Silent Weekend 2020 ASL Full Immersion Retreat – 10 year anniversary

“Find Your Perfect Vision in 2020”

Your all inclusive 3 day event ticket includes dinner on Friday evening, 3 meals and snacks on Saturday, breakfast on Sunday, your overnight lodging, all of your breakout workshops, and entertainment by world renowned performer, Peter Cook! Plus fun activities, games, networking, mentoring, door prizes and more….Come and find your perfect vision in 2020!

Prices are   :                            Early bird

Full weekend    –                                           $220

Full weekend Student/Deaf –                        $170 

Saturday only-(N/A for students)                  $130

Dinner and Entertainment Saturday night    $25

Entertainment only Saturday night               $15

Early Bird – before January 17, 2020. After this the price increases by $20 plus fees per ticket.

Students must stay the full weekend.

Cancellation Policy – 50% refund if cancelled by January 17, 2020. After January 18 no refund will be given. D&HHS reserves the right to cancel at any time with a full refund.* Eventbrite fees will NOT be refunded.*

Meals are included.  If you need special meals please email workshops@deafhhs.org.

CHECK IN: 

Friday 4:00pm-6:00pm

BREAK OUT SESSIONS

Break out sessions should be chosen based on your signing skills level and are self assessed at your own discretion:

Novice Skilled Signers: Have completed ASL classes 1-3 at the college level or are in first year ITP

Intermediate Skilled Signers: Have completed a full year in an ITP

Expert Skilled Signers: Are native ASL users, are fluent in the language, are current interpreters, graduates of an ITP or Teachers of the Deaf.

Friday Night

“2020 Sign Olympics” with Jessica Oliver and your D&HHS team

Back by popular demand! All participants will “compete” with other teams to be the first or the best team to complete all of the 10 stations. Each station will allow opportunity for improving skills in an individual and a team setting. Each team will be able to demonstrate appropriate classifier usage, facial expressions, body language, story-telling skills, signing skills, and team work. Judges will compare the skills of individuals and teams to help them improve their abilities and go for the GOLD! This is a combined activity for all levels and all attendees – *CEUs approved by RID for 0.2 Professional Studies

***This workshop is appropriate for all signing skills Novice – Expert***

Saturday Morning

“Importance of the Expression” with Cassie Simmons (9am – 10:30am and 10:30am- 12pm) 

When you’re watching a native Deaf signer, do you wish you could have the expressions they have? Have you gotten feedback that your facial expression doesn’t change? It’s a struggle for many interpreting students and interpreters too! Deaf Comedian and performer, Cassie Simmons, is here to help. – *CEUs approved by RID for 0.15 Professional Studies

***This workshop is appropriate for all signing skills Novice – Expert***

“Don’t Be Mad If I Don’t Look. Accommodating Hard of Hearing Consumers” with Corey Axelrod (Part 1 9am – 10:30am. Part 2 10:30am-12pm)** NOTE THIS HAS 2 PARTS**

This interactive workshop explores the multiple challenges Hard of Hearing consumers face on a daily basis in today’s society and how interpreters can best adapt to provide support. During this workshop, designed for interpreters who work closely with or provide services to Hard of Hearing consumers, Corey – a Hard of Hearing individual who is also culturally Deaf and 4th generation in his family with deafness – will deliver insight and impact that enables audiences to more clearly understand how to best work with Hard of Hearing consumers. — *CEUs approved by RID for 0.3 Professional Studies (3 hr workshop)

***This workshop is appropriate for signing skills at the Expert level***

“Perspectives in Nursing School and Clinical” with Diane Bass (Part 1 9am – 10:30am. Part 2 10:30am – 12pm)** NOTE THIS HAS 2 PARTS**

