New President of Chile promises to change Chile into a "country of access"

From left to right (de izquierda a derecha): Gustavo Vergara (Secretary General ASOCH - Secretario), Eduardo Ramírez (Chief of Staff - jefe de gabinete), Claudia Guerra (PR ASOCH - RR PP), Alejandro Ibacache (Interpreter - interprete), Enrique Accorsi (Member of the Republic - diputado de la republica), Ena von Baer (Minister Secretary General of Government - ministra secretaria general de gobierno); Nelson Weitzel (President ASOCH - presidente de ASOCH); Alexeis V. Estibil: (Director of the South American Regional Secretary World Federation of the Deaf - director secretaria regional Sudamerica de FMS).

(copy of SIGNews article published in June issue. For a free issue, go to www.signews.org/. Spanish translation provided below.)

by Dan McClintock, SIGNews staff writer 

The deaf community in Chile is finally getting the attention by the Chilean government that they have been trying to get for years. ASOCH had expressed its disappointment that on March 18, 2010 President Piñera did not have his speech captioned nor interpreted for the hearing-impaired audience. ASOCH had been frustrated in its effort to bring equal access in Chile for its deaf people.

Brand New President

Sebastián Piñera, the new President of Chile who was just inaugurated on the day the country was hit by a series of earthquakes and tsunamis,  acknowledged the needs of the deaf community and announced a new program that will address their needs, as well as the rights of the people with disabilities. He said that his government's goal is to "transform Chile into a leader of integration".

"For this, our government will design, implement and enforce public policies necessary to ensure that people with disabilities are fully integrated into our society through equal opportunities and participation, and enabling them to develop their maximum potential," said President Piñera in his issued statement.

New Policies Will Help Deaf/HOH

1. Modernize FOMADIS
2. The focus of Piñera's government will be to ensure that employment is discrimination-free, that a person with a disability should not be prevented from getting a job "just because he has a disability.
3. Disability is not a barrier to access to education in any of its levels. 
4. Improve early detection of diseases that can cause disabilities.
5. Promote self-sufficiency and independence for people with disabilities. 

To show their commitment with the people with disabilities community, the Minister Secretariat General of the Chilean government, Ena Von Baer and her Chief of the Cabinet, Eduardo Ramirez Cruz met with the board of Association of the Deaf of Chile to listen to their proposals. The meeting was coordinated by the Honorable Dr. Enrique Accorsi, representative from the Chilean Congress.
 

The proposals that ASOCH presented were the same as the ones they presented to the presidential candidates prior to Piñera's inauguration, updated and improved by the convention covering  updated and improved by the Convention covering the rights of Persons with Disabilities, Act 20,422 (equivalent of the ADA), accessibility, interpreters, and sign language.

Proposals Sent to WFD
 

Addressed in the meeting were the issues of disaster preparation,  the chaos that resulted from the earthquakes and tsunamis, and the helplessness of the people with disabilities in general. Letters with the proposals will be mailed to President Piñera and President Markku Jokinen of the World Federation of the Deaf that will express their concern about "the lack of accessibility in the media for the deaf in the times of crisis".

Minister Ena von Baer, showing willingness to work with disability organizations, accepted suggestions and constructive criticism from the board. She asked her chief of staff to establish "permanent and effective communications" with disability organizations and support the position of the deaf Chilean community in regards to sign language interpreters and closed captioning on TV.

The Article 11 of Act 20,422, title IV states that  "open television channels and cable television providers, must implement audiovisual communication mechanisms that enable the hearing impaired population with access to its programming in appropriate cases as determined by the regulations to be issued jointly Ministries of Planning, Transport and Telecommunications and Secretary General of Government." It goes to say that "all the public service campaign funded by public funds, election propaganda, presidential debates and national chains that are disseminated through television or audiovisual media, must be given or issued in subtitling and sign language. " The deadline for implementation was set 3 years from the date of February 2010.

 
Act 20,422, the Chilean equivalent of the Americans with Disability Act, is currently under study and pending for approval by the Chilean Congress. A special committee was made up of people from various civic organizations. In the meeting Representative Enrique Accorsi proposed changing the committee to make it permanent and have it oversee implementation of Act  20,422 and other matters relating to disability. In consultation with ASOCH over their concern about the lack of resources for the disability civil organizations, Minister Ena von Baer and Representative Enrique Accorsi agreed that the Minister of Planning
should deal with this issue.  However, in order to allocate competitive funds for projects effectively among disability organizations on a priority basis, the government representatives suggested more study of the proposals. 

President Piñera was quoted by saying that his government would not be "the government of the earthquake" but "the government of reconstruction."

Note: The following translation from Google was edited by Dan McClintock to the best of his understanding of Spanish. Nota: La siguiente traducción de Google ha sido editado por Dan McClintock en la medida de su comprensión del español.

Nueva Presidente de Chile promete cambiar a Chile en un "país de acceso" 
 

(Copia del artículo publicado en la edición SIGNews de junio. Por un tema libre, ir a www.signews.org/.)
  
por Dan McClintock, escritor SIGNews personal 

La comunidad de los sordos en Chile finalmente está recibiendo la atención del gobierno de Chile que han estado tratando de conseguir desde hace años. ASOCH había expresado su decepción de que el 18 de marzo 2010 Piñera Presidente no tenía su discurso con subtítulos ni interpretarse para el público con problemas de audición. ASOCH se había visto frustrado en su esfuerzo por llevar la igualdad de acceso en Chile por sus personas sordas. 

Nuevo Presidente

Sebastián Piñera, el nuevo Presidente de Chile, que se acaba de inaugurar en el día en que el país se vio afectado por una serie de terremotos y tsunamis, reconoció las necesidades de la comunidad de los sordos y anunció un nuevo programa que se ocupará de sus necesidades, así como los derechos de los de las personas con discapacidad. Dijo que la meta de su gobierno es "transformar Chile en un líder de la integración".

