DEAF, Inc. Annual Report
FY2016
[Picture: DEAF, Inc. staff and board member, Michael Gardener on the steps of the State House for Deaf Grassroots Movement rally]
DEAF, Inc.’s Core Programs
Underlying all our programs is our commitment to our mission and the needs of our constituent community. Our core programs include:
. Deaf and Hard of Hearing Independent Living Services:
. Senior Independent Living Services
. Youth Transition and Youth Development
. Assistive Equipment Program
. Deaf Parents Support Group
. DeafBlind Community Access Network (DBCAN)
. Project HOPE (Health Outreach, Prevention, and Education)
. American Sign Language (ASL) for Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened, and Hearing adults
Mission Statement
DEAF, Inc. inspires people to achieve personal and professional goals through accessible programs and services. We build bridges across communities by increasing communication access and awareness.
Access, Awareness, and Achievement for Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing and Late-Deafened People
[Picture: DEAF, Inc. staff in the lobby of DEAF, Inc. posing for staff photo holding DEAF, Inc. sign]
From Our Executive Director
[Picture: Headshot of Sharon Applegate]
Dear Friends,
Partnerships make us strong. Together, we can do more, reach further, and make change. DEAF, Inc. is committed to building bridges to make our community stronger.
DEAF, Inc. partners with many organizations and individuals to improve the lives of Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, and Late-Deafened people in Massachusetts and beyond. We work with the MA Commissions and programs serving our community, including other Deaf and Hard of Hearing Independent Living (IL) Services centers; Our Deaf Survivors Center (ODSC); area hospitals and health care providers, senior services providers in the community and out of the offices of many cities and towns.
For more than a decade, DEAF, Inc. has offered tax preparation, organizing ASL interpreters and volunteer tax professionals to help people understand their tax-filing responsibilities and file their returns. This year, DEAF, Inc., partnered with the Boston Tax Help Coalition, the National Disability Institute, the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, and others to form the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Task Force.
Citing Project HOPE’s expertise in Deaf health, DEAF, Inc. was invited by the MA Dept. of Public Health and Brandeis University’s Lurie Institute for Disability Policy to collaborate on a statewide health forum to collect our community’s testimonies about experiences with health care in the state. This year, Project HOPE partnered with Hebrew Senior Life to train community members and staff to present the first ASL Evidence- Based Health curriculum, "Healthy Eating for Successful Living." We are excited to lead the effort to provide the best health education to our community.
Our DBCAN and IL programs collaborated to host 2 events: the first DeafBlind forum and, with MCDHH and MBTA’s “Ways to Got Travel,” a series of trainings specifically for DeafBlind adults on navigating public transportation. DBCAN also partnered with other organizations to plan the annual DeafBlind Awareness Day at the State House.
This year, DEAF, Inc. joined with the Massachusetts chapter of the Deaf Grassroots Movement to plan a national day of protest for Deaf civil rights on May 4th. There were speeches and meetings with legislators. DEAF, Inc. staff and more than 600 community members from across the Commonwealth came together.
DEAF, Inc. remains committed to building bridges with diverse communities and forging partnerships that improve all our lives.
Moving forward together,
Sharon L. Applegate
Executive Director
DEAF, Inc.
Board of Directors
[Picture: Headshots of each board member with their name below the headshot]
Kelly Kim, President
Wesley Ireland, Vice President
John Sullivan Treasurer
Kerry Thompson Clerk
Nigel Long
Michael Gardener
Elaine Gifford
Diana Goldfarb
Crystal Eusebio
Shehzaad Zaman
Kendra Timko-Hochkeppel
Lu Traina
Alicia Wooten
Parinay Malik
DEAF, Inc.’s Board President: Kelly Kim
[Picture: Headshot of Kelly Kim]
I and many of my friends are entering our 40s this year. We’re taking time to reflect and celebrate how far we have come. It is hard to believe that DEAF, Inc. is almost the same age. Yes, this extraordinary agency turns 40 next year, and we have begun planning to celebrate. DEAF, Inc.’s 40th anniversary provides us the opportunity to reflect on all we’ve accomplished and to look ahead to where we want to go. It offers time to honor and acknowledge our friends, advocates, and funders; staff and Board current and past, noteworthy community members, particularly those who have achieved goals with the support of DEAF, Inc. It is a time to celebrate what makes DEAF, Inc. fabulous!
It’s also a significant occasion for our friends to do something outstanding to advance DEAF, Inc.’s mission and work by making a unique gift. Unique how? Here are some ideas:
. Stretch to offer more than your usual gift.
. Host your own fundraising event, invite your friends to meet a fundraising challenge and together raise more than a single person could give alone.
. Set a personal challenge to achieve and ask friends, colleagues, family, neighbors to donate to DEAF, Inc. in your honor. Perhaps, a special challenge, such as to run multiple races over the year - 40 miles total, with a fundraising goal to match.