You’ll learn first-hand what interpreting for a Deaf Nursing student is like in this interactive workshop with current student nurse associate, Diane Bass. You’ll learn the professional’s perspective and Pros/Cons of working with Interpreters in a clinical setting along with the clinical instructor’s perspective. You’ll learn about the role of advocacy within the profession and demonstrate possible real-world scenarios. You’ll learn about the medical interpreters’ role in student clinical settings and what to expect when meeting student’s accommodation needs. You’ll also be exposed and learn medical terminology in ASL and English. Come ready to be blown away by Diane Bass, BA/BS/BSN RN Student. – *CEUs approved by RID for 0.3 Professional Studies (3 hr workshop)

***This workshop is appropriate for signing skills at the Intermediate – Expert level***

“Jump into ASL Sports” with Christopher Rawlings. (9am – 10:30am and 10;30am – 12pm) 

In this workshop, participants will understand the art of signing various sports signs. This includes: numbers, team classifiers, sports plays, positioning, scoring and much more.   There will also be a discussion about gender roles in sports and how that influences your interpretation. By attending, participants will gain more variety in their interpretation out in the community. There will be group discussions, as well as activities throughout the presentation. – *CEUs approved by RID for 0.3 Professional Studies (3 hr workshop)

***This workshop is appropriate for signing skills at the Novice – Expert level***

“Creativity and ASL” with Peter Cook. (9am – 10:30am and 10:30am – 12pm) 

This course will focus on utilizing American Sign Language as tool for creating the art of storytelling, poetry, and Deaf Theater. You will participate in activities, and discussions. This course is specifically designed for interpreting students and Deaf students, to increase their understanding of how the artistic aspects of Deaf Culture are expressed through Creative American Sign Language. – *CEUs approved by RID for 0.15 Professional Studies

*** This workshop is appropriate for all signing skills at the Novice – Expert level***

Saturday afternoon

“Strategic Community Allyship” with Corey Axelrod **NOTE 3 HOUR TIME BLOCK **(1:15pm – 4:15pm) 

This workshop encourages participants to take a closer look at the perceived and actual benefits of strategic community allyship. Through Deaf lens, Corey Axelrod – founder and CEO of 2axend – will identify multiple ways sign language interpreters can effectively provide long-term strategic support that will collectively benefit the Deaf and interpreting communities. –  *CEUs approved by RID for 0.3 Professional Studies

*** This workshop is appropriate for signing skills at the Expert level***

Advanced Cultural Competency with Jeanette Johnson **NOTE 3 HOUR TIME BLOCK** (1:15pm – 4:15pm)

: MDCR Division on Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing’s Rights Representative Jeannette Johnson will present on advanced concepts of cultural competency within the Deaf culture. Issues of bias, intent vs impact and ethical dilemmas will be discussed during the workshop. This will help interpreter training program students and interpreters alike, to understand better how to navigate various ethical situations, and become more culturally competent. *CEUs approved by RID for 0.3 Professional Studies

*** This workshop is appropriate for signing skills at the Intermediate – Expert level***

“Personification” with Christopher Rawlings.**NOTE 3 HOUR TIME BLOCK**(1:15pm – 4:15pm) 

Participants will be immersed into the world of full language access using American Sign Language. This will be an opportunity for participants to learn how to use their body as various objects (ball, plants, etc.) During this workshop, Christopher will describe the rules involved on how to use classifiers and how to transform your body into an object through movement and facial expressions. This in return will give participants more variety in their interpretation out in the community. – *CEUs approved by RID for 0.3 Professional Studies

***This workshop is appropriate for signing skills at the Novice – Expert level***

“Narrative Development of Personal Experience Storytelling in ASL” with Peter Cook.**NOTE 3 HOUR TIME BLOCK** (1:15pm – 4:15pm) 

The participants should be familiar with the current trend in ASL Literature and narrative discourse. The purpose of this workshop is to explore the role of Narrator and Character in ASL storytelling. The participants will have the chance to exercise role shifting between Narrator and Character. Features such as Body shifting, Eye gazing, Physical features, Positions, and Power shifting will be discussed. The participants will create stories through their personal experiences and will be given assignment during the course of the workshop. – *CEUs approved by RID for 0.3 Professional Studies

*** This workshop is appropriate for signing skills at the Expert level***

“ITP Students Meet the Panel” with Experienced Interpreter Mentors. (4:30pm – 5:45pm)

Have you got a million questions about the interpreting profession? Do you want to know how long it took your favorite role model to achieve their current skill level? Maybe you have questions for a professional medical interpreter but weren’t sure where or how to ask? Look no further, we have just the panel for you. Perfectly paced for ITP students from all programs, you won’t have to wonder any longer. Come with your questions written out or plan to ask in person. This is your safe space! – No CEUs available.