"Para eso, nuestro gobierno será diseñar, implementar y hacer cumplir las políticas públicas necesarias para garantizar que la persona con la discapacidad se integren plenamente en nuestra sociedad a través de la igualdad de oportunidades y participación, y que les permita desarrollar su máximo potencial," dijo el Presidente Piñera en su declaración . 

 Nuevas políticas de ayuda los sordos
  
 1. Modernizar FOMADIS

 2. El enfoque de gobierno de Piñera será garantizar que el empleo es libre de discriminación, que una persona con una discapacidad no debe impedirse a conseguir un trabajo "porque tiene una discapacidad."

 3. La discapacidad no es un obstáculo para el acceso a la educación en cualquiera de sus niveles.

 4. Mejorar la detección precoz de enfermedades que pueden causar los discapacidades.

 5. Promover la autosuficiencia y la independencia para las personas con los discapacidades.

Para mostrar su compromiso con la comunidad de las personas con los discapacidades, el Ministro Secretaría General del Gobierno de Chile, Ena Von Baer y su jefe de gabinete, Eduardo Ramírez Cruz se reunió con la junta directiva de la Asociación de los Sordos de Chile para escuchar sus propuestas. La reunión fue coordinada por el Honorable Dr. Enrique Accorsi, representante del Congreso chileno.

Las propuestas que ASOCH presentados fueron los mismos que se presentaron a los candidatos presidenciales antes de la inauguración de Piñera, actualizada y mejorada por el convenio que cubre actualizada y mejorada por el Convenio que regulará los derechos de las Personas con los Discapacidades, Ley 20422 (equivalente de la ADA ), la accesibilidad, intérpretes, y el lenguaje de señas.

Las propuestas enviadas a el FMS

 Tratados en la reunión fueron las cuestiones de la preparación para un desastre, el caos que resultó de los terremotos y tsunamis, y el desamparo de las personas con los discapacidades en general. Las cartas con las propuestas serán enviadas al presidente Piñera y el Presidente Markku Jokinen de la Federación Mundial de Sordos, que expresan su preocupación por "la falta de accesibilidad en los medios de comunicación para sordos en los tiempos de crisis". 

Ministro Ena von Baer, mostrando voluntad de trabajar con organizaciones de discapacitados, aceptan sugerencias y críticas constructivas de la junta. Le pidió a su jefe de personal para establecer "comunicación permanente y eficaz" con las organizaciones de discapacitados y el apoyo a la posición de la comunidad de los sordos chilenos en cuanto a intérpretes de lenguaje de señas y subtítulos en la televisión.

El artículo 11 de la Ley 20.422, título IV establece que "las cadenas de televisión abierta y los proveedores de televisión por cable, debe implementar mecanismos de comunicación audiovisual que permiten a los discapacitados auditivos población con acceso a su programación en los casos apropiados según lo determine el reglamento que se publicará en forma conjunta los Ministerios de Planificación, Transportes y Telecomunicaciones y Secretario General de Gobierno." Huelga decir que "toda la campaña de servicio público financiadas con fondos públicos, la propaganda electoral, debates presidenciales y cadenas nacionales que se difundan a través de la televisión o los medios audiovisuales, se deberá facilitar o emitidos en la subtitulación y lenguaje de signos." El plazo de aplicación fue set 3 años a partir de la fecha de febrero de 2010. 

Ley 20.422, el equivalente chileno de la Ley de Estadounidenses con los Discapacidades, se encuentra actualmente en estudio y pendiente de aprobación por el Congreso chileno. Un comité especial compuesto por personas de diversas organizaciones cívicas. En la reunión Enrique Accorsi Representante propuso que se cambie la comisión para que sea permanente y tiene que supervisar la aplicación de la Ley 20.422 y otras cuestiones relacionadas con la discapacidad. En consulta con ASOCH sobre su preocupación por la falta de recursos para la discapacidad organizaciones civiles, el ministro de Ena von Baer y el Diputado Enrique Accorsi acordó que el Ministerio de Planificación debería ocuparse de esta cuestión. Sin embargo, con el fin de asignar los fondos concursables para proyectos de forma eficaz entre las organizaciones de la discapacidad con carácter prioritario, los representantes del gobierno sugirió un estudio más de las propuestas.

 Presidente Piñera fue citado diciendo que su gobierno no sería "el gobierno del terremoto", pero "el gobierno de reconstrucción".

Congrats to CaptionFish and DeafPolitics

Commentary

Congratulations to CaptionFish and DeafPolitics on their forming a partnership to develop a DeafPolitics website for the deaf and hard of hearing community. For those of you who missed the news, here is the link to their press release. I think a DeafPolitics website with blogs and vlogs is a great idea. I would like to see our deaf people become more aware of the wide political spectrum that exist in America and make their own conscious choices when it comes to voting or running for office. Having grown up in a family with political connections (see my first entry about my two grandfathers and their work for the U.S. government), I developed an understanding and appreciation of politics that I would like to share with you. The purpose of this blog, Atlas Signs, is to provide nonpartisan political information for our deaf and hard of hearing community. In the links section you can see links to various parties such as the G.O.P., the Democratic Party and the Libertarian Party. As for myself, I would give you my perspective as an Independent Libertarian. I am neither fully affiliated with the Libertarian Party nor am I a member because I do not agree with all of its platform. But the bulk of my political beliefs are Libertarian. It is up to you whether you want to be a Democrat or a Republican or an Independent and I will respect your choice. What is important is that you become aware and you participate in the democratic process of voting, because as I mentioned before, politics affect your life. Do not do this just for yourself, do it for your own country!

