• 28th Deaf Annual Tea Awards
• Deaf Culture Festival (DCF) 2019
• Enjoy an Interview with Tommy Minch

28th Deaf Annual Tea Awards

28^th Deaf Annual Tea Awards

The Commission for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened celebrated the 28^th Annual Deaf Culture Tea Awards on September 19, 2019. The event took place in the Hall of Flags at the State House in Augusta. Terry Morrell, Director of the Division for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened (DDHHLD) welcomed the audience of approximately 80 people to the Tea.

Laura Fortman, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor (MDOL), also welcomed and addressed the audience. “In a press release announcing the proclamation and this tea, the Governor stated that ‘the Deaf community has its own language, culture, history and traditions which have shaped our state for generations.’ The proclamation urges schools and communities throughout the state to observe the week with appropriate study and observance,” the Commissioner said.

Laura Fortman, Commissioner of the Department of Labor.

Emily Blachly, Teacher of the Deaf and Keynote Speaker, with Sitara Sheikh.

The keynote speaker this year was Emily Blachly. Emily is a Teacher of the Deaf at Governor Baxter School for the Deaf. She graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in the Fine Arts Studio majoring in painting, sculpting and mixed media. With her love for arts and teaching, she went back to school to obtain her Master of Science in Deaf Education at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. She taught at Kendall Demonstration Elementary School for five years as an elementary Art teacher. With her love for the ocean and forest, she decided to move up north to Maine, teaching at Governor Baxter School for the Deaf for the last two years. She is a Junior National Association of the Deaf advisor for Deaf high school students. With her avid love for teaching arts, she engages with the Maine Deaf community by hosting American Sign Language Paint and Sip and volunteers with Deaf organizations to create collaborative arts. She is also a founder of the Maine Deaf Arts to bring all ages in the signing community together through the appreciations for the arts.

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.

It was also a great compliment and honor to have Governor Janet Mills make an appearance and chat with members of the Deaf community.

Left to right (foreground): Terry Morrell, DDHHLD Director, MDOL Commissioner Laura Fortman, Governor Janet Mills and Margaret Haberman, American Sign Language interpreter

Foreground: Governor Janet Mills and Representative Paige Zeigler

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 seven more to those already honored. 

Special Commendation Award

This award is given to an individual, agency or business whose activities in and with the Deaf community deserve recognition.
Daniel A. Langlois

Pictured: Daniel A. Langlois

Special Commendation Award

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

Portland International Jetport

Pictured: Special Commendation Award for the Portland International Jetport

Ginny Hewes Advocate for the Needs of the Deaf Community Award

This award is given to a person or organization that advocates for the needs of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing persons in Maine.

Lisette Bélanger

Pictured: Lisette Bélanger

Outstanding Citizenship Award

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

Ronald W. Madore Jr.

Pictured: Ronald W. Madore Jr.

Citizenship Youth Award

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

Marena R. Thompson

Pictured: Marena R. Thompson

Promoting American Sign Language, Deaf Culture, and Deaf People Award

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

Matthew William Otte

Top: framed photo of Matthew William Otte. Bottom: his award.

Clifton F. Rodgers Award

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. 

Conrad Strack

Pictured: Conrad Strack, who joined the event via remote video.

Pictured: Left to right, bottom to top: Carrie Piece, holding Matthew William Otte’s award & picture, Sitara Sheikh, holding Portland International Jetport’s award, Daniel A. Langlois, Marena R. Thompson, Christy LoCicero holding Conrad Strack’s award, Lisette Bélanger, and Ronald W. Madore Jr.

Deaf Culture Festival (DCF) 2019

Pictures say it all! Enjoy!

Deaf Culture Festival Advertisement

Deaf Culture Festival Table Cover.

DCF Carshow

Maine Recreation Association of the Deaf (MRAD)

University of Southern Maine-Department of Linguistics

SouthWest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf of Howard College

Sorenson Video Relay Service

Pine Tree Society

Pictured: ASL Counseling, Tony Brucato, LCPC-C, MHRT/C and Red Cardinal Counseling, Lori Tully, MS, CRC, LCPC .

AVESTA Housing

Pictured: Philippe and Lisette Bélanger

Children and parents enjoying the DCF.

The Maine Legacies of the Baxters.

Old friends enjoying the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf (GBSD) Museum.

A couple enjoying the GBSD Museum.

Frank & Barbara Burbank enjoying the GBSD Museum.

The hard-working kitchen crew at the DCF.
                                       

Old friends, fun times at the DCF.

Sign Tree Camp 2019 campers.

On September 16-18, Pine Tree Society’s Interpreting Services staff traveled to Pine Tree Camp to host Sign Tree Camp. During this weekend, campers enjoyed activities like boating, arts and crafts, mask-making and drama class, tie-dyeing, and nature walks.

Sign Tree Camp is a unique retreat designed for adults who are deaf and have an intellectual disability. Many of our campers live in communication isolation as the only deaf person in their household.  Campers come from group homes scattered throughout Maine and beyond. Sign Tree Camp offers a fun, language-accessible camp experience in a barrier-free environment at Pine Tree Camp.

