A Cal State Fullerton grad, he worked for Disneyland until he helped to start the Santa Ana-based center in 1998. Roehm was hard of hearing until he became deaf at the age of 11. Below is a video of Roehm at working at a information booth last year to get the word out about his group.

Amber's senior project brings her dream closer

For one Rhode Island girl, fulfilling her dreams will mean breaking barriers. WPRI-TV has a video report about her goals.

Deaf student breaks barriers

Cochlear Implants Are Miraculous and Maddening

Read about one person's experience with implants in a Bloomberg article here. "The cochlear implant is indeed a miraculous device, restoring hearing to those who would otherwise live out their lives in silence. What the implant -- and the brain -- can’t do, however, is restore hearing to the way it used to be. Cochlear implants are a tremendous advance for people with hearing loss. But they are not perfect."