To CaptionFish and DeafPolitics, thank you. We look forward to your launch soon this year!

Deaf Colombians In Need

According to Gallaudet News, a group of 16 Gallaudet students are helping a deaf Colombian school get things they need, such as mattresses and funds towards a new building that they would like to own. The school, named the Fundación Helen Keller , which is located outside of Bogotá, Colombia, had only one desktop computer for its 35 students and five staff and volunteers. The class from Gallaudet contributed $1,500 toward two mini laptops and a CD reader for the foundation. According to the article, Anthony Harrison, a business administration major in the class, said that "the students are very poor, and they live in the mountains where it's always cold," and that the youngsters "all slept under sheets atop thin mattresses". You can make a difference in the lives of the students and give them the warmth and comfort that they need by sending your donation to the following information, which can be found at the Fundación Helen Keller's blog, 
 http://hellenkeller-fundacion.blogspot.com/:

Representative Legal Norma Cantor Suaza
Cra. 10 D No. 22-35
sur Barrio sociego.
Bogota, Colombia
Tel. 3668641 . Fax. 6948479
Cel. 3125202927.
fundacionhellenkeller@gmail.com

The foundation is a nonprofit foundation, created in 1999 and legally incorporated on October 25, 2002. Its mission is to create a pleasant and safe haven for girls and deaf children from low-income families with scarce resources who live in areas where there are a few educational opportunities for the hearing-impaired. It was named after the famous blind-and-deaf American Helen Keller for whose life was an inspiration to the school.
  
It is estimated that in South America's oldest and most stable democracy, Colombia, there are about 2 million deaf and hard of hearing people. An estimated 250,000 deaf people use Colombian Sign Language (LSC).  FENASCOL - Federación Nacional de Sordos de Colombia (National Federation of the Deaf of Colombia) is the country's national association of the deaf. SordoColombianos is Colombia's popular deaf culture website. There is a blog, Amigos Sordos Colombianos, but I do not know if it is associated with the organization SordosColombianos. For more information on the deaf in Colombia, you can visit Jamie Berke's webpage, Deaf Community - Colombia. 

Jamie Berke wrote in 2008 that part of Colombia was still at war. Actually, in the past Colombia has had a series of internal armed conflicts between guerrilla insurgencies such as the FARC and paramilitary groups such as the AUC as well as the anti-narcotics force and the drug traffickers. In addition there were occasional border skirmishes between Colombia and its neighbor, Venezuela. Today, however, insurgencies and kidnappings have declined in Colombia, security has improved in areas of the country, and the government is making strides in its fight against narcotic trafficking. But the State Department advises that violence by narco-terrorist groups continues to affect some rural areas as well as large cities and that the potential for violence by terrorists and other criminal elements exists in all parts of the country.  Those of you who wish to travel to Colombia are still advised to consult with the State Department or with the U.S. Embassy to Colombia for safety and precautions. Information on traveling to Colombia can be found here at the State Department's travel advisory.

Handwaves to the group of Gallaudet students for their help!

Philippine President Heeded the Cries of the Deaf and the Disabled

 This just in:

Philippine President Signed Programs for Disabled Persons in Every Province, Cities and Municipalities

Congratulations to our deaf friends in the Philippines! This is great news for their communities. Let's hope things will improve there from this point! Thank you all for your support!

Let's Give Deaf Kenyans A Hand, Too

Jamie Berke posted a link to this article that got my attention: Challenges for Deaf in Kenya

We can help our deaf Kenyan friends by writing to their government as well as to our President of the United States, Mr. Barack H. Obama, whose father was born in Kenya. The full contact information for the government of Kenya and the President of Kenya can be found at this site, http://www.statehousekenya.go.ke/
President Obama can be reached at his website, whitehouse.gov.

The name of the President of Kenya is Mwai Kibaki. You can write to him in English, as it is naturally one of the official languages in his country. His email address is president@statehousekenya.go.ke
 
The email address for the government of Kenya is contact@statehousekenya.go.ke

I hope that one day sign language will be recognized in every nation around the world! Something like this should be brought to attention of the United Nations. As grandson of a diplomat and U.N. representative, I shall write to them as well as to the President of Kenya and President Obama.

Asante (Swahili for thank you).

Help Deaf Filipinos Get Voting Rights

I think it is a travesty that on the day of national elections in the Philippines deaf Filipinos cannot vote for their choices simply because they are not allowed to register. Deaf Filipinos should be allowed to vote because it is their inherent human right. The Philippines has come a long way in becoming a democracy after years of dictatorial rule by Ferdinand Marcos. Even after the overthrow of Marcos by Corazon Aquino (wife of Benigno Aquino, whom Marcos had assassinated) and her People Power movement in 1986, changes were slow in making. As a political ally of the United States, it is high time that the Philippines recognize the rights of people with disabilities. Where I live, there are many Filipino-Americans residing in my community. There are many deaf Filipino-Americans in San Diego. Let us give them our support and help their deaf communities in the Philippines get the right to vote. You can do so by writing to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the following contact information:

H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President
Malacañang Palace
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel
Manila 1005
Voice:+63 (2) 564-1451 to 80; +63 (2) 735-8005
Mobile:
Fax:+63 (2) 736-1010
corres@op.gov.ph

You can also write to the World Federation of the Deaf to express your concerns or support for the deaf Filipino community. WFD is an international, non-governmental central organization of national associations of Deaf people, with a current membership of associations in 130 countries worldwide. According to its website, WFD’s philosophy is one of equality, human rights and respect for all people, regardless of race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual preference, age and all other differences. WFD supports and promotes in its work the many United Nations conventions on human rights, with a focus on Deaf people who use sign language, and their friends and family. WFD works with the aim of solidarity and unity to make the world a better place. WFD would appreciate letters and emails from you. Thank you! Thanks to Mr. Jojo Esposa for bringing this to our attention!This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Politics Affect Your Life!

