CORRECTION

The previous version of Maine-Lines sent on November 20, 3016, incorrectly included an interview response indicating Deb Silverman was a native Maine Deaf woman who owned ASL4ALL Services. This was not correct. Deb is a native of California, works for Column5 Consulting, and does not own an ASL business. The incorrect response was from another interviewee for an earlier Maine-Lines edition that was confused in the editing process with the latest issue.

There were several workshops to choose from. The workshops were very helpful and I learned a lot as well as having great refreshers. I attended:

• Understanding Employment Discrimination
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) - How Does it Apply to Me
• Taking Back Power with Self-Advocacy
• American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Effective Communication

I was glad to see that NAD’s top five priorities for 2016-2018 included:

• 1.) NAD shall take the lead in establishing a National Employment Resource Center for D/deaf, deaf-blind, D/deaf with additional disabilities and hard-of-hearing individuals covering both private and public sectors.
• 2.) NAD shall enhance its information clearinghouse and communications.
• 3.) NAD is to create legal strategies and action regarding children who are removed from:
•      a.) Deaf parent(s) home who are either themselves D/deaf, deaf blind, D/deaf with additional disabilities and hard of hearing.
•      b.) D/deaf, deaf blind, D/deaf with additional disabilities and hard-of-hearing children removed from hearing homes.
• 4.  NAD to partner with relevant federal agencies, universities, and/or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to develop a mental health training program and to create a communication hub that focuses on mental health related issues.
• 5. Campaign to end language and cultural deprivation.

The next 54th Biennial NAD conference will be in Hartford, Connecticut, July 2-7, 2018. I am looking forward to it. It is nice that it will be in Region 1.

I also attended the National Association of State Agencies of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (NASDHH) where there was a panel that discussed diversity. The panel was very informative and helpful. It was helpful to be reminded of things that we often don’t think about when it comes to diversity.

We had our 25th Annual Deaf Culture Tea Awards on September 15, 2016. Keynote speaker Cathy Lushman, a Deaf teacher from Governor Baxter School for the Deaf (GBSD), gave a great speech about role models, and this theme continued throughout the ceremony. There were a little over 100 people who attended. We have included some pictures in this special tea edition.

The last full week of September is Deaf Culture Week, the governor signs a proclamation on this. This year there were several events throughout the week to celebrate Deaf Culture Week. Some of the events were:

• Deaf Night Out
• A gathering of Deaf senior citizens and students from GBSD
• Tea with the Superintendent at GBSD
• Tour of the museum at GBSD
• Deaf Culture Festival (DCF) on September 24, 2016, there were several vendors sharing information, deaf artists, and activities for adults and children. There was also a performance by Dack Virning, a Deaf performer, which was well attended. It was a great 25th Annual DCF. 

25th Deaf Annual Tea

The Commission for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened celebrated our 25th Annual Deaf Culture Tea Awards on September 15, 2016. The event took place at the State House, Hall of Flags, in Augusta. The event began with opening remarks from the Division’s Director, Terry Morrell. Terry welcomed approximately 100 people to the Tea. Jeanne Paquette, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor also welcomed the audience.  

Jeanne Paquette, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor

Delicious refreshments were provided by Richard Desjardins, operator of the Cross Café, located at the Cross State Office Building. The Cross Café is part of the Business Enterprise Program of the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI), Bureau of Rehabilitation Services.

Vegetable tray arranged in the shape of an owl.

Every September we celebrate Deaf Culture and recognize those who have made significant contributions to Maine’s Deaf Community. Over the years, we have honored numerous individuals and organizations for their contribution; this year we have added six more people to those already honored. 

Frank Burbank with tactile Deaf interpreters, Regan Thibodeau and Debra Reynolds

We were thrilled to have Catherine J. Lushman as our keynote speaker. The speech was titled “Role Models”. Catherine J. Lushman was born in a small community called Grey River, Newfoundland. Her deafness was inherited. She attended Newfoundland School for the Deaf in St. John’s and graduated in 1987. She has an undergraduate degree in Developmental Drama and Deaf Education from Gallaudet University in Washington, DC and a Master's degree in Deaf Education from Western Maryland College. She started her career as a drama teacher working at the Texas School for the Deaf, in Austin, Texas. Catherine has taught preschool through third grade at the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing since 1996. She currently resides in Maine with her partner Rob, and their daughter Norah Jane. 

