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SUMMARY:FODHHS Workshop/Social
DESCRIPTION:These workshops/socials are available for Deaf\, DeafBlind\, and Hard of Hearing to learn about different topics! Workshops/Socials are on the second Tuesday of the month from 10am-2pm at our building\, the Special Olympics Unified Sports and Inclusion Center\, on 68th Street in Grand Rapids! \nPlease park on the West side of the building and follow signs to our office. \nTopics change each month. Follow our Facebook page to see more about this month’s topic! \nhttps://www.facebook.com/deafhhs 
URL:https://deafhhs.org/event/fodhhs-workshop-social-10/
LOCATION:160 68th St SW\, 160 68th Street SW Ste 140\, Grand Rapids\, MI 49548\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, 49548\, US
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260417T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260419T130000
DTSTAMP:20260409T190846
CREATED:20260318T172911Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260318T172911Z
UID:10678-1776443400-1776603600@deafhhs.org
SUMMARY:Silent Weekend 2026 - An ASL immersion experience
DESCRIPTION:A fully immersive ASL experience for ITP students\, graduates\, and working interpreters\, as well as interested Deaf community members!\n\n\nVoices off\, CEU’s\, Networking\, Workshops\, Mentoring\, Mingling\, Entertainment\, etc. You do NOT want to miss out on a fantastic opportunity! Come with us and catch your “Hands on Fire!” during this weekend-long event designed to help improve your skills!Prices are : \n“Full weekend Student/Deaf” ticket includes overnight stay\, workshops\, meals\, activities\, performance. – $190 ($180 until March 20) \n“Full weekend Interpreter” ticket includes overnight stay\, workshops\, meals\, CEUs\, activities\, and performance. – $210 ($200 until March 20) \n“Interpreter Saturday Only” no overnight stay. Ticket includes CEUs\, lunch\, dinner\, activities and evening entertainment. – $100 \n“Interpreter Saturday Workshop Only” no overnight stay\, no meals\, no afternoon activities\, no evening entertainment. Ticket includes CEUs (pending). – $60 \n“Saturday Dinner and Entertainment” ticket includes Saturday only dinner and activities\, including performance by in-person Deaf performer\, Sebi’Art – $30 \nLongsleeve\, charcoal t-shirt\, yellow lettering – “Hands on Fire” – $20 (must purchase before March 20\, 2026!) \nCancellation Policy – 50% refund if cancelled by March 20\, 2026. After March 20 no refund will be given. Eventbrite fees are non-refundable at any time. D&HHS reserves the right to cancel at any time with a full refund. Mode of communication will be in American Sign Language\, for DeafBlind\, mobility\, and other accommodations\, please email JKolhoff@deafhhs.org. \nMeals are included with several (but not all) ticket options. Please be sure to select the correct ticket. If you have any questions or need special meals please email jkolhoff@deafhhs.org. \n\n\nDeaf & Hard of Hearing Services is an approved RID CMP Sponsor for continuing education activities. This Professional Studies program is offered for up to 1.3 CEUs at the Little to None Content Knowledge Level. \nInterpreters and all audiences:\nFriday: “Sign Olympics” with Alex Bono/D&HHS Team \nBack by popular demand! All participants will “compete” with other teams to be the first or the best team to complete all of the 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 teamwork. 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. (0.2 PS CEUs ) \nInterpreters:\nFriday: “Understanding alcoholism: Maybe you just drink too much” with David N. Evans \nAlcoholism is a fatal disease\, killing Deaf people because they don’t have access to the nature of their malady nor the solution presented in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and literature. But what do you believe is the difference between heavy or even habitual drinking (what might be called alcohol abuse) and alcoholism? The public and even the professional medical community confuse the two frequently. While this is not a topic Alcoholics Anonymous is concerned with\, the distinction is quite important for interpreters in AA because what we believe will absolutely affect how we understand and convey messages while interpreting. Using AA’s own literature as our guide\, we will learn about the history of alcoholism\, the early days of AA’s beginnings along with key figures and dates via a skit (complete with cue cards and props!). We will explore AA’s definition of alcoholism and how it affects alcoholics differently from others. In order to ensure clarity and comprehension of concepts\, quotations of AA literature will be presented in English text with the presentation and discussion taking place in ASL. (0.3 PS CEUs) \nSaturday Morning: “Interpreting for Language Deprived Students in Educational Settings” – Anna Trupiano \nThis workshop critically examines why traditional educational interpreting models fall short in addressing the needs of language-deprived students in mainstream classrooms and presents an innovative\, learner-centered alternative. Participants will learn to identify students experiencing language deprivation\, become familiar with essential terminology related to interventions and linguistic development\, explore foundational concepts of language acquisition\, and engage with real-world examples that illustrate interpreting techniques designed to promote language growth within educational settings for students struggling with language deprivation. You may also learn to recognize language deprivation and when to request a team.(0.3 PS CEUs ) \nSaturday Afternoon: “Certified Deaf Interpreter and Hearing Interpreter Teams: Working with a CDI” – Stevie Naeyaert \nInterpreting with a team has huge benefits to your consumers. Native sign language users teaming with native English users can make communication more smooth and clear. In this workshop participants will learn to understand when\, how\, and why a CDI team should be called and what to do once you’re part of that team. Participants will work with Certified Deaf Interpreter\, Steive Nayaert\, on how to prepare for teaming\, what to expect\, and gain exposure practicing working with a team. (0.3 PS CEUs) \nStudents: (Workshops without CEUs)\n“Visual Vernacular in Your Work” – Sebastien Ianno \nThis workshop introduces participants to V V through movement\, space\, facial expression\, and visual storytelling. Participants will explore key VV parameters\, including body classifiers\, placement\, transitions\, emotions\, and visual rhythm. The workshop also includes a brief introduction to the history of Visual Vernacular\, followed by interactive exercises focused on visual expression\, mime\, and storytelling through the body and face. \n“What’s the Sign for That? Decoding Deaf Culture\, Slang\, and Creating Inclusive Conversations.” – Tanya Timmerman \nTake a closer look at the fascinating interplay between Deaf culture and language in this engaging presentation. This session delves into Deaf slang\, mouth morphemes\, and their role in fostering language and cultural competence. Explore ‘Deaf Bing’ in depth and gain a deeper understanding of other cultural nuances\, while gaining tools to create more inclusive conversations. The presentation will conclude with an anonymous Q&A\, providing a safe space to ask the burning questions you’ve always wanted to ask a Deaf person! (No CEUs Offered) \n“Navigating the Gap: Skill Building + Certification Readiness –Part one: Certification Readiness & Skill Building” – Cindy Wood \nThis workshop breaks down what national certification exams actually assess and how to prepare in a way that supports growth without burning out\, how to choose workshops strategically instead of collecting random CEUs\, and how to build a realistic language development plan for both receptive and expressive skills in ASL and English. The focus is on working smarter\, not harder\, so you can recognize practical tools and develop a clear sense of how to continue building skills long after the retreat ends. (No CEUs Offered) \n“Navigating the Gap: Skill Building + Certification Readiness-Part two: Mentoring & Your Professional Game Plan” – Jamie Hunerjager \nJust finished (or about to finish) your ITP and wondering what comes next? This workshop focuses on helping you use the GAP between graduation and certification with intention. You’ll learn how to find and work with a mentor who supports your growth\, how to ask thoughtful questions that lead to useful\, honest feedback\, and how to use your silent retreat experience to strengthen your learning. Jamie will help you build a realistic professional development plan so you leave with clarity\, direction\, and confidence about your next steps. (No CEUs Offered) \nInterpreters and all audiences:\nSaturday evening Entertainment with Deaf performer\, Sebastien Ianno of Sebi’Art. (No CEUs Offered) \n“Sunday Morning Worship” (optional) \nJoin this optional Christian message with Deaf leader\, Gilbert Branagan\, as he leads in reflection\, gratitude\, and prayer. (No CEUs Offered) \nSunday Morning: “Deaf Community Panel” with various Deaf Professionals and certified interpreters. \nIn 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. (0.2 PS “Ethics” CEUs)
URL:https://deafhhs.org/event/silent-weekend-2026-an-asl-immersion-experience/
LOCATION:YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin\, 1095 North Briggs Road\, Middleville\, MI 49333\, Middleville\, MI\, 49333\, US
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260417T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260417T200000
DTSTAMP:20260409T190846
CREATED:20260318T173036Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260318T173036Z
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SUMMARY:"Understanding Alcoholism: Maybe you just drink too much" - David N. Evans
DESCRIPTION:Workshop for American Sign Language Interpreters\n\n\nAlcoholism is a fatal disease\, killing Deaf people because they don’t have access to the nature of their malady nor the solution presented in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and literature. But what do you believe is the difference between heavy or even habitual drinking (what might be called alcohol abuse) and alcoholism? The public and even the professional medical community confuse the two frequently. While this is not a topic Alcoholics Anonymous is concerned with\, the distinction is quite important for interpreters in AA because what we believe will absolutely affect how we understand and convey messages while interpreting. Using AA’s own literature as our guide\, we will learn about the history of alcoholism\, the early days of AA’s beginnings along with key figures and dates via a skit (complete with cue cards and props!). We will explore AA’s definition of alcoholism and how it affects alcoholics differently from others. In order to ensure clarity and comprehension of concepts\, quotations of AA literature will be presented in English text with the presentation and discussion taking place in ASL. \nDeaf & Hard of Hearing Services is an approved RID CMP Sponsor for continuing education activities. This Professional Studies program is offered for 0.3 CEUs at the Little to None Content Knowledge Level.  \nCancellation Policy – 50% refund if cancelled by March 27\, 2026. After March 27 no refund will be given. Eventbrite fees are non-refundable at any time. D&HHS reserves the right to cancel at any time with a full refund. Mode of communication will be in American Sign Language with no ASL to English interpreter (no voice interpreter)\, for other accommodations\, please email JKolhoff@deafhhs.org. \n \n*This workshop is being offered as a bonus timeslot for those who purchased a CEU (interpreter) ticket and is included with your Silent Weekend in-person event ticket. If you’ve purchased a Silent Weekend ticket\, you do NOT need to purchase this as a separate workshop. Questions about which ticket to purchase? Email Jkolhoff@deafhhs.org
URL:https://deafhhs.org/event/understanding-alcoholism-maybe-you-just-drink-too-much-david-n-evans/
LOCATION:Online using Zoom\, 160 68th St SW Ste 140\, Grand Rapids\, MI 49548\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, 49548\, US
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260626T083000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260626T123000
DTSTAMP:20260409T190846
CREATED:20260403T171628Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T171628Z
UID:10695-1782462600-1782477000@deafhhs.org
SUMMARY:Empowerment of Touch: Providing Access to DeafBlind Patients
DESCRIPTION:Empowerment of Touch:\nProviding Access to DeafBlind Patients \nPresenter: Jill Gaus\, DeafBlind ProfessionalDate & Time: Friday\, June 26\, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PMLocation: Special Olympics of Michigan Building – 160 68th St SW\, Grand Rapids\, MI 49548 \nRegistration Fee: $80/ticket – $80 is earlybird registration pricing. The ticket price will increase to $90 on 6/1/26. Registration closes 6/19/26. \nREGISTER TODAY: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/bjuAkvjpdtuMkxGu2O0p-g \nJoin us during DeafBlind Awareness month for a thoughtful workshop with DeafBlind professional Jill Gaus. A practical workshop designed to equip healthcare providers\, support staff\, and service professionals with the knowledge and tools to effectively serve patients who are DeafBlind\, this interactive session will challenge participants to reconsider their approach when serving DeafBlind patients. \nWhether you’re new to working with DeafBlind individuals or looking to deepen your competency\, this workshop offers valuable insights to promote accessibility\, respect\, and effective care. \nLearning Objectives\n• Define DeafBlind and recognize the vast range of vision and hearing loss and how that impacts communication needs.\n• Identify accommodation methods for DeafBlind and how to ensure effective communication using these methods.\n• Recognize the legal and ethical obligations to provide effective communication to DeafBlind patients.\n• Observe and practice appropriate ways to approach\, communicate with\, and provide sighted guide to DeafBlind patients.\n• Address the roles and responsibilities of the different members of the care team. \nTarget Audience\nHealthcare Professionals\, Social Workers\, Emergency Services (Fire\, EMT\, Police)\, Accommodations Staff\, and any patient service roles! \nCancellation Policy – 50% refund if cancelled by June 1\, 2026. After June 1\, no refund will be given. D&HHS reserves the right to cancel at any time with a full refund. \nQuestions?\nEvent Questions: Erica Chapin\, echapin@deafhhs.org
URL:https://deafhhs.org/event/empowerment-of-touch-providing-access-to-deafblind-patients/
LOCATION:160 68th St SW\, 160 68th Street SW Ste 140\, Grand Rapids\, MI 49548\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, 49548\, US
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