• DDHHLD Director’s Report-Terry Morrell
• Guidance for Hosts of Public Events and Meetings to Ensure Access for Individuals Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing-Maine Department of Health and Human Services and Maine Department of Labor
• Tips for the Media on Reporting on and for the Deaf Community
• Best Practices and Preferences in Healthcare Settings for Effective Communication with Patients and Families / Responsible Parties Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
• 3rd Annual Deaf Tea Awards September 19, 2024, 2-4 PM Hall of Flags at the State House in Augusta
• Percival P. Baxter Foundation (PPBFME) for Maine's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children and Families
• Debra Bare-Rogers, AKA DayLeigh Walker, Appalachian Trail, March 2024
• An Interview with Matt Webster
• In Memory of James Levier

DDHHLD Director’s Report-Terry Morrell

It has been a busy time since the October 25^th shootings in Lewiston Maine. The tragedy devasted the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, as there were four Deaf people that were killed, others that were injured and others who witnessed the tragedy. State agency representatives from the Department of Labor (DOL), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (DPFR), Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR) meet twice a month to discuss how our state agencies can continue to support Maine’s Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. We have been working collaboratively with leaders in the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community on how best to reduce barriers and to provide additional resources in the wake of the shooting. We have developed and shared three new resources: guidelines for the media, guidelines for Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), and how to manage meetings to include Deaf and hard of hearing. We have provided the resources below

Guidance for Hosts of Public Events and Meetings to Ensure Access for Individuals Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing-Maine Department of Health and Human Services and Maine Department of Labor

https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/sites/maine.gov.dhhs/files/inline-files/Guidance-Hosts-Public-Events-Meetings-Access-Individuals-Deaf-Hard-Of-Hearing.pdf

Tips for the Media on Reporting on and for the Deaf Community

https://deafmaine.org/media/

Best Practices and Preferences in Healthcare Settings for Effective Communication with Patients and Families / Responsible Parties Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recommends hospitals and other health care providers deploy best practices in cultural, linguistic, and equitable access to services provided to Maine’s Deaf community. Automatic or universal use of Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) is not the best nor preferred practice. Deaf leaders in Maine, Maine DHHS, and national experts agree that providing qualified on-site interpreters should be the primary communication method healthcare providers use with Deaf patients and their families / responsible parties. Interpreters are not just for Deaf people. They act as a communication bridge between hearing healthcare workers and Deaf and hard-of-hearing patients so they can understand patients’ needs and deliver high-quality care.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires healthcare providers to ensure effective communication to Deaf patients and companions. This requirement is also included in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) has articulated why on-site interpreters should always be the primary method of communication in healthcare settings, with VRI used only when certain conditions are met. This applies to all types of treatment, including emergency, urgent, and scheduled care. The ADA and ACA require that primary consideration be given to patients’ particular linguistic requests.

For scheduled care, on-site interpreters should be scheduled and available for the appointment. In emergency or urgent care situations, VRI should only be used until interpreters arrive on site and when the Deaf patient has agreed to its use. In any case, VRI is only suitable for a patient who:

• Is alert, oriented, and not heavily medicated;
• Has no injuries or conditions interfering with the ability to view the VRI screen; and
• Can cognitively understand the nature and purpose of VRI services.

If these criteria are met, the VRI should provide:

• Real-time, full-motion video and audio over a dedicated high-speed, wide-bandwidth video connection or wireless connection that delivers high-quality video images that do not produce lags, choppy, blurry, grainy images, or irregular pauses in communication;
• A sharply delineated image that is large enough to display the interpreter’s face, arms, hands, and fingers, and the face, arms, hands, and fingers of the patient using sign language, regardless of his or her body position;
• A clear, audible transmission of voices; and
• Adequate staff training to ensure quick set-up and proper operation.

When VRI services are ineffective, healthcare providers should promptly furnish an on-site interpreter (within 2 hours).

