Recent Events

Last month, DBCAN successfully hosted a BBQ event at the Watertown office, drawing approximately 30-35 attendees who were in great spirits despite initial setbacks. Originally scheduled for June 7th and then postponed to June 28th, the event ultimately had to be moved indoors due to a persistent rain forecast. We were incredibly fortunate to find a local caterer at the last minute who was able to provide delicious hamburgers, hotdogs, and other items, allowing us to proceed with the festivities. Consumers, providers, and community advocates all came together to enjoy the day.  

Image Description: A large group of approximately 25-30 adults is gathered indoors, posing for a group photo. Most people are smiling and looking towards the camera. They are casually dressed. The group is arranged with some standing in the front, some in the middle row, and others on a staircase in the background, which has a wooden handrail. The setting appears to be an office with light-colored walls. Several individuals are making an "I love you" sign in American Sign Language.

Image description: Three people are seated around a dark brown circular table in an indoor setting. On the left, C Ledford with medium-length curly brown hair and glasses, wearing a dark shirt, is seen from the back, facing the other two. In the middle, Linda Faust with short, curly reddish-orange hair, wearing a red cardigan over a blue patterned top, is looking down and holding hands with the man across from her. On the right, Jonathan LeJeune, a man with short, gray hair and a beard, wearing a black polo shirt with a logo, is looking at the woman in the middle, holding her hands. Two clear plastic cups with straws and drinks are on the table in the foreground. The background shows a light-colored wall with a doorway and several empty black chairs. Jonathan and Linda are seen conversing in Protactile.

Parent workshop: Stress Reduction 
July 18

Working Together for a Greener Massachusetts workshop
July 25

Upcoming Events

Connecticut Sun game
August 3

Get ready for an epic afternoon of hoops, hype, and heart! Come out and experience the thrill of the game as the Connecticut Sun take on the reigning WNBA champs — the New York Liberty — in a showdown you won’t want to miss! Bring your energy, your friends, and your loudest cheers to Mohegan Sun Arena (1 Mohegan Sun Blvd) for an unforgettable day of fast breaks, slam dunks, and community spirit. Bonus: Every ticket sold helps support Our Deaf Survivors Center — so you’re not just catching an incredible game, you’re also making a real difference.Mark your calendars and grab your seats — this is where basketball meets purpose, and YOU are part of the action! BUY YOUR TICKET HERE!https://www.gofevo.com/event/Ourdeaf2

Image Description: 
White flyer with the Connecticut sun logo in navy & orange on the top center. In orange text: CHEER ON THE CONNECTICUT SUN WITH then in navy font: Our Deaf Survivors Center, below in an orange box w/white text: Sunday, August 3rd @1pm. Picture on left: Connecticut Sun mascot performing. Picture on left: 2 WNBA basketball players in action. Center: text in navy: Join us for an unforgettable afternoon basketball excitement as we cheer on the Connecticut Sun in their match up against the defending WNBA Champions, New York Liberty.  A portion of every ticket sold will go back to support Our Deaf Survivors Center.  The game will be played at Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd. Bottom left corner: in black text under the QR code: scan here for tickets! On the bottom right corner in teal and purple, the logo of Our Deaf Survivors Center

Image description: 
Dark blue background with white text: upper right corner: DHHP OUTREACH PRESENTS: On the right, illustration of a graduate w/cap. Below, on the left in white text: Monday, 8/4 at 6:00 PM (EST) & a black logo of interpreting hands.
Bulleted list inside a light blue circle:

We Will Cover: 

• Overview of the application process

•  Writing powerful college essays

•  Showcasing your extracurriculars

•  Highlighting your unique voice & story

•  Navigating the application process as a d/Deaf/HoH student. 

On the right in white text: HOSTED BY CARLY GELLES, a photo of a woman w/brown medium length hair wearing a red blazer with a black top. Information about Carly: She is an undergraduate at Harvard University studying Linguistics & Molecular & Cellular Biology. She's been deeply involved in the Deaf & Hard of Hearing community for the past 6 years, with experiences ranging from working as a counselor at Gallaudet University’s Camp Discovery & volunteering with DEAFinitely, to conducting linguistics research on ASL alongside d/Deaf postdoctoral scholars. She hopes the workshop will make the college application process clearer, less overwhelming, and more empowering for DHHP students & their families! Bottom in white text: RSVP: DHHPOutreach@childrens.harvard.edu to register & receive the Zoom link! Bottom right corner: white box with blue text: logo of Boston Children’s Hospital Deaf & Hard of Hearing Program.

