ROCHESTER ADVOCATE
Vol. 96 March, 1975 NO. 3
(ALUMNI NOTES - Page 19)

From: Rochester School for the Deaf | Archive Center | www.rsdeaf.org
1545 St. Paul Street | Rochester, New York 14621

The Harveys have been back from
Florida, their winter home, since May
and Janet was fortunate to get back to
work at N.T.I.D. That leaves Dorman
to play golf whenever the weather permits.

There are over 80 TTY operators
among the deaf in Rochester. September
29 was the first anniversary of the
Rochester Tel-Com Association of the
Deaf Bulletin service which is eagerly
awaited by the operators as the news is
sent automatically through the TTYs.
The first RTCAD bulletin was 20 minutes
long and the shortest was 8 minutes.
The members are grateful to Robert and
Thelma Bohli for undertaking this arduous
job of keeping the members upto-
date with current events among the
deaf. The local agent, who is Lester
Zimet, is to be credited with the growing
numbers of TTY operators!!

ROCHESTER ADVOCATE
Vol. 98 November, 1976 No. 1
(REUNION - ALUMNI NOTES - Page 6)

formerly OUR LITTLE PEOPLE and ADVOCATE OF ENGLISH AND SPEECH
Published since 1878 by Rochester School for the Deaf

From: Rochester School for the Deaf | Archive Center | www.rsdeaf.org
1545 St. Paul Street | Rochester, New York 14621

The business meeting of the Board
of Directors followed the regular meeting
for the election of new officers. The
new officers now are Barbara Coulston
for President, Edward Marsh for Vice-
President, Doris Lee Grann for Secretary
and Robert Bohli for Treasurer. Adjournment
followed immediately for
lunch in Forrester Hall.

The program for the time 2:00 p.m. to
2:00 a.m., included a guided tour of the
school campus; movie of past ALUMNI
REUNIONS, Alumni, teachers, and oficers;
Old Fashioned Dress and Beard
contest (circa 1876); the semi-formal
party at the Holiday Inn on St. Paul
Street and Main Street started at 5:00
p.m. the time when late comers registered.
A bountiful smorgasbord with a
three-tiered birthday cake which had
RSD hands on top and five "framed"
pictures of the five school superintendents,
past and present on the tiers
started at 6:00 p.m. Dancing to the
music of Russ Michaels band was the
climax. A grand drawing for a teletype
machine — Model M15 console —
was conducted by Lester Zimet at the
banquet. 

ROCHESTER ADVOCATE
Vol.104 JANUARY 1983 No. 2
( ALUMNI NOTES - Page 13)

formerly OUR LITTLE PEOPLE and ADVOCATE OF ENGLISH AND SPEECH
Published since 1878 by Rochester School for the Deaf

From: Rochester School for the Deaf | Archive Center | www.rsdeaf.org
1545 St. Paul Street | Rochester, New York 14621

The Rochester Tel-Com Association
of the Deaf presented its twelfth annual
general meeting on October 21 at 7:00
p.m. in R.R.C.D. Hall. The agenda included
the 1981-1982 highlights; operators
service mock demonstration on
how to place long distance calls; application
for 25% telephone discount to be
provided; election of officers and Board
of Directors for a term of two years. As
an inducementto bring in new members
a coupon for $1.00 was offered on the
membership dues. The new officers for
October 1982 to October 1984 are as
follows: President, John Ratcliffe (reelected
3rd time); Dorislee Grann, Vice-
President (reelected); Elissa Olsen, Secetary;
William Brown, Treasurer (reflected);
T.D.I, agent, Lester Zimet;
Maintenance Chairman, John Van-
'echten; Members at large are Robert
Bohli, Dana Carlile, and Annette Convay.
The Association is now preparing
a new local R.T.C.A.D. - TTY - TDD
Directory for 1983.

The R.S.D. Alumni Association held a
runch for the second year on October
3 at R.S.D. in Forrester Hall from noon
) 2:00 p.m.. President Robert Bohli was
in charge with the help of his committee
which included Dorislee and Don
Grann, Thelma Bohli, Angela Mauro,
Gail Smith, Francis VanAken, Diane
Clupper, Shirley Dennison and Dave
Curry. Over 180 persons enjoyed the
bountiful meal. So successful is this
event that another one is planned in the
near future.

