Kentucky Third in Nation for New Daily Covid-19 Cases

Due to a recent Kentucky Supreme Court decision, legislators are now responsible for implementing any state of emergency in the commonwealth from this point forward, including matters related to COVID-19. During a three-day special session lawmakers gaveled to a close on September 9, the Kentucky General Assembly voted to extend some emergency executive actions, eliminate others, try new strategies to mitigate COVID-19, and provide relief to institutions strained by the pandemic. Those include schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and businesses. Click here for more information.

These laws also place any emergency regulations mandating masks at public schools and daycare centers in the hands of local officials and business owners. This comes at a time when the governor reports that Kentucky currently ranks third in the nation for the highest number of new daily COVID-19 cases per capita, with a seven-day average of approximately 90 new cases reported per 100,000 people.

Kentucky is home to six of the country’s top 10 counties–and 12 of the top 25–in COVID-19 incidence rate, according to data compiled by the New York Times. Perry County has the nation’s highest incident rate over the last two weeks with 65 average daily cases per 100,000 residents. Clay, Whitley, Russell, Grayson and Rockdale counties are also in the top 10. To see all Kentucky counties, click here.

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International Week of Deaf People 2021

Living with hearing loss comes with challenges, and KCDHH is encouraging Kentuckians to learn about advocacy, support, therapies, and technology that are available, especially during the pandemic. During International Week of Deaf People, Sept. 20-26, KCDHH is highlighting ongoing efforts for social inclusion, communication during a crisis, and awareness of organizations that support people who are deaf and hard of hearing. Visit kcdhh.ky.gov for more information.

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Get Ready! We Need YOUR Input!

KCDHH’s Deaf-Blind Community Study Group will launch its “Questionnaire for Kentucky’s Deaf-Blind Constituents” on Friday, October 1. This confidential questionnaire will help determine if accessibility issues are prohibiting Deaf-Blind individuals and individuals with a combined hearing and vision loss from obtaining local and state services in Kentucky. Feedback will be used to guide further positive changes for these constituents. The deadline for completing the questionnaire will be Friday, October 29.  Please forward this information to anyone who is part of the Deaf-Blind community in Kentucky who may be interested in participating.

October is Protect Your Hearing Month

October is National Protect Your Hearing Month, and KCDHH is urging the public to be aware of the importance of good hearing health by protecting your hearing. For more information, click on the photo below.

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Do You Know the Different Sounds of Fire Safety?

This year, during Fire Prevention Week, October 3-9, the theme is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety.” Some smoke alarms have strobe lights that flash to warn people who are deaf or hard of hearing. There are also bedside alert devices, such as pillow or bed shakers, which are activated by the sound of smoke and CO alarms. This week, make sure your alarms are in proper working condition, and teach everyone in the home about the sounds of your smoke and CO alarms. Visit KCDHH’s website to learn about the Telecommunications Access Program equipment that is available to Kentucky residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired, or have combined hearing and vision loss. Learn about the sounds of fire safety by clicking the photo below.

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Kentucky Walk4Hearing Scheduled October 9

The annual Kentucky Walk4Hearing will be held on Satuday, October 9, at Beckley Creek Park in Louisville. To register, visit the website by clicking on the logo below. For more information, contact Katie Fromholt, Walk Chair, kfromholt@live.com or Ronnie Adler, Senior Manager, radler@hearingloss.org.

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Kentucky Driver Licensing Has New Home!

Through a phased transition ending June 30, 2022, all Kentuckians will eventually visit Driver Licensing Regional Offices operated by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet in targeted zones across the state to apply for or renew an operator license, permit, or ID card instead of visiting the Circuit Court Clerk’s office in their county of residence. The gradual shift is more than a change in locations. It represents a new licensing model that provides Kentuckians with modern services that offer more choices in how they want to be served, including online license renewal! Click the photo below to learn more about Kentucky’s next level licensing.

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Project CARAT Reutilizing AT/DME

To improve the health and quality of life for individuals with disabilities in Kentucky, Project CARAT has established an Assistive Technology/Donated Medical Equipment (AT/DME) reutilization program. The program takes in used, donated medical equipment, refurbishes, sanitizes, and redistributes it to individuals in need at no cost to them.

Many people in Kentucky have limited access to appropriate assistive technology (AT) and durable medical equipment (DME) such as hearing aid batteries, specialized telephones, alert systems, wheelchairs, walkers, and bath seats. These individuals may lack health insurance or cannot access their health insurance benefits due to high deductibles.

Click here to access Project CARAT’s request and donation portal.

Click here to access the statewide inventory

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Get Employment Help at Kentucky Career Centers

As federal pandemic unemployment insurance (UI) programs expired on September 6, claimants who need help finding work or career services can turn to more than a dozen Kentucky Career Center offices across the commonwealth for help.

“Staff in each of the regional centers can provide job leads and job search assistance as well as adult education and vocational rehabilitation services,” said Labor Cabinet Secretary Jamie Link. He also said staff in centers could provide information about apprenticeship opportunities and help career professionals overhaul and polish their resumes.

For more information or to find a Kentucky Career Center near you, visit https://kcc.ky.gov/.

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“Meet Virginia Moore” Day Held at State Fair

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services held a “Meet Virginia Moore” event for two days at the State Fair. Fair attendees had the opportunity to talk with Virginia and pick up information about KCDHH.

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Deaf Women United Opens Registration for 2023

Deaf Women United has opened registration for the 2023 conference that will be held in Chicago, July 26 to July 30. The early-bird rate is available through February 28, 2023. For more information, click on the logo below.

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Ohio Association of the Deaf Day Special Events

The Ohio Association of the Deaf will be hosting Deaf Day at King’s Island on October 16. Visit http://www.oad-deaf.org/events.html or click here for more information.

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September’s KCDHH Spotlight Q&A is with Melissa Kelly, who is a service provider representative on KCDHH’s Commission Board. Melissa’s hometown is Louisville where she attended Seneca High School. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Deaf Education from Eastern Kentucky University in 2003.  Melissa currently serves as an adjunct professor teaching American Sign Language for Sinclair Community College (OH). She lives in Louisville with her husband, Louis, son, Brian, and daughter, Elizabeth. Read more here.

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How to Add and Edit YouTube Captions

When you make YouTube videos, it's important to consider your audience, including viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Adding subtitles and captions is one way to make your videos more accessible so more people can watch and enjoy your content.

Read here to find out what you need to know to add subtitles and captions to your YouTube videos.

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PLEASE VISIT KCDHH’S

IF YOU HAVE AN EVENT YOU’D LIKE TO LIST

ON THE CALENDAR, PLEASE EMAIL US AT:

kcdhh@kcdhh.ky.gov

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COVID-19 Vaccine Resources

International:

World Health Organization

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

National:

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Vaccines.gov

What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws  

Kentucky:

Kentucky Governor News

The official Team Kentucky source for Vaccine

Kentucky Registry of Vaccine Location

KCDHH COVID-19/Vaccine Important Links for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

KCDHH Facebook Page

Apps:

For those who have deaf family members who use sign language, consider downloading Sorenson Wavello and/or the ZVRS Sivo   app on your smartphone. This app makes it possible for you to see your loved ones on your screen next to your interpreter.

Other KCDHH Resources:

KCDHH  

KCDHH’s Telecommunications Access Program (TAP)

Landline or wireless equipment for Kentucky residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired or have both a hearing and vision loss.

KCDHH Commissioners

KCDHH Staff