Month: April 2022

Interpreter Shortage Challenges Appropriate Medical Care for Deaf Patients

Interpreter Shortage Challenges Appropriate Medical Care For Deaf Patients

Doreen Simons, a certified deaf interpreter, uses a video remote interpreting (VRI) service from her Farmington home.

Deaf residents report frequent issues with sign language interpretation at Connecticut hospitals and health care facilities, hindering their ability to understand medical care fully.

And though video remote interpreting (VRI) services are widely available at Connecticut hospitals, patients have reported mixed experiences with the technology.

The issues persist more than 30 years after passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires interpretation for patients and family members under the “effective communication” section of the law. In the last three years, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has negotiated four settlements with medical facilities in Connecticut for complaints related to communication with deaf patients.

“At one point, ADA and accessibility seemed to be very good,” said Marissa Rivera, an advocate with Disability Rights Connecticut (DRCT). “And now, in 2022, it has completely collapsed.”

The reasons are multiple and complex but often attributed to an ongoing interpreter shortage, which makes it hard to consistently secure in-person interpretation, especially during unplanned emergency room visits.

Read the rest at http://c-hit.org/2022/04/14/interpreter-shortage-challenges-appropriate-medical-care-for-deaf-patients.

Rehoboth Museum sets tour with ASL interpreter on May 7th

Rehoboth museum sets tour with ASL interpreter May 7

Red bouy on right side, lifeguard stand in the middle with varying equipment over time displayed, on left side in the back is a lighthouse station

The Rehoboth Beach Museum invites visitors who are deaf and hard of hearing to join a museum docent and an American Sign Language interpreter for a tour of its current exhibits from 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday, May 7.

Attendees will explore both permanent exhibits and the special exhibit, The Storm of ’62.

The tour is free with registration.

For more information and to register, go to rehobothbeachmuseum.org and click on the listing for the ASL guided tour on the calendar of museum events.

The museum is located at 511 Rehoboth Ave. and is handicap accessible. Email volunteer@rehobothbeachmuseum.org with any questions.

Thanks to https://www.capegazette.com/article/rehoboth-museum-sets-tour-asl-interpreter-may-7/238177.

Gallaudet University: Charter Day 2022: Dr. Barbara J. White

Charter Day | Gallaudet University
The award  recipients are as follows:

Outstanding Young Alumnus Award:

  • Mx. Victoricia Monroe, ’15 & G-’20

Advocacy for Social Justice Award (originally named the Gertrude S. Galloway, ’51, PhD ’93, & H-’02 Advocacy and Social Justice Award):

  • Dr. Poorna Kushalnagar, ’93

Above and Beyond Volunteer Award (originally named the Pauline “Polly” Peikoff, E-’36 “Service to Others” Award):

  • Dr. Barbara J. White, ’76
Congratulations to these well deserved individuals! Click the video above to enjoy viewing the program to learn more about their impact and contributions to our community.

ASL Camping Crew: PA Outdoor Corps in Partnership

ASL Camping Crew: PA Outdoor Corps in Partnership with CorpsTHAT

Laurel Hill Park Complex in Rockwood, PA

Paid opportunities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing 15-18 year olds to join a crew that will camp, learn, and work together on a small team to complete conservation projects during one of two ~3 week sessions, and Deaf and Hard of Hearing 21+ year olds to lead crews during both sessions.

Session 1: July 5-23

Session 2: July 26-August 13

Prospective crew members view here

Prospective crew leaders view here