Advocacy – Page 20 – Delaware Association of the Deaf (DAD)

December 24, 2023

Black Deaf Men Summit (Washington DC, Feb. 16-17, 2024)

The Center for Black Deaf Studies officially extended an invitation to Black Deaf men to attend an empowering weekend on Saturday, February 17, 2024, designed to provide a space for a discourse on the issues Black Deaf men face that affect their ability to achieve their personal goals in life. The theme is : ‘The Souls of Black Deaf Men’. We chose this theme as we hope it will inspire us to dig deep into our souls and think about what it means to be a Black Deaf Man? What is it that we need to do to be better men? What is that we need to do to be able to empower ourselves and break the barriers that force us into bad choices and habits. This will be the very first of its kind and we will have dialogues, workshops and moderated group discussions to cover the areas we feel need our attention as Black Deaf Men the most. Save the date and join us for a weekend of well-needed connection.

Registration Required: gu.live/VHMZp

Questions/concerns: contact cbds at gallaudet.edu

Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/B.G.DCABDA/permalink/10160815638017324/?mibextid=xfxF2i

December 24, 2023

Supported Decision-Making Summit (Newark, March 7, 2024)

Join My Life, My Decisions: A Supported Decision-Making Summit to learn more about supported decision-making and the resources that are available in Delaware. The summit will start with a panel discussion of people with disabilities and their supporters. It will be led by supported decision-making expert Jonathan Martinis. Next, you will have the opportunity to get advice from panelists and other mentors about living a self-determined life.

Please contact Ashley Steinbrecher at ashstein at udel.edu or 302-831-4793 if you need accommodations.

More info at https://www.cds.udel.edu/mylife.

Supported Decision Making Summit flyer March 2024 (PDF Flyer)

December 21, 2023

Deaf Kansans struggle getting legal help. The state is trying to change that

Takeaways:

Deaf and hard of hearing Kansans may not meet with lawyers because of the communication barrier
There is a fund to fix this problem, but it isn’t being used enough
Not enough lawyers know how to request an interpreter

A deaf Kansas woman going through a divorce signed a separation agreement thinking she would receive $500 a month in alimony.

But that alimony had never been agreed to.

“By the time (an attorney) reviewed the matter, it was well past the time to file an appeal,” said Leonard Hall, a lawyer at Hall Law Office in Olathe, Kansas.

The woman had not been provided with an interpreter, so she struggled to talk to attorneys directly. Hall said that’s why she didn’t understand the agreement.

She is far from alone.

Kansans who are deaf and hard of hearing don’t have enough access to legal services, advocates say. Interpreters or communication assistance are often not provided and some attorneys decline initial appointments when a person requests that help, said Robert Cooper, executive director of the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

“It’s not allowed. It’s illegal,” Cooper said through his interpreter. “It’s surprising it happens. (But) it’s reality.”

Read on at https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/deaf-kansans-struggle-getting-legal-help-the-state-is-trying-to-change-that/ar-AA1lnLE2?fbclid=IwAR2rExAbirRLms-mFAVa1PhWb1D-J3OiMxKh5jLWR1AcNBuPERU3htGH6Ds