Southeast Cape Cod 55 + Deaf Social

Worcester Deaf Club, Inc. 

Annual Cookout
August 10

DEAF, Inc. Workshop: 

Understanding MassHealth: 

Eligibility, Applications & Advocacy
August 20 | 10 - 11:30 AM EST

Join us for a virtual information session on Understanding MassHealth: Eligibility, Applications & Advocacy on August 20th from 10 AM - 11:30 AM. Whether you're new or experienced, you'll walk away with tools and tips to strengthen your advocacy work. 

Image Description:

This flyer announces a virtual info session titled "Understanding MassHealth: Eligibility, Applications & Advocacy." The background is a dark, abstract design with shades of blue and black.

At the top left is a black and white logo of DEAF, INC. established in 1977. The main title, Understanding MassHealth: is in large white text, with the subtitle Eligibility, Applications & Advocacy below it in a smaller font.

A block of white text explains the purpose of the session: "Join us for an informative session designed for advocates working with individuals and families navigating MassHealth. Whether you're new or experienced, this session will provide practical tools and up-to-date information to support your work."

Below this, there are four bullet points, each with a checkmark icon in magenta:

• Eligibility & renewals

• Documentation requirements

• Application processes

• Effective advocacy tips

To the right of the text, there is a circular image showing a group of people, appearing to be medical professionals, with their hands stacked on top of one another in a gesture of teamwork.

At the bottom of the flyer, a horizontal bar contains the session details. On the left, a Zoom logo is followed by the ZOOM ID: 918 8838 8357 and PASSCODE BRAINFOOD On the right, the text VIRTUAL INFO SESSION is above the date and time: August 20, 2025 | 10 - 11:30 AM EST. The Zoom ID, passcode, date, and time are all in a bold, dark blue font.

55+ Gangs 

Deaf Social Gathering

Braintree

Deaf Outreach Event
August 20 | 10am - 1pm

Image Description: 

​This flyer announces a DEAF OUTREACH EVENT for a SUMMER PICNIC at CASTLE ISLAND. The background is a dark, mottled blue and green, framed by a thick, rounded-corner border. Yellow confetti or streamers are scattered across the top and sides of the flyer.

At the top, there are two small logos: DDSin a blue box on the left, and WORK INC. in a green box on the right.

The main text is centered on the flyer. DEAF OUTREACH EVENT is at the top in a plain, white font. Below this is a large image of Castle Island, an aerial view of a star-shaped fort surrounded by water and green space. Overlaid on the image, in a curved white font, is the text "CASTLE ISLAND". SUMMER PICNIC is written in a large, bold font below the image, with SUMMER in white and PICNIC in a pale yellow.

To the right of the picnic title, there is a QR code with the text ASL Video next to it.

The address is listed below the title: 2010 William J Day Blvd, Boston, MA 02127

A white rectangular box at the bottom contains the event details. The text inside reads: Let's press pause on life and press play on good times! Pack your picnic baskets, bring a blanket, and come hang out.

Below this, the date and time are displayed side-by-side in a smaller font:

• A calendar icon and the text Wednesday AUGUST 20, 2025 on the left.

• A clock icon and the text Starts at 10:00AM - 1:00PM on the right.

At the very bottom of the flyer, a green bar with rounded corners contains the contact information. The left side says CONTACT US and the right side lists the email address: msweet@workinc.org.

ODSC FAMILY FUN DAY

August 24 | 12-4pm

Food for Family Fun Day
Deadline to order!!

Image description: 
​This vibrant flyer advertises a FAMILY FUN DAY with food from NOMS EATERY.

At the top left, a red starburst graphic proclaims ORDER NOW. To the left of the main NOMS logo, there's a SCAN ME! prompt with a QR code. Below the Noms Eatery logo, there's a button with the text Noms Eatery Google Form.

To the right of the NOMS logo, a calendar icon shows a DEADLINE of AUGUST 20.

The bottom section of the flyer features a red and white checkered tablecloth pattern with three white plates, each advertising a different menu item:

• Green Goddess Chicken Wrap

• Caprese Sandwich

• Meso Eggplant Sandwich

A small, stylized figure in teal and purple is in the bottom right corner

Tempus 2025 Pickleball
United By the Net

August 30

Image Description: 

This flyer, titled TEMPUS 2025 PICKLEBALL, is an advertisement for a pickleball event. The design features a palette of blue, white, and yellow.

At the top, a logo of a yellow pickleball with a blue symbol on it is centered. To the right of the logo, there is a large QR code with the text "Sign up here!" beneath it.

