Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Provider Spotlight
Linda Miller
Hi. My name is Linda Miller and I am a Speech Language Specialist in the Jersey City school district. This is my 7th year in the district. I work at PS#27 with all students, hearing and specifically with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. I received my training from Passaic County Community College in the interpreter training program. I was a part of the first class to graduate in 2013. Before coming to Jersey City, I used my skills at Goodwill in Harrison, NJ as a Job Coach for deaf adults.
Here are a few things that have been happening as a part of the Deaf Program:
Community engagement from former students and the community at large from Hudson and Essex counties
Workshops teaching basic sign language to the Speech Department
2018 started weekly basic sign language trainings to building staff
2018 brought in a speaker for Black History Month to discuss being black and deaf to our middle school students
2019 started teaching basic sign language to hearing students afterschool
2019 had our first ever bridging the gap social event for our deaf and hearing students from the afterschool program
2019/2020 had another bridging the gap social event including individuals from the community
I truly enjoy working with my students and their families. I enjoy helping our staff communicate better by sharing my knowledge. The passion that I have does not stop and start within the Jersey City school district. I am currently attending workshops, connecting with other professionals to continue to build up this program.
I am also a part of an organization in the state of NJ called, “Deaf Advocacy Group”. We are currently training Officers and other first responders on how to communicate with deaf and hard of hearing individuals of all ages. We are also working with various lawmakers to make changes/ improvements to bills and laws in the state of NJ.
A Historic Moment
Mayor Fulop, the Jersey City Municipal Council, the J.C. Deaf Community, and the Office of Cultural Affairs presented the Deaf Awareness Month Flag Raising at City Hall.
Educational Audiology Fact Sheet
"TOD on Wheels" has a variety of resources for Deaf Education.
The fun and easy way to learn ASL while browsing the web! This simple Chrome extension will translate English words on the web into ASL videos. Click the highlighted words you want to learn, and Signspaces will provide a pop-up video of the sign.
Check out this 2010 movie, a coming of age drama following the life of Matt Hamill, the first deaf wrestler to win a National Collegiate Wrestling Championship.
Sandra Rivers, a Child of a Deaf Adult (CODA), opened Deaf's Delight Cafe in Newark, NJ to create a friendly environment for all, but especially for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community.
Newark Public Library offers sign language classes via Facebook Live Tuesdays at 10 AM!
February is Black History Month. Please enjoy this resource highlighting the incredible history and culture of the black deaf community.
For Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals during COVID-19
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Tips for Home and School
Super Duper free educational handout on hearing loss.
Learn ASL with this online, video dictionary.
It wasn’t until March 16, 1980 that the network TV channels ABC, NBC and PBS debuted closed-captioned television shows, in which the show’s dialogue and soundtrack appeared as text on screen as the action proceeded.
CID’s mission is to teach children who are deaf and hard of hearing to listen, talk, read and succeed.
ASL Pro is a completely free online ASL educational resource website featuring over 11000 ASL Signs.
Resources for both parents and professionals.
Hear to Learn provides resources to advance the understanding of spoken language learning for young children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The mission of the NJ Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DDHH) is to provide education, advocacy and direct services to eliminate barriers and promote increased accessibility to programs, services, and information routinely available to the state’s general population.
September 23 is International Day of Sign Languages. According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are more than 70 million deaf people worldwide. More than 80% of them live in developing countries. Collectively, they use more than 300 different sign languages.
Intelligent.com offers this guide to accommodations, top colleges, scholarships, and resources for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students.
A comprehensive list of 26 sign language books, apps, and other sources to help you start learning ASL today!
Community Spotlight
Meet Jersey City Public Schools Alum Thyson Halley!
Thyson was born and raised in Jersey City, NJ. At the age of two and a half, Thyson was diagnosed with spinal meningitis. Thyson’s family was told by doctors that he would never walk, talk, or hear. Although he is Hard of Hearing (DEAF), with only 52% hearing in his left ear and no hearing in his right ear, that has not slowed Thyson down at all! Thyson is an alum of Jersey City Public Schools. He also attended Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights, NJ. After high school, Thyson moved on to get an Associate Degree in Deaf Studies at Camden County College. He furthered his education at Gallaudet University, becoming a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI).
Thyson felt the Lord had called him to help those in need, which led him to choose this field of study. He leads his life according to “The Great Commission.” In this Bible verse, Jesus stated, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” Thyson was licensed to preach gospel in 2006 and was ordained in 2011. He works closely with Chosen Generation Ministries (CGM) in Newark, NJ, where he is an Elder, and assists other organizations in reaching their projected goals. He has taken over 1500 under-privileged youth and parents to Disney World for an educational Christian Retreat. He also works with CGM’s Project Reconnect, which assists men and women coming out of prison to become reacquainted in their communities.
In addition to his work with CGM, Thyson acts as a consultant for various ministries to successfully implement Deaf Ministry in their place of worship. He is the founder of His Hands Ministry, a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Sign Language Ministry. Thyson gives back to his community by hosting free sign language classes at public libraries and community centers in NJ. Thyson serves as the ASL Interpreter for the city of Newark and has also had the opportunity to interpret for the mayors of both Newark and Jersey City. He served on the Jersey City Board of Ethical Standards, as well as the Newark Health Center Board of Commission.
Most recently, Thyson was featured in the September 2020 edition of the New Jersey Monthly Magazine! Check out the article here!
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Check out this assignment from the The Statewide Outreach Center (SOC) at Texas School for the Deaf.
The Raising of the Deaf Flag in Jersey City
A Few Things to Know about ASL
Here are a few things to know about American Sign Language from five people who use it every day.
What It's Like to be Deaf
Deafness is not a disability – it's a community and culture with its own language. Here are some answers to the questions you might have about what it means to be Deaf.
Deaf Awareness: Dos and Don’ts
A teacher from St Vincent School for the Deaf (Sheila) shows us the Dos and Don’ts when communicating with a Deaf person.
Toddlers Chat Using ASL
Check out these little ones talking cars using ASL!
Linda Miller: Effectiveness/Access for Students with Hearing Loss
Congratulations to Linda Miller, who presented at the 2022 NJEA Convention.
Linda states, "Normally, I was a person who operated from the back or sidelines, but my dreams started moving me to the front." After the realization that the yearly convention did not cater to her as a speech therapist, or the population she served, she took action. On Friday, November 11, she spoke to educators from all over the state of NJ regarding communication and effectiveness for students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Congratulations, Linda!