Deaf are not political? MM is right. He raised a few interesting points in his blog, At The Rim. I agree that deaf people like us should get involved in politics. My observation is that many deaf people at general, whether in the United States or Britain or other countries, tend not to be interested in politics. Many of them I know tend to be either interested only in sports or other things. Politics does not have to be a major interest in your life, but do you not know that politics affect your life? Do you not know that a single vote on a single issue can make a big difference? Do you not know that there are little people (not of physical height but stature), everyday ordinary people, who make decisions that do affect the lives of millions of people in your country? Your country relies not on famous or prominent politicians like President Obama or Senator John McCain or House Speaker Nancy Pelosi but little people like you to make changes effective in your own country. Let me give you an example.

I come from a political family. Both my paternal and maternal grandfathers made their careers in politics. My paternal grandfather, the Honorable Robert McClintock, was a career diplomat, State Department official and U.S. Ambassador (to four countries - Lebanon, Cambodia, Argentina and Venezuela). My maternal grandfather, Attorney-in-Law Stewart French, was a congressional lawyer and one time Attorney to the Interior in Congress. Both gentlemen were modest, relatively little-known people who regarded themselves humbly as servants to our American people. Yet they participated in helping make part of U.S. history. by their actions in the democratic process of governing and law-making. I remember very well one time when I was 12 years old, I rode with my maternal grandfather (whom I call Grandpa) in his car in Washington, D.C. This was after he had retired in 1976, a couple of years before I enrolled at MSSD in 1978.

We'd just passed the White House. Right near the U.S. Capitol was the Russell Senate Office Building. Pointing to the building, Grandpa turned to me and said,"That's where I worked." He added with a chuckle,"We call it the S.O.B." (Get it? A play on the word S.O.B.?)

The s.o.b.s Grandpa worked with were many prominent Senators and Congressmen he had befriended - Senator Edwards Kennedy, Senator Strom Thurmond, Senator Robert Byrd, Senator Daniel Inouye and many others. One of Grandpa's most important achievements in his political career was his involvement as lead counsel on the legislation team for Alaska-Hawaii statehood in 1959. His job was to make sure the language in the statehood act was in accordance with the U.S. Constitution. This is one of the things for which my family is proud of Grandpa. Alaska and Hawaii in the Union gave our country the United States very important strategic points for the reason of their geographic locations: they provide key powerful buffer zones against invasion by other countries such as Russia and Japan. It was not the Senators nor the Congressmen nor President Eisenhower nor my own grandfather but the little people of Alaska and Hawaii who made this possible with their votes, who approved absorption of their territories into the Union.

Grandpa, by the way, was a lifelong loyal Democrat...but his participation in this important history-making act was nonpartisan, as was of many other lawyers on his team and in Congress.

My other grandfather, the Honorable Robert McClintock, had served 7 Presidents from FDR to Ford. I do not think he had any political affiliation, despite the fact that he grew up with my great-grandfather, a lawyer who was a Republican, and my great-aunt, his sister, who was a fundraiser for the G.O.P. I think he probably voted only once, for FDR as President. After that, he probably abstained from the voting process as a diplomat because in the U.S. a President appoints an Ambassador, regardless of political affiliation. Grandfather (as I call him) had the honor of working with both Republican and Democrat Presidents, including Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy. He once wrote an essay for the U.S. Naval Institute on national strategy that has since been kept as top secret at the State Department. (See this old article, Bob McClintock was A "Dandy" Diplomat.) He also guided peaceful intervention of the U.S. Marines in the first civil war of Lebanon, that allowed American citizens of Beirut to evacuate safely. He was a perfect example of little people, everyday ordinary people, who helped to make the U.S the most powerful nation and the great naval power today.

You, too, can make a difference for the country you are serving. Whether it be as a politician or a housewife or a laborer or an unemployed person surviving on welfare. It would be grand to see a deaf Senator or a deaf President...but one does not have to be a politician. Just one single act of marking a ballot can do a greater good for making a change in the history of your country. If you are not registered, I encourage you to register soon, so you can vote and be one of the little people doing a great service for your country!

Deaf Chileans Cope with the Aftermath of the Earthquake

This is a reprint of my article from SIGNews, April 2010 issue. For subscription information or to order a free issue, go to www.signews.org. Spanish translation provided below. My apologies for reprinting it this late, one month later, due to being preoccupied with business and personal matters. Continued donations to ASOCH will be greatly appreciated. Information for sending your donations can be found at www.asoch.cl.

by Dan McClintock, SIGNews staff writer

SANTIAGO, Chile - A massive earthquake on the scale of 8.8 hit central Chile on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 3:34am. The toll of deaths in the earthquake was at first estimated to be over 200 and now it has reached 802. Asociación de Sordos de Chile (The Association of the Deaf of Chile – known as ASOCH), a division of World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), contacted with deaf people in Santiago, the capital of Chile, through text messages and emails and was relieved to find that those people were all fine. The quake's tremors reached the capital far from south, 300 miles from Maule, a town which is located in the Maule and Bio Bio region. ASOCH reported severe damage of their headquarters, which occurred on the following Tuesday night at 8pm. The Board of ASOCH met to inspect the site and was horrified by the sight of the damage to their building. ASOCH attempted to make contact with the schools for the deaf in the Maule and Bio Bio Region (which includes cities of Curico, Talca, Constitution, Chillan, Concepcion, and Talcahuano) in the south of the country but discovered communications was hard because they "do not have light to communicate over the Internet or via cell phone text message" due to signals being cut.

