KCDHH Reflects on 40 Years During National Deaf History Month

In April, as National Deaf History Month recognizes and celebrates accomplishments of people who are deaf and hard of hearing, the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KCDHH) celebrates its 40th anniversary this year through a look back at the history and successes of the organization.

“The Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has a rich history and track record of advocacy and providing information and services to the Commonwealth’s deaf and hard of hearing community and to anyone whose life is affected by hearing loss,” said Virginia L. Moore, KCDHH Executive Director. “We didn’t achieve that success overnight and we are grateful for the four decades the state has helped us work toward our goals, both completed and ongoing.” To read more, click here.

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DeaFestival Held in Conjunction with KSD’s 200^th

The 14^th Biennial DeaFestival will be held in conjunction with the Kentucky School for the Deaf’s 200th Anniversary celebration. The event will be held on Saturday, September 3, in the Norton Center for the Arts on the campus of Centre College in Danville. Click the DeaFestival logo below to visit the DF website.

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COVID-19 Positivity Rate Continues to Decline

On March 14, Governor Andy Beshear announced that the COVID-19 positivity rate continues to decline, with a decrease marked each day during the past week. As a result, the Governor is pausing the standing weekly COVID news conferences but said, as needed, he will continue to keep Kentuckians informed of the virus.

“We know so much more about the virus and how to fight it. In many ways, it has become a part of our daily lives,” said Gov Beshear. “If today is the last update we give, living with COVID is not ignoring COVID. It is having the information to be empowered to make the right decision and to protect ourselves.”

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RIT/NTID Offering In-Person Summer Programs for DHH

Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf in Rochester, N.Y., is providing summer program experiences designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing middle school and high school students. The programs are presented in American Sign Language and spoken English, are certified by the New York State Department of Health, and incorporate National Science Education Standards. Health Care Careers Exploration Program, scheduled for July 23-28, is for students entering 10th-, 11th-, or 12th grade who are interested in a career in the health care field. TechBoyz™ and TechGirlz™ programs, scheduled for July 23-28, are designed to help students learn about and consider jobs and careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields. For more information and to apply, contact Mark Sommer, director of NTID Pre-College Outreach, at 585-475-7695 (voice), 585-286-4555 (videophone).

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KCDHH Commission Board Vacancies

There will be four vacancies on the Board of the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KCDHH).

KCDHH is looking for enthusiastic, creative individuals who are eager to be involved in the next phase of advocacy, education, and change in the government of the Commonwealth.

For more information, please click here.

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KCDHH TAP Advisory Board Vacancies

KCDHH has three vacancies on its Telecommunications Access Program (TAP) Advisory Board, which advises the TAP on assistive technology for deaf, hard of hearing and speech-impaired consumers. KCDHH is looking for enthusiastic, creative individuals eager to participate in the TAP’s mission to provide access to telecommunications for deaf, hard of hearing and speech-impaired consumers in the state of Kentucky through the distribution of specialized telecommunications equipment. Individuals interested in the speech-impaired consumer representative seat or the two deaf seats should submit a statement of interest and a current resumé to Jessica Endler, TAP Program Coordinator, 632 Versailles Road, Frankfort, KY 40601or email Jessica at jessica.endler@ky.gov.

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March’s (2022) KCDHH Spotlight Q&A is with Toni Jo Stinson, who is Administrative Specialist II at KCDHH. Stinson’s hometown is Cincinnati, OH, where she attended St. Rita School for the Deaf. Upon graduation from St. Rita’s, she attended Mt. St. Joseph, also in Cincinnati. Stinson is the mother of Maureen Hadley (husband Troy) and Mae Stinson. She is also grandmother to Luke and his sibling, expected this month. Stinson lives in Louisville. Click here for the full story.

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2022 TDI Scholarship Deadline, May 13

Now in its fourth year, the TDI Communication Access Scholarship Program is accepting applications. This program is available to all deaf and hard-of-hearing students graduating from high school this year. The scholarship application encourages deaf and hard-of-hearing students to innovate and bring forth ideas for addressing the communication challenges that the deaf and hard-of-hearing community faces. Applications can be completed online or can also be mailed and must be postmarked by the May 13, 2022. Applicants will be notified before September of the award. For full scholarship details on eligibility, requirements, and application, click on the photo below.

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Nominations Accepted for BHSM Recognition Award

Hamilton Relay, the contracted service provider for KCDHH’s telecommunications equipment, is seeking your assistance in identifying candidates for the Hamilton Relay 2022 Better Hearing and Speech Month Recognition Award.

They are looking for individuals who are hard of hearing, late deafened or have difficulty speaking and who have been a positive influence in Kentucky, demonstrating commitment to volunteerism, leadership, advocacy and enhancing the lives of those around them. Award recipients are honored during the month of May and will be featured on the Hamilton Relay website and under the Awards tab of the Hamilton Relay Facebook page.

To nominate someone in Kentucky, complete and submit the online form below by April 8 to Peggy Ward, Kentucky Outreach Coordinator,

Peggy.Ward@hamiltonrelay.com, 338 Hickory Place Nashville, TN 37214, or fax it to 615-739-7990.

Instagram Makes Its Platform More Accessible to DHH People

PLEASE VISIT KCDHH’S

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