Pine Tree Camp is set on 285 acres of woods and fields and has more than a mile of waterfront on North Pond in Rome, Maine. During their stay, campers have the opportunity to connect with a peer group and benefit from a full range of recreational activities all adapted to meet their needs. Campers stay in beautiful, new, fully accessible cabins with breathtaking views of North Pond and surrounding hills.

Hearing staff, who work with and support the campers, also benefit from opportunities designed to build skills in Visual Gestural Communication with a goal of supporting individuals long after Sign Tree Camp has ended.

“We always love to see old friends in an environment where everyone can communicate,” said Maura Nolin, Director of Interpreting Services. “Campers asked if they could come back for seven days next year.” 

To learn more about Sign Tree Camp, visit www.pinetreesociety.org or call Maura Nolin at 207-386-5971 or (VP) 207-510-4647.

Enjoy an Interview with Tommy Minch

Tommy Minch

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

I grew up in a Deaf family that was very involved with the Deaf community in New Hampshire. We love to go camping and we have traveled most of the United States camping. Our family values are strong within us and we always check on each other when needed.

What mode of communication did you use as a child?

American Sign Language was my main mode of communication. English was my second language.

Where did you go to school?

I attended the mainstream program in Portsmouth, NH. I participated in all regular classes with interpreters. I didn’t attend any Deaf program classes.

Have you always lived in Maine?

I just moved to Maine two months ago. I grew up in New Hampshire, lived in New York, Washington DC, Florida, and Massachusetts before settling in Maine.

What is your family life like now?

I am single and a proud uncle to a niece and nephew. I have a Deaf goddaughter. I live in Portland.

Could you tell us a little about yourself?

I am a Proud Deaf Queer Man who loves outdoor activities, camping and going on spontaneous trips. I attended Gallaudet University and Rochester Institute of Technology. I was president of the New Hampshire Association of the Deaf for three terms (six years). I am a board member of the New England Homes for the Deaf in Danvers, MA. I am very involved in the Maine Deaf community and a member of the National Association of the Deaf.

What kind of work have you done?

I have worked in the mental health field for over 12 years. I worked as a job coach for two years before attending college. My passion is to work with Deaf and hard-of hearing people, helping to empower them to be the best they can be. I have mentored a few leaders in the Deaf community. 

As a Deaf professional, what are your proudest accomplishments?

I have worked with the Deaf community in New Hampshire to push for the removal of the words “Hearing Impaired” and replace them with the words “Deaf” or “hard of hearing.” I have worked in a mental health facility with adolescent kids with behavior and emotional needs. The kids that I cared for accomplished their program three to four months earlier than their treatment plan. A couple of them have succeeded in becoming strong Deaf leaders in their community.

Where do you work? 

I work for Disability Rights Maine-Deaf Services.

What do you do?

I work as a civil rights advocate and with the Peer Support Group. I advocate for Deaf, hard-of-hearing and Deaf-Blind individuals and their communities to ensure everyone has equal access to satisfy their needs.

What population do you work with?

I mostly work with Deaf, hard-of-hearing and Deaf-Blind individuals and people with intellectual disabilities.

What are some of your successes?

I advocated for equal access for my client who was struggling with getting communication access at their doctor’s office. The doctor’s office refused to provide an on-site interpreter, the office wanted to use a Video Remote Interpreter (VRI); however, VRI was not beneficial to the consumer. I also advocated for a client’s need to go out in the community to interact with the Deaf community.

What are some of your challenges?

Being a Deaf Queer man in a hearing world is a challenge itself but I have faced some challenges within the Deaf community as well. Some people are not open-minded with the changes in the world. Change and being open-minded benefits the Deaf, hard-of-hearing and Deaf-Blind communities.

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

I would love to see that everyone I work with has equal access to communication and resources without fighting for them. The Deaf, hard-of-hearing and Deaf-Blind communities have faced a lot of challenges and they struggle to survive in the hearing world, which is not 100 percent designed for everyone. Every day, we all face challenges of ensuring communication access and to make sure we get all the information needed. There has been some improvement in the world with communication access, but we are not there yet. There is still a lot more work to do and it will take years and years to reach that achievement.

Is there anything you feel is important to mention?

We, Deaf, hard-of-hearing and Deaf-Blind people just want to be able to function in the hearing world without facing challenges every day. Don’t feel afraid to ask if we need help, we may say no, but we will feel better knowing that there is a person out there in the hearing world who is willing to help. Just remember, we are just like you, we just can’t hear/see. Once you get to know us, you will see how we cherish our culture and you will be amazed on what we have done and who knows, you might fall in love with the culture!

Tommy’s contact information: 

Thomas W Minch

Disability Right Maine-Deaf Services

1 Mackworth Island, Bldg. C

Falmouth, ME 04105

VP: 207-805-7027

Email: TMinch@drme.org

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