I invite you to join us in celebrating and strengthening DEAF, Inc.’s mission. Save the date and watch for your invitation. I look forward to seeing you there at a table with your friends to usher DEAF, Inc. into its best decade ever!
Warmly,
Kelly Kim,Board President
[Picture: Save the Date flyer for the 40th anniversary celebration]
Project HOPE - Bridging Gaps, Building Health
Every day, we work with people who are eager to take charge of their health and wellness. Elwin, a middle-aged Deaf man struggling with health issues, contacted Project HOPE for support managing his diabetes and arranging communication access for his medical appointments. When he first came to Project HOPE, Elwin did not fully understand how to use his glucometer to check his blood sugar. His doctor had given him written instructions and also sent him to a workshop at the hospital. The hospital did not provide an ASL interpreter, so Elwin was unable to participate at the same level as others in the workshop. For his appointments with the nutritionist, Elwin was forced to use a video remote interpreter (VRI) through a small computer screen instead of live interpreters. The VRI interpreter was not qualified for the task and there were frequent technical problems interrupting the appointments. As a result, the information Elwin got from these meetings was often miscommunicated and wrong. The language and information barriers Elwin experienced made it impossible for him to make the changes in dietary habits that he needed to get his diabetes under control.
[Picture: A Project HOPE staff member discussing medication with a client]
Project HOPE staff started going with Elwin to all his appointments, and advocated for appropriate communication access services. During the appointments Project HOPE staff could ensure mutual understanding between Elwin and his health care providers. Outside of the appointments, Elwin worked with our case manager to learn how to use his glucometer. Now he is able to test his blood sugar and document his levels. Project HOPE staff also reviewed all the information Elwin got from his doctors and nutritionist, including identifying foods that would trigger spikes in blood sugar and those that would keep his levels stable. Elwin learned to track the foods he ate daily. At appointments with the nutritionist, Project HOPE advocated for increased use of faux-food models and pictures, and worked with the nutritionist to use more accessible language when writing instructions for Elwin. Within six months of Project HOPE support at appointments and 1:1 education, Elwin had greater control of his diabetes. His blood sugar went from unknown to aver-aging in the target range, and he went from hoping and guessing that he was following his treatment plan correctly to feeling confident in his ability to make healthy choices. The nutritionist acknowledged and praised Elwin’s improvements.
[Picture: A chart describing how and when to take insulin]
In partnership with Hebrew Senior Life, a statewide leader in evidence-based programming, Project HOPE staff and community leaders were trained to present the evidence-based curriculum, "Healthy Eating for Successful Living." The Deaf-accessible Healthy Eating pilot began in August 2016.
[Picture: DEAF, Inc. staff posing for a picture with a sign about the Healthy Eating workshop]
DBCAN - Building Bridges to the Community
The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind once again awarded DEAF, Inc. the statewide contract to provide DeafBlind Community Access Network (DBCAN) services, which enable DeafBlind adults to maintain and expand their independence and enjoy genuine, enduring, dignified community access. Exciting news for our community is that under the new contract, DBCAN consumers may request more than 16 hours of time with a DBCAN Provider monthly. That’s an increase of hours every month for shopping, medical appointments, exercising, socializing, reading mail and paying bills, whatever tasks they choose and that can be made easier with the assistance of a DBCAN Provider. Every hour is precious!
DBCAN Consumer of the Year award was presented to Joyce Buell at our annual community Thanksgiving Dinner. Joyce was honored for her dedication to DBCAN and her ability to remain friendly and positive despite facing challenges and hardships, and encouraging others to stay positive also.
[Picture: Joyce Buell receiving DBCAN Consumer of the Year Award]
DBCAN celebrated its 15th anniversary at a party with staff and a few friends from the community. We now have 76 DeafBlind adults in the program who are working with 52 Providers, 7 of whom were trained by DBCAN this year, including 5 Deaf and 2 Hearing Providers - 3 from north of Boston and 4 from Western MA. DeafBlind adults across the state can schedule time with DBCAN Providers more easily.
[Picture: DBCAN staff and clients at the 15 year celebration at a table with a cake]
As always, DBCAN works to increase awareness among sighted Deaf and Hearing people about the experiences of DeafBlind people, to improve interactions and build bridges across the communities. Members of the DeafBlind community are active advocates. DBCAN staff and community members again volunteered at “Voices Off! An ASL Immersion,” giving students an opportunity to learn about tactile communication and DeafBlind experience, getting a feel using special “blind goggles.” Ten DBCAN staff and consumers participated in legislative public budget hearings, four gave testimony to the importance of state funding for Deaf-Blind and Deaf Massachusetts residents; others participated in the annual DeafBlind Awareness Day at the State House and the Deaf Grassroots Movement April rally.
