• DDHHLD Director’s Report-Terry Morrell
• Updated Information on Face Coverings for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals September 2021
• 30th Annual Tea September 16, 2021
• Deaf Culture Festival - September 25, 2021-Maine Association of the Deaf (MeAD)
• Interview with Melinda Stamp-Ascentria Care Services
• Interview with Melinda Smith-Meyers

DDHHLD Director’s Report-Terry Morrell

It has been a busy time. On September 16th we celebrated our 30th Annual Deaf Culture Tea Awards and on September 25th we celebrated our 30th Annual Deaf Culture Festival (DCF). This year our Tea ceremony was held mostly via Zoom and some people attended in person at Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MECDHH). Our Keynote Speaker was Emma Foster. It was a great event.

The DCF was held outside at MECDHH and was well attended. People shared information about their services and businesses. There was also one food vendor as well.

We are also sharing an update about clear masks. As time has gone on, new things keep popping up. We have learned of a couple more masks and have added them to the link below. It is important to note that there is no one perfect mask that everyone will like. It all comes down to personal choice. Some people prefer a cloth mask over a clear one.

Updated Information on Face Coverings for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals September 2021

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

30th Annual Tea September 16, 2021

Maine Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened’s Annual Tea was celebrated on Thursday, September 16, 2021 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Maine Educational Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing and virtually via Zoom. The Annual Tea was recorded; however, the quality is not adequately accessible to all. We are currently working on correcting the issues and we are hopeful we can provide a link to view the Annual Tea on the Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened (DDHHLD) website in the near future.

Terry Morrell, Director of the Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened (DDHHLD), and Laura  Fortman, the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor, welcomed everyone to the 30^th Deaf Annual Tea and congratulated the award recipients.

Governor Janet T. Mills addressed the audience and congratulated the award recipients in a pre-recorded video. Governor Mills proclaimed September 19-25, 2021 as Deaf Culture Week and encouraged all citizens to recognize this observance.

The keynote speaker this year was Emma Foster. Emma was born and raised in Orrington, Maine and is now in her final year of college at Rochester Institute of Technology. She is studying Interior Design Architecture with a minor in Construction Management and is passionate about providing accessibility through design. While she wants to pursue a career in design and construction, she will always continue to educate others and advocate and fight for the Deaf community. Emma grew up going to Governor Baxter School for the Deaf (GBSD)/Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing’s (MECDHH) preschool program, then went mainstream to a school closer to home. Growing up her family brought her to every single Deaf social event, summer camp, activity, making sure she still felt that she had a community. Something her mom always told her growing up was “You can accomplish anything you put your mind to, your path just might look a little different, and that is okay.” She started going to the State House advocating for her community at the age of five, sharing her testimony of what it is like to be a young Deaf girl in a hearing world. This started her passion for advocacy and accessibility. In high school she joined GBSD/MECDHH’s school board as a Deaf student representative and served in the same position on the Commission for the Deaf, Deaf Hard of Hearing, and Late Deafened. These two experiences fueled her passion to serve and advocate even more.

The awards were given out by Lisette Bélanger, Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened (CDHHLD) Chair, Terry Morrell, Director of the DDHHLD, Sitara Sheikh, member of the CDHHLD and Regan Thibodeau, member of the CDHHLD.

The award and their recipients were as follows:

Citizenship Youth Award

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

MARLACO BETHUNE Marlaco Bethune was recognized for the Deaf Youth Citizenship Award. Many Deaf adults are proud of his hard work and determination. Marlaco’s American Sign Language (ASL) teacher stated, “I saw your language expression grow from everyday communication into something creative and artistic. Your storytelling is very impressive, remember the one about the Ninja? You might be the next Justin Perez.” Marlaco also won the ASL Idol competition at Gallaudet University! Teachers working with Marlaco described the experience as a gift.