The Dr. Jorge Otto school for the deaf in Santiago suffered only minor damages and the schoolchildren are reported to be fine. Only the dividing wall in the patio was damaged and is being currently repaired. The house of one student's family was damaged and made inhabitable. The school is conducting a fundraising drive to help this student’s family. A group of professors visited the family recently and offered them lodging for the time being.

The deaf community in Chile is reportedly “sad and angry” that no sign language interpreters or subtitles were on emergency broadcast news on Chilean television. On his vlog, an interpreter named Meilton Bustinza provided interpreting of news and a speech by President Michelle Bachelet. Recently on Monday, March 1, 2010 the community presented their complaints to the government of Chile, which promised action.  According to hear-it.org, Chile has no regulations on closed captioning. Closed captioning was provided on national television of Chile (TVN), and the public Canal 13 channel in 2005 as a result of the efforts by associations for people with disabilities and the deaf. It is estimated there are between 150,000 to 200,000 deaf people living in Chile. A website was put up to protest what deaf Chileans regard as “violations of their human rights.” (www.sordosdenuncian.tripod.com)

“We have been making efforts,” explained Andrea Gonzalez, director general at ACHIELS (Asociación Chilena de Instructores e Intérpretes de Lengua de Señas - Chilean Association of Sign Language Instructors and Interpreters),”to make sure on the 27^th and 28^th that the information on the earthquake and the tsunami was transmitted without interruptions on the television news.”  She explained how she and other community leaders wanted to ascertain that interpreting services are included on emergency broadcast news and how that the TV channel networks and the deaf Chilean community agreed 7 years ago that captions would be provided and that the news of noon would have a sign language interpreter.  “This request must be to the necessity of the deaf people to access to all the information that has been disclosed,” Gonzalez said, “especially because it is important for them to know and to understand what is happening in their country, in their region, whether their relatives and friends are safe, where to find aid, what are curlew times, what actions one should undertake in an emergency situation, and so on.”

It was requested verbally, Gonzalez explained further, through letters to offices in those areas that in these circumstances deaf residents be allowed full access to information. But, Gonzalez sadly noted, in Chile “deaf people could only count on one hour of news per day that is translated in their language and then have to wait the next day to access the news.”

The struggle for equal access, though, is not over. Turning to the public, Gonzalez urges, “We appeal to a principle that goes beyond the code in a law or agreement, we appeal to the value of humanity, that this is urgent, necessary, and vital to give them information in sign language.” Letters were sent and calls were made to dignitaries and representatives to remind the government of its obligation to fulfill Article 11 of the convention of the rights of deaf Chileans, which decree that emergency broadcasts must have captions and sign language interpreters. Gonzalez said that the community wanted to make sure the messages by President Michelle Bachelet and the national emergency department, run by Carmen Fernandez, include sign language interpreting as well.

But after 10 days since the tragedy of the earthquake and the tsunami hit Chile, the community remains dissatisfied with the government’s response to their concerns. Gonzalez felt that “the fundamental basic right of all deaf people has been omitted.” She could not understand how such a human right could be ignored. Nevertheless the organizations are continuing their fight for equal access in Chile.

On Sunday, February 29, a group of deaf community leaders came from Santiago to organize a campaign to help the deaf community in the south and met with the four schools for the deaf. Since the following day, Monday, March 1, aid was called for the deaf community in the southern regions. Progress is being made.

"So far we have good news from two businessmen, who will bring a truck and 100 cases of exclusive merchandise for the deaf in the south," said Alexeis V. Estibill, director of the South-American regional secretriat of Federacion Mundial de Sordos (FMS). "Some institutions, partners, friends and families are receiving money and goods."  On Sunday, March 7, the Peruvian-Chilean Chabuca and Violeta Cultural Center and the Peruvian deaf community of Santiago organized a fundraising event  where people could bring non-perishable food for the deaf community of the Maule and Bio Bio región. The efforts was coordinated by Gloria Pinto, sign language student of Professor Christian Muñoz, President of ACHIELS. Included in the aid were wooden beds, blankets, towels, shoes and slippers.

According to ASOCH, a group of up to 8 people travelled to the Maule and Bio Bio region to deliver the goods, water, medicine and other needed items, protected by security forces that were provided by the Chilean government because of widespread looting in the country. Included in the group were sign language interpreters and deaf community leaders. The group was called “Fuerza Sordos” (The Deaf People Force). The following organizers are Alejandro Ibacache (interpreter), Alexeis V. Estibill (deaf), and 5 deaf volunteers – José Villavicencio, Diego Manzo, Jorge Carvajal, Astrid Piña, and Alexis Carrasco, with coordinator Armando Contreras. Other organizations of disability rights in Chile are giving support to this coalition: CAISO, ACHIELS, UNIVERSO, PROYECTO SOL, CRESOR and a few more other disability groups. A bank account was opened for national and international aid for the earthquake victims. (see insert for information and address)

ASOCH is continually seeking donations or support from the international deaf community. Estibill said, "They are suffering from lack of food aid, water, communication and information from the state of emergency. The day before Sunday there were two tremors grade 6.2 and 5.4 and on Monday was carried out 25 tremors." 

Commenting on the disaster, Gustavo Vergara, Secretary General of ASOCH remarked, the Maule and Bio Bio region “saw a destruction of almost 100% of their infrastructure by a tsunami. Food and water shortage has forced the population to carry out sackings in the destroyed zones."  It was so bad that an 18-hour curfew was imposed in Concepcion, Chile's second-biggest city. President Michelle Bachelet, Chile's first woman president, ordered 14,000 troops to patrol the streets in the affected regions to keep order and oversee aid distribution. Recently 168 looters were arrested in the Maule and Bio Bio region.