The main title, TEMPUS 2025, is in large, bold, blue letters. Below it, "PICKLEBALL" is in a smaller size, followed by the tagline "United By The Net."

A bright yellow banner in the center of the flyer provides the event details:

• August 30th at Bosse, 310 Speen St, Natick, MA

Below the banner, the text Featured Coaches is centered.

The bottom portion of the flyer showcases four pickleball coaches with their photos and biographies. The layout alternates between a left-side photo and bio and a right-side photo and bio.

• Will: A headshot of a man with a shaved head and a beard is on the left. The text identifies him as a pro-rated pickleball player, IPTPA Level II instructor, and the Managing Pro and Director of Player and Program Development at the USOP National Pickleball Center.

• Rosemary: A headshot of a woman with short, curly brown hair is on the right. The text describes her as passionate about pickleball and holding her IPTPA teaching certification, IPTPA, and Pickleball Coaching International.

• Patrick: A headshot of a man with a mustache and a hat is on the left. The text describes him as a United States Marine Corps veteran" and an "IPTPA Professional Instructor and Coach.

• Joe: A headshot of a man with glasses is on the right. The text describes him as an incredibly ambassador of pickleball and an IPTPA Level 1 certified instructor.

Finally, at the bottom center of the flyer, the website TempusUnlimited.com is displayed in small, blue text.

Healing Through Art
September 2, 8, 15 & 22

Massachusetts State Association of the Deaf, Inc. (MSAD) Virtual State Conference 2025 - Saturday, September 20, 2025.10:00 am - 5:00 pm Direct Zoom registration link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/.../register/dZ4tcGh3TLCvz7f5jwspZw

TLC Homecoming
October 4 | 9 AM - 4 PM

Join The Learning Center for the Deaf for a special Homecoming Celebration as we kick-off our 55th Anniversary! Soccer and Volleyball games, food trucks, Vendors, Homecoming Court, and much more! Admission is free.  More details at tlcdeaf.org. 

Image description:

This flyer announces a homecoming event for THE LEARNING CENTER FOR THE DEAF. The overall color scheme is white, gold, and dark blue.

On the left side, there are two old, black-and-white photos with a slight yellow tint. The top photo shows a wooden sign that reads "The Learning Center for deaf children." The bottom photo shows a group of people, including some children in what appear to be school uniforms, standing next to several horses.

The main text is on the right side of the flyer. At the top, there is a gold logo of an open book or hands, with the text Celebrating 55 Years below it in a script font. Beneath the logo, THE LEARNING CENTER FOR THE DEAF is written in a dark blue, all-caps font.

The word Homecoming is the largest text on the flyer, written in a bold, dark blue font, underlined by a gold line.

Below the main title, the date of the event is in a green font: Saturday, October 4, 2025.

At the bottom right, there are two small, color photos with white borders and a slight angle. One shows a crowd of people at an outdoor event with blue tents. The other shows a woman with long hair petting a horse while a girl watches.

Aprenda el lenguaje de Senas Americano 

Programa gratuito de 5 semanas
Martes por la noche

Comienza el 14 De Octubre de 2025 

 Learn American Sign Language

Free 5-week program on Tuesday Evenings - Starting October 14, 2025

Saturday

November 1, 2025

11am - 3pm

Courtyard Boston Marlborough

75 Felton St 

Marlborough, MA 01752

Buffet Lunch: $75/person

www.massdeaf.org

DEAFinitely's Heart Truth: 
SAVE THE DATE!!
November 1 | 7:00 pm

Saturday, November 1, 2025
7:00 PM EST

Mosesian Center for the Arts
Watertown, MA 

Heart Truth is a powerful live stage show featuring true stories of mental health and addiction recovery from Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing storytellers.

Horace Mann School For The Deaf
November 6-10, 2025

HMS is celebrating 155 years of connection, collaboration, and growth! Save the date — join us the weekend of November 6–10, 2025 for a celebration you won’t want to miss!

Resources

Emergency Preparedness

2025 Hurricane Season

June 1 - November 30

Want to apply for E-Bike Vouchers for $800-$1,200? 

Using VRS while outside the U.S.

If you plan to travel outside the United States and need to make VP calls using VRS, you need to pre-register.  If your VRS provider is not listed below, you'll have to contact them to get further information.

• Sorenson link: https://sorenson.com/vrs/international-travel/

• Convo Link: https://convorelay.com/convo-passport/

Few things to keep in mind:

1. To pre-register through the VRS travel form, you must submit the form at least one day before leaving the United States.