Special Recognition Award

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

NIRAV D. SHAH, M.D., J.D., DIRECTOR, MAINE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D., Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention was recognized for his work throughout the pandemic. He has coordinated and worked with American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters to ensure the community has full access to all information throughout the pandemic. He ensured the information was comprehensible and he spoke calmly and clearly; this allowed the interpreters to stay on pace with him. Dr. Shah took the time to meet with the Deaf community for a COVID-19 Question and Answer Session with DDHHLD, Maine Association of the Deaf and Disability Rights Maine/Deaf services. Dr. Nirav Shah was thanked for his tireless work on behalf of Maine’s people during the COVID-19 pandemic. His willingness to communicate with Deaf, hard-of-hearing and late-deafened individuals exemplifies the best in public service.

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. 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.

MELINDA STAMP Melinda Stamp was awarded the Ginny Hewes Advocate Award because of her tireless work especially for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing with additional disabilities. Melinda ensures those individuals get access to resources as well as participate in the community. What she does through her advocacy is beyond her call of duty. Melinda also continues to educate different programs and systems about this group of people who are often considered as marginalized. With her advocacy and dedication, those individuals are included in the community. She didn’t lose sight of making sure her clients’ needs are met.

Outstanding Citizenship Award

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

CRAIG HAMILTON TAYLOR Craig Taylor was chosen for the outstanding citizenship award because of his voluntarism. Craig has been involved with ASL Tax Day through Disability Rights Maine-Deaf Services and has been working many hours with the Deaf community to ensure their taxes are being done. Craig gladly helps without hesitation whenever asked of him. Craig also was involved in helping Tri-Flying Hands and the Maine Association of the Deaf (MeAD). He is a valuable member of the Deaf community.

Special Commendation Award

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

LIZ SEAL Maine Hands and Voices-Elizabeth Seal, Kristine Gile, Josh Seal, and Cathy Glover have worked together to bring stories to life through ASL, Spoken English, Cued Speech, and Signed Spoken English to children, families, and the community. Through the pandemic, they brought the spirit and hot chocolate of the “Polar Express” to everyone’s home in December. They also channeled everyone’s inner Sci-Fi by bringing “May the Fourth Be With You” with the reading of “Are you Scared, Darth Vader?” They brought in special guests for the reading of “Don’t Touch My Hair.” Through this, they made this an all-inclusive event where everyone was exposed and appreciated for their language, culture, and stories.

Special Recognition Award

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

DR. TONI H. REES The posthumous award was accepted by Margaret Morrison. “Dr. Toni Rees was a woman with a clear sense of purpose, who made improving the lives of others who are marginalized one of her priorities. When she became immersed in the Deaf community at Gallaudet University, she became aware that the standard of educational interpreting was far less than adequate and determined to do whatever she could to improve professional standards for educational interpreting once she left Gallaudet University. That mission took form when she accepted a position in the Department of Special Education at the University of Southern Maine. To illustrate her endeavors, she not only worked toward bringing interpreter registration and then licensure to Maine; she also secured grant funding to assess all the working educational interpreters in the state in the late 1990s, making clear the need for

training and professional development. Toni believed in collaboration and to that end she collaborated with the Maine Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, the Cued Speech Association of Maine, and agencies throughout Maine and New England to provide workshops and courses for ASL/English interpreters, Cued Speech transliterators and teachers of ASL. Toni was a very skilled grant writer and successfully wrote and administered grants to underwrite the cost of bringing numerous national teachers and leaders to Maine to enhance the quality and quantity of services in the state. As she was nearing retirement, she worked with Wayne Cowart and many others, to bring the University Southern Maine (USM) program in interpreter education to Maine.

I would dearly have loved for Toni to be able to accept this award in person, but in her absence, I am proud to accept on her behalf. She would have been humbled and honored, having done what she did quietly and persistently without expecting accolades. In her obituary she wrote that she felt grateful to the Deaf Community for giving her such a richly rewarding career and for that I thank all of you.”

It is our honor to announce the addition of a new award for next year and on. This will be named as the Dr. Toni Rees Award in her honor. This award is given to an interpreter who the Deaf community sees as someone that goes above and beyond.

