1575 Sherman Street

Garden Level

Denver, CO 80203

www.ccdhh.com

email.ccdhh@state.co.us

720-457-3679 (Videophone)

303-866-4824 (Voice)

E-Bulletin - May 2016

 
CCDHH Visits with State Department 
Public Information Officers
 

Cliff Moers, CCDHH Administrator, and Cheri Davis, CCDHH Legal Auxiliary Manager, presented "What We Do" and information on an upcoming “state agency auxiliary services survey” to each state department's public information officers  and deputy executive directors. 

 

This survey will ask state employee’s experience in coordinating sign language interpreting and Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) services for deaf, hard-of-hearing and deaf-blind clients/consumers and employees.  Their responses will help the state identify opportunities to improve the efficiency of coordinating these services within the Executive Branch of government. 

 

The purpose of this information sharing series with state agencies within the Executive Branch was to elevate CCDHH's visibility and educate state personnel.  CCDHH’s goal, in partnership with the Department of Personnel and Administration and the Department of Human Services' communications department, is to build state agency awareness about CCDHH prior to release of the survey. 

  

 

HB 16-1414 Passed!

 

 

House Bill 16-1414, Funding Base for Telecommunication Relay Services, was signed into law by Governor Hickenlooper. 

 

This bill unburdens landline telephone customers from being solely responsible for the Disabled Telephone Users Fund (DTUF) by adding wireless and VoIP surcharges to this Fund.

 

This was a culmination of true dedication and effort by the Independence Center in Colorado Springs, the Deaf-Blind Task Force and the Joint Budget Committee, who sponsored the bill as a whole. 

 

The bill allows for an increase to the Colorado Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing’s (CCDHH) total funds by $172,778 in order to implement new resources for deaf-blind community, including outreach services, Support Service Provider (SSP) program, and Orientation and Mobility (O&M) program.  

 

This Fund is responsible for the Telecommunications Relay Services, currently provided by Relay Colorado via Sprint, the Reading Program for the Blind and CCDHH.

 

Sincere thanks to The Independence Center, the Deaf-Blind Task Force and the Joint Budget Committee!  The state of Colorado would not have made progress without these key collaborative community stakeholders. Here is a statement The Independence Center made about the bill's passage: 

 

Kudos are due for legislative work that ensures that people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or deaf-blind will have access to accessible telephone communications in coming years.

 

The Independence Center was instrumental in lobbying for HB 1414, the Disabled Telephone Users Fund, which will be signed into law by the Governor at a signing ceremony on Wednesday, May 4, 2016. In addition, HB 1414 includes new program funds requested by the Colorado Deaf Blind Task Force for additional services for people who are deaf-blind.

 

Our hats are off to The Independence Center Board of Directors. Our board supported the vision for change to engage in the political process to keep telecommunications accessible across the entire state. We’d like to acknowledge the hard work of our lobbyist, Edie Busam; Senator Pat Steadman and Representative Bob Rankin, bill sponsors; and the entire Joint Budget Committee for working to put a funding structure in place that keeps pace with changing technology and telecommunication trends. The telecom industry also deserves a big “thank you” for working with the bill sponsors in support of the community.

 

If you’d like to read more about the issue The Independence Center lobbied on, read our issue brief here https://www.theindependencecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/DTUF.pdf 

 

 

Deaf Grassroots Movement 

National Deaf Rally

 

Cliff Moers signing to a group of people

Across the nation on May 4, 2016, activist groups took to their respective state capitol building, and representatives took to the nation’s Capital, as a unified front called the "Deaf Grassroots Movement.”  

Lines of deaf people holding signs outside the capitol building

Roughly 125 participants gathered outside the Colorado State Capital building to bring issues of communication barriers to light.

 

The all-day rally included presentations made by activists, the Colorado Association of the Deaf (CAD), and CCDHH.

 

CCDHH Administrator Cliff Moers emphasized the importance of gaining access to effective communication within employment, education and government. Moers stated, "we cannot make progress if we don’t have enough goodwill for all, enough unity among ourselves, enough respect for others, a commitment to seek solutions and not acrimony, and, above all, a positive attitude."

 

For more information please visit the Deaf Grassroots Movement website: http://deafyouvideo.blogspot.com/2016/03/deaf-grassroots-movement-national-deaf.html    

 

Legal Auxiliary Services Council

Meeting Highlights

 

In April, the Legal Auxiliary Services Advisory Council (LASAC) met to begin the process of a rule review.  The purpose of the review is to bring the rules up to date and in compliance with other federal and state statutes.  The original rules, that were written after the statute was passed in 2006 to establish Legal Auxiliary Services under CCDHH, are currently out of date and are also now in conflict with C.R.S. 6-1-707(1)(e). Use of title or degree - deceptive trade practice.

 

The terms of several members of the LASAC will expire on June 30, 2016, so recruitment efforts to fill the vacancies will begin soon.  We thank Rachel Naiman, Liz Keyser and Vickie Pacheco for their commitment to their professions and their communities by serving on the LASAC.  

 

The vacant positions for 2-year terms, which will start on July 1, 2016, are:

1-Deaf Representative

2-Legal Interpreter Representatives

1-Hard-of-Hearing Representative

 

For more information, please contact Cheri Davis at cheri.davis@state.co.us.

 

 

Inside Technology - JoAnne Hirsch

 

Pictures of devices and services. Internet, Phone Adapter, Internet Router, Personal Computer

 

So now that we know what landline is, based on the last E-Bulletin issue, let’s dive into what a digital phone line is.

 

As mentioned in the last column, many people think they have landline at home when, indeed, they actually have a digital phone line.

 

Digital phone service is also considered VoIP, which stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol.  So instead of communication being sent over a traditional phone line (landline), a digital phone line sends and receives calls and information through the Internet.

 

Having a digital phone line can potentially lower your bill and save money, as many communications companies, i.e. phone companies, cable companies and broadband Internet service providers, bundle services together, such as television, internet, home phone and sometimes cellular phone service.  Since many digital lines include unlimited calling, long distance calls are included.  Features such as caller ID and voicemail are usually included as well.

 

Of course there are advantages and disadvantages to have digital phone service.  The advantage is affordability.  However a disadvantage can be that if the power goes out, then your digital phone service won’t work.  The same applies if your internet goes out, your phone service could go out.  Also depending on your service, you may have problems making emergency calls.

 

Digital phone service is only as good as the strength of your internet service.

 

If you are unsure of which phone works best for your phone system, contact JoAnne Hirsch at (303) 866-2097 (voice), (720) 949-7457 (VP) or email, joanne.hirsch@state.co.us.

 

 

How a Deaf-Blind Consumer Receives

Equipment and Training in iCanConnect

Person using an Iphone

Once someone applies and is approved for the iCanConnect program, an in-home assessment is performed to identify what type of equipment is best suited for him or her, to ensure the right equipment is chosen and training goals are established.

After the assessment is conducted, the assessor puts through an equipment request. The equipment must match the participant’s existing skill sets.

The trainer will then come into the participant’s home to set up the equipment and begin training on how to use the equipment for the distance communication goals outlined in the assessment. Training sessions last an average of two hours, and multiple sessions often take place. Participants can also follow up with trainers over the phone and by email.

Across the nation, many iCanConnect trainers are blind, and some are deaf-blind. Some know American Sign Language, some don’t. For those who don’t, the iCanConnect program provides interpreters when needed.

For more information on the program contact JoAnne Hirsch at (720) 949-7457 (VP), (303-866-2097 (Voice), joanne.hirsch@state.co.us or go to http://www.icanconnect.org/how-to-participate/colorado.  For an application, goto: http://www.ccdhh.com/pdf_2016/tedp/2016%20iCanConnect%20Colorado%20Application.pdf

 

 

Grants For Fiscal Year 2017 Available Now

Contact us at the information above for CCDHH's grant application (Form A and Form B) for fiscal year 2017. Please read carefully before you complete your application.  We are available to respond to your questions until 

Thursday, June 30, 2016.   

 
The deadline to submit your application is at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 29, 2015.

 

 

 

CCDHH Meeting & Community Forum

The Independence Center Logo

 

Where:

                        Colorado Springs Independence Center

                        729 South Tejon Street

                        Colorado Springs, CO 80903

 

When:        

                        Thursday, June 2, 2016 

 

Time:          

                        4:00 pm - 7:00 pm 

 

RID Certified Interpreters and CART will be provided. The room is equipped with a LOOP System. Light refreshments will be provided. For other types of communication access (such as tactile interpreters or other hearing assistive technologies) please contact us. 

 
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