This applies to lockdowns and emergencies. In emergency situations, the use of VRI can lead to trauma for Deaf individuals for the following reasons:

• VRI cannot move around the nurses and doctors like in-person interpreters can;
• VRI cannot touch a Deaf person’s shoulder to let them know who is speaking or crouch down on the floor if a Deaf person is bending over in pain;
• VRI cannot bend down to see a Deaf person trying to express themselves if they are signing low by their side;
• VRI interpreters do not know the Maine Deaf community “accent” like local interpreters; and
• VRI cannot team with Doctors, Nurses, CNAs, and the Deaf community like an in-person interpreter can - especially in high-stakes situations.

Each healthcare provider should develop and implement a comprehensive VRI policy and ensure that staff are aware of the policy and follow it. The policy should ensure that healthcare provider staff know where the VRI is housed, how to set it up, how to use VRI to access an interpreter, how to effectively communicate information using VRI, how to maintain VRI in working order, and how to request an in-person interpreter when VRI is not the best option for the Deaf patient. Healthcare providers should periodically check the VRI system and ensure that it is in working order and that there is always someone available who knows how to operate the VRI system.

Resources

• Please refer to the following in updating your organization’s policy and practice:
• NAD Letter (https://www.nad.org/) on this topic, which includes a thorough discussion of ADA and ACA requirements.
• Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) (https://www.hawaii.gov/health) Guidelines for Health Care by the National Association of the Deaf and Deaf Seniors of America
• Michigan’s VRI standards (https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/michigan/)

3rd Annual Deaf Tea Awards September 19, 2024, 2-4 PM Hall of Flags at the State House in Augusta

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

National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day March 22, 2024:

https://crccertification.com/nationalcrcday/

March 22^nd is National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day. I would like to take this time to show appreciation to our VRC’s and Rehabilitation Counselors for the Deaf (RCD). We appreciate all you do.

The question for this issue is, what is an RCD? 

An RCD is a Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf that works with the Deaf and hard-of-hearing population. It is the same as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, with the only difference being that RCD’s tend to specialize in Deaf and hard-of-hearing clients.

What does an RCD/VRC do?

An RCD works with Deaf, hard of-hearing, or Deaf blind clients to obtain and or maintain employment. They also work with clients to overcome barriers for Deaf/hard of hearing/Deaf blind. They work on connecting clients with resources that would allow them to advance in their careers or employment. Some RCD’s work with both transition students and adults, some only with adults and some only with transition students to prepare for college or work. For more information about Vocational Rehabilitation here in Maine, visit this link, https://www.maine.gov/rehab/dvr/vr.shtml 

Our RCD Team:

Nancy Hickey, Rehabilitation Counselor II, has been an RCD in Maine for ten years. Nancy works with hard-of-hearing individuals in Portland, Bangor, and Presque Isle. Nancy also works with some Deaf clients.

Joe Roquebecil, Rehabilitation Counselor II, has been an RCD in Maine since November 2005. Joe works with adults who have hearing loss in Cumberland and York counties.

John Post, Rehabilitation Counselor II, has been working as an RCD since 2013. John covers the Lewiston and Portland areas. John works with Deaf and hard-of-hearing transition students in Southern Maine and Deaf and hard-of-hearing adults.

Sitara Sheikh, Rehabilitation Counselor II, has been working with the Department of Labor, Vocational Rehabilitation since October 2010. Sitara works with Deaf, hard-of-hearing, DeafBlind, and Late- Deafened transition students and adults in central and northern Maine. 

Nancy Winter has been the administrative assistant for the Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened since March 2001.

Terry Morrell has been the Director of the Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, & Late Deafened and the supervisor for the RCDs since December 5, 2011

Percival P. Baxter Foundation (PPBFME) for Maine's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children and Families

OJ Logue is the current President of PPBF. He previously served as the Executive Director of the Maine Educational Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing. He also was a two-time USA Deaflympian in Track and Field. In May 2022 he coached the USA Deaf Track and Field in Brazil.

Note: Deaflympian is the preferred reference to Deaf Olympics.

As we all know, Maine's Deaf community endured incredible sadness this past fall. The Percival P. Baxter Foundation (PPBFME) for Maine's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children and Families received two funding sources to create endowed scholarships to memorialize Billy Bracket and Bryan MacFarlane. FedEx supports the Scholarship for fellow employee Billy Brackett, while Bryan MacFarlane's parents are supporting their son's endowment. These endowments will be managed through the Maine Community Foundation. Each scholarship will be for $1,000 and will be awarded in late Spring.

PPBF is seeking Maine Deaf and hard-of-hearing high school seniors aspiring to pursue further post-secondary education. Applicants currently enrolled in post-secondary programs are also welcome to apply. The application deadline is April 14, 2024. 

See the applications at https://www.maine.gov/rehab/dod/.

Debra Bare-Rogers, AKA DayLeigh Walker, Appalachian Trail, March 2024

Debra Bare-Rogers, AKA DayLeigh Walker

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Appalachian Trail marker

One of our own, Debra Bare-Rogers, will begin a trip of a lifetime in March 2024 on the Appalachian Trail, beginning on Springer Mountain in Georgia and ending at Mount Katahdin in Maine!

Debra has worked for Disability Rights Maine, Deaf Services, for 7 years as an advocate in the Maine Relay Outreach Program. Debra’s work in the Outreach Program has been instrumental in providing services to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities in the state of Maine. As a woman with hearingloss, she hopes to share her journey on the trail from a hard of hearing experience. Read more at ALDA.org (Association of Late-Deafened Adults).

She will be sadly missed; however, we are very happy for her to follow her dreams. We hope to follow her on the trails with updates on how she’s progressing on the trail.

Debra, congratulations, and safe travels!

Appalachian Trail Mileage Map

An Interview with Matt Webster

Matt Webster

What mode of communication did you use as a child? I
’ve always used American Sign Language. My mother suspected that I was Deaf when I was a baby when she noticed that I never was startled by any loud noises. She took it upon herself to learn sign language and teach me. I am forever grateful for that.

Where did you go to school?
I went to the local public school with a Deaf program for kindergarten through 5^th grade and for 6^th grade through 12^th grade I attended the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind. Go Bulldogs! A side note: They’re celebrating their 150th anniversary this year!

Have you always lived in Maine?
No, I was born in Arizona and grew up in Boulder, Colorado. I moved here in the Summer of 2017 after a short stint in Washington D.C. My partner has a family cabin here and wanted to move closer to the cabin and here I am.

What is your family life like now?
I have a grown Deaf daughter that I am very proud of.

Could you tell us a little about yourself?
Because I grew up in Colorado, I really enjoy the outdoors. In addition to my outdoor excursions I enjoy traveling, playing any kind of games, and dreaming about big things. I also am big on advocating for the Deaf community.

As a Deaf professional, what are your proudest accomplishments?
One of my proudest accomplishments was working to establish the District of Columbia Association of the Deaf (DCAD). Since then, DCAD has worked hard with the local government to establish an office for the Deaf and hard of hearing, partnered with various local agencies to offer discounts for Deaf government employees, and many more. I am incredibly proud to see them flourish.

Where do you work?
Currently I work for the Maine Association of the Deaf (MeAD) administering the grants they’ve obtained.

What do you do?
I am a person with many hats. For MeAD, my task is to manage the grants they are responsible for. I do that with the goal of community unity in mind. I also do videography, interpreting, and consultations on the side.

What are some of your challenges?
My biggest challenge is being patient. As a person who dreams about big things and wanting things to happen immediately - I also need to balance that with patience. :)

In Memory of James Levier

In Memory of James Levier June 23, 1940–March 16, 2001 Rest in peace James. You are missed James Levier memorial granite bench on Mackworth Island

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