• 27th Deaf Annual Tea
• Deaf Annual Tea Awards Nomination Ballot and Deaf Culture Tea Awards to Date
• Augusta CareerCenter and its Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI) Programs Have Moved
• Meet Susan Henri-MacKenzie, Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf II in Northern and Eastern Maine
• Against-the-Odds Advocate: Emma Foster
• Enjoy an Interview with Carrie Pierce
• How to Register for Emergency Alerts
• In Memory of James Levier

27th Deaf Annual Tea

Maine Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened invites you to the Annual Tea in celebration of Deaf Culture Week on Thursday, September 20, 2018 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon at the State House Hall of Flags. 

Keynote Speaker - To Be Announced

Please respond by September 13, 2018, to:

Nancy A. Winter
Nancy.A.Winter@Maine.gov
(207) 623-7958 (V)
(207) 623-7998 (TTY)

or

Terry L. Morrell
Terry.L.Morrell@Maine.gov
(207) 470-7668 (VP) 

American Sign Language Interpreters and CART provided. Please contact Nancy by September 6, 2018 if you need other accommodations.

Deaf Annual Tea Awards Nomination Ballot and Deaf Culture Tea Awards to Date

http://www.maine.gov/rehab/advisory_councils/dod/minutes/index.shtml 

Augusta CareerCenter and its Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI) Programs Have Moved

The Augusta CareerCenter, along with programs for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI), have moved just down the hill to within the Department of Labor on 45 Commerce Drive in Augusta as of March 26. Hours of operation and contact information have not changed.

About the Move: http://www.maine.gov/labor/news_events/article.shtml?id=788758

Augusta CareerCenter Information: http://www.mainecareercenter.gov/locations/augusta.shtml

Meet Susan Henri-MacKenzie, Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf II in Northern and Eastern Maine

Sue Henri-MacKenzie is originally from Massachusetts and has worked with parents of children with various strengths and needs, teaching advocacy, facilitating meetings and presenting workshops. Sue has worked at the Southern Maine Parent Awareness, the York County CareerCenter in Springvale, the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Family Independence, and FEDCAP Opportunity Center in Brewer. She has held such positions as a cosmetologist and a diagnostic vocational evaluator. Previously, Sue worked as a certified interpreter for the Deaf in the Whittier Vocational Technical High School and Little Harbor Elementary school programs. Sue also, volunteered at the New England Camp for the Deaf for many summers as the Arts & Crafts Director. Sue looks forward to this new employment adventure!

Sue’s contact information:

Sue Henri-MacKenzie, Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf II
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation/Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened
Bangor CareerCenter, 45 Oak Street, Suite 1, Bangor, Maine 04401
Sue.E.Henri-MacKenzie@Maine.gov
Cell: 207-217-0158 (Voice or Text)

Against-the-Odds Advocate: Emma Foster

This girl refuses to be limited by what has traditionally been known as a physical mental health or developmental challenge. She is busy redefining “able” and making positive changes for girls in Maine along the way.

EMMA FOSTER – Orrington – Grade 12, Age 18

At two-days-old, Emma was diagnosed as deaf.  Since she was young she’s advocated for successfully mandating the insurance companies in Maine provide hearing tests to newborns. She has conducted a “Diversity” class for future social workers, principals and students majoring in special needs at the University of Maine.

Emma has participated for several years in an American Sign Language course at the University of Maine at Orono to work with students to learn to work with deaf children. In July 2016, she was nominated to the Board of Commissioners for the Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing, Late Deafened/Blind at the State House. She is the State of Maine’s “Student Ambassador” and represents all the Deaf/HOH children in the State of Maine. In August 2016, she was appointed to the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (Baxter School for the Deaf) School Board and recently has been part of a subcommittee for legislative issues at the state level representing the school board.

Enjoy an Interview with Carrie Pierce

Could you share with us what your family life was like as a child?

I was a quiet child, but there was always plenty to do on the farm. My house was often the gathering place for family, friends and the neighborhood. A lot of sports, farming adventures and town activities were always taking place on our farm or nearby.

I did have a hard time with communication, but appreciated having others around. Physical activities such as basketball, snowmobiling, horses, and gatherings at the family pond kept me busy. I loved reading books long past my bedtime, and feel that played a part in my education. Parents should start reading/showing/signing books to their children on the day they are born.

What mode of communication did you use as a child?

As a child, I used spoken English for communication. I relied heavily on lip reading and missed a lot of information. My self-esteem and sense of identity was a real struggle.

