Convention offers new help for deaf

From: Chicago Tribune, IL - Nov 14, 2003

By Denise Linke Special to the Tribune

Most of the people in the room were deaf, yet Trinette Co of West Chicago, a professional American Sign Language interpreter, could "hear" the murmur of conversation.

They had come to the Deaf Worldwide convention, held recently at Pheasant Run Resort and Convention Center in St. Charles, presenting new products and services for the hearing-impaired that drew more than 5,000 people.

About 51,000 of Illinois' estimated 1 million deaf or hearing-impaired residents live in the Chicago area, said Liz Griffen, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission, who is deaf.

"We're here to let deaf people know what their options are," Griffen said. "We have different types of technology available, and we have advocacy programs to help people understand their legal rights in public and in the workplace."

Though the commission rarely receives complaints of outright discrimination against the deaf, Griffen said people often contact its Springfield office for help fitting into sound-oriented offices.

"Deaf people's needs are different than the needs of people with other disabilities, and often they just aren't met," she said. Hearing co-workers of deaf employees can help by asking employees exactly what procedures and equipment is needed to interact with them, she said.

Glendale Heights resident Denise Van Thyne said she attended the convention to check out the latest technology.

"Mostly I want to find out more about Sidekick [a vibrating pager], but I'm having a lot of fun talking with old friends," she said. "I see people here that I haven't seen in a long time. Maybe that's because the convention is being held here this year instead of at McCormick Place. There are so many deaf people living in the western suburbs that this is much more convenient for us than going into the city."

The star of the event was 20-year-old Ryan Ketchner, judging by the continuous line of well-wishers in front of his booth. Ketchner, a southpaw for the Seattle Mariners' Class AA farm team, is the only deaf pitcher in pro baseball.

"Being deaf makes playing harder in some ways and easier in others," Ketchner said. "My first season I had a little bit of trouble meeting other players and talking to the coaches. I always wanted the coaches to talk slower during meetings because it was hard to read their lips. But not hearing chatter on the field helps me concentrate on my pitching."

During one night game last year in South Bend, Ind., Ketchner was the only player not startled by a fireworks show.

"The city was having a festival downtown, and I was just about to throw a pitch when they shot off a bunch of fireworks right behind the stadium," he said. "The batter suddenly looked up and stepped out of the box. The umpire called time, and I was trying to figure out what was wrong. Then my catcher gestured at me to turn around, and then I saw the fireworks. They must have been really loud."

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