*** This workshop is appropriate for signing skills at the Novice level***

Sunday morning

“Student ITP Rants and Raves” with your D&HHS team. (10am – 11:30am)

What’s your Perfect Vision for 2020? Do you have a great suggestion or something that you just have to share? Come with all your ideas for this year and beyond. Bring your thoughts from the weekend, and your questions for the remainder of the year. We want to hear from you! – No CEUs available

*** This workshop is appropriate for signing skills at the Novice level***

“Deaf Community Panel” with various Deaf Professionals. (10am – 11:30am)

In this workshop we will have discussions led by a team of Deaf and hearing moderators. We will discuss, from the panelist’s perspective, what is expected from both the hearing interpreters and Deaf consumers during a job. The moderators will present various scenarios to the panel and they will discuss how to handle the situation appropriately from their perspective. Also, what should or could be done differently and if any corrective action should be taken. – *CEUs approved by RID for 0.15 Professional Studies

*** This workshop is appropriate for signing skills at the Intermediate – Expert level***

Here is a Sample of the Drafted Schedule. Please pick your workshop choices based on timeslot choices and your skill level. Please do NOT pick overlapping timeslots.

FAQs

I’m in ASL 1 or 2 right now, can I come to Silent Weekend?

This weekend-long event will be entirely in Sign Language, both receptively and expressively. All of the presenters are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. If you have not completed ASL 3 at the college level, Silent Weekend is not a good fit for you yet. Please consider joining us when you are more comfortable with the language.

Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?

You must be over 18 years old to attend.

 I’ve graduated my ITP, but I’m not yet a certified interpreter. Which ticket do I purchase?

You should purchase a “Early Bird Full Weekend” ticket prior to January 17th if you plan to attend Friday-Sunday. “Student or Deaf/Hard of Hearing Full Weekend” tickets are reserved for current students with a college ID or a Deaf or Hard of Hearing person.

What can I bring into the event?

You should bring bedding including a sleeping bag or blankets, a pillow and your toiletries (towel, soap, shampoo, hairdryer) You should also bring a flashlight, and warm clothes if you plan to go tubing or sledding on the well-lit tubing hill during free time. Please do not bring valuables as we cannot be held responsible for anything lost or stolen. Please do bring your quarters to feed the piggy bank for each spoken word if you happen to slip up.

 How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Please email Jennifer Kolhoff, D&HHS Workshop Coordinator, at workshops@deafhhs.org

 What’s the refund policy?

50% refund if cancelled by January 17, 2020. After Janurary 18th, no refund will be given. D&HHS reserves the right to cancel at any time with a full refund. *Eventbrite fees will NOT be refunded at any time.*

What if I can’t make it because the roads are bad?

Many months of planning and coordinating go into this type of event including renting the facility and securing professional presenters. Unfortunately, that means that we will not cancel (even in the case of extreme winter weather) We understand that travel in Michigan during February can sometimes be hazardous and we hope that everyone uses their own discretion with safety in mind. We cannot refund to individuals due to an unforeseen weather event because of the expenses that have already been committed to reserving the facility, lodging, food, entertainment, and workshop presenters. We ask that you contact the workshop coordinator at workshops@deafhhs.org if you expect to be delayed due to weather.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No. You can check in when you arrive by giving your name to the person at the registration table.

 Is my registration fee or ticket transferrable?

No, please email workshops@deafhhs.org if you have a specific question.