Mr. and Mrs. Lester Zimet were pleasantly
surprised to find R.S.D. classmates
and friends awaiting them at Anthony's
Restaurant in East Rochester on November
6. The event was their twentyfifth
wedding anniversary which is on
November 2. Rose Farchione and Janet
Harvey were in charge and invited
guests that were lady members of two
Pinochle Clubs and the Wednesday Art
Club and their husbands. Judy, the
younger daughter, flew from Washington,
D.C. to surprise her parents. Jane,
the older one, could not come from
Colorado Springs but she took care of
flowers. The bridal couple was toasted
before a delicious buffet. All in all it was
a memorable event.

The Rochester Civic Association of
the Deaf held a special program on
December 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Forrester
hall at R.S.D. for a discourse on Personal
Income (how to live better on your
paycheck or fixed income). And on
December 10 - R.C.A.D. had a Card
Party at R.R.C.D. hall from 1 - 4 p.m..

ROCHESTER ADVOCATE
Vol. 105 November 1983 NO. 1 
(ALUMNI NOTES - Page 13)

From: Rochester School for the Deaf | Archive Center | www.rsdeaf.org
1545 St. Paul Street | Rochester, New York 14621

Last June at the National Convention
of the Deaf in Philadelphia, Pa., the
highest award given by the Telecommunications
of the Deaf "The S.H.
Latham Brunig Humanitarian Award"
was given to Lester Zimet, the prime
mover of the successful telecommunication
works in the greater Rochester
area since he first acquired his TTY
back in 1971. He was one of the
chartered founders of the R.T.C.A.D.
and has served as its efficient TTY
agent since 1972. Mr. Zimet has spent a
great deal of his personal and free time
traveling to different places to bring a
large supply of obsolete, but workable
TTYs to Rochester. Rochester is fortunate
to have Lester Zimet at their doorsteps.

Sympathy goes to Eleanor Zimet in
the loss of her mother, Mrs. Margaret
Glen who passed away July 22 after a
long illness.

ROCHESTER ADVOCATE
Vol.105 JANUARY 1984 No. 2
(ALUMNI NOTES - Page 14)

From: Rochester School for the Deaf | Archive Center | www.rsdeaf.org
1545 St. Paul Street | Rochester, New York 14621

Rochester Tel-Com Association of
the Deaf held its annual general meeting
at the Health Association Building on
November 3, 1983. Guest speaker was
Linda Gaylord of the Rochester Telephone
Company. The topics she covered
were: calling cards, billing, directory
assistance and telephone services. She
fielded questions concerning problems
of using the phone. The agenda of the
meeting included: Petition (request for
60% discount for long distance telephone
calls); candy fund raising;
Bouquets and Bricks (comments and
gripes). A member of the Substance
and Alcohol Intervention Service
(S.A.I.D.) gave a talk on drugs and
alcohol. Awards were given to deserving
members among which was Lester Zimet
for his exemplary service to TTY Rochester
community. RTCAD's tenth
anniversary was celebrated with a large
cake and beverage social hour.
A new TTD was located in the basement
of the Health Association Building
for the purpose of issuing the Bulletin.
In March 1982, Dorislee Grann became
the new editor replacing Thelma Bohli
who resigned.

The R.C.S.D. met on November 11,
1983 at the R.R.C.D. Hall on St. Paul St.
for the business meeting. The agenda
included a guest speaker; report of
E.S.A.D. Board Meeting of October 29
by Paula Wollenhaupt; Fundraising
Project and Chairperson; R.C.A.D. Committee
on World Deaf Awareness Week
by Tom Holcomb; TV accessibility by
Jane Mullins; Items of Interest; Demonstration
of CBS on September 28; Reception
in honor of T. Alan Hurwitz; and
Membership Drive. The highlights included
Chemical People Project at RSD
and NTID at RIT on November 2 and 9;
Mental Health Chapter's third annual
Candidate's Night; Pancake supper at
RSD, hosted by Deaf Women of Rochester
on November 18. There will be a
N.A.D. Convention

ROCHESTER ADVOCATE
Vol. 109 January 1988 No. 2
(ALUMNI NOTES - Page 7)

From: Rochester School for the Deaf | Archive Center | www.rsdeaf.org
1545 St. Paul Street | Rochester, New York 14621

• A lovely 15th Anniversary of the
Rochester Tel Com Association, Inc.
vas put on at the Diplomat Party
House on November 6th with over
?00 friends to help celebrate this
event. Pictures were set up to show
its milestone and the copies of TTY
news bulletins were on display for all
to see. Entertainment was given by
Patrick Graybill and Michael Morris.
"Once in a Lifetime" group gave a
performance. Awards were given to
deserving members who have given
their time for RTCAD.