"Dr. Toni Rees, a native of England, was a Teacher of the Deaf (TOD) turned interpreter who loved to volunteer and travel. She visited Gallaudet University and ended up staying. This brought her and her wife to Maine where she taught at the University of Southern Maine. Then after she completed the interpreting program at Northern University, she became a certified interpreter. This award is given to an interpreter who the Deaf community sees as someone that goes above and beyond."

Clifton F. Rodgers Award

MELINDA SMITH MEYERS 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 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."

Melinda Smith Meyers has been very involved in the Maine Deaf and hard-of-hearing community for many years. She works at Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MECDHH) and Children Development Services (CDS) for many years in different roles. She inspires many children and their families with her knowledge and cheerful personality. Melinda was involved in different programs and organizations such as Maine Hands and Voices, MeAD, Maine Deaf Alumni Association and others. She worked so hard to ensure that the children have access to language. Melinda is a dedicated, thoughtful, and a tireless advocate in this community.

Keynote Speaker - Emma Foster

KEYNOTE SPEAKER - EMMA FOSTER Hello! My name is Emma Foster! First, I want to thank everyone who has worked so hard to put this event together. I also want to thank my parents, Governor Baxter School for the Deaf and all of the teachers and interpreters in between. Without all of you I wouldn’t be giving this speech today. In January of 2000 a man and woman gave birth to their first child, the doctors told them that their daughter was Deaf, she would probably never hear, talk, or be capable of things like other children her age. They sent these two parents, who had never met another Deaf person in their life, home with a new baby girl. Of course, they loved her with all they had. They immediately started searching for any connection they could give their daughter to the Deaf community, bringing someone to teach the whole family American Sign Language (ASL), every week driving two hours south to Governor Baxter School for the Deaf to attend

the preschool program, they fought and changed laws at the State House, put together events for other families with Deaf and hard-of-hearing children. These were just a handful of the things my parents did for me growing up. When Terry welcomed me, he mentioned something my mom always told me growing up, “You can accomplish anything you put your mind to, your path just might look a little different, and that is okay.” Just because you’re Deaf, blind, look different, have attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or any difference or disability, you can still do whatever you put your mind to, your journey just might look a little bit different and that is okay. Don’t ever let anyone tell you, you can’t do something. Fight for access, fight for what you need to succeed, fight for what will help you accomplish your dreams. The battles you win don’t only affect you, they also affect the next generation. The rules you change, laws you amend, minds you change, and people you teach will make it easier for the next generation to succeed and follow their dreams. When you fight for your dreams, you fight for all of our dreams. I encourage all of you, especially if you are young, to get involved. Learn about our community and our culture, get on boards, go to events, volunteer, get a Deaf mentor, take every opportunity that comes your way. Being part of the Deaf community, we get opportunities that our hearing peers don’t always have access to. All four years of high school I had the honor to go to the high school academic bowl competition through Gallaudet University. At this yearly competition I made life-long friends who I now go to school with at Rochester Institute of Technology and we are still best friends. I also have connections with other Deaf people all over the country, which is so cool! Being on the Maine Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened and the GBSD/MECDHH School Board, I got a front row seat watching leaders in our community change laws and break down barriers for our community. Thank you all so much for coming today, this event is so special, and we are so lucky to have such an amazing community of hard workers here in Maine to put on events like this. Praying for an amazing rest of your year, and that you all stay safe and well. Love you all very much! Thank you!

Deaf Culture Festival - September 25, 2021-Maine Association of the Deaf (MeAD)

Terry Morrell honoring Danny Langlois with the Christopher Blair’s Big Heart Award.

Click to edit this placeholder text.

Arthur Moore, T-Mobile

Click to edit this placeholder text.

Regan Thibodeau with the MeAD emblem

Click to edit this placeholder text.

Tommy Minch & Sitara Sheikh

Interview with Melinda Stamp-Ascentria Care Services

Pictured: Melinda Stamp

Interview with Melinda Smith-Meyers

What kind of work have you done? 

I have been a Direct Support Professional for 15 plus years. Community Case Manager for two years, live-in Dorm Supervisor for one year and currently a Residential Program Manager.

What are some of your successes? 

I graduated from a local community college and made Deans List two times Summa Cum Laude in a Philosophy course where the professor had imbedded doubts! Best feeling EVER to prove that I AM able. Professional wise-is just to be able to see/support my folks strive to their fullest! Witnessing little victories along the way is always the best!

What are some of your challenges?  

It is quite a challenge being a Black Female Deaf professional in a prominent white state where there is little to none Black Deaf Community in Maine-as we are experiencing BLM movement-there has been challenging times to get by on a personal level. As a professional-it was very challenging year to work through the pandemic with information to share to my folks, employees and stakeholders - we went through a lot of changes and many were not accustomed to change but we got through it together!

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

First and foremost-I would like to see kindness in the world we live in, regardless of what our race or background upbringings are. We are all adults and we should lead by an example. I would love to see my folks continue to thrive to their fullest in the community that they live in. I would also love to see my employees to move up the ladder and to strive to their capabilities since every single one of them brings so much talent! I would like to see a group home for the Deaf in the state of Maine to be together. Our community is already very small so it would be nice if we all came together with a common goal. It is disheartening to watch some from afar with language deprivation etc. 

As a Deaf professional, what are your proudest accomplishments? 

I am really blessed to work in a signing environment with my employees and for those whom I work with understand our accessibility needs and I also work with a great team who are eager to keep me engaged with news or to keep me updated by learning to communicate with myself and my team in sign language.

Where do you work? 

I am a Residential Program Manager with Ascentria.

What population do you work with? 

I work with Deaf and hearing adults with intellectual disabilities. 

What is your current role and what do you do?

• Oversee the daily operations of the residential facilities.
• Supervise and assist staff in supporting clients/residents work toward goals leading to independent community living.
• Assists in coordinating information and services with interested parties inside and outside the Agency, to include providers, family, guardians, government regulators, payors, community, and day treatment services.
• Works to ensure the routine maintenance, safety/health standards in accordance with The Regulations Governing the Licensing/Functioning of Assisted Living Housing Programs, state, local laws, and accreditation.
• Assists the Human Services Program Director and Human Resources with daily personnel issues, to include employee schedules; employment status paperwork; and performance evaluations.

• Help the Program Director to monitor budgetary concerns within program, including staffing costs; maintenance repairs and supplies; food budget; and costs associated with running the facility.

 How do you recruit staff? 

Ascentria promotes positions in various carrier search links-word of mouth, inner relationships with career ordinated facilities. I also have an advertisement that goes to University Southern Maine students. I also have a video here: https://fb.watch/7Sm41eYgL

What types of jobs/positions do you have available? 

Ascentria is looking for both signing and non-signing DSP's to join our team! There are multiple full time/part time positions open. Our full-time status starts at 30 hours per week! If you or anyone you know is interested-please reach out! No experience is needed since we provide all the necessary trainings.

Contact information:

• Melinda Stamp
• Program Manager
• DD/ Deaf Residential Services
• Ascentria Care Services
• 39 Mechanic Street, Suite 100
• Westbrook, ME 04092

Interview with Melinda Smith-Meyers

Melinda Smith-Meyers

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

I came from a big family that consisted of wonderful, loving, hearing parents, seven awesome sisters, four brothers and I was the youngest sibling. We were a closed-knitted family, along with a large maternal family of 16, who greatly supported me through my childhood years. My parents were very active in the community for the social system support; I learned from my whole family as I grew up. They taught me that we should get along with people and ultimately enjoy people in our lives. My family was proactive toward the local community that needed help, such as, the youth recreation program, farm work, religious events, and Veterans of Foreign Wars (V.F.W.)/American Legion clubs.

What mode of communication did you use as a child?

I was born hearing. I was born premature; my mother was in the seventh month of her pregnancy when I was delivered. I was placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) incubator for a month. My beloved mother believes my premature birth is the cause of my hearing status. My oldest brother was the one who suspected my deafness when I was three years old and he had told my parents. That’s when they finally realized why I couldn’t respond well. From then on, I wore hearing aids and had the speech therapy. The communication mode in the 1960’s was oral communication, then the philosophy of education communication was transitioned to total communication. I learned American Sign Language (ASL) when I was seven years old. My mother attempted taking an American Sign Language class with other parents of deaf children at Governor Baxter School for the Deaf (GBSD) in the late 1960’s. My siblings somewhat learned signs to communicate with me when I faced challenges. I learned ASL through my deaf peers. At the age of 16, I finally understood what ASL was all about. I have used ASL as my communication mode ever since.

Where did you go to school? 

I went to Governor Baxter School for the Deaf in 1964, which it is now the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MECDHH). That’s when I met new friends who were deaf and hard of hearing and Deaf staff who used ASL. I had a feeling of belonging when I learned ASL with my peers. I was a very active learner and I taught my large family and hearing peers ASL when I came home from time to time. I continued to receive speech therapy until I was 18 years old. I was a very active, natural leader and admired my school years there. Growing up my parents encouraged me speak as much as I could with my large, wonderful, fun family, including maternal/paternal families in Maine and Vermont. My social identity was vague until I annually attended summer Deaf camps in several places. I finally realized that I am Deaf in my family life. I was the delegate to the youth leadership convention, Jr. NAD; that’s when I was culturally shocked and turned my philosophy of life into the proactive student. I have been involved in the leadership action in the Maine Deaf community since I was 14 years old. My first Deaf organizations – Jr. NAD and the International Catholic for the Deaf Association (ICDA), had promoted my interests in social activities using ASL all the way.

Have you always lived in Maine?

I have lived most of my life in Maine due to my large family and Deaf community people, I had a great knitted community at home as well. My parents were proactive in the home community and that taught me the key to connecting with people in many ways. After I graduated from GBSD, I attended Gallaudet College, now Gallaudet University, in 1976. I resided in Washington D.C. and Maryland for five years. I was proactive in college National Association of the Deaf (NAD) as the secretary to Frank Turk, the Deaf leader/director of National Jr. NAD and College NAD. At the end of my college years, under the Carter administration, we had the highest unemployment era. I kept my side jobs at Gallaudet University. I applied everywhere out of state to work in the early intervention systems or the school system. I had no luck finding a job until a State of Maine Deaf representative pulled me back to my home state. Ever since, I have been here and still am here. I consider myself lucky to reside with my own family and pets in this beautiful Maine with many goals to improve the Deaf community and GBSD, now MECDHH.

What is your family life like now?

I have a Deaf husband, one daughter and one son, both hearing. My life as a mother, wife and community leader were continually active. My family has enjoyed trips to visit my Smith family as often as possible, to keep a connection with them. We also keep a connection with my paternal Deaf family in New York through Maine Deaf community events and organizational activities. Our favorite things to do are family camping, local recreation events, and Deaf community events. Now we have five hearing granddaughters that keep me alive every day. They all are fun, loving bright girls learning everyday of our being Deaf within the whole family life.

Could you tell us a little about yourself?

Based on my whole life growing up and still learning about this new generation X, I would say I am open-minded, empathic and an extrovert person. I have a high nurturing skill that I do care and make sure everyone around me is mentally and emotionally positive and happy. I love to talk and share life perspectives to ensure that everyone has a good day every day, even if some might not feel good about themselves. From my perspectives, I care that I would be there for them if and when, they need my smiles and support. I can be assertive when I see the problem and find solutions outside of my career in the Deaf community and in my home communities.

What kind of work have you done?

From my intensive experiences with the Smith family, at age 12, I was raised being the babysitter for all my nieces and nephews who are parents or very independent now. With my understanding of people and nurture, I fall in love working with younger children and their families. That’s where I was led to study social work, mental health, infant mental health, and dynamics of the family system. At the beginning of my career I worked as social work assistant for the Maine Department of Human Services (DHHS) – Deaf Services in Lewiston and at the same time, a part-time Developmental Therapist contracted with Maine Child Development Services (CDS) for 12 years, this was prior to CDS becoming part of the Department of Education. The Department of Education system now manages the statewide Child Development Services. I left DHHS due to my new life as a mother and still worked part-time for CDS as an Early Intervention Specialist. After 10 years of motherhood, I returned to CDS again until 2001. Then I still had the contracted service with Early Intervention department at GBSD/MECDHH. Due to the financial venues being cut, I was hired as the children case manager for six years at the former Community Counseling Center, which is now Maine Behavioral Health Services – Deaf Services.

As a Deaf professional, what are your proudest accomplishments?

My accomplishments:

Volunteering in the community for crisis intervention development for the medical system through the Maine Center on Deafness back in 1980’s, DHHS trainings related to deafness, and providing a support system for clients statewide while I was working for DHHS. I felt it was my dedication and responsibility to oversee the Deaf community and new programs related to the mental health field being recognized and funded to meet the needs and demands of our Deaf people. As an Early Intervention Specialist, I grew to understand how to collaborate with the GBSD Outreach Program and support its venues. That’s when I decided to become involved in developing the pilot program for Deaf Mentors as the language models for younger children and youth, besides keeping my job with CDS. There was a wonderful, dedicated team of professionals and teachers of the Deaf supporting my ongoing career in early intervention related to deafness. The Deaf Mentor Program had been served for 12 years until the financial funds ran out. There were eight certified Deaf Mentors, and other Deaf language models were certified as Educational Technical III or ASL instructors in Adult Education Programs. In the Deaf community, I was a Maine Association of the Deaf (MeAD) officer for three terms and maintained ongoing Deaf events, including Career Day for GBSD high school students, youth leadership sessions, and transition support with Vocational Rehabilitation people as needed. I have been working with younger children who were deaf and hard of hearing in the Parent Infant-Toddler Program at GBSD Outreach Program for years, while I still worked for Child Development Services. When the Parent Infant Toddler Program was cut due to limited financial resources, I became a full-time Deaf Mentor Coordinator for the Outreach Program; and still work today for MECDHH Early Intervention and Family Services. In between everything, I was working as Educational Technician III at MECDHH Mackworth Island Preschool for eight years.

Where do you work?

I work as a Deaf Mentor/Parent Advisor and Part C ASL family trainer/Educational Technician III for MECDHH Early Intervention and Family Services.

What do you do?

As the Part C ASL family trainer for the Birth to 2.9, I provide ASL family training and parent consultation to ensure that all the families of deaf, hard-of-hearing children and children with special needs have full communication access and excellent family system. I also coordinate the Deaf Mentor Program at MECDHH as needed and as scheduled; and provide full support to deaf and hard-of-hearing adults who might be interested to become mentors in their workplaces. Due to my full life at home with my grandchildren and my family, I have retired from community involvement. Someday, maybe after retirement, I will return to being involved with the Deaf community, but I don’t know when. Smile.

What are some of your challenges?

Challenges I have experienced in my whole career, are listed as (1) educating public schools about the understanding of our children and students who are deaf and hard of hearing and children with special needs like Deaf Education and Special Education in different perspectives of language development and growth; and financial needs for educational needs and accommodations, (2) the shortage of educational interpreting services and early intervention services, (3) virtual educational protocol from early intervention to Kindergarten Readiness and to transition programs for all deaf and hard-of-hearing children, students, and post-secondary students with special needs and (4) the needs of ASL Specialists doing full language evaluations upon the requests from the statewide public schools and Special Education.

Is there anything you feel is important to mention?

My deepest appreciation for the thoughts from the Deaf community and MECDHH individuals for giving me the Clifton Rodgers award for my lifetime achievement in my career. I am looking forward to seeing Deaf students become community leaders some day and carry the accountability toward the Deaf community with many new achievements, and new visions for our future venues.

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