Bionic Ear Blog

The following questions and answers are specific to the Certificate of Deafness for Tuition Waiver:

Do I need to submit a new certificate to my college/university each semester?

No, the enabling statute states your certificate is good for the entirety of your program. The only time a college/university may ask for another certificate is if you change your major or focus of study.

I only have a copy of my certificate and the college/university wants an original, what do I do?

If the college/university wants an originally signed document and you no longer have one, you can request one from DHHS. However, the date of the certificate will be the date you originally were deemed eligible for the program. You will need to let DHHS know your current address when you request the duplicate.

Does the certificate cover expenses other than tuition?

The tuition waiver only covers tuition and tuition-based fees. If the amount of the fee is determined by the amount of your tuition (or how many hours/credits you are taking), then that fee should be covered by the waiver. The waiver never covers books, supplies or the cost of any needed accommodation.

Do I need to re-apply for a certificate after a certain timeframe?

No, your certificate does not expire.

Is there a limit to the educational level I can achieve using my Certificate?

There is no limit. Individuals who qualify can enroll for studies up to and including the post-graduate level, as long as enrollment is at a state-supported college or university.

Can my old audiogram be used for my Certificate of Deafness for Tuition Waiver application?

As long as the audiogram reflects your current hearing status there is no time limit on when the test was done.

If I meet the criterion in Part II, do I need to complete Part III and/or Part IV?

No. Parts III and IV are alternate criteria to establish eligibility when the regular criterion is not met.

Other questions about this program should be directed to dhhs@dars.state.tx.us or CollegeForTexans.com

Certification of Deafness for Tuition Waiver

Provides a certificate that verifies hearing loss for applicants for tuition waiver at state supported post-secondary schools in Texas. The basic criteria for applicants is either an unaided average hearing loss of 55 decibels (dB) or greater (using 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz) or an aided average hearing loss of 30 dB or greater using the same frequencies. Alternate options for eligibility are listed on the tuition waiver application for individuals who are “functionally deaf and the primary mode of communication in the classroom is through visual modes.”

You can find all these information at website - see links below.

http://www.dars.state.tx.us/dhhs/dhhsfaqs.shtml#codtw - the application, general information

http://www.dars.state.tx.us/dhhs/trnganded.shtml#Certification - regular criteria for eligibility

Other questions about the CODTW – send email to dhhs@dars.state.tx.us - Thanks

Doug H. Dittfurth
Outreach Development Specialist
Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services of the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services/Division for Rehabilitation Services PO Box 12904 - Austin, TX 78711
4900 N Lamar Blvd, 2-172 - Austin, TX 78751
Office/Voice: 512/407-3273 Office/TTY: 512/407-3274
Office/Video Phone: 161.137.23.204 Office/ Fax: 512/407-3299

Posted by at 9:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I’ve talked to many people over the years about my speech. They tell me that it would be impossible to not have a deaf accent no matter how much speech therapy I get. Then I came across this from Dear Abby.

DEAR ABBY: I am a deaf woman who was raised by a woman who made sure I had speech therapy most of my life. Because of it, my speech is quite good, and people often forget that I am deaf or don’t believe me.

I was pulled over by a cop, and when I told him I was deaf and needed to read his lips, he didn’t believe me. Friends and co-workers have even told me, “With speech like yours, you can’t be THAT deaf!” It is frustrating and sometimes hurtful.

The truth is I cannot hear, and I need people to look at me so I can read their lips. Any suggestions on how to kindly remind people — including law enforcement officers — that I really am deaf? — READ MY LIPS IN D.C.

DEAR READ MY LIPS: You should request from your physician a card explaining your hearing disability, and carry it in your wallet in case you are stopped again by law enforcement. You can also use it if there are any more misunderstandings in the workplace.

Anyone know of other profoundly deaf people who speak this well?

Posted by at 11:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

• Captioning Flash-based streaming video [pdf file] [Link, y3]

• Sign Language Interpreters at High Ergonomic Risk

• DEAF411, Inc. researches what makes a city deaf-friendly

• AT&T finally offers data-only plan for deaf iPhone users: the plan is also good for other phones except Blackberry. More info at DeafDC Blog and at&t’s iPhone page and for plans for other phones except Blackberry and iPhones.

• More learning about deaf culture

• Boy regains hearing after cotton pops out: How do doctors miss this after NINE years? Every time I take my kid for a check up, the doctor checks the ears. Heck, the doctor checks my ears knowing I’m deaf. Being deaf doesn’t mean we’re exempt from ear infections and other problems.

• Social Media Summit on Hearing Loss held today complete with closed captioning.

Posted by at 8:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Remember the 100th Episode celebration show on “Dancing With The Stars” is on Tuesday May 6. Marlee Matlin and other contestants are on “Dancing With The Stars” will appear on that show.

Reader Tokumbo writes, “Go to Amy Efron Cohen’s website to check out the bittersweet story about the true story on movie ‘Sweet Nothing in the Ear.’ Amy explains about how the idea come from that movie and the idea was coming from deaf actress whose her life is based on that movie.”

The video is in ASL. Anyone willing to sum up the video for us ASL-impaired folk?

Posted by at 7:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

The New York Times reports on a new hearing aid — new meaning completely different. Not behind the ear, not requiring surgery, not requiring typical batteries, not requiring full ear molds.

The Lyric looks like an ideal hearing aid for those who don’t have severe or profound hearing loss. Wearers most likely have to give up swimming. However, the company’s web site says the hearing aid can be removed for MRIs and similar unique situations, but not swimming and scuba diving.

The Lyric provides an interesting and expensive alternative for qualified candidates.

Posted by at 8:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Aww… Marlee Matlin was ousted on this week’s Dancing with the Stars. I hated to see her go, but the last two weeks didn’t go well for her and Fabian. After all, this is a dancing contest, not a popularity contest. I voted for her, of course.

I had hoped she recover from last week’s less than stellar performance since her partner specialized in mambo. But it wasn’t enough. According to judge Carrie Ann, the mambo focused on the relationship with the music more than any other dance.

I hope she’s proud of her work and that deaf people are proud of her for representing us.

I finished Sweet Nothing in My Ear and thought the movie portrayed the issues well. Marlee Matlin, Jeff Daniels, Phyllis Frelich, and Ed Waterstreet did a superb job in their roles.

Did you know Phyllis Frelich and Ed Waterstreet also played a couple in Love Is Never Silent?

Posted by at 2:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)