23rd Annual Deaf Culture Tea, September 18, 2014

The 23rd Annual Deaf Culture Tea took place September 18, 2014, in the Hall of Flags.  The Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened recognized several community members with awards for their dedication and work within the Deaf community.

For the first time in the history of the Annual Deaf Culture Tea, a tour and history lesson of the State House was given to interested guests before the Tea began. It was very well received by several people including deaf and hard-of-hearing students from the Lyman Moore Middle School in Portland.

Again this year there were many examples of communication used at the Tea. Some examples included: American Sign Language (ASL), tactile ASL, voice-over interpretation/support service providers and assisstive listening devices.

Clockwise from top-left to bottom-left: Terry Morrell welcomed approximately 130 people to the Tea; Richard Freund, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Labor, welcome the audience; Terrylene performs an interpreted poetry performance, Through Bare Hands; and Ivy Veleaz, grassroots Deaf and Latina community advocate, was the keynote speaker.

Keynote speaker and grassroots Deaf and Latina community advocate, Ivy Velez, grew up in Bridgeport, Connecticut. She graduated from Springfield College with a Bachelor's degree in Human Services. Currently, she works as an Intensive Care Coordinator at the Walden Wraparound CSA - The Learning Center for the Deaf in Framingham, Massachusetts serving families with children as part of a statewide bi-cultural, bilingual mental health care program. Velez has worked in human services for over 25 years, working to raise awareness on the value of having diversity within the workplace. Velez is also an active member of the Massachusetts State Association of the Deaf, Boston Latino Deaf Association and co-founder of Sound-Off Theatre.

An interpreted poetry performance, Through Bare Hands, performed by Terrylene, was very well received by the Deaf community. The Deaf community reveres and regards Terrylene as one of their foremost celebrities and one of their own. The actress not only represents them truthfully in the roles she plays, but who fluently and artistically preserves and celebrates their authentic native language, Ameslan (American Sign Language).

Terrylene received overwhelming applause for her critically acclaimed, autobiographical one-woman stage play, In The Now, which toured nationally and has been adapted into an indie feature film, entitled The Upper Room, currently waiting to be fully funded for the production phase. Recently, Terrylene devoted her craft to Ameslan poetry in hope of enlightening others to this under-recognized art form. She also dedicated her time and talent in creating an entertaining E-learning website for toddlers to promote healthy bilingual development by the age of five, www.clercschildren.com www.Terrylene.com

Delicious refreshments were provided by Richard Desjardins, operator of the Cross Café, located at the Cross State Office Building. The Cross Café is part of the Business Enterprise Program of the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI), also part of the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services.

The annual awards were given out by Conrad Strack, Chair and Sitara Sheikh, Vice-Chair, Christy Callahan, Kate Strack, and Patty Sarchi, all members of the Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened. This year’s award recipients and their accomplishments are highlighted in this newsletter

Annual Awards

From left to right: Roland Bracy, Jr.; Wanda McMullen; Christopher J. Blair; Courtney Camire; Matthew Welch; and Roni Lepore

Clifton F. Rodgers Award - Roland Bracy, Jr.
A Lifetime Achievement Award

The award is presented to an individual who has worked in or with the Deaf community for many years. It is given in recognition of a “lifetime of achievement.” 

Roland Bracy, Jr. attended Governor Baxter School for the Deaf and graduated in 1972.  He has been married twice and is the father of four children, two of whom are deaf and two are hearing.  His parents and some of his siblings are also deaf.  Roland loves to travel and has a great sense of humor.

Roland has served as Vice-President of Maine Association for the Deaf (MeAD), President of Central Maine Deaf Club and Treasurer of the Maine Alumni Association of the Deaf (MAAD).  Roland is also in the Hall of Fame at New England Athletic Association of the Deaf for his leadership on soft ball, bowling and basketball.  He has also served on the Deaf Culture Festival committee.  Roland attends many events in the Deaf community. 

This award is named for Clifton F. Rodgers, a life-long resident of Maine. He attended the Maine School for the Deaf and lived in Belfast for more than thirty years with his wife Dorothy. Cliff was a member of the Division of Deafness Advisory Council for many years and also worked for the Division of Deafness (DoD) as a Rehabilitation Assistant. 

