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
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

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/…/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
Voices off, CEU’s, Networking, Workshops, Mentoring, Mingling, Entertainment, etc. You do NOT want to miss out on a fantastic opportunity!

Voices off, CEU’s, Networking, Workshops, Mentoring, Mingling, Entertainment, etc. You do NOT want to miss out on a fantastic opportunity! Come with us to help “Connect our Minds” 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.

Interpreters and all audiences:
“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. (CEUs Pending )
Interpreters:
3 days of workshops for up to 1.2 CEUs – TBD
“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.(CEUs Pending)
“TBD” – Stevie Naeyaert – Interpreting with a team, Certified Deaf Interpreter / Hearing Interpreters working together. (CEUs Pending)
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)
“TBD” – Cindy Wood
“TBD” – Jamie Hunerjager
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)
“Deaf Community Panel” with various Deaf Professionals.
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 Pending)