Cathy Lushman, Keynote Speaker

Award Recipients

Pictured: Chris Walsh, Duane Dufour, Darleen Hutchins, Larissa Pelletier, Dr. Romy Spitz and Brittany Foley

Larissa Pelletier, Ginny Hewes - Advocate for the Needs of the Deaf Community award recipient

Larissa Pelletier, Ginny Hewes - Advocate for the Needs of the Deaf Community award recipient

This award is given to a person or organization that advocates for the needs of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing persons in Maine.  Ginny Hewes was known as the “I Love You” (in ASL) Lady of Saco.  Mother to a Deaf daughter, Ginny became a tireless advocate for not just her own daughter, but for all Deaf children.  As a result of her personal advocacy, the Deaf Services Coordinator position was established at the (then) Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, which has in turn resulted in specialty signing group homes, culturally competent case management services, linguistically competent mental health counseling services, and the largest source of employment for culturally Deaf signing adults in Maine, social work.  Her reach has extended far beyond the needs of her own daughter, beyond even Deaf children, to make and positive impact on all Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened Mainers.

Darleen Hutchins, Outstanding Citizenship award recipient

Darleen Hutchins, Outstanding Citizenship award recipient

This award is given to a person who is a leader in the Deaf community.

Brittany Foley, Citizenship Youth award recipient

Brittany Foley, Citizenship Youth award recipient

This award is given to a student who is a leader in school and the Deaf community.

Christopher J. Walsh, Promoting American Sign Language, Deaf Culture, and Deaf People award recipient

Christopher J. Walsh, Promoting American Sign Language, Deaf Culture, and Deaf People award recipient

This award is given to a person who worked to improve Maine’s Deaf community through leadership by promoting American Sign Language, Deaf Culture or Deaf People.

Duane Dufour, Special Commendation award recipient

Duane Dufour, Special Commendation award recipient

This award is given to an individual or agency whose activities in and with the Deaf community deserves recognition.

Dr. Romy Spitz, Clifton F. Rodgers award recipient

Dr. Romy Spitz, Clifton F. Rodgers award recipient

This award is given to a person who deserves recognition for outstanding service in a professional or voluntary capacity to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities in Maine.

This award is named for Clifton F. Rodgers a resident of Maine all his life.  He attended the Maine School for the Deaf and lived in Belfast for over 30 years with his wife Dorothy.  Cliff was a member of the Advisory Council and also worked for the Division of Deafness.  Quotes that describe him were; " He made an indelible impression on everyone he came in contact with, for his style always created goodwill and warm feelings"; "His knowledge of Maine and its Deaf Culture were immense"; and " He passed through this world making it a better place".

This award is presented to an individual who has worked in or with Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened individuals for many years.  It is like a "life time achievement award".  

Deaf Culture Festival - 25th Anniversary, September 24, 2016

Deaf Culture Festival 2016

Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing & Late Deafened/Vocational Rehabilitation/Independence Without Fear (IWF). Pictured: Dan Langlois, IWF

Disability Rights Maine-Deaf Services. Pictured: Scott Murray

Group Main Stream. Pictured: Marty Golden

Camp Sign, September 20-22, 2016 Pine Tree Camp, Rome

Camp Sign 2016, campers and staff

Romy Spitz and camper

Campers having fun!

Campers in the sunshine!

How to communicate at camp!

Enjoy an Interview with Deb Silverman

Deb Silverman

Could you share with us what your family life was like as a child?

I was raised in a single parent family by my mother from the age of 5. I have one brother who is 5 years older. I was very shy and introverted and had one friend who couldn’t be seen with me at school because I was different. I was mainstreamed until my sophomore year in high school, where at that point, I was put into special education in a different county – requiring that I take the handicapped mini bus. I am still scarred from the change…some things you never forget or recover from. My mother worked full-time as a secretary to support us. Money was tight and expectations on us were high to succeed in everything. Deaf was an unknown word – my other was in denial and told me I wore ‘hearing aids that are no different than someone wearing glasses’. I didn’t learn I was deaf until I was around 17 years old…my mother didn’t want the label.

My father was hard of hearing, my brother is also hard of hearing and his children are as well. I am the only deaf person in my family. I was fitted with my first aids at 3 years old but have no memory of high sounds or many tones. I was off the charts but it was underplayed (mother wouldn’t accept). I didn’t learn sign language until college, and it was here where I met deaf people ‘like me’. I struggled to fit in – I was not raised culturally deaf. I did make a few friends but left the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) because I wasn’t academically challenged.

I had my first cochlear installed in my early 40’s and my second a couple of years later. I only wear one at this time – I need an upgrade for the other so it is off. After 10 years with the cochlear my speech is no longer ‘deaf sounding’ as people call it. Over time my speech has improved significantly and is still getting better year after year.