Things are slowly returning to normal in Chile. Bachelet cancelled her publicity campaign to focus on relief work. She hands over her power to the newly elected President Sebastian Piñera on this Thursday, March 10, who promises changes in the nation’s emergency system and offers a four-stage plan for “reconstructing” Chile in the wake of last February 27’s earthquake disaster. The deaf community in Chile is looking with hopes to see what positive changes Piñera’s plan may bring them.

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(traducción al español de Google)

Sordos chilenos frente a las consecuencias del terremoto

de Dan McClintock, escritor SIGNews

SANTIAGO, Chile - A massive earthquake on the scale of 8.8 hit central Chile on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 3:34am. SANTIAGO, Chile - Un fuerte terremoto en la escala de golpear el centro de Chile 8.8 en Sábado, 27 de febrero 2010 a las 3:34 am. The toll of deaths in the earthquake was at first estimated to be over 200 and now it has reached 802. La cifra de fallecidos en el terremoto fue en un primer momento estimó en más de 200 y ahora ha llegado a 802. Asociación de Sordos de Chile (The Association of the Deaf of Chile – known as ASOCH), a division of World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), contacted with deaf people in Santiago, the capital of Chile, through text messages and emails and was relieved to find that those people were all fine. Asociación de Sordos de Chile (La Asociación de Sordos de Chile - conocido como ASOCH), una división de la Federación Mundial de Sordos (WFD), estableció contacto con las personas sordas en Santiago, la capital de Chile, a través de mensajes de texto y correos electrónicos y se aliviados al saber que esas personas eran todas muy bien. The quake's tremors reached the capital far from south, 300 miles from Maule, a town which is located in the Maule and Bio Bio region. El terremoto temblores llegaron a la capital lejos de sur, a 300 kilómetros de Maule, una ciudad que se encuentra en el Maule y Bio Bio región. ASOCH reported severe damage of their headquarters, which occurred on the following Tuesday night at 8pm. ASOCH graves daños de su sede, que se llevó a cabo el siguiente martes por la noche a las 8 pm. The Board of ASOCH met to inspect the site and was horrified by the sight of the damage to their building. La Junta de ASOCH se reunió para examinar el sitio y se horrorizó al ver los daños a su edificio. ASOCH attempted to make contact with the schools for the deaf in the Maule and Bio Bio Region (which includes cities of Curico, Talca, Constitution, Chillan, Concepcion, and Talcahuano) in the south of the country but discovered communications was hard because they "do not have light to communicate over the Internet or via cell phone text message" due to signals being cut. ASOCH trató de hacer contacto con las escuelas para sordos en el Maule y Bio Bio Región (que incluye las ciudades de Curicó, Talca, Constitución, Chillán, Concepción y Talcahuano) en el sur del país, pero descubrió comunicación era difícil porque ellos " no tener luz para poder comunicarse a través de Internet o mediante mensajes de texto de teléfono celular ", debido a las señales que se está cortando.

The Dr. Jorge Otto school for the deaf in Santiago suffered only minor damages and the schoolchildren are reported to be fine. El Dr. Jorge Otto escuela para sordos en Santiago que sólo sufrió daños menores y los escolares se informan a estar bien. Only the dividing wall in the patio was damaged and is being currently repaired. El muro de separación en el patio fue dañada y está siendo reparado en la actualidad. The house of one student's family was damaged and made inhabitable. La casa de un familiar del alumno sufrió daños e hizo inhabitable. The school is conducting a fundraising drive to help this student's family. La escuela está llevando a cabo una campaña de recaudación de fondos para ayudar a la familia de este estudiante. A group of professors visited the family recently and offered them lodging for the time being. Un grupo de profesores recientemente visitó a la familia y les ofreció alojamiento por el momento.

The deaf community in Chile is reportedly “sad and angry” that no sign language interpreters or subtitles were on emergency broadcast news on Chilean television. La comunidad sorda en Chile se informa, "triste y enfadado" que ninguna intérpretes de lengua de señas o subtítulos estaban en programa de noticias de emergencia en la televisión chilena. On his vlog, an interpreter named Meilton Bustinza provided interpreting of news and a speech by President Michelle Bachelet. En su vlog, un intérprete llamado Meilton Bustinza siempre la interpretación de las noticias y un discurso de la Presidenta Michelle Bachelet. Recently on Monday, March 1, 2010 the community presented their complaints to the government of Chile, which promised action. Recientemente en Lunes, 01 de marzo 2010 la comunidad presentaron sus quejas al gobierno de Chile, que prometía acción. According to hear-it.org, Chile has no regulations on closed captioning. De acuerdo a oír-it.org, Chile no tiene regulaciones sobre subtítulos. Closed captioning was provided on national television of Chile (TVN), and the public Canal 13 channel in 2005 as a result of the efforts by associations for people with disabilities and the deaf. It is estimated there are between 150,000 to 200,000 deaf people living in Chile. El subtitulado opcional se proporcionó en la televisión nacional de Chile (TVN), y el público en Canal 13 el canal en 2005 como resultado de los esfuerzos realizados por las asociaciones de personas con discapacidad y los sordos. Se estima que hay entre 150.000 y 200.000 personas sordas que viven en Chile. A website was put up to protest what deaf Chileans regard as “violations of their human rights.” ( www.sordosdenuncian.tripod.com ) Un sitio web fue puesto en protesta por lo que los chilenos consideran sordos "violaciónes de los derechos humanos." ( www.sordosdenuncian.tripod.com )

