In honor of MNCDHH's 36th Anniversary
5/28/2021 12:43:13 PM
You're invited to join the Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing (MNCDHH) as we celebrate 36 years of advocacy. Just make a bowl of popcorn, settle on the couch, and watch from the comfort of home.
In 1985, MNCDHH opened its doors. Community advocates had accomplished their goal of having a governor-appointed, board-led Commission with the ability to influence laws and public policy. Over the years, we've benefited from the leadership of our board members and executive directors. Through personal interviews, a few past board members and executive directors share their experiences in advocating for communication access and equal opportunity with the 20% of Minnesotans who are deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing.
Featuring Kim Wassenaar, Monique Hammond, Jeffrey Moen, Dr. Mohamed Mourrsi-Alfash, Jamie Taylor, Jason Valentine, Sharaine Rawlinson Roberts, Elise Knopf, Cuong Nguyen, Curt Micka, Mike Cashman, Mary Hartnett, Michele Isham, and Dr. Darlene G. Zangara.
Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 6 pm
Simply click on "Tearing Down Barriers film premiere" between 5:30 - 6 pm on June 10th. This link will not be active before then.
Meeting ID: 878 1200 6318
Password: mncdhh36
This will also be live-streamed on MNCDHH's Facebook account.
This film is available in both American Sign Language (ASL) and English along with captions and a descriptive transcript. For DeafBlind interpreters, please email mncdhh.info@state.mn.us by Monday, June 7, 2021.
Don't forget to check out the film trailer below!
[Two screens appear. To the left is Jamie Taylor’s picture. To the right is Jaemi Hagen who is providing the ASL translation. An off-screen voice reads aloud Jamie’s sentence.]
>> Jamie: The emphasis was on data.
[Video switches to show Jeffrey Moen who is verbally sharing his story. To his right is Jimmy Beldon who is providing the ASL translation.]
>> Jeffrey: … such as acoustics and loop systems in new schools…
[Video switches to Kim Wassenaar, who is signing her story.]
>> Kim: At the time, we had nine bills and when they all passed, we referred to it as Cloud Nine.
[Video switches to Monique Hammond who is voicing her story. To her right is Jaemi Hagen who is providing the ASL translation.]
>> Monique: …that public policy changes when people take action.
[Video switches to Mike Cashman who is signing his story.]
>> Mike: And it was that sense of empowerment and empowering the community to be actively engaged in the legislative process that was so important.
[Video switches to Sharaine Rawlinson Roberts who is signing her story.]
>> Sharaine: We would go and testify at the legislature…
[Video switches to Curt Micka who is voicing his story. To his right is Megan Bolduc who is providing the ASL translation.]
>> Curt: And it was very controversial. And yeah, it was a lot of fun, (laughs) but it was also very, very difficult.
[Video switches to Cuong Nguyen who is signing his story.]
>> Cuong: The hospital responded quickly and changed their system to provide better equal access.
[Video switches to Elise Knopf who is signing her story.]
>> Elise: And Lobby Day brought people together.
[Video switches to Mary Hartnett who is voicing her story.]
>> Mary: So the wisdom lies from the group, from the community.
[Video switches to Mohamed Mourssi-Alfash who is voicing his story. To his right is Megan Bolduc who is providing the ASL translation.]
>> Mohamed: We need to continue working together.
[Video switches to a slide with the following text, “The History of MNCDHH. Watch on June 10, 2021 at 6:00 PM, mn.gov/deaf-commission” (MNCDHH logo)]
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