What mode of communication did you use as a child? 

Lip-reading.

Where did you go to school? 

Public schools until 10th grade – Capuchino High School for Special Education through grade 12. Canada College; NTID/Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) for one year; University of Arizona; Desert Institute of Healing Arts; Pima College; University of Southern Maine; Southern New Hampshire University; Certified Massage Therapist; Internationally Certified Technical Trainer; Bachelor degree in Engineering; Master degree in Organizational Leadership; and Master of Business Administration (MBA).

What is your family life like now? 

Married, 1 dog, 1 cat, and no children. I adopted a child who is now an adult.

Have you always lived in Maine? 

No – I moved here in 1987.

What kind of work have you done? 

In my youth up to grade 12:

• I worked as a cartographer for USGS. I was responsible for creating maps and charts for scientists’ publications. Notably I was present in the office and watching the seismograph when Mount St Helens erupted.
• I held a second job working as a professional framer and restoration artist (pictures and frames).

College Years:

• U of A Janitorial Service – I cleaned the theater and the student union. Occasionally I worked in the kitchen preparing food.
• Freelance drafting services.
• I started my own business “Cleansweep Janitorial Service”, a business I could do after hours.

Post College Years:

• Bath Iron Works – 10 years. Drafter, supervisor Hill Outfit, CAD/CAM trainer, Applications Developer.
• Nichols Portland, A Division of Parker Hannifin Corporation – 10 years. Applications Engineer, CAD/CAM process engineer, Knowledge Expert for all things CAD related.
• Central Maine Power (CMP) – 2 years. ABAP Programmer, SAP Developer.
• SAP Functional Consultant – 8+ years to present. I currently work as a functional consultant with expertise in SAP technology and financial consolidations, forecasting, and planning. I have worked my way into Knowledge Experts for all things EPM-related, (Enterprise Management Systems). When not traveling I work from home.

As a Deaf professional what would your proudest accomplishments? 

As a deaf person my most significant accomplishments have been managing to finally graduate with four different degrees and finally navigate a system riddled with discrimination and prejudice to build a career landing positions that pay rewarding salaries. That isn’t to say I was paid fairly compared to my hearing colleagues. 

Where do you work? 

I currently work as a consultant for Collumn5 out of Scottsdale, Arizona. I work with clients and projects around the country, such as New Balance, Under Armour, Bell Canada, Cooperators, Century Link to name a few. I am currently working at Amtrak in Washington DC. The life of a consultant is to work on site with occasional weeks at home. 

What do you do? 

Financial Functional Consultant.

What population do you work with? 

I sometimes work on teams and I sometimes work solo. When on site with clients I generally work with CEO’s, CFO’s, CPA’s, Financial leads, Directors and Managers of both IT and financial systems. I also deliver knowledge transfer sessions with solution users. 

What are some of your successes? 

Reaching this level I am today as a consultant was not a straight path. I have encountered many barriers and obstacles that knocked me off my feet. Each time I found it harder and harder to get back up – along the way I sought career coaching and counseling to strengthen my self-esteem and restore my wavering confidence. Today I reap what I sowed. I do not celebrate, rather I keep going with hope to accomplish yet the next challenge then the next – never complacent. My success is measured by my reputation – I am sought after by clients because they know they can count on me to get the job done. When a client calls and asks for me that is the ultimate compliment and hallmark of having arrived – success.

What are some of your challenges? 

Not sure where to begin here but I face challenges every day related to my deafness. When working from home I use ntouch (Sorenson) for all phone communication, especially the hundreds of web ex calls I am required to attend or lead. I work with multiple monitors, so when I am on those calls I am multitasking – demonstrating, taking notes, watching interpreters…it is exhausting. When I am on site I struggle to follow meetings. I am not allowed to use ntouch if someone is in the room, which is creating hardship for me because there may be 20 people on the web ex call and one person in the room. I am accountable for the work – if I can’t collect the information I will encounter issues delivering a quality solution and overlook facts covered on those calls. Hiring a live interpreter is not an option.

I encounter endless issues traveling – there isn’t enough time or room here to write this up. 

What would you like to see happen for those that you work with? 

For those I work with? I tease them about learning basic sign language – but we’re a bunch of MBAs and executives in a conference room – it isn’t going to happen. Since I deliver they do not see any issues with me – I come across so ‘normal’ – the art of fitting in has paid off, but it comes with a price…my colleagues often forget I am deaf.

I spent my entire professional career trying to fit in and do well in everything I do. I am not as vocal as I should be in terms of my needs because of the level of work that I do. Rather than accommodating me I must accommodate them and that is what I do.

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