“We have been making efforts,” explained Andrea Gonzalez, director general at ACHIELS (Asociación Chilena de Instructores e Intérpretes de Lengua de Señas - Chilean Association of Sign Language Instructors and Interpreters),”to make sure on the 27 ^th and 28 ^th that the information on the earthquake and the tsunami was transmitted without interruptions on the television news.” She explained how she and other community leaders wanted to ascertain that interpreting services are included on emergency broadcast news and how that the TV channel networks and the deaf Chilean community agreed 7 years ago that captions would be provided and that the news of noon would have a sign language interpreter.  “This request must be to the necessity of the deaf people to access to all the information that has been disclosed,” Gonzalez said, “especially because it is important for them to know and to understand what is happening in their country, in their region, whether their relatives and friends are safe, where to find aid, what are curlew times, what actions one should undertake in an emergency situation, and so on.” "Hemos estado haciendo esfuerzos", explicó Andrea González, director general de ACHIELS (Asociación Chilena de Instructores e Intérpretes de Lengua de Señas - Asociación Chilena de Instructores de Lengua y Firma Intérpretes), "para asegurarse de que ^el 27 ^y 28 que la información sobre el terremoto y el tsunami se transmitió sin interrupciones en las noticias de televisión. "Ella explicó que ella y otros líderes de la comunidad quería cerciorarse de que los servicios de interpretación se incluyen en la difusión de noticias de emergencia y la forma en que las redes de canales y de la comunidad chilena sordos acordado hace 7 años que los subtítulos se brinda y que las noticias del mediodía habría un intérprete de lenguaje de señas. "Esta petición debe ser a la necesidad de las personas sordas para acceder a toda la información que ha sido divulgada", dijo González, " sobre todo porque es importante para ellos saber y comprender lo que está sucediendo en su país, en su región, si sus familiares y amigos están bien, dónde encontrar ayuda, ¿cuáles son los tiempos zarapito real, ¿qué acciones debería emprender una en una situación de emergencia , y así sucesivamente. "

It was requested verbally, Gonzalez explained further, through letters to offices in those areas that in these circumstances deaf residents be allowed full access to information. Se solicitó verbalmente, González explicó además, a través de cartas a las oficinas en esas zonas que en estas circunstancias los residentes sordos se permitirá el acceso pleno a la información. But, Gonzalez sadly noted, in Chile “deaf people could only count on one hour of news per day that is translated in their language and then have to wait the next day to access the news.” Pero, tristemente González señaló, en Chile "las personas sordas sólo podía contar con una hora de noticias por día que se traduce en su lengua y luego tener que esperar al día siguiente para acceder a las noticias."

The struggle for equal access, though, is not over. La lucha por la igualdad de acceso, sin embargo, no ha terminado. Turning to the public, Gonzalez urges, “We appeal to a principle that goes beyond the code in a law or agreement, we appeal to the value of humanity, that this is urgent, necessary, and vital to give them information in sign language.” Letters were sent and calls were made to dignitaries and representatives to remind the government of its obligation to fulfill Article 11 of the convention of the rights of deaf Chileans, which decree that emergency broadcasts must have captions and sign language interpreters. En cuanto al público, insta a González, "Hacemos un llamamiento a un principio que va más allá del código en una ley o acuerdo, hacemos un llamamiento al valor de la humanidad, que esto es urgente, necesario y vital para darles la información en lengua de signos. "Se enviaron cartas y se hicieron llamamientos a los dignatarios y representantes para recordar al gobierno de su obligación de cumplir el artículo 11 de la convención de los derechos de los sordos chilenos, que el decreto que las emisiones de emergencia deben tener los títulos y los intérpretes de lenguaje. Gonzalez said that the community wanted to make sure the messages by President Michelle Bachelet and the national emergency department, run by Carmen Fernandez, include sign language interpreting as well. González dice que la comunidad quería asegurarse de que los mensajes por la Presidenta Michelle Bachelet y el departamento de emergencia nacional, a cargo de Carmen Fernández, incluyen la interpretación de lengua de signos también.

But after 10 days since the tragedy of the earthquake and the tsunami hit Chile, the community remains dissatisfied with the government's response to their concerns. Pero después de 10 días desde la tragedia del terremoto y el tsunami golpeó Chile, la comunidad sigue insatisfecha con la respuesta del gobierno a sus preocupaciones. Gonzalez felt that “the fundamental basic right of all deaf people has been omitted.” She could not understand how such a human right could be ignored. González consideró que "el derecho básico fundamental de todas las personas sordas se ha omitido." No podía entender cómo un derecho humano podía ser ignorado. Nevertheless the organizations are continuing their fight for equal access in Chile. Sin embargo las organizaciones continúan su lucha por la igualdad de acceso en Chile.

On Sunday, February 29, a group of deaf community leaders came from Santiago to organize a campaign to help the deaf community in the south and met with the four schools for the deaf. El domingo, 29 de febrero un grupo de líderes de la comunidad sorda de Santiago llegó a organizar una campaña para ayudar a la comunidad sorda en el sur y se reunió con las cuatro escuelas para sordos. Since the following day, Monday, March 1, aid was called for the deaf community in the southern regions. Desde el día siguiente, Lunes, 01 de marzo, la ayuda se pidió a la comunidad sorda en las regiones del sur. Progress is being made. Se están haciendo progresos.