Quotes describing him include: “He made an indelible impression on everyone he came in contact with, for his style always created good will and warm feelings,” “His knowledge of Maine and its Deaf Culture were immense,” and “He passed through this world making it a better place.”

This award is unique in that nominations for the award must be made by Commission members. The award is given to an individual in recognition for outstanding service in a professional or voluntary capacity to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities in Maine.

Promoting American Sign Language, Deaf Culture, and Deaf People Award - Wanda McMullen

This award is given to a person who worked to improve Maine’s Deaf community through leadership by promoting American Sign Language, Deaf Culture, and Deaf People.

We recognize Wanda McMullen for her active contribution in bringing people, Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing, together.  She is the treasurer for the Tri-Flying Hands Club in Bangor.  She helps to set up Northern Deaf Night Out in Bangor which is very popular.  Wanda is also involved in the “Shared Language” program which helps interpreters become more aware of issues within the interpreting process.  She shares her experience and knowledge with American Sign Language students in the area and exposes them about the Deaf community. Wanda recently was hired by the Maine Center on Deafness as an advocate for northern Maine. She has also served as a direct support professional with Amicus in ensuring that her clients get access to resources in the community. Finally, she and Vince, her husband, are owners of the ASL4All Services, which is an interpreting agency. They provide a variety of services to the Maine community. Congratulations!

Outstanding Citizenship Award - Christopher J. Blair

This award is given to a person who is a leader in the Deaf community.

Christopher J. Blair has championed improvements at the Veterans Administration (VA) Maine Healthcare System facility at Togus, ME.  These improvements include alarms, signs, and information distribution to veterans and staff alike with hearing disabilities.  Chris has taught people, particularly veterans about Deaf culture, American Sign Language, and created a support group of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing friends.  It made a difference as it helped them feel less isolated.  He has done this for many others without ever expecting anything in return. 

Citizenship Youth Award - Courtney Camire

This award is given to a student who is a leader in school and the Deaf community.

Courtney Camire is a senior at Governor Baxter School for the Deaf/Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (GBSD/MECDHH) and she has ventured on an amazing journey since 8th grade.  This young lady has become a leader and role model for many students.  She is the student representative on the MECDHH school board.  She has been involved in the Academic Bowl for three years, on the soccer team for three years and recently on the All-Star team.  She is in her second year at Portland Arts and Technology High School (PATHS), in the New Media Program and is a talented graphic artist.  She volunteers giving tours to younger students during step-up days and other students look up to her as a leader.  This young lady's character is genuine.  She is very outgoing, willing to help others by being involved and is an inspiration to all! She went to Explore Your Future (EYF) at Rochester Institute of a Technology (RIT) last summer and plans on attending college.  Congratulations to Courtney Camire!! 

Ginny Hewes Advocate for the Needs of the Deaf Community Award - Matthew A. Welch

This award is given to a person or organization that advocates for the needs of Deaf and hard-of-hearing persons in Maine.

Matthew A. Welch grew up in Washington DC; he moved to Maine in 2002 to marry Jen Welch and has been here ever since.  He has worked at Governor Baxter School for the Deaf (GBSD) as a Residential Advisor and an Educational Technician for most of this time in Maine along with some time at Goodwill Industries, Group Maine Stream, and Lutheran Social Services.  Matt has always been a strong positive role model for GBSD students.  He is passionate about learning outside of the classroom.  He has been a soccer and basketball coach since he has been here.  He has coached both girls and boys basketball teams. He is also the Athletic Director for GBSD, it seems he will never retire!  Matt is also involved in the regional mainstream overnight programs, Family Learning Day and many other activities!

The award is named after Ginny Hewes, who was known as the “I Love You” (in American Sign Language) Lady of Saco. Mother to a Deaf daughter, Ginny became a tireless advocate for not only her own daughter, but for all Deaf children. As a result of her personal advocacy, the Deaf Services Coordinator position was established at the (then) Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, which has, in turn, resulted in specialty signing group homes, culturally competent case management services, linguistically competent mental health counseling services, and the largest source of employment for culturally Deaf signing adults in Maine—social work. Her reach has extended far beyond the needs of her own daughter, beyond even Deaf children, to make a positive impact on all Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing and Late-Deafened Mainers.

Meritorious Support Services Provider Award - Roni Lepore

This award is given to a trained support service provider.  This year’s award is in recognition of exceptional support of Roger Poulin in his quest to complete the Appalachian Trail. 

