Download the memo: Memo Interpreter Test Now Open

Memo from DODHH Director Sheryl Emery

DATE: 10/23/2009

TO: Interpreters, Partner Agencies, and Members of Deaf Community

FROM: Sheryl D. Emery, M.A.

Director, Division on Deaf and Hard of Hearing

SUBJECT: Interpreting Test Now Open

Nearly one year ago on October 30, 2008 our Quality Assurance Test (QA) was suspended. For many years the QA screening tool served our needs but it was not designed to serve as a state mandated test. As incoming Director I made a personal vow to have a new screening and assessment tool in place within a year. With the help of a great many people I have been able to keep this vow.

Effective today, I am announcing that DODHH Interpreter testing is now available and is no longer suspended. The Division on Deaf and Hard of Hearing is unveiling for the general public the new Michigan Board for Evaluation of Interpreters Test (MI BEI). Developed by the University of Arizona, in conjunction with the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), the test has been proven valid, reliable and legally defensible. The test is being leased from the Texas DARS – Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. As part of the leasing agreement our state will have reciprocal certification recognition in any state where the BEI is used. Currently that is in Texas and Michigan. We anticipate there will be others.

In the upcoming weeks we will be hosting forums to discuss the BEI and interpreting standards, we encourage all members of the community to attend these free forums as we anticipate there will be great changes coming to Michigan’s Deaf and Interpreting Community. Please see the list of the various forum sites at our website homepage (www.mcdc-dodhh.org) in the Events section.

Henceforth effective with this memo, interpreters that were granted an extension dated January 1, 2010 and/or thereafter are required to now take the BEI before the expiration date listed on their interpreter card.

No additional extensions will be granted for cards expiring on or after January 1, 2010. Application for testing, the BEI Guide Book, dates for the Test of English Proficiency (TEP) and the Performance test will be posted on DODHH webpage (www.mcdc-dodhh.org) by the first week of November.

Download the flyer: CivilRightsMeetingLansing_Oct_26_2009

Feel free to pass this information and flyer along.  The Civil Rights Commission will be hosting a meeting on Monday to deal with issues related to disabilities and Civil rights. The public is invited.  Please see the attached.  Interpreters will be provided and I will also speak briefly on the program.

If you have concerns related to mental health access for deaf and hard of hearing persons, independent living services,  MRS assistance, communication needs for deaf and hard of hearing prisoners, DHS access or policy issues, funding for deaf services or any area of our state government now would be a good time to get your “signs” / voice heard.

Sheryl D. Emery, M.A. Director

Division on Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth

201 N. Washington SQ, STE 150

Lansing, MI 48913

(517) 507-5223

(866) 939-3853 VP

(517) 335-7773 Fax

Download the document to see the listing of BEI workshops: 2009 Fall Flyer for MI BEI Workshops

If you cannot open the document for some reason:

Please join DODHH for FREE presentations about the NEW Michigan Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (MI BEI) test.  The MI BEI will replace the State of Michigan Quality Assurance Assessment (MI QA).  We will cover information about:

• Requirements for Application,
• Statewide Testing Sites,
• Preparation Materials,
• Availability of Tests, and
• Testing Rubric.

October 29, 2009 (Thursday) 6:30-8:30 PM- Grand Rapids

Highlands Elementary School (cafeteria)

4645 Chandy NE

Grand Rapids, MI 49525

November 5, 2009 (Thursday) 6:00-8:00 PM- Detroit

Cadillac Place (Conference room L-150)

3044 W. Grand Blvd.

Detroit, MI 48202

November 21, 2009 (Saturday) 10:30AM-12:30 PM- Lansing

Michigan Library and Historical Center (Forum-1^st floor auditorium)

702 W. Kalamazoo

Lansing, MI 48915

November 21, 2009 (Saturday) 2:00-4:00 PM –Flint

Flint Association of the Deaf

4156 Holiday Dr.

Flint, MI 48506

Pre-registration is not required as participation is free but requests for accommodations need to be received two weeks prior to any workshop. All workshops will be given in ASL—unless no Deaf community members attend. If a voice interpreter is needed to accommodate you, please call 877-499-6232 and speak to Joy Thomassen, State Interpreter Coordinator.