"So far we have good news from two businessmen, who will bring a truck and 100 cases of exclusive merchandise for the deaf in the south," said Alexeis V. Estibill, director of the South-American regional secretriat of Federacion Mundial de Sordos (FMS). "Some institutions, partners, friends and families are receiving money and goods." "Hasta ahora tenemos una buena noticia a partir de dos empresarios, que aportarán un camión y 100 casos de merchandising exclusivo para las personas sordas en el sur", dijo Alexeis Estibill V., director de la regional de América del Sur-secretriat Federación Mundial de Sordos de ( FMS). "Algunas instituciones, socios, amigos y las familias están recibiendo dinero y los bienes." On Sunday, March 7, the Peruvian-Chilean Chabuca and Violeta Cultural Center and the Peruvian deaf community of Santiago organized a fundraising event  where people could bring non-perishable food for the deaf community of the Maule and Bio Bio región. El Domingo, 07 de marzo, el peruano-chileno Chabuca y Violeta Centro Cultural y de los sordos comunidad peruana de Santiago organizó un evento de recaudación de fondos donde la gente podía traer alimentos no perecederos para la comunidad sorda del Maule y Bio Bio región. The efforts was coordinated by Gloria Pinto, sign language student of Professor Christian Muñoz, President of ACHIELS. Los esfuerzos fue coordinado por Gloria Pinto, estudiante de lengua de signos profesor Christian Muñoz, Presidente de ACHIELS. Included in the aid were wooden beds, blankets, towels, shoes and slippers. Incluido en la ayuda eran camas de madera, mantas, toallas, zapatos y zapatillas.

According to ASOCH, a group of up to 8 people travelled to the Maule and Bio Bio region to deliver the goods, water, medicine and other needed items, protected by security forces that were provided by the Chilean government because of widespread looting in the country. Según ASOCH, un grupo de hasta 8 personas viajaron a la región del Maule y Bio Bio de entregar las mercancías, agua, medicinas y otros artículos necesarios, protegido por las fuerzas de seguridad que fueron proporcionados por el gobierno chileno debido a los saqueos generalizados en el país . Included in the group were sign language interpreters and deaf community leaders. Incluido en el grupo de intérpretes de lenguaje fueron líderes comunitarios y de sordos. The group was called “Fuerza Sordos” (The Deaf People Force). El grupo se llamaba "Fuerza Sordos" (La Fuerza de Personas Sordas). The following organizers are Alejandro Ibacache (interpreter), Alexeis V. Estibill (deaf), and 5 deaf volunteers – José Villavicencio, Diego Manzo, Jorge Carvajal, Astrid Piña, and Alexis Carrasco, with coordinator Armando Contreras. Los siguientes son los organizadores Alejandro Ibacache (intérprete), Alexeis V. Estibill (sordos), y 5 voluntarios sordos - Villavicencio, José, Diego Manzo, Jorge Carvajal, Astrid Piña y Alexis Carrasco, con el coordinador de Armando Contreras. Other organizations of disability rights in Chile are giving support to this coalition: CAISO, ACHIELS, UNIVERSO, PROYECTO SOL, CRESOR and a few more other disability groups. Otras organizaciones de derechos de los discapacitados en Chile están dando apoyo a esta coalición: CAISO, ACHIELS, UNIVERSO, SOL PROYECTO, CRESOR y otros grupos de discapacidad más pocos. A bank account was opened for national and international aid for the earthquake victims. Una cuenta bancaria fue abierta e internacional para las ayudas nacionales para las víctimas del terremoto. (see insert for information and address) (Véase el recuadro de información y dirección)

ASOCH is continually seeking donations or support from the international deaf community. ASOCH está continuamente buscando donaciones o apoyo de la comunidad sorda internacional. Estibill said, "They are suffering from lack of food aid, water, communication and information from the state of emergency. The day before Sunday there were two tremors grade 6.2 and 5.4 and on Monday was carried out 25 tremors." Estibill dijo: "Ellos están sufriendo de falta de ayuda alimentaria, agua, comunicación e información del estado de emergencia. El día antes del domingo hubo dos temblores de grado 6,2 y 5,4, y el lunes se llevó a cabo 25 temblores."

Commenting on the disaster, Gustavo Vergara, Secretary General of ASOCH remarked, the Maule and Bio Bio region “saw a destruction of almost 100% of their infrastructure by a tsunami. Al comentar sobre la catástrofe, Gustavo Vergara, Secretario General de ASOCH comentó, el Maule y Bio Bio región "vio la destrucción de casi el 100% de su infraestructura por un tsunami. Food and water shortage has forced the population to carry out sackings in the destroyed zones."  It was so bad that an 18-hour curfew was imposed in Concepcion, Chile's second-biggest city. President Michelle Bachelet, Chile's first woman president, ordered 14,000 troops to patrol the streets in the affected regions to keep order and oversee aid distribution. Recently 168 looters were arrested in the Maule and Bio Bio region. Alimentación y la escasez de agua ha obligado a la población para llevar a cabo despidos en las zonas destruidas. "Era tan malo que una horas el toque de queda 18 se impuso en Concepción, la ciudad más grande de la segunda-Chile. Presidenta Michelle Bachelet, mujer primer presidente de Chile, ordenó a 14.000 soldados para patrullar las calles en las regiones afectadas para mantener el orden y supervisar la distribución de ayuda. Recientemente 168 saqueadores fueron detenidos en el Maule y Bio Bio región.

Things are slowly returning to normal in Chile. Las cosas están volviendo lentamente a la normalidad en Chile. Bachelet cancelled her publicity campaign to focus on relief work. Bachelet canceló su campaña de publicidad para centrarse en los trabajos de socorro. She hands over her power to the newly elected President Sebastian Piñera on this Thursday, March 10, who promises changes in the nation's emergency system and offers a four-stage plan for “reconstructing” Chile in the wake of last February 27's earthquake disaster. Ella entrega su poder al recién electo Presidente Sebastián Piñera en este Jueves, 10 de marzo, que promete cambios en el sistema de emergencia de la nación, y ofrece una etapa plan de cuatro para "reconstruir" Chile a raíz del pasado 27 de febrero de desastre del terremoto. The deaf community in Chile is looking with hopes to see what positive changes Piñera's plan may bring them. La comunidad sorda en Chile está buscando con la esperanza de ver lo que el plan de Piñera cambios positivos pueden traer.