The morning of June 29th, 2012 started in a very special manner. An unannounced T-Storm destroyed the electrical system in Puerto Rico leaving 85% percent of the population without power. Nevertheless the electrical system was repaired and the electricity came back. It was then that the Gracias Vrs Team started decorating the “Mayor’s Room” (Salon Alcalde) within the Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez in Bayamón.

At 5:30 pm the Deaf started arriving. There was so much enthusiasm and joy in the air. More than 110 people from the Deaf community attended the event. Gracias VRS Team was ready with food and refreshments for them as well as music and a Retro decoration of the room. Many started dancing and enjoying themselves to the rhythm of the music provided by the Municipality of Bayamón and it’s mayor, Ramón Luis Rivera.

The night started with a welcome message from Gilberto García Director of Asl Services Latino, followed by a message from our host, Mr. Amilcar López, Library Director and responsible to provide accessibility to people with Disabilities within the municipality of Bayamón. After his message the Gracias VRS Retro Raffle was started. Beautiful baskets were prepared full of goodies as gifts for the people at the party.

The moment everyone was expected arrived. The dance couples had their numbers and the judging panelwas ready and in position. the 15 dance couples started to dance and after 20 intense minutes of dancing the evaluating team picked the 5 finalist couples. It was extremely hard to reach a consensus among the judges because all the dance couple were so good. After a while the judges gave their verdict and chose the first, second and third position winners.

Before giving the winners their gifts, Mr. Martín Ortiz, Gracias VRS promoter talked to the people present about their experiences and excellent quality service that Gracias VRS provides. At that point the male partners of the dance couple got a special gift prepared for them and the female counterpart got beautiful baskets full of beauty, personal grooming, wines, chocolate and promo items courtesy of Gracias VRS.

Again, another raffle took place while the judging panel got assembled to start the costume competition. Each person did a short presentation dance before the judges and the winner was chosen and a basket given to him. After the costume competition another basket was raffled. The people there continued sharing, eating and drinking the delicious fruit juice specially prepared for the occasion. At 10 p.m. the party ended as we thanked all the guests reminding them to use Gracias VRS and to be watching for other events and activities.

You are invited to our first Retro Party in Puerto Rico. Come dressed like the 50′s, 60′s or 70′s and enter the competition for best costume. We will also have our famous dance competition. There will be prizes awarded to first, second and third places in both categories, plus a raffle, gifts and much more. The entrance is free. Come and bring your Deaf friends with you to this wonderful event. The Retro Party will be held at the Ruben Rodríguez Coliseum, Salón Alcalde Room june 29th starting at 6:00 pm. There is parking available or you can come by train at stop “Deportivo”. Join us for this spectacular summer event powered by the one that is ALWAYS WITH YOU! GRACIAS VRS.

The ADA Series: “What’s in it for You the Deaf Consumer” continues. Last Saturday, January 29th, 2011 we payed a visit to Morovis, Puerto Rico, a city well known for it’s hospitality.

After a brief welcome message, we began detailing the ADA and it’s benefits towards the Deaf Community, focusing on their workplace and upon requiring public services such as with government agencies.

Attendees were surprised when they noticed that one of the guest speakers was Karen Simonich, a Deaf Activist from San Diego, California. She is also a Interpreter for the Deaf-Blind.

The last part was a series of two dramatizations in which the proper way to ask for an Interpreter was portrayed. This was especially helpful when asking for private and public services that require having an Interpreter present. This was of great help and we hope that the locals will start implementing this on their daily lives.

Last Saturday, September 11,2010, Torres along with representatives from the Office of the Solicitor for Handicap (representing our Governor Luis Fortuño), the CEO of the Senate’s Social Well-being and representatives from the Office of Elderly Affairs were all gathered at “Sol” Theater in San German, PR. They were part of a discussion panel meant to explain how each of them can aid as well as have a positive influence for the Deaf, which responded by asking question after question and exposing both general and personal problems that affect them as a collective and as individuals.

Aside from the discussion panel, the attendees also enjoyed an ADA Talk (Americans with Disabilities Act) given by Irlanda Ruiz, from Cornell University, which was focused on how it protects their rights and generated a lot of questions and comments for the discussion panel to attend to.

Such events gives us a glimpse of how ASL Services Latino & Gracias VRS are deeply committed with the Deaf Community, gaining access to where everyone though was impossible, opening door to people who can really make a difference. People who believe in empowering rather that facilitating. It’s a matter of acting rather that “waiving”. Of this we are confident.

Gracias VRS: Always With You.