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VOLUME 41, NO. 9
SEPTEMBER, 2023
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KCDHH Recognizes National
Preparedness Month
National Preparedness Month (NPM)
is recognized each September to promote family and community disaster
planning now and throughout the year. KCDHH established a study group to
address ways to ensure that deaf and hard of hearing Kentuckians are
alerted, informed, protected, and empowered before, during, and after an
emergency or disaster.
KCDHH has Gallaudet’s
permission to post fact sheets for deaf and hard of hearing regarding
preparation for disasters and emergencies, located here. There are also videos from
the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
on the KCDHH website.
The Helen Keller National
Center (HKNC) is also hosting a four-part webinar series that will provide
the Deaf-Blind community, family members, and service providers with the
tools and resources they need to prepare for emergencies and disasters.
Register for the September webinars on Wednesdays by clicking here.
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AmeriCorps Seeks DHH Alumni for
Virtual Panel
 Deaf and hard of hearing
individuals who are AmeriCorps alumni are invited to be part of a virtual
panel. The panel will take place on Tuesday, September 19, from 7 p.m. to 8
p.m. EST. As a panelist, you will share your experience(s) working with and
serving in your community. The audience also will get the chance to ask you
questions that might include the process of applying to work with
AmeriCorps and what career path options there are for post-AmeriCorps
experience. More details will be shared at a later time if you are
interested in being a part of this panel. If you are not interested in
being a panelist but would like to watch, sign up here. To be a panelist, sign up
at here.
September is National Deaf
Awareness Month
 If you or a loved one is deaf
or hard of hearing, you probably already know that September marks Deaf Awareness
Month. This is a time to celebrate the deaf community’s achievements,
resilience, and contributions to society despite the challenges they face
every day.
Below are some fun and
supportive ways to participate in Deaf Awareness Month:
·
Watch deaf films and documentaries.
·
Find and support deaf-owned businesses in your
area.
·
If you have a friend or loved one with hearing
loss, you could learn some sign language to show your support and connect
with them on a deeper level.
·
Raise your voice for deaf accessibility and
empowerment. Consider donating to organizations that fight for the deaf
community or advocating for improved accessibility, education, and
workplace protections.
·
If you know someone who is deaf or hard of
hearing, ask if they’re willing to share their stories about living in a
hearing world. Understanding their perspective will open your mind to what
the millions of people with hearing loss go through every day. It’ll also
allow you to spread awareness by sharing their stories with friends and
family.
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International Week of the Deaf,
September 25-29
 This year’s International Week of the Deaf runs from 25-29 September and
is celebrated by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD). In the United
States, celebration of International Week of the Deaf is held throughout
the year, not only during the last full week of September. It’s a time when
people can come together annually to recognize and celebrate the vibrant
Deaf community. This year’s theme is “Building Inclusive Communities for
All.” If people come together to show awareness for Deaf people within communities,
it can help to better connect them to others. People can become more
educated about how to communicate with Deaf people, contributing to
positive change and breaking down stereotypical barriers. For resources to
celebrate the event, visit the website by clicking here.
 Also, the International Day
of Sign Languages is celebrated annually across the world on September 23rd
every year along with International Week of the Deaf. The Day is a unique
opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural
diversity of all deaf people and other sign language users.
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HLAA Walk4Hearing Set for September 23
 The
Hearing Loss Association of America will host its annual Kentucky Walk4Hearing
on Saturday, September 23, at Tom Sawyer Park, 3000 Freys Hill Road,
Louisville. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with presentations at 9:30 a.m.
The 5k (3.1 miles) walk begins at 10 a.m. For more information, contact
Walk Chair, Theresa Kidwell at theresa.kidwell@twc.com or
Senior Manager, Ronnie Adler, at radler@hearingloss.org. You can
also register as an individual or team on the website by clicking here.
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Public Invited to Town Hall Meetings
on Justice/Mental Health
 Building on the success of Kentucky’s first mental health summit, the
Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health has been hosting town hall
meetings in communities across the state since August 30. The meetings are
being held to garner input for changing how the justice system addresses
people with challenges involving mental illness, substance use and/or
intellectual and developmental disabilities. The commission wants to hear
from people and/or their families with lived experience in this area as well
as business owners, civic leaders, and anyone else with an interest.
The schedule includes the following meetings and sites:
·
September 27: London Community Center, 529 S. Main Street; ·
October 11: Lexington Central Bank Center, 430 W. Vine Street; October 25: Paducah McCracken County Convention & Expo Center, 415 Park
Avenue;
·
November 8: Louisville Kentucky International Conference Center, 221 S. Fourth
Street;
·
November 15: Pikeville Appalachian Wireless Arena, 126 Main Street; November 29: Bowling Green Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace.
Those who are unable to attend but want to share experiences
navigating the courts or the behavioral health system can do so by emailing
JCMH@kycourts.net. ASL interpreters will be provided. For other language or
accessibility needs, email JCMH@kycourts.net.
