Sign Language

Since he's always been part of the deaf community, Stefan LeFors knew a little bit about what to expect when he came to Kentucky School for the Deaf Friday. LeFors grew up expressing himself without words because his parents, brother, paternal grandparents and three uncles were deaf. "It was not a big deal that I could hear and they couldn't," said LeFors. "My parents taught me sign language and how to communicate. They taught me everything that was important and treated me the same as everyone else.

In salons, there are standards noises going around: hairspray being spritzed, hairdryers loudly humming, and people talking and laughing. Despite growing up around hairdressers and being a hairdresser for four years, Gloria Kriausky doesn't know these sounds. That's because Kriausky is deaf.  “My family thought that I was born with hearing, that I went deaf later, but I don't think so, I think I was born deaf. They didn't have the kind of technology that they have today, for screenings,” she said, with the translation of Jennifer Paycheck, a certified interpreter through Central Kentucky Interpreter Referral.  For Kriausky, this “isn't a hindrance at all,” according to Shelia Curtis, owner of The Salon, where Kriausky works.

Many people take their ability to communicate verbally for granted. Unfortunately, many Danville residents do not have that luxury. Because Danville is home to Kentucky School for the Deaf, the city has a large deaf community that relies on their hands for communication. Unfortunately, it is often hard for these two groups to effectively communicate because of the general public's lack of basic sign language skills. It is in an attempt to better communication between that deaf and hearing communities KSD will begin community sign language classes on Monday.

Danville-Boyle Chamber of Commerce wants to be allowed to post a sign about its Taste of Danville fund-raiser in November. But the chamber is being sent in a circle. The food-tasting event helps supplement the chamber's budget that is mainly fueled by membership dues. The chamber is non-profit, but it doesn't have a 501c3 federal tax status; it's a 501c6. The chamber's executive director, Paula Kilby, noticed that the Danville-Boyle Planning and Zoning ordinance only allows 501c3s to post temporary signs off their property.

Sign language classes offered Community sign language classes will be 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays for nine weeks Jan. 30-March 27 in Lee Hall at Kentucky School for the Deaf. Classes offered include Beginning ASL I-A; Beginning ASL I-B; and Beginning ASL II-C, for those who have taken ASL A & B classes and possess advanced skills. Cost is $ 40 per person. No pre-registration is required. For more information, call Ina Faye Price at (859) 239-7017 ext. 2164 or Rita Zirnheld at 239-7017, ext. 2171.

While holding a verbal conversation with Ina Faye Price, a staff interpreter and coordinator for community sign language classes with Kentucky School for the Deaf, it's evident American Sign Language plays a huge role in her everyday communication. Price is a hearing person, and even when she's talking with another hearing person, she allows her hands to also convey her message. "It's habit," she said smiling. And for good reason. ASL has been a second language to her for 36 years, and it's played an important role that all began with an attempt to solidify a new friendship.

Dwayne and Heather Slone of Danville are happy to announce the engagement of their daughter Stephanie Slone to James Overing, son of John and Patty Overing of Danville. Stephanie is a 2006 graduate of Boyle County High School and currently is a senior at Eastern Kentucky University pursuing a bachelor's degree in American Sign Language interpreter education. James is a 2007 graduate of Boyle County High School and a 2009 graduate of Nashville Auto Diesel College and is employed at Wildcat Ford in Nicholasville.

Dear Editor, I would like to compliment The Advocate-Messenger for the outstanding article published Dec. 1 about sign language interpreter Lindsay Devine. Lindsay is a wonderful new addition to the interpreting profession, and she has very much to offer. All of us at Central Kentucky Interpreter Referral are very excited that Lindsay is returning to Danville and choosing to share her skills and her professional endeavors with her home community. Thanks to the Advocate for showcasing this talented "up and coming professional.

Danville's assistant city manager earns $50,000 a year. Her salary was misprinted and misquoted at a Boyle Fiscal Court meeting Tuesday. Each time a resident drops off a load of garbage at the Forkland Convenience Center it costs $4.55. The cost was incorrect in Wednesday's article. Sunday's article about Central Kentucky Interpreter Referral, Inc. service concerning the organization's American Sign Language Interpreters are certified was unclear. The foreign language interpreters are not certified.

GRC SBDM meeting The George Rogers Clark High School School-based Decision-making Council will meet at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in the library. Community Ed classes Openings remain in the following Community Education classes: Women's self-defense (free), photography, small business sales and marketing (free), tai chi, sign language, piano, ballroom dance and Microsoft Word. Call 745-3946 or email cora.heffner@clark.kyschools.us for more information or to register. Providence SBDM to meet Sept.