What is your family life like now?

My family uses a few signs now. I have a young niece and nephew that know how to use signs to get things they want! My family does much better with me in small numbers; I do have a harder time when there is a larger gathering.

Have you always lived in Maine?

Yes, I grew up in Maine in a small town north of Bangor. Most of my 90’s was spent in Washington D.C. and Maryland the years while I was going to college. I did live in Maryland for another year after I graduated.

What kind of work have you done?

My work is constantly changing. I basically go where I am needed and fill many roles as an educator and mentor. In Maine, I have worked as a director of a summer program called Sign-N-Kids, Teacher of Deaf in K-12 public schools. I serve as an Adult Education teacher. I have also taught ASL at high schools and five college campuses. My early intervention work has been given great rewards. I have just started teaching Gentle Yoga. Deaf advocacy also plays an important role in my life. I run a social group in Belfast connecting my students with the Deaf community that meets the last Sunday of the month.  

As a Deaf professional, what would be your proudest accomplishments?

As a Deaf professional, I honestly feel that my proudest accomplishment has not happened yet. This dream accomplishment, is really a team effort. One where each one of us has an equal opportunity to do whatever our hearts desire, work, language access and education for all locations in the state of Maine.

I do see my accomplishments in my students and the ripple effect that happens within them. I LOVE getting an Email from a student who had me years ago, informing me about how they communicated with a Deaf person at work, on the street or a new deaf member in the family. They would comment on how much they learned from me. They may not remember their signs, but the fact they could communicate/figure it out, knew what to do, means a lot. I also appreciate those students who have stood/stand up for the value of the Deaf Community beliefs of equality and its members within society.

I recently watched the movie “The Post”, the movie had a profound impact on me. The movie addressed issues of what I like to call the 4-A’s: Acceptance for who you truly are, Accountability for the situation (on many levels), providing Awareness of the situation and ACTION. Stand up for what you believe in. Anything is possible, but you must take the risk. This reminds me of Michelle Ames, Blaine Tea keynote presentation, of how we all need to be a star within the community. I would love to see everyone in the Deaf Community sector be a star and take on the 4-A’s.

Where do you work?

I am currently working in the university system (Orono/Augusta) as an ASL instructor. I also teach at Camden Adult Education. However, you will often find me doing a variety of jobs as far east as Bar Harbor, as far west as New Sharon, North to Fort Kent, and south to Portland. Sometimes schools or agencies hire me for contract work as well.  

What population do you work with?

I work with any D/deaf, Hard of Hearing, non-verbal or hearing person that may need my services. My oldest student to date has been 86, my youngest, 1 month. I really enjoy working with people of diverse backgrounds and those who learn differently. I appreciate being a part of the process in finding solutions to make things work for them. When I work with people, I often live by and teach there is no such thing as “can’t” and “there is no ‘I’ in team. We must figure it out together.

What are some of your successes?

My Deaf advocacy work has been my biggest success. My summer camp was also very rewarding. My success really lies within my students. If I spent days trying to find a way for a student who may learn differently to understand a concept, and that student finally gets the concept, that is a success. I also value others “speaking up” on certain issues and taking a role in what needs to be done. If I bring up a social advocacy issue with someone and it gets carried to someone else, discussed and acted upon, that is a success. On a personal interest level, my published poetry and becoming a certified yoga teacher have been accomplishments. My kayaking and photography have also brought great joy. Next, I will work on cultivating my poetry performances, yoga instruction and having a healthier lifestyle.

Carrie’s Contact Information:

Carrie Pierce

bridginghandsasl@gmail.com

How to Register for Emergency Alerts

Register for “Citizen Alerts” at: www.maine.gov/portal/CAS

Amber/Kidnapping Alerts

Severe Storm Warnings

Statewide Government Office Closings

Homeland Security

Health Epidemic or Threat to Public Health

Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) also provides weather updates and other news. Register at:  www.maine.gov/mema/mema_subscribe.shtml. Carefully pick which alerts you want so you don’t get too many!

Register for email travel alerts from Maine Turnpike Authority:

www.maineturnpike.com/Traveler-Services/Travel-Alert-Sign-up.aspx 

In Memory of James Levier

In Memory of James Levier June 23, 1940–March 16, 2001 You are missed. Rest in peace James.   James Levier memorial granite bench on Mackworth Island.

The Department of Labor is an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available to individuals with disabilities upon request.