[CT-NFB] FW: FYI: We-Ha.com article: American School for the Deaf Hopes to Use $2 Million in Federal Funds to Increase Support Services

[Elizabeth Rival]

From: Sigman, Brian <Brian.Sigman at ct.gov> 
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 10:50 AM
To: DORS-DL BESB <DORS-DLBESB at ct.gov>
Subject: FW: FYI: We-Ha.com article: American School for the Deaf Hopes to
Use $2 Million in Federal Funds to Increase Support Services

 

From: Sullivan, Kathleen <Kathleen.Sullivan at ct.gov
<mailto:Kathleen.Sullivan at ct.gov> > 
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 10:29 AM
Subject: FYI: We-Ha.com article: American School for the Deaf Hopes to Use
$2 Million in Federal Funds to Increase Support Services

American School for the Deaf Hopes to Use $2 Million in Federal Funds to
Increase Support Services
<https://we-ha.com/american-school-for-the-deaf-hopes-to-use-2-million-in-fe
deral-funds-to-increase-support-services/> 

 

Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz was joined by Department of Aging and
Disability Services Commissioner Amy Porter and American School for the Deaf
Executive Director Jeffrey Bravin in West Hartford Wednesday to speak about
Gov. Ned Lamont's proposed allocation of $2 million of the state's roughly
$6 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funds to address unique needs of the
deaf and hearing impaired community.

Among the key areas in which the state plans to invest its federal funding,
Bysiewicz said, is to "modernize the delivery of services." The allocation
of the funds must be approved by the legislature.

We know that virtual meetings and gatherings often don't provide key
technology needed by the deaf and hard of hearing," Bysiewicz said.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for everyone, Bravin,
speaking in American Sign Language, highlighted some of the unique
challenges faced by the deaf, deaf-blind, and hard-of-hearing community.

Many individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing rely on lip reading, which
is impossible when someone is wearing a cloth mask. And while clear masks
exist, they are of varying quality and many are much more uncomfortable than
cloth masks. Prototypes of more comfortable clear masks are now available,
Bravin said, and he would like to be able to examine them for possible use
in the future.

The news, even with captioning, is not always accessible in the way to the
deaf, hard-of-hearing, or deaf-blind community, Bravin said. "If there's
breaking information, our community should have that information
simultaneously. There should not be a delay."

ASD transitioned some students to remote learning when the pandemic hit,
"but many of the online platforms are really geared to meet the needs of
hearing people," Bravin said. Many of the platforms are based on voice
recognition, and adaptations are needed to meet the needs of those who use
American Sign Language. The interpreter may be somewhere in the Zoom
meeting, he said, but not always visible.

Bravin thanked the state administration and said that Connecticut is
"setting the standard" through their investment in accessibility, Bravin
said.

Creating accessible messaging is more time-consuming, and it's been
difficult to find technology that can keep up with the rapidly changing pace
of information during the pandemic, Porter said.

Making appointments at vaccine clinics was difficult to access for everyone
at first, and even with most now being walk-up clinics, if someone doesn't
speak the same language - can't communicate through American Sign Language -
that creates a barrier, Porter said.

It's also difficult for deaf individuals to navigate the vaccination clinic
protocols without someone who can communicate in American Sign Language.
Hartford HealthCare has partnered with ASD to offer several targeted clinics
for ASD students and the deaf community statewide, with American Sign
Language interpreters, including a clinic held Wednesday afternoon at the
Connecticut Convention Center.

Porter said in addition to investments in clear masks and interpreters at
vaccine clinics, and in the future there will be informational videos
available in American Sign Language.

 

 

 

 

 

Kathleen Sullivan

Director of Planning, Communications and Operational Readiness  l  Aging and
Disability Services

Office of the Commissioner  | 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford CT 06105  |
860.424.5973 

 

For information on COVID-19, please visit https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus.
Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website
can also call 2-1-1 for assistance, or text "CTCOVID" to 898211. The hotline
is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Anyone who is
out-of-state or requires a toll-free number can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1
toll free by dialing 1-800-203-1234 <tel:1-800-203-1234> . This is intended
to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have
general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms
are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.

 



 

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