FODHHS Workshop/Social - Copy - Copy
2026-02-10 10:00 - 14:00 UTC | 160 68th St SW, 160 68th Street SW Ste 140, Grand Rapids, MI 49548, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548, US
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!
Please park on the West side of the building and follow signs to our office.
Topics change each month. Follow our Facebook page to see more about this month’s topic!
https://www.facebook.com/deafhhs

FODHHS Workshop/Social
2026-03-10 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-14 10:00 - 14:00 UTC | 160 68th St SW, 160 68th Street SW Ste 140, Grand Rapids, MI 49548, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548, US

Blandford Sugarbush ASL Interpreted Tours
2026-03-14 11:00 - 15:00 UTC | Blandford Nature Center, 1715 Hillburn Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504, US
Join us for a day of fun and community at the Blandford Nature Center Sugarbush Festival! On Saturday, March 14th Blandford Nature Center will be celebrating the 56th year of Sugarbush located at 1715 Hillburn Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504!

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services is partnering with Blandford Nature Center to offer scheduled ASL interpreted tours, which include trail walks, wildlife presentations, sugaring demonstrations, interactive stations, and historical building tours.

ASL Interpreted Schedule:
First tour at 11AM – 12 PM; ADA Accessible, on paved trails
Wildlife Presentation at 1PM
Second tour at 2PM – 3PM, on nature trails

Register with promo code DHHS2026SB using the following link to visit the

Blandford Nature Center’s registration page: https://blandfordnaturecenter.doubleknot.com/event/dhhs-tickets-for-sugarbush-festival-2026/3137558

*Please note that limited tickets are available with the promo code*

For any questions, please contact Blandford Nature Center by email at info@blandfordnaturecenter.org or by calling 616-735-6240.

Silent Weekend 2026 - An ASL immersion experience
2026-04-17 16:30 - 2026-04-19 13:00 (America/Detroit) | YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin, 1095 North Briggs Road, Middleville, MI 49333, Middleville, MI, 49333, US
A fully immersive ASL experience for ITP students, graduates, and working interpreters, as well as interested Deaf community members!

Voices 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 :
“Full weekend Student/Deaf” ticket includes overnight stay, workshops, meals, activities, performance. – $190 ($180 until March 20)
“Full weekend Interpreter” ticket includes overnight stay, workshops, meals, CEUs, activities, and performance. – $210 ($200 until March 20)
“Interpreter Saturday Only” no overnight stay. Ticket includes CEUs, lunch, dinner, activities and evening entertainment. – $100
“Interpreter Saturday Workshop Only” no overnight stay, no meals, no afternoon activities, no evening entertainment. Ticket includes CEUs (pending). – $60
“Saturday Dinner and Entertainment” ticket includes Saturday only dinner and activities, including performance by in-person Deaf performer, Sebi’Art – $30
Longsleeve, charcoal t-shirt, yellow lettering – “Hands on Fire” – $20 (must purchase before March 20, 2026!)
Cancellation 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.
Meals 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.

Deaf & 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.
Interpreters and all audiences:
Friday: “Sign Olympics” with Alex Bono/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 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 )
Interpreters:
Friday: “Understanding alcoholism: Maybe you just drink too much” with David N. Evans
Alcoholism 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)
Saturday Morning: “Interpreting for Language Deprived Students in Educational Settings” – Anna Trupiano
This 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 )
Saturday Afternoon: “Certified Deaf Interpreter and Hearing Interpreter Teams: Working with a CDI” – Stevie Naeyaert
Interpreting 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)
Students: (Workshops without CEUs)
“Visual Vernacular in Your Work” – Sebastien Ianno
This 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.
“What’s the Sign for That? Decoding Deaf Culture, Slang, and Creating Inclusive Conversations.” – Tanya Timmerman
Take 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)
“Navigating the Gap: Skill Building + Certification Readiness –Part one: Certification Readiness & Skill Building” – Cindy Wood
This 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)
“Navigating the Gap: Skill Building + Certification Readiness-Part two: Mentoring & Your Professional Game Plan” – Jamie Hunerjager
Just 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)
Interpreters and all audiences:
Saturday evening Entertainment with Deaf performer, Sebastien Ianno of Sebi’Art. (No CEUs Offered)
“Sunday Morning Worship” (optional)
Join this optional Christian message with Deaf leader, Gilbert Branagan, as he leads in reflection, gratitude, and prayer. (No CEUs Offered)
Sunday Morning: “Deaf Community Panel” with various Deaf Professionals and certified interpreters.
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. (0.2 PS “Ethics” CEUs)

"Understanding Alcoholism: Maybe you just drink too much" - David N. Evans
2026-04-17 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit) | Online using Zoom, 160 68th St SW Ste 140, Grand Rapids, MI 49548, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548, US
Workshop for American Sign Language Interpreters

Alcoholism 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.
Deaf & 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.
Cancellation 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.

*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

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
