ASL version

If you are DeafBlind or prefer to watch the video in a high contrast format, watch the DeafBlind friendlier ASL version instead. To adjust the video speed, use YouTube's playback speed tool.

English version

Hello everyone! I’m Darlene Zangara and I’m the Executive Director of the Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing. I am a white woman with blond hair, glasses, and wearing all black.

Interpreting Forward Updates

Soon the Interpreting Forward working group members will be launching interviews. If you would like to be interviewed about your knowledge or experience with interpreting in Minnesota, please email Dendros, InterpretingForward@dendros.com.

We are also recruiting more deaf and deafblind task force members. At the time of filming, we have 5 DeafBlind, 22 Deaf, and 51 hearing individuals signed up. We need more Deaf and DeafBlind participation. You may sign up online.

Legislative Session Results

We had a successful legislative session! Together, with legislators, stakeholders, and partners, we achieved:

• Requirements for closed captions to be enabled for TVs in public places.
• Funding for upgrades made to Minnesota’s 911 system, called Next Generation 911, which will make more accessibility features available.
• Changed education law so Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDIs) in the classroom without the Interpreting Training Program (ITP) requirements for CDIs. There is no ITP for CDIs. Additionally, school districts can be reimbursed for the salary of the CDI. (Correction: Nationwide, there is only one ITP that accepts Deaf interpreters.)
• Funding for a mental health day treatment center for youth who are deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing.
• Progress in affordable hearing health care. The age limit of 18 was removed for mandated hearing aid coverage so that all ages are now included. This also conforms with federal prohibitions against age discrimination.

There’s more! Our big legislative wrap up is coming so watch for it.

Thank you to everyone who helped this year, including, but not limited to: Rep Kim Hicks, Rep Brian Daniels, Rep Jamie Becker-Finn, Rep Ruth Richardson, Rep Ginny Klevorn, Sen Heather Gustafson, Sen Erin Maye Quade, Sen Jim Abeler, and Sen John Hoffman.

Statewide Community Connections

We are traveling statewide to connect with community members. Recently we met with community members in Owatonna and in St. Cloud. We also hosted an in-person town hall with the DeafBlind community. We enjoy fostering positive relationships with local community members statewide and will continue to arrange for more. Your feedback is essential to setting up and achieving goals. Thank you!

Language Acquisition

Language acquisition and language deprivation are important issues in which numerous stakeholders are invested, including parents, families, professionals, and community members who want the next generation to have a better experience.

In April 2017, we sent out a video newsletter titled “LEAD-K and Minnesota,” and we explained we received advice from stakeholders regarding our current kindergarten readiness system, which includes language acquisition. The stakeholders identified two issues:

1. Improve data collection
2. Make sure appropriate assessment tools are being used to measure language acquisition.

During the 2017 Collaborative Experience Conference, Visual Communication and Sign Language (VCSL) Assessor trainer Dr. Laurene Simms provided the VCSL assessment training to 15 Deaf and Hard of Hearing teachers who work in the Early Childhood Education field and 15 Deaf Mentors statewide. Both teams continue using language assessment tools and giving parents the VCSL data result.

The Commission board and staff continue to look into what Minnesota is doing to ensure deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing children are acquiring the language in any communication modality. What types of consistent language assessments are being used that we can monitor to ensure children who may be experiencing language delay are not falling through the cracks?

In addition, the Collaborative Plan Program has a new Language Acquisitions and tracking system workgroup.

The workgroup is working on identifying how children’s language is being assessed in Part C and Part B and what data is reported to the state. In addition, we are working on whether we need more language acquisition data. The workgroup expects the analysis of language acquisition data to be a long process. The Commission will keep the community informed.

Lastly, the Commission responded to the Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools ruling. Here is our statement.

"The Supreme Court’s decision in Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools supports the rights of students who are deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing in regard to access to education opportunities and advancement. This landmark decision conveys a clear message to school districts, students, and their families; effective communication access is an essential component to learning."

Picture Slideshow

Here are pictures of recent events.

Photo credit: Minnesota State Academies

Photo credit: Riss Leitzke Photography

Photo credit: Riss Leitzke Photography

Photo credit: Riss Leitzke Photography

Photo credit: Riss Leitzke Photography

Photo credit: Riss Leitzke Photography

Photo credit: Riss Leitzke Photography

Photo credit: Riss Leitzke Photography

Riss Leitzke Photography

Photo credit: Riss Leitzke Photography

Photo credit: Riss Leitzke Photography

Photo credit: Keystone Interpreting Solutions

Photo credit: Keystone Interpreting Solutions

Photo credit: Keystone Interpreting Solutions

Suggestions?

I will send out another update next month. Please let me know if there is any information you would like me to share in a future update. You can contact me by email, darlene.g.zangara@state.mn.us. Thank you!

Credits

Featuring Dr. Darlene G. Zangara, Executive Director. The Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing thanks:

Hannah Merren for voiceover.

Keystone Interpreting Solutions for film production.