• An article in the new Deaf Rochesterian's
Newsmagazine has an article
in it on John Ratcliffe who won
the first Dorman Harvey Memorial
Award for his outstanding services
to Rochester Tel-Com Association
of the Deaf, Inc. (RTCAD) since its
formation. The newly-instituted
award is given by Dorman Harvey's
widow, Janet, in honor of the person
who has done the most towards the
betterment of RTCAD. From the start,
"through thick and thin," Mr.
Ratcliffe has been actively involved
in RTCAD. He was one of the first to
set up the news bulletin, and its originator
of the successful and popular
Baked Potato Bar event, now in its
fifth year. And he was one of the
people who worked towards getting
RTCAD incorporated. His wife,
Frances, has also long been active in
RTCAD. It's encouraging to see deserving
persons getting credit for
their contributions to the Deaf Community.

ROCHESTER ADVOCATE
Vol. 96 March, 1975 NO. 3
(ALUMNI NOTES - Page 8)

From: Rochester School for the Deaf | Archive Center | www.rsdeaf.org
1545 St. Paul Street | Rochester, New York 14621

THE TELEPHONE AND THE DEAF

 F. A. CALIGIURI, Coordinator
Deaf Community Relations
National Leadership Training Program

In the Area of the Deaf
California State University, Northridge
"The telephone, originally inspired
by the hope of aiding deaf people, has
placed them at an economic disadvantage.
Now that the teletype (TTY) has
been adapted to transmission via the
telephone, deaf persons can enjoy communications
at a distance. Unfortunately,
the TTY in any of its versions is not
inexpensive, costing at a minimum about
$250 to purchase. Upkeep is fairly expensive,
and the relatively slow transmission
speed results in higher user
charges by the telephone companies."*

Since 1964 and even today old Western
Union machines hooked up to electronic
couplers (Phonetypes) are the
chief means by which deaf people can
use the telephone. There are several
models of teletypewriters, but the old
machines are the least expensive. However,
they are obsolete, extremely cumbersome
and not particularly pleasing to
the eye. The April, 1974, issue of the
publication of Teletypewriters for the
Deaf, Inc., states that an agreement had
been entered into between the American
Telephone and Telegraph Company and
TDI whereby AT&T and some of its
operating companies will provide surplus
equipment to deaf people. Even so, the
cost of reconditioning this equipment
and adapting for transmission over telephone
lines is no small investment.

In 1973, the Phonics Corporation
developed a "TV Phone" in which printed
letters are flashed on a TV screen
and SICO, Inc. came out with a portable
TTY, the "Manual Communication Module"
communications system by which
letters are formed by light - emitting
diodes. Both the TV Phone and SICO's
MCM have built-in terminal units so
that couplers as separate items of equipment
are dispensed with.

The 1973-1974 International Telephone
Directory of the Deaf contains
3340 entries. THE DEAF POPULATION
OF THE UNITED STATES in-
dicates that as of 1972, there were 13,-
362,842 people with some hearing impairment
of which 1,767,046 were deaf.

Rochester School for the Deaf | Archive Center | www.rsdeaf.org
1545 St. Paul Street | Rochester, New York 14621

Figures released by American Telephone
and Telegraph place the number of telephones
at 110,000,000, or one telephone
for every two persons in the
United States. Simple arithmetic shows
that there is only one TTY to every
530 deaf persons, or one TTY to every
4000 with a hearing impairment. There
are no figures to indicate how many of
these people subscribe to telephone service,
but from the number of TTYs in
service, it would seem that not many of
the deaf have or use telephones. Until
more devices are made available, deaf
persons will continue to be penalized by
the inaccessibility of telecommunications.
A person who is either deaf or for whom
amplification equipment is of little or
no value cannot pick up the phone and
make a purchase at a department store.
He or she cannot contact the police in
an emergency. In fact, the deaf are deprived
of all the services available to the
hearing and which they take for granted,
something missing before tial is printed this way
tial TTY users a conservative estimate
of four hearing relatives to each deaf
individual, then there would be one TTY
to every 16,000 persons, and finally,
one TTY to every 32,000 telephones in
the United States. One can deduce from
the above figures that the inability to
use the telephone on the same basis as
the hearing has indeed hampered the
deaf to a great extent in their quest for
equal status in the social and economic
structures of our culture.