For more information and to watch the captioned videos, visit the
KCDHH website by clicking on the photos below:
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October is National Protect Your
Hearing Month
 Hearing protection is for everyone. There is no cure for hearing
loss! The good news? You can prevent hearing loss by protecting your
hearing. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) supports National Protect
Your Hearing Month, an annual event that provides an opportunity to raise
awareness about hearing. People are encouraged to think about their own
hearing and to get checked if they think there might be a problem. Early
identification and intervention for hearing loss is important. Find out how
you can prevent hearing loss by visiting the CDC’s website here.
By Michelle
Niehaus, LCSW (michelle.niehaus@ky.gov)
Program
Administrator, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
Dept. for
Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities
Did you know that
September is National Recovery Month?
“Recovery” means different things to different people. It may mean
getting better after an illness or an injury. Maybe it means getting
something back that you once had. In
the world of mental health and substance use, we use the following as a
definition of recovery: “A process of change through which individuals
improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to
reach their full potential.”
The Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual
Disabilities (DBHDID) supports several programs to help individuals who are
Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind, Later Deafened, or Deaf-Disabled access
quality treatment and recovery services. Read more here.
During the month of September we will be celebrating Recovery Month
with several activities: (Read more here.)
·
Join us online for a Recovery Month Lunch & Learn at noon Eastern Standard Time on September 19. Meet Peer Support Specialists and Discuss “What does recovery mean
to you?” We will also share
information about Kentucky’s Recovery Community Centers. Click the Zoom link here. Password: 046180
·
Join us in person at
the Recovery Month
Rally on 9/22! Interpreters provided from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.!
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October 2 Lunch & Learn Session
Framework for DHH Children: Model from the Child’s
Perspective
 Early interventionists, educators, mental health
providers, hearing health professionals, parents, and others concerned
about language acquisition interested in learning about a model that
emphasizes meaningful collaboration between families and professionals
regarding preferred language choice can join another Lunch & Learn
session, “The Fundamental Framework for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Children: A
model from the Child’s Perspective, by Kinya D. Embry, M.S. CCC-SLP.” The
event is hosted by the DBHDID on Monday, October 2, from 12 noon to 1 p.m.
(EST). The session will detail how providers can look at function, family,
fitness, fun, friends, and future when assessing and engaging with families
of young children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Join the zoom meeting by
clicking here. The password is 042711. For more information,
contact michelle.niehaus@ky.gov.
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Deaf Peer Support Specialists
Sought
Are you Deaf? Hard of Hearing? A child or
sibling of a person who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing? Do you have experience
with mental health or substance misuse? Would you like to help other people
live a full and happy life? The Department for Behavioral Health,
Developmental, & Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID) is partnering with
Bridgehaven to recruit and train up to five people to work with individuals
who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind, or Deaf-Disabled. To watch an
ASL signed video, click here. To request an application, contact Michelle
Niehaus at michelle.niehaus@ky.gov or call or text 502-892-9122 or leave a
message on VP at 502-385-0460.
Deaf-Blind Employment Specialist
Position Open
A Deaf-Blind Employment Specialist position is
open with Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Services in Louisville. The primary focus will be to provide one on one
services to consumers to assist with achievement of employment outcomes,
with a commitment to a fully inclusive community-based environment. For
more information, visit here.
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KAD Mini Conference on “The Power of Advocating: Oct.
7
 The
Kentucky Association of the Deaf (KAD) will host its 48th
Biennial Mini Conference, “The Power of Advocating,” on Saturday, October
7, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Boyle County Extension Office, 99
Corporate Drive, Danville. The registration fee includes membership,
conference, continental breakfast, and lunch. To register, send a check
or money order ($40 per person) made out to KAD Conference to KAD, P.O.
Box 463, Danville, KY 40423. For more information, click here.
ALDAcon 2023 Save the Date: October 30-November 3
ALDAcon
registration continues for the October 30 to November 3 conference in
Austin, TX, at the Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol. Registration is
$390 per person and includes workshops, exhibits, entertainment, speaker,
and other special events. Register here.
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Heuser Hosts Deaf Education Symposium, November 3-4
 KCDHH
Executive Director Anita Dowd will be part of Heuser Hearing & Language
Academy, KY HEARS Deaf Education Professionals Symposium on Friday to
Saturday, November 3-4, 111 E. Kentucky Street, Louisville.  The symposium
is for educators of the deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf/Blind, and
clinician/nursing professionals. Space is limited to 125 participants.
For questions and clarifications, contact Devon Woodlee, KY HEARS Project
Manager, 502-371-9908 or dwoodlee@thehearinginstitutue.org.
To
register, scan the QR Code.
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Humans Still Key to Accessible, AI-Driven Tech
The case for
human oversight of artificial intelligence (AI) services continues, with
the intertwined world of audio transcription, captioning, and automatic
speech recognition (ASR) joining the call for applications that
complement, not replace, human input. Captions and subtitles serve a
vital role in providing media and information access to viewers who are
deaf or hard of hearing, and they've risen in popular use over the past
several years. While, in general, performances have improved since 3Play
Media's 2022 report, the company found that error rates were still high
enough to warrant human editor collaboration for all markets tested. Read
more here.
PLEASE VISIT KCDHH’S
IF YOU HAVE AN EVENT YOU’D LIKE TO LIST
ON THE CALENDAR, PLEASE EMAIL US AT:
kcdhh@ky.gov
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
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