NOTE: This issue of Maine-Lines has been resent in order to correct some formatting issues of the previous version.

• DDHHLD Director’s Report-Terry Morrell
• Interview with Josh and Liz Seal
• Interview with Christine Telford, Regional Representative, HKNC
• Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) - New England Regional Office
• iCanConnect-Perkins School for the Blind

DDHHLD Director’s Report-Terry Morrell

June 25, 2023 - July 1, 2023, was DeafBlind Awareness week. In this issue we have added some interviews related to this.

We would also like to remind you to check our Resource Guide at https://www.maine.gov/rehab/dod/resource_guide/index.shtml  and also our website at https://www.maine.gov/rehab/dod/index.shtml. 

We would also like to share that the 2023 Deaf Annual Tea Awards will be held in person at the Hall of Flags. The last time we had the event at the Hall of Flags was in September 2019. We will not be able to have Zoom available this year; however, we are hoping to record the event and share with others after the event. We look forward to seeing you there. 

2023 Deaf Annual Tea Awards 

The Maine Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened invites you to the Hall of Flags for the 32nd Annual Tea in celebration of Deaf Culture Week on Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon.

Keynote speaker to be determined.

https://www.maine.gov/rehab/advisory_councils/dod/minutes/index.shtml

 2022 Deaf Tea link:

https://youtu.be/MqcV4ucHQqE

Interview with Josh and Liz Seal

Pictured back to front: Joshua Seal, holding Jaxton Seal, age 3; Sephine, age 9; Jayson, age 12; Liz Seal; Jarrod, age 5

What mode of communication did you use as a child?

Liz - bilingual/bimodal – American Sign Language (ASL) and Cued Speech, both. 

Josh - ASL

Where did you go to school? 

Liz – I attended Governor Baxter School for the Deaf (GBSD) for the Pre-School Infant Toddler Program until first grade. I was mainstreamed in Chelsea schools (near Augusta) throughout eighth grade, and I attended and graduated from Kents Hill School, a college predatory school. I attended Simmons College in Boston for two years, then transferred to Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) in South Portland and University of Southern Maine (USM) in Portland. I graduated with an Associate of Science degree (AS) in early childhood from SMCC and a Bachelor of Science degree (BA) in linguistics from USM. I am now in a master’s degree program for special education at the University of Maine Orono (UMO). 

Josh – I attended GSBD until third grade and then I was mainstreamed in Buxton schools. I attended and graduated from Bonny Eagle Middle and High School. I attended National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) for a year, then transferred to SMCC. I graduated from USM in 2019 with BA in Linguistics/ASL and English Interpreting.

Have you always lived in Maine?

Liz – I was born and raised in Maine, but with extremely close family ties in Massachusetts. I lived in Massachusetts for a few years, lived in Texas for a couple of years and then returned to Maine to raise our children near family.

Josh – I was born and raised in Maine. I lived in Massachusetts for a short time, lived in Rochester, New York to attend college, returned to Maine for a while and then moved to Texas for a couple of years. We returned to Maine when our first son, Jayson, born.

What is your family life like now?

Liz - We are extremely close; we go everywhere and do everything together. We let our kids develop their own unique personality and set of interests. Since we are all Deaf, we communicate everything with each other, so nobody feels they’re missing out in conversations. We love having family dinners where we can talk about anything with 100% access. The kids often talk about favorite memories, such as family road trips where we’d go away camping for several weeks. I guess I need to plan another road trip next summer.

Josh - We have four Deaf kids and it's been incredible to see their language development and unique personalities flourish in a fully accessible communication environment. It's truly amazing to witness their growth and progress.

Could you tell us a little about yourself?

Liz - I love to read books, particularly fiction. I love to travel anywhere; right now, my goal is to visit every national park in the United States. I love photography and hiking. Most of my photos are pictures taken while traveling and of course, of my family.

Josh - I love playing disc golf and I will be hosting the biggest Deaf disc golf tournament in 2025, here in Maine. I do enjoy travel and camping. 

As a Deaf professional, what are your proudest accomplishments?

Liz - I love working with students who are Deaf and watching them achieve anything and everything. I love it when the students prove other educators wrong, the educators who seem to think Deaf children have it hard and are not able to achieve much. The light in the children’s eyes when they discover or accomplish something new, their eyes shine so bright. Working with these children are my proudest accomplishments. 

Josh – Building Camp Dirigo, the Deaf camp at the Pine Tree Camp in Rome, Maine.

Where do you work?

Liz - Maine Hands & Voices.

Josh - Pine Tree Society Interpreting Service (PTS).

What do you do?

Liz - I’m currently the President of the Board, for Maine Hands & Voices, but also the Guide-By-Your-Side, Deaf Guide Team Leader. I also work as a parent guide and an advocacy, support, and training advocate (ASTra).

Josh – I am the Director of Interpreting Services at Pine Tree Society. 

What are some of your challenges?

