We would like to invite you to attend our Annual Tea in celebration of Deaf Culture Week. It will take place on September 19, 2013, in the Hall of Flags at the State House.

As in past years, the Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened will recognize people from the community for their work and contribution to the Deaf community at the Tea. If you feel that someone deserves an award, please take the time to fill out the nomination form, included in this issue, and send it to us by August 16, 2013. The Tea is always a great event and I look forward to seeing you there.

I would also like to share that we are thrilled that LD 1352, “An Act To Provide Integrated Community-based Employment and Customized Employment for Persons with Disabilities” became law during this last legislative session. The law is based on the belief that competitive, integrated employment should be the first and preferred choice of services for people with disabilities. You can find more information about this at http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?ld=1352&PID=1456&snum=126.

As a reminder, our next Commission meeting will be held on October 10, 2013. The public is encouraged to attend.

If you know of others who are interested in subscribing to Maine-Lines, a newsletter with information and resources for people who are Deaf, Late Deafened and Hard of Hearing, please encourage them to visit http://maine.gov/labor and look for the little red envelope. Enter the email address, follow the directions and then choose Maine-Lines from the list. 

You may also choose to sign up for Deaf Resources, which provides updates and information of interest to the Deaf community, as well as other email services from the Department of Labor. You may change your subscriber preferences at any time by entering your email address in the box next to the red envelope on the Department’s home page.