[Picture: DBCAN and DEAF, Inc. staff pose in front of the State House]
In June, DEAF, Inc. screened the independent film documentary, “Blind-Sided,” about the experiences of a local DeafBlind woman, Nina Livingstone, an activist, author, and friend of DEAF, Inc. In 2013, she was a featured presenter at our 2013 Annual Meeting. The filmmaker and community leaders were on hand for a discussion after the film.
[Picture: DEAF, Inc. staff and clients at a screening of the film “Blind-Sided.”]
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Independent Living
Partnerships for Achieving Goals
Life goals may be clear, but achieving them is rarely simple for Deaf people trying to bridge the cultural and communication divide separating them from mainstream service providers. At DEAF, Inc., we partner with people to achieve their goals, connecting them to services and supports available in the wider community. We partner with agencies to build teams that facilitate change and lead to success.
Michael, a Deaf man living in the Southeast area, originally came to DEAF, Inc. to develop skills to advocate for himself, and he worked tirelessly developing those skills. When he turned 66, his health insurance changed. As his birthday neared, Michael turned to DEAF, Inc. for support to understand his new insurance options, including dental insurance, and make choices. Armed with the information he needed and using his new skills, Michael was able to sign up for dental insurance, arrange for dental care, and get himself new dentures. Michael was, understandably, proud of his achievement.
[Picture: Headshot of Michael]
But Michael was not done. He had more goals. As his health needs started to change, Michael, who was living independently, decided he had to move. His old apartment created barriers to his health. He wasn’t able to get to public transportation easily, he wasn’t near stores, or places he needed or wanted to go. He found an apartment that would better meet his needs and asked DEAF, Inc. staff to go with him to the Housing Authority. Michael was able to advocate for himself with the Housing Authority and communicate his reasons, his requirements, and his determination to move. They put him on a waitlist and in a short while his move was approved.
Our 2016 Tax Day saw a 36% increase in people receiving tax services over last year. This year, DEAF, Inc. partnered with the local Deaf and Hard of Hearing Task Force, led by the National Disability Institute and including the Boston Tax Help Coalition (BTHC) and other local partners, including AARP. Certified Deaf Interpreters were on hand for the first time this year. DEAF, Inc.’s Lori Siedman and members of the Task Force were invited to the National Association for the Deaf (NAD) conference. Lori also represented DEAF, Inc. at the Taxpayer Opportunity Network (IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program), the Assets Learning Conference, and the Expert Discussion on Your Money, Your Goals in Disability Services.
[Picture: Lori Siedman at the Asset Learning Conference]
DEAF, Inc.’s IL and DBCAN partnered to collect information about DeafBlind needs and interest in IL services and similar supports. They also partnered with the MA Comm. for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the MBTA’s Ways to Go Travel training to host a series of trainings to increase DeafBlind adults’ knowledge about, safety, and confidence using the MBTA.
[Picture: Three people working on making an MBTA map DeafBlind accessible]
Making Connections
DEAF, Inc. proudly joined the 2016 Spring Deaf Grassroots Movement (DGM) national rally on May 4th to push for Deaf civil rights. More than 600 people, including 10 members of the DeafBlind community, rallied at the statehouse in Boston, where there were speeches and personal stories, and some members of the community met with state legislators.
[Picture: DEAF, Inc. Staff and community members at the DGM rally at the State House]
DEAF, Inc.’s annual Voices Off! An ASL Immersion provided another fun day of learning for ASL students. We are grateful for the incredible dedicated volunteers who spend hundreds of hours to plan, teach, reach out to and register, provide opportunities for our students to meet and socialize with community members and manage logistics on the day. We thank our sponsors Tavern in the Square, Dunkin Donuts, Grasshopper, Stop n Shop, Starbucks Memorial Drive, Cambridge.
[Picture: DEAF, Inc. staff and ASL Immersion students pose for a group picture]
Community members Mark Hughey, Jim Sullivan, Pax McCarthy, and Victor Notaro hosted a “Halloween Happy Horror Party” fundraiser for DEAF, Inc. Board members Lu Traina and Wes Ireland joined Executive Director Sharon Applegate and more than 70 other partygoers to celebrate Halloween and Deaf-accessible services and events.
[Picture: Mark Hughey, Jim Sullivan and Sharon Applegate hold a donation check]
Boston Red Sox hosted a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Night at Fenway Park on September 21st. Part of every ticket sold went to support DEAF, Inc. and the domestic violence program, Our Deaf Survivors Center. Go Sox!
[Picture: Community members in the stands at Fenway Park for Deaf Awareness Night]
Team DEAF, Inc. runners, walkers, and volunteers for our 2016 Deaf Pride Walk and Run at the James Joyce Ramble helped raise money for Deaf-accessible services. Thanks to everyone for their support.
[Picture: DEAF, Inc. Staff, Board members and volunteers pose at the James Joyce Ramble]
Friends of DEAF, Inc. gathered for a fundraiser hosted by Downeast Cider House to watch the NFL Play-offs, take an ASL tour of the cider house, sample hard ciders, and support DEAF, Inc.