NEW RELEASE – ASL movie “Gerald” (two showings)

ASL movie - "Gerald"

Friday, Oct 23 at 7 PM
WHERE:  Oakland Community College
Highland Lakes Campus
Student Center Arena
7350 Cooley Lake Rd
Waterford, MI 48327
MAP:  http://www.oaklandcc.edu/Maps/HICampus/

Sunday, Oct 25th at 3PM
WHERE:  Michigan School for the Deaf – Auditorium
1667 Miller Rd
Flint, MI 48503

ADMISSION:  $11.00 – Nets proceeds benefit Michigan School for the Deaf Alumni Association (MSDAA)

SYNOPSIS:
This film is a journey of a young man, Corey, yearning for kinship until one day discovers he has a Deaf autistic grandfather he has never knew, Corey was determined to make connection regardless.  The family ties and secrets unbeknownst to the young man have surfaced, and all the events suddenly unfold.  Soon afterwards, the discovery leads to chain of events that entwines the young man to the unknown.  A powerful, emotional and continuous twist of events that leads to shocking truth.  Rated PG

MOVIE TRAILER : check on www.aslfilms.com

Note:  Please watch this video clip…comment in ASL about the movie! Check it out! Please forward to your families/friends!
http://www.deafvideo.tv/60747

Rules and Regs meeting will be this coming Tuesday June 16.  There are only a few seats approximately a dozen at the most. Meeting is in the Victor Bldg (same as DODHH) in the third floor conference rooms.   I have not made an announcement to the general public to the location of the meeting though people are aware the meeting will be open.  I wish to give the Deaf community priority. Please share it with your MDC members. I cannot hold any seating once the info becomes public so it’s on first come basis.  The public may NOT comment or interrupt proceedings of the meeting. Mtg starts 9:00 AM. Joy will be interpreting for audience if needed (room has limited view due to committee seating) CART is also available.

Sheryl D. Emery, M.A. Director

Division on Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth

201 N. Washington SQ, STE 150

Lansing, MI 48913

(517) 507-5223

(866) 939-3853 VP

(517) 335-7773 Fax

Note: You can download the letter at the bottom of the post.

Guest Vlogger Jeannette Johnson explains the letter in ASL:

The Michigan Deaf Community Committee is asking all of you in the Michigan Deaf Community, to send in this letter to your state representative and senator. Please replace anything that has [x] with the appropriate information, and alter the letter to be more personal. This will ensure that the legislators pay more attention to what we have to say.  To find out who your Michigan representative and senator are, go to vote-smart.org and fill in your zip code. By you taking action on this, it is our ultimate hope that this will improve the quality of our lives, and as part of self-determination, enable us to further participate in the political process.

Download the letter to legislators: letter_legislators

Find your local senator and representative: www.vote-smart.org

Flyer: mdc-forum-flyer-s-emery2

Map (Please see the important note below): main_campuslcc

HELLO DEAF COMMUNITY,

WE HAVE THE VERY IMPORTANT MEETING WITH SHERLY EMERY, NEW DIRECTOR OF DODHH (DIVISION ON DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING) ON SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009 AT LANSING COMMUNITY COLLEGE (LCC) FROM 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.

IT IS OUR GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE OUR CONCERNS/INPUTS ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS.

WE NEED TO MEET SHERYL AND SEE WHAT SHE NEEDS OUR HELP TO IMPROVE OUR RIGHTS AND BETTER SERVICES, ETC.  AND HOW WE CAN GIVE OUR SUPPORT WITH HER AND OURSELVES.

COME AND LEARN HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER AND BECOME A STRONG UNITY!