Roni Lepore is this year’s award recipient in recognition of her exceptional support of Roger Poulin in his quest to complete the Appalachian Trail. 

Roni Lepore is a native of New Jersey with a culturally diverse background.  She holds both a Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Science (MS) in Information Technology from Rochester Institute of a Technology (RIT).  She is an avid outdoor spinster, world-wide traveler, and bookworm.  She is certified Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and Wilderness First Responder (WFR). She works as a Deaf American Sign Language (ASL)/English Interpreter, Deafblind specialist, ASL/International Signs instructor, and Membership Coordinator for an organization called World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI) – an international organization for sign language interpreters around the globe.  Roni teaches and tutors ASL to students in Metro New York, Austin, Texas, and Germany.  She mainly enjoys working with Deafblind people – interpreting and being a Support Service Provider (SSP).  From time to time Ronie co-teaches/assists Deafblind instructors on interpreting and SSPing courses.  

Roni first came to Maine in 2009 after meeting Roger Poulin at Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) a couple of years prior.  Roger was telling her about his dream of hiking on the Appalachian Trail (AT), but was unsure about how he could accomplish it with a SSP for several months.  Roni told him that she is an experienced backpacker and would consider working with him as his SSP once he is ready.  They began their AT journey in 2010 and recently concluded their journey this past June by summiting Mt. Katahdin.  It was quite a feat for Roni as a SSP to undertake this journey – hiking in any weather conditions, putting up with biting insects and body odor, encountering some wild animals, treating and taking care of injuries along the trail, and bridging communication between Roger and hikers and new friends.  Even though their AT journey has ended, it is the beginning of a new journey of and a new project – sharing Roger’s and Roni’s AT stories via book and videos – a new adventure for them!

Special Commendation Award - Roger Poulin

Roger Poulin, award recipient, accepts his award with a pre-recorded video

This award is given to an individual or agency whose activities in and with the Deaf community deserve recognition.

This man is AMAZING! To conquer the Appalachian Trail is phenomenal but to do it as a Deaf Blind person is out of this world! He has shown the world that you can do anything if you set your mind to it!

“My goal is to show that dreams can become a reality for anyone, regardless of their personal challenges and struggles. I also want to expose the world to understand why Support Service Person (SSP) is extremely important to deaf and blind community.” — Roger “Ad-Cane” Poulin

Interview with Frank Burbank

Frank Burbank with Regan Thibodeau, Deaf tactile interpreter

Frank Burbank is 68 years old and is a native of New Hampshire and Barbara, his deaf wife, is a native of Massachusetts. They met each other attending Gallaudet College (now Gallaudet University) and were married in 1969.  They raised three wonderful, hearing sons and have eight wonderful, hearing grandchildren (ages 15 to 2 years).  Their sons have professional careers, one as a president of a small business and two active Army officers, Lt. Colonel and Major ranks.  They have lived in Maine for almost 40 years; nine years in Penobscot and 31 years in Sidney.  Frank has a lot of hobbies and loves working in his vegetable garden.

Frank noticed his vision change a lot when he got older just before he retired from Central Maine Power (CMP) in Augusta on April 1, 2003 after 20 years as a Senior Programmer Analyst.  Frank has also worked as a machine shop engraver in New Hampshire and carpenter in Penobscot, Maine.  They moved to Sidney and he got a job at Central Maine Power.  In the next few years Barbara started her own business of Barb's Cornhusk Dolls and Wooden Miniature Cabinets (made by Frank). 

Frank and Barbara have traveled all over 50 states by car, motorhome and planes.  They have been on cruises with deaf groups and trains with deaf groups in Alaska.  They have been to so many countries they can’t even count how many.  Recently they went to London, England and then joined a Deaf group for a cruise to Denmark, Estonia, St. Petersburg, Russia, Finland, Sweden and Gotland Island (which is part of Sweden) this past July 2014.  They were actually in the air when the tragedy of 9/11 happened.

Frank’s vision loss started as color blindness and the loss of his 3-D vision in his late age.  He learned that he was diagnosed with Ushers Syndrome (US) in the 1980’s.  Frank has five deaf sisters, two with Ushers Syndrome, all live in New Hampshire. Frank learned tactile American Sign Language (ASL) with the support of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR).  Approximately five years ago Barbara learned to communicate with Frank in tactile ASL.  She is NOT blind but she helps him a lot while shopping.

Some of Frank’s wishes and goals for the future are to have more Deaf Blind interpreters, develop a 911 profiling system for E911, apply for more grants to pay for Support Service Providers (SSP) and develop a 911 profile for GPS devices. 

The following article was previously printed in Maine-Lines and the Kennebec Journal in May of 1989. Terry Morrell referenced the article at the annual awards and was asked to share it.

Deaf Juror Peforms Duty with Computer's Help

By David Ferch, Staff Writer, Kennebec Journal, May 24, 1989 - Augusta, Maine

AUGUSTA - Legal history was made in the Kennebec County Superior Court last week when for the first time in the country, a deaf man served on a jury with the help of a computer. 

The court case, Batchelder vs. Gilboe, had its own merits but it was significant mainly because one of the eight jurors, Frank Burbank, is completely deaf.

Burbank listened to the judge, attorneys and witnesses by reading a computer screen as the court reporter typed everything that was said, word for word. 

Deaf people have served on juries in the past with the help of sign language interpreters. But the computer technology that translates a stenographer’s notes into written English, known as Computer-Aided Translation or real-time translation, has never before been used to allow a deaf juror to serve, according to several experts. 

"This is the first time I've heard of it" said Tom Munsterman, director of the Center for Jury Studies of the National Center for State Courts in Arlington, VA. 

Joe Karlovits pioneered the technology in the early 1980s and is now president of American Data Caption, which provides real-time translation for television shows. He said he has never heard of a deaf juror serving with the help of a computer. 

A spokeswoman for the National Association of the Deaf also said this was a national first. 

“Several courts have used the computer technology for judges, attorneys and litigants.” 

"I've seen real-time court reporting very seldom," Munsterman said. "The real-time aspect is interesting and this is certainly a perfect application. 

Just the whole effort for the accommodation of the handicapped it's a marvelous thing" he said. 

That Burbank could serve on the jury with the help of real-time translation was a question of chance and the desire to make it work. 

Judge Donald Alexander has had an interest in making the courts more accessible to the handicapped and knew the technology would make it possible.

Court reporter Phil Galucki, who usually works on the coast, owns the computer and program that make it possible. He also has the skill to pull it off. Galucki happened to be in Augusta with his computer when Burbank was called for jury duty. There also was no sign interpreter available.

"This is appropriate in an effort to make a reasonable accommodation to the situation," Alexander said. "We were lucky to have (Galucki) available." 

"To (Alexander's) credit, he's always there on the forefront of serving or helping minorities in that aspect. He's always breaking new ground," Galucki said. 

Communicating with a telephone hooked up to a typewriter, Lois Morin, president of the Maine Association of the Deaf, applauded Burbank's case for the doors it opened. "If deaf persons serve on juries or any government capacity, he or she would feel a part of a community and feel accessible to the 'world'" Morin said.

Burbank, for his part, was eager to serve his jury duty. Communicating with written notes, Burbank said, "I feel that I should serve jury duty because I'm a citizen of Maine and the USA. There is no reason to walk away from duty." Burbank, who is a program analyst in Augusta, found the hardest part of being a juror involved legal questions, not being deaf.

The most difficult aspect, Burbank said, was "to try and decide which side is right to try and find the weak points (the attorneys) tried to tell the jurors." 

In the jury trial, Eric Batchelder of Hallowell was suing John Gilboe for $100,000 because he claimed that he broke his ankle when he was thrown from Gilboe's Northland Hotel in Jackman. Gilboe claimed Batchelder broke his ankle in a scuffle outside the bar. 

There were some difficulties with the real-time translation, though, said Burbank. "The interpreter is the best way to communicate for selecting the jury," Burbank said. The system also would pose problems for people who don't read well, Burbank said.

Morin echoed the same idea. "People who become deaf at the late age would depend on the computer system because of their command of the English language. If a deaf person (became so at birth or early on), they would have difficulties using the computer because of their English levels," she said.

As opposed to the courtroom discussion which was question and answer, back and forth and therefore easy to understand, the jury deliberations were difficult, Burbank said. 

The jurors spoke one at a time while Galucki typed everyone's comments without using their names. Burbank sometimes found it hard to follow who was saying what. There is a four to five word delay from the speech to the computer screen. And there are some words the computer doesn't know so they come out as gobbledygook, Galucki said. 

One benefit of real-time for deaf jurors is that it does not single out the juror the way a sign translator does, Alexander said. 

Real-time translation brings to attention the exacting precision and pressure needed of the court report. 

Marilyn Sanchez is the court reporter for the U.S. District Court in Phoenix, Ariz., which has been using the system regularly in the court but never to allow a deaf juror to serve. "I have equated it to taking a typing test with someone looking over your shoulder constantly," Sanchez said. Galucki said he got about 90 percent of the transcript but Alexander thinks his percentage was higher. "It takes a good reporter," Munsterman said. "This is the first time I actually did it in the courtroom," Galucki said. "If you were able to do this three or five times you would get it down and it would go a lot smoother." A court reporter has to be able to type the shorthand language of phonetic syllables into his stenograph machine at a minimum speed of 225 words per minute. 

The computer technology has been used in a wide variety of situations and has many more applications. In 1982, a deaf attorney argued a case in front of the U.S. Supreme Court using real-time reporting. Several other courts have used the technology for deaf judges, witnesses, plaintiffs and defendants. 

Judges can use the system to type in notes and a court reporter can read back questions much more quickly. Alexander predicted that good attorneys could use the system to cover two cases at once. 

Update on Text to 911 Availability

By Maria P. Jacques, ENP, Director, Emergency Services Communication Bureau
December 17, 2014

The Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC), through its Emergency Services Communication Bureau (ESCB), has made significant progress in expanding text to 911 services in Maine. Verizon Wireless, Sprint and AT&T now all offer the service.

These interim solutions allow Verizon Wireless, Sprint and AT&T customers only to text to 911 from anywhere in Maine and have their message delivered to one of two DPS Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) on its TTY equipment.  The PSAP will be able to converse, using text messaging, with the person who made the 911 call.  Although the full featured text to 911 solutions will not be available until industry standards are developed, this is certainly positive progress.  

The ESCB has also officially requested text to 911 from the other two major carriers in Maine, T-Mobile and US Cellular, and should deploy within the first six months of 2015. The nature of wireless services requires us to work with each carrier individually but we are committed to continue to work with other carriers to make text to 911 more available as soon as possible. 

Below are a few things to know if you need to text 911: 

• Texting should only be used if you are unable to make a voice call 
• Text location information is not equal to current location technology for voice 911 calls.  
• As with all text messages, messages can take longer to receive, can get out of order or may not be received. 
• Text-to-911 is not available if you are roaming. 
• A text or data plan is required to place a text-to-911 
• If texting to 911 is not available in your area, or is temporarily unavailable, you will receive a message indicating that texting 911 is not available and to contact 911 by other means. 
• Photos and videos cannot be sent to 911 at this time. 
• Text-to-911 cannot include more than one person. Do not send your emergency text to anyone other than 911. 
• Do not text and drive! 

How to text 911 in an emergency: 

• Enter the numbers “911” in the “To” field; 
• The first text message to 911 should be brief and contain the location of the emergency and type of help needed; 
• Push the “Send” button. 
• Be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 911 call taker. 
• Text in simple words – do not use abbreviations. 
• Keep text messages brief and concise. 

Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) is happening at State of Maine Agencies

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has initiated Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) services in its Lewiston and Portland offices. This service makes American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting available for people who walk into those offices and on short notice when in-person interpreters are not available. DHHS is committed to continuing to provide in-person ASL interpreters whenever possible. VRI may be used to interpret a short conversation between customers and staff persons, or to make a future appointment when there will be enough lead-time to obtain in-person interpreters. 

DHHS welcomes your comments about how the new VRI service is working when you visit Portland or Lewiston offices.

The State of Maine is currently seeking bids from companies interested in providing VRI services across the state. More information will be coming soon!

Introducing the New Advocates/Employment Specialists at Maine Center on Deafness (MCD)

They join Michelle Ames and Meryl Troop in the MCD Advocacy Division.