Recently the Pacific Telephone Company
established a bilingual phone service
for Spanish - speaking Californians.
The cost of the project was placed at
$500,000 and the company expects this
cost to be offset by the increased use
of phone service by Spanish - speaking
people.

It appears that the time has come for
American Telephone and Telegraph
Company, through one or more of its
regional companies, to explore the feasibility
of subsidizing the manufacture of
compact communication equipment and
distributing it to users in the same manner
that the telephone is subscribed for.
Deaf persons and their relatives and
friends, schools, service agencies, the
medical and dental professions, hospitals,
business establishments, banks, department
and community stores, retail outlets,
theatres and restaurants—all will
want to be on the receiving end of communication
with the deaf. On the educational
side, the introduction of the
telephone and its usage to young deaf
school children may contribute to the
rapid development of reading and language
skills. The deaf themselves, will
be able to utilize the service of "hot
lines," contact the police and fire departments,
take advantage of answering
and news services—in fact, opt for practically
the whole gamut of services associated
with the telephone.

As with the service for Spanish-speaking
people, the tremendous increase in
the use of the phone service by the deaf
and severely deafened people would
more than offset the cost of the equipment.

To the deaf person, the telephone is
a constant reminder of his handicap
and his dependence on others for its
use. It also stands as an invisible barrier
to his vocational advancement, for
he has found from sad experience that
in employment he is considered for promotion
only to positions which do not
require the use of the telephone. Although
the deaf person has learned to
"get along" without the aid of the telephone
in his everyday living, it still
stands as a psychological barrier to the
realization of his full potential. It is ironical
that the telephone .which was invented
by Alexander Graham Bell to
aid his hearing-impaired wife is, by itself,
entirely useless to the deaf.

* THE DEAF POPULATION OF
THE UNITED STATES, by Jerome
D. Schein and Marcus T. Delk, Jr.;
conducted by the National Association
of the Deaf in cooperation with the
Deafness Research and Training Center,
New York University.

Most of the thousands of
travelers who pass through the
Monroe County Airport every day
take for granted the availability of
coin telephones when they need to
confirm a hotel ^reservation, call
for a ride, home or report an
unexpected delay. Hearing-impaired
travelers, however, are at
a disadvantage since many of
them need a special device known
as a TTY (teletypewriter) or TDD
(Telecommunications Device for
the Deaf) to communicate by
"phone.

Rochester Telephone has joined
with the Monroe County Airport,
the Rochester Tel-Com
Association of the Deaf and the
National Technical Institute for
the Deaf located at RIT to provide
a TTY terminal for use by
hearing-impaired travelers.
Monroe County provided space for
the installation near the Airport's
communications center. RET -
NTID made and donated a
specially-constructed box to hold
the equipment and protect it from
theft or vandalism. RTCAD
agreed to maintain the TTY unit
without charge. And Rochester
Telephone installed the coin
telephone and paid for the TTY
unit and associated installation
charges.

To make a call, the hearing-impaired
user places the telephone
handset into a coupler and then
reaches a special operator by
dialing 1-800-855-1155 on the coin
telephone. The special operator
completes the connection (the
called party must also have a
TTY). One party types a message
into the TTY keyboard and the
message is relayed and printed at.
the other end. The receiving party
reads it, types in a response which
is relayed back to the first. The
"conversation" continues until
terminated by the participants. In
addition to local calls, users may
place long distance calls by using a
credit card, billing to a third
number or calling collect.

The Monroe County Association
for the Hearing Impaired
estimates that there are more
than 50,000 bearing-impaired
citizens in the Greater Rochester
area. They, as well as their
families and friends who visit the
Rochester area, will be able, to
communicate more easily thanks
to this cooperative effort.