IF YOU CAN’T OPEN THE ATTACHMENT OF FLYER/MAP OF LCC, HERE IS THE INFORMATION

MICHIGAN DEAF COMMUNITY HOSTS MICHIGAN’S STATEWIDE FORUM FOR DEAF PEOPLE INTRODUCING SHERYL EMERY, NEW DIRECTOR OF DODHH, ON SATURDAY, APRIL 4TH AT 1:00 – 4:00 PM.
LANSING COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MAIN CAMPUS
425 NORTH WASHINGTON SQUARE
LANSING, MICHIGAN 48933
HHPS BUILDING ROOM 005
(HUMAN HEALTH & PUBLIC SERVICE)

MORE INFORMATION:  CONTACT -
FREIDA MORRISON – aslmorrison@yahoo.com
MELISSA RICH – melissarich@comcast.net
SHERI ANN GARNAND – garnandsa@tmo.blackberry.net
LARRY TRAYNER – naltray@aol.com or vp 248-556-3086

With support from LCC Interpreter Training Program

Look forward to seeing you there!

Freida Morrison
MDC member

****IMPORTANT NOTE — ROAD CONSTRUCTION ****

US 127 is closed. This is junction that brings into downtown lansing.

Alternative routine:

Exit at Okemos 110 Exit.

Turn right.

1 mile down, turn left on Jolly Rd

About 2 miles reconnect 496 to Lansing.

__________________________________

MDC is now on Facebook (still under construction) that you can also join: Michigan Deaf Community

HELLO EVERYONE,

As you might know or hear about MSD (Michigan  School for the Deaf) is changing toward to ASL/English Bilingual Education.

Come and learn more about ASL/English Bilingual Education at MSD and how the Deaf Community can help with the parents of Deaf/Hard of Hearing children.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!

Freida Morrison

Workshop for MSD Parents and Deaf Community

Click to download the flyer: asl_film_2009_flyer_michigan

ASL Film in Michigan

Click to download the document:disabilities_grant_project_coordinator_job_posting111

If having difficulty reading this page, alternative viewing: http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq353/michdeafcommunity/Disabilities_Grant_Project_Coordina.jpg

JOB POSTING

____________________________

DATE: October, 2008

POSITION: Disabilities Grant Project Director

ORGANIZATION: HAVEN

PROGRAM: Social Action

Do you have a proven record of project management and a passion for ending domestic and sexual violence, specifically within the deaf community? Join HAVEN’s team of professionals whose mission is to eliminate DV and SA through treatment and prevention services across Oakland County, Michigan and surrounding communities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelors degree in Human Service Field; Knowledge of domestic/sexual violence issues; Proven successful record of project management and leadership of needs assessment and strategic plan development; Excellent written and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate and instill enthusiasm with community collaborators; Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to issues of cultural diversity, specifically ASL and deaf culture, as well as meeting the needs of underserved communities. American Sign Language fluency a plus.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

This is a newly created position with a grant expiration date of 9/30/2011 with the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). The program focus will be to improve services for victims of domestic and sexual violence from the deaf/hard of hearing community. The first year involved trust building, strategic planning and implementation of technical assistance by OVW. Years 2 and 3 focus on policy development, cross training and intensive collaborative development. This person will serve as the primary contact with OVW, and have overall responsibility for project management, budgets, timelines and communication. Additionally, this position is responsible for facilitation of interdisciplinary meetings, written reports to funders, and attendance at technical trainings both on-site and at designated national locations.

HOURS: Full-Time, flexible schedule required

SALARY: Commensurate with experience, plus competitive benefits package

Please send cover letter, resume and salary requirements to:

Human Resources

Disabilities Grant Project Coordinator Application

PO BOX 431045

Pontiac, MI 48343

Fax: (248) 334-3161

E-mail resumes including salary requirements to: hr@haven-oakland.org

Visit our website at: www.haven-oakland.org

HAVEN IS AN AGENCY DEDICATED TO DIVERSITY.

ALL MEN, WOMEN AND MINORITIES ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.