From left to right:

• Ashley Whittaker, MCD Advocate, Part-time - awhittaker@mcdmaine.org
• Cathy Bustin, MCD Advocate, Part-time - cbustin@mcdmaine.org
• Julie Novack, MCD Advocate, Full-time - jnovack@mcdmaine.org
• Wanda McMullen, MCD Advocate, Bangor, Part-time - wmcmullen@mcdmaine.org

Maine Center on Deafness (MCD)
68 Bishop Street, Suite 3
Portland, ME 04103
1-800-639-3884 (V/TTY within Maine)
797-7656 (V/TTY)
207-766-7111 (Front Desk VP)
207-766-7113 (Public VP)
797-9791 (FAX)
John Dunleavy, Interim Executive Director
Meryl Troop, Civil Rights Director
Email: mtroop@mcdmaine.org
Email: info@mcdmaine.org
207-766-7114 (VP)

Website: Maine Center on Deafness

For more information regarding Deaf Community Events please contact Meryl Troop.

Portland CareerCenter moves to 151 Jetport Boulevard

The Greater Portland CareerCenter has moved to its new location at 151 Jetport Blvd in Portland, Maine as of January 26. We are excited to be in the new building! The CareerCenter and Vocational Rehabilitation continue providing services that were available at our old location, as well as a working Video-phone and TTY at the new location.

The CareerCenter is a stop on Portland Metro Route 5 and is located just off Exit 46 of the Maine Turnpike, with larger, free parking, making it more accessible to job seekers and employers.

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Maine Department of Labor - Bureau of Rehabilitation Services

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, also known as VR, assists individuals who have disabilities to get and keep a job.  VR works with adults, as well as with eligible students to coordinate information and resources as they transition to the world of work.

To be eligible you must:

• Have a documented disability that prevents you from getting or keeping a job.
• Need VR services to keep a job. (Eligibility must be determined in 60 days. Medical records can usually provide the necessary documentation.)

If you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) based on a disability and have an interest in working, you are presumed eligible for VR services.

To apply for VR, you need to call one of our offices and schedule an appointment with a VR counselor. The counselor will explain the program and learn more about you and your goals.  You are strongly encouraged to view the online VR orientation video prior to applying for services.

Every person’s employment plan is different. Your VR counselor will work with you to decide what jobs best fit your interests and skills. You’ll also consider where you live, the current job market, and what transportation is available. VR will consider any service you need to achieve the agreed-upon vocational goal.

As you identify careers, VR can provide information about the skills and training you need.  If training is necessary, VR may help with the cost of the program. VR may also buy tools, uniforms or basic equipment needed to start a job.  Sometimes VR can assist with payment for some medical/psychological services. If you need a job coach (on-the-job support), VR will provide one. 

In general, services end 90 days after you start working.

It does not cost you anything to apply for services. There is no charge for testing, vocational evaluation, counseling, or job placement assistance. If you are eligible for services, your counselor will ask you about your income and expenses. Depending upon your income, you may be asked to contribute to the cost of VR services. VR cannot pay for any services you received before you applied to VR , or any services not agreed upon with your counselor and written in your Individualized Plan for Employment.

CONTACTS

The Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened provides a program of services to Deaf, hard of hearing and late-deafened people in Maine, which includes information and referral, advocacy, and accessibility promotion.

Terry Morrell, Director
Tel: 470-7668 (VP)
TTY: 623-7957
Email: Terry.L.Morrell@maine.gov

Department of Labor, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

• Nancy Hickey, Deaf Counselor,Transitioning Students and Hard of Hearing Adults
  - 207-808-2214   (VP)
• Terry Morrell, Supervisor - 207-470-7668 (VP)
• Ginny Pelletier, Rehab. Assistant - 207-470-7670 (VP)
• John Post, Deaf Counselor - 207-591-4128 (VP) Portland or 207-514-0184 (VP) Lewiston
• Joe Roquebecil, Deaf Counselor - 207-221-5526 (VP)
• Sitara Sheikh, Deaf Counselor - 207-226-7270 (VP); 207-287-6252 (TTY)

Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Administrative Office
150 State House Station, Augusta 04333-0150
Tel: (207) 623-6799 - TTY users please us Maine Relay 711 - Fax: 287-5292

Office Directory by Town, including Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired: http://www.maine.gov/rehab/offices.shtml

The Maine Department of Labor provides equal opportunity in employment and programs. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

For more information regarding the Bureau of Rehabilitation, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Hearing Aid Procurement visit http://www.maine.gov/rehab/ha_procurement/index.shtml