Liz - I love Maine Hands & Voices because I’ve found my place where I feel there are no judgments on my family’s choice of using both ASL and Cued Speech as communication modalities. My challenge is getting other people to understand and respect why we elect to use both and see how both modalities go hand-in-hand. Often times, I see people think they have to choose just one modality. While that was the normal way back when medical professionals urged families to choose one, it certainly isn’t the case now. You can do whatever you feel is right for your child; you would know your child best. 

Josh - When I took over the PTS interpreting services director position, I anticipated facing various challenges and barriers as the only Deaf person in the company. However, I am determined to work hard and improve the situation to ensure better access and understanding for all. They plan on requesting an interpreter for all future meetings with the administration or my supervisors, and it may be necessary to educate them on how to use the interpreter most effectively. It is crucial that they become more aware of the needs of the Deaf community, including my own, and I am optimistic that we can make significant progress in this area.

Interview with Christine Telford, Regional Representative, HKNC

Christine Telford, Regional Representative, HKNC

Can you tell us about yourself, your role or position? 

I have over 15 years of experience working with DeafBlind individuals as an employment specialist, interpreter, VR counselor for the DeafBlind, and certified orientation and mobility specialist. Currently I am the New England Regional Representative for Helen Keller National Center. My role is to act as a liaison between New England state agencies, families, and individuals who are DeafBlind with the HKNC headquarters in Sands Point, NY. I provide technical assistance to our community partners in New England, hand on workshops, trainings and provide O&M services to DeafBlind individuals.  

Can you tell us about your program and who you or your program serves? 

Helen Keller Services is a non-profit organization that acts as a lifelong point of contact to support those who are DeafBlind starting at the age of 14. We serve individuals with combined vision and hearing loss including transition age youth, working adults, older adults, and those with additional disabilities to support them in living their best life in their community of choice. This can include referral services, residential training in NY, consulting with state agencies, advocacy, and at times direct community services. 

How does an individual qualify for your program? 

Over the age of 14 with a documented vision and hearing loss that meets the Helen Keller Act definition of DeafBlind that includes a diverse range of dual sensory loss (ex. Blind/Hard of Hearing, Deaf with Low Vision, Low Vision, and Hard of Hearing with a progressive condition, etc.) 

What services does your program provide? 

• For families of youth who are DeafBlind (14-22) we provide information/resources, consultation, referral services, and advocacy.
• For young adults (14-22) we have summer youth programing in NY that focuses on Pre-ETS along with transition support services on a consultative basis.
• For working adults (18-65+) we offer comprehensive residential training in NY or now online that covers the areas of communication (braille, sign language, haptics), assistive technology, orientation and mobility, independent living, vocational services, and recreational activities.
• For older adults (65+) we have specialized programming that focuses on the same areas with a greater emphasis on access for those with age related vision and hearing loss.
• For state agencies and professionals, we provide collaborative opportunities, consult services, and professional development training in working with individuals who are

What do you feel is important for people to know about DeafBlindness or those with Dual-Sensory Impairment? 

I think people need to know that the DeafBlind community is vastly diverse. Everyone is different and this influences their communication styles, types of training they need and services they use in the community. It's important to listen to the DeafBlind person, respect their individuality and customize training/services to service the whole community.  

Christine Telford | Regional Representative (p) 516-242-0357 

Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) - New England Regional Office

2 Abbott Street P.O. Box 152 Woburn, MA 01801 (516) 320-0265 (V) (781) 257-2000 (VP)

Regional Representative: Christine Telford (617) 865-5409 (VP) (516) 242-0457 (V/T) Email: ctelford@helenkeller.org Website: Helen Keller National Center

The Regional Representatives of HKNC are located in ten offices across the country. They are responsible for connecting with individuals, families, communities, and state stakeholders within their regions to foster collaborative efforts in improving services for individuals with various levels of combined vision and hearing loss ages 14 and up. Visit the HKNC-Regional Representative webpage for more information: HKNC Regional Representatives

iCanConnect-Perkins School for the Blind

iCanConnect is a national program with local contacts to help people stay connected with friends, family, their community, and the world. iCanConnect provides free equipment and training to people with both significant vision and hearing loss who meet disability and income guidelines.

In Maine, Perkins School for the Blind is responsible for iCanConnect, and works with Helen Keller National Center and others to provide in-state service. Contact Brenda Baroncelli with questions about applying in Maine and download an application.

People eligible for iCanConnect receive an assessment to identify solutions to support their distance communication goals. Then, participants are provided equipment and training that meets their needs. Examples include smartphones, tablets, computers, and braille devices.

See how iCanConnect is helping people with both significant vision and hearing loss to stay connected: For general iCanConnect questions, contact Laura Vaughan, Perkins School for the Blind, 617.972.7619. Email: Laura.Vaughan@perkins.org

Contact Information: Brenda Baroncelli P.O. Box 351804 Palm Coast, Florida 32135 (516) 340-1014 (VP) (516) 580-4516 (FAX) Email: bbaroncelli@helenkeller.org Website: iCanConnect Maine

The Department of Labor is an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available to individuals with disabilities upon request.