Legacy Video Interviews
In 2010 and 2011, the Commission and Barb Sommer conducted oral-visual interviews with 7 deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing advocates. In these interviews, the advocates share their personal stories of hardship and triumph, and how their history prepared them for a life of advocacy.
Their stories not only show the incredible humans that advocate and their fight for change, but it also shows the importance of advocacy and the impact passionate individuals can make.
Produced by ZenMation and St. Paul Neighborhood Network for the Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing.
Lynette Boyer, DeafBlind Advocate
1:14:02
06/08/2011
— Interviewed by Teika Pakalns
Gerald "Bummy" Burstein, Deaf Advocate
39:25
10/01/2010
— Interviewed by Doug Bahl.
Richard "Rich" Diedrichsen, Hard of Hearing Advocate
1:04:32
06/08/2011
— Interviewed by Barb Sommer.
George Failes, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind Advocate
1:10:04
06/07/2011
— Interviewed by Barb Sommer.
Dwight Maxa, Hard of Hearing Advocate
42:57
06/08/2011
— Interviewed by Barb Sommer.
Leslie Peterson, DeafBlind Advocate
1:30:44
06/28/2010
— Interviewed by John Lee Clark. Mr. Peterson was quite ill at the time of the interview, and consequently his mental and linguistic capabilities were impacted. Because of Mr. Peterson’s health, parts of the interview were untranslatable; translation notes help guide users through these parts of the interview. Mr. Peterson passed away shortly after this interview, and therefore it is not possible to consult with him on the accuracy of the translations.
This transcript is based on the written English translations provided by the Certified Interpreters. The video does not include voiced English translations by interpreters or open captions, as there were concerns about how to do justice to the signed information presented in this unique and sensitive interview. It was felt that this transcript was the most respectful way to provide English translations of the signed information.
Barbara Schmidt, Deaf Advocate
46:41
06/07/2011
— Interviewed by Teika Pakalns