2. If you leave the country without pre-registering with Sorenson through the form, you need to email the FCC at dro@fcc.gov to get the waiver and email it to the appropriate customer service to use VRS.

3. If your work VP number was approved by your supervisor for remote work outside the United States, it is vital to complete this step to avoid interruptions of your work.  

What happens if international calls were made without this requirement?  Your phone number will be suspended and locked preventing you from making further calls until you contact FCC.

Video transcript: 
Using Video Relay Services (VRS) While Traveling Outside the United States While traveling outside the United States, you may need to make or receive VRS calls to or from the United States. If you are a US resident and an eligible and registered user of VRS, you can use VRS while you are on international travel. If you want to make VRS calls, you must register with your VRS provider before you leave the United States for your trip. Pre-registration with your travel plans helps the FCC ensure that calls to the United States from abroad are legitimate VRS calls made by eligible United States residents only. Once you have pre-registered, you can use VRS to place a call to the United States from outside the country, for up to one year after leaving the country, as long as you notify your VRS provider prior to leaving the United States. In other words, if you want to make VRS calls, you must register with your VRS provider before you leave for your trip. This authorization is good for up to one year of being abroad from the date of your departure. During your trip, you will only be allowed to use VRS for telephone calls to or from the United States. VRS calls to or from any countries other than the United States will not be permitted until your return to the United States. If you have questions about use of VRS during international travel, email DRO@fcc.gov or call the FCC’s ASL Line at 844-432-2275. Visit us at www.fcc.gov/accessibility to learn more about the FCC’s accessibility work.

Hearing Loss Support Group

Northeast for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services is providing an in-person support group for people with hearing loss on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, from 4:00-5:30 pm, led by a licensed therapist who also experiences severe hearing loss. Please take a look at the flyer. Any questions, contact info@ndhhs.org or 603 224-1850

Image description: 

A flyer titled Experiencing significant hearing Loss? advertises a HEARING LOSS Support Group.

The flyer states that the group is Facilitated by Dr. Roger Ballou: Licensed Therapist experiencing severe hearing loss.

The support group meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month from 4:00-5:30 PM.

It is located at "Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, 56 Old Suncook Road, Suite 6, Concord, NH 03301.

Under What is it all about?, the text reads: This is an in-person support group for adults who are experiencing significant hearing loss and would like space to discuss it. This group offers a safe, affirming, and supportive environment for the emotions and experiences this journey brings. Together we offer one another understanding, encouragement, and connection as we navigate this life shift. Come as you are, as often as you need. You are welcome here.

Questions you may be asking... are listed as:

"1 Am I losing touch with the world around me?"

"2 How can I cope as my hearing declines?"

"3 What will happen to my relationships?"

"4 How can I manage the feeling of isolation?"

The flyer notes, Speech-to-text technology is available for access during the meetings.

It also states, There is no cost to participate in this support group. Due to space considerations, we ask that you register by phone or email. Contact information is provided as info@ndhhs.org or (603)224-1850.

The support group is Hosted at NDHHS Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, INC. The NDHHS logo is present at the bottom left.

An illustration depicts four individuals sitting on chairs, seemingly engaged in conversation.

Diabetes Education in ASL

From Heather Aldridge: I’m currently working temporarily with a research team at the University of Utah. We’ve developed a 12-week educational program designed specifically for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals to learn more about diabetes. 
The program covers key topics such as:

- How insulin works

- What A1C means

- Recognizing the signs of diabetes

- How to check blood sugar

- Understanding diabetes medications

- The difference between hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia

- The entire program is presented in American Sign Language (ASL). 

And we’ve just finished building the website (it’s currently being reviewed by another group).

Right now, we’re looking for participants to review the program and provide feedback before it officially launches. Participants will receive $275 for their time and insights. The program starts this September.

If you know someone who might be interested, I’d love to connect with them!

Image description:
Flyer background: In robin blue background w/black text: DIABETES EDUCATION IN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE, below in baby blue background in black text: WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? Deaf or Hard of hearing, Must be 18 years or older, Have Type 1 or 2 Diabetes; below in sky blue background w/black text: DOES IT COST MONEY? The program is free. You will get paid up to $275 for participating. Below in lighter blue background w/black text: CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION: email: ddct@utah.edu VP: 801-923-5110 Scan the QR code to fill out your contact information. On the bottom left is a QR code  and on the right is the logo of Deaf Diabetes Can Together: Education to Live Well

We are a nonprofit organization run by and for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened individuals.  DEAF, Inc. inspires people to achