DeafMN (https://www.deafmn.com/author/brein/)
English transcript:
Hello, I’m Dr. Susan Lane- Outlaw, executive director of Metro Deaf School. I wanted to update the community about our school growth and our new building. I am excited to announce that we have a signed purchase agreement for our new school at 1125 Energy Park Drive. This is at the corner of Lexington and Energy Park. We plan to close on the building in May.
On Wednesday, March 7, 2018, the Minnesota Historical Society invited The Thompson Hall Board of Trustees to present on the success of the Legacy Fund (passed in 2008) to the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee. The Legacy Fund is managed by the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS). MHS asked only two out of 2200+ grantees to present at this hearing, one of which was Thompson Hall. This grant that was given to Thompson Hall Board of Trustees, Minnesota Association of Deaf Citizens (MADC), and the Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Minnesotans (MNCDHH) to apply for the National Register of Historic Places. Most recently the Board of Trustees applied for and received a Historical and Cultural Heritage Grant and are in the process of getting bids from an architectural firm for a Historic Structure Report and they plan to apply for future funds to renovate the building. Herman Fuechtmann represented the project.
Hannah Furney is looking for an apartment in the Minneapolis area. Hannah is deafBlind and uses a Leader Dog. Hannah is looking to move back ASAP. If you know anyone that needs a roommate or has a place to rent in the Minneapolis area please contact Hannah at hannahgf88@gmail.com.
HEARD is looking for volunteers for their Transition Fair booth to help those transitioning away from prison. Get in touch if you are interested. Minnesota Transition Fair Opportunity
Date: Thursday, Sept 21, 2017
Time: 7:00 am - 3:30 pm (MUST BE THERE FOR THE FULL TIME)
Location: Red Wing Facility
HEARD MN is looking for 3 volunteers for the MN Transition Fair in Red Wing. The transition fair is an opportunity for individuals who are incarcerated to network with outside available resources for when they transition back into society as a returned individual. HEARD MN volunteers would like to ensure that the community members receive the connections they need during their transition, i.e. job fairs, probation officers, recovery programs that provide interpreters, etc.
Original post from MNCDHH
If you are DeafBlind or prefer to watch the video in a darker, slower format, watch the DeafBlind friendly ASL version instead. English version
Through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) the United States of America committed itself to eliminating discrimination against people with disabilities. In celebration of the act turning 27 and to reaffirm our commitment to inclusion and rights for all, the Minnesota Disability Rights March and Rally will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 26. Orientation will begin at 1 p.m. at the Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, in the Education wing.
Last week, legislative leaders and the Governor were negotiating back and forth about the budget bills. Then they got frustrated and the legislature stopped negotiating. Instead, they decided just to pass the budget bills they had written, even though the Governor had said that he would veto them. Legislators and the Governor will be negotiating more this week and the legislature will need to pass another version of all of the budget bills. According to the State Constitution, the legislature is required to adjourn by next Monday, May 22nd.
The Minnesota Capitol Building has been undergoing restoration since 2015. The renovation is still ongoing but we were able to return the Capitol in 2017![Screenshot: Changes at the Capitol]
So far, there have been many wonderful changes. For example:
• Increased seating/accessibility features in hearing rooms
• Public, accessible bathrooms on every floor
• Mother’s Room on 1st floor
• New public meeting rooms
• New Visitor Center
• New classroom
• More dining options
• Better WiFi
[Screenshot: New Accessibility Features]
Before there were 3 accessible entrances. Now there are 4. The accessible entrances are:
• South via main entrance at ground level.
A lot is happening and we have lots of news to share this week. The Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing Minnesotans board met in January and added to the legislative agenda, the Governor released his budget proposal this week, and the legislature is already busy hearing and passing bills. Additions to Legislative Agenda
First the additions to the legislative agenda:
The Commission voted to also support three measures related to education and one related to communication access. The three related to education are:
Support funding and infrastructure requests for the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf
Support increased funding for Deaf ABE (Adult Basic Education) provided in ASL
Require that a student’s need for assistive technology be considered when developing an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Individual Family Support Plan (IFSP)
The proposal related to communication access is:
Oppose efforts to weaken laws that require business’s websites to be accessible
Now that the Governor has released his budget proposal, we know that we will support another initiative for vocational rehabilitation:
Eliminate waiting lists for Vocational Rehabilitation Services by requesting $3.5 million a year for a total of $7 million. When we get bill numbers and additional information about these proposals, we will share them with you.
Camp Courage North has been running a summer camp for youth from the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community since 1972. We are revving up for our 2017 Northern Lights, Deaf and Hard of Hearing camp, and I would deeply appreciate your help in getting the word out! We have so many exciting new activities planned that we want to share! There are lots of full and partial scholarships available for youth 7-17 to attend, August 6-11. Transportation available from the Twin Cities, and other locations depending on need.
Transcript:
Save the date! The Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Minnesotans (MNCDHH) is pleased to announce that Lobby Day will be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at the Capitol in St. Paul. Lobby Day is a great opportunity for Minnesotans who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing and hearing to rally at the Capitol and meet with their legislators. You can share issues that are important to you with your legislators.