Empowerment of Touch: Providing Access to DeafBlind Patients
2026-06-26 08:30 - 12:30 UTC | 160 68th St SW, 160 68th Street SW Ste 140, Grand Rapids, MI 49548, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548, US
Empowerment of Touch:
Providing Access to DeafBlind Patients
Presenter: 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
Registration Fee: $80/ticket – $80 is earlybird registration pricing. The ticket price will increase to $90 on 6/1/26. Registration closes 6/19/26.
REGISTER TODAY: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/bjuAkvjpdtuMkxGu2O0p-g
Join 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.
Whether 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.
Learning Objectives
• Define DeafBlind and recognize the vast range of vision and hearing loss and how that impacts communication needs.
• Identify accommodation methods for DeafBlind and how to ensure effective communication using these methods.
• Recognize the legal and ethical obligations to provide effective communication to DeafBlind patients.
• Observe and practice appropriate ways to approach, communicate with, and provide sighted guide to DeafBlind patients.
• Address the roles and responsibilities of the different members of the care team.
Target Audience
Healthcare Professionals, Social Workers, Emergency Services (Fire, EMT, Police), Accommodations Staff, and any patient service roles!
Cancellation 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.
Questions?
Event Questions: Erica Chapin, echapin@deafhhs.org

Kids Kamp 2026
2026-08-03 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Detroit) | West Oakview Elementary School, 3880 Stuyvesant Avenue Northeast, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, Grand Rapids, MI, 49525, US
Kids Kamp August 3-7

Join Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services for a week of fun, Monday, August 3- Friday, August 7, 2026, from 9 am -12 pm each day! A full week focused on Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing kids.
Kids Kamp will be held at West Oakview Elementary School, located at 3880 Stuyvesant Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49525. *WEDNESDAY WILL BE HELD OFFSITE* On Wednesday we will be at the Rockford Equest Center located at 3777 Rector Ave NE, Rockford, MI 49341. Parents will need to pick up and drop off at the Equest Center for this day.
Kamp is open to children ages 3-12 . (All participants must be potty trained and out of diapers/pull-ups)
Fun activities all week with different themes every day! Snacks are included each day.
Early Bird ticket until July 20 is $90 for the first child and $75 for each additional child. After July 20 the cost is $100 for the first child and $85 for each additional child.
Discounts available for single day attendees. Contact echapin@deafhhs.org for options.
Scholarships are available! Contact datwood@deafhhs.org for more information. Scholarship registration requires a code before you can sign up!
Registration closes July 31 at 5pm. Refunds available until registration closes. NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN AFTER JULY 31 AT 5 PM. The Eventbrite fees are non-refundable.
If you need additional accommodations, please contact Erica Chapin at 616-732-7358 or echapin@deafhhs.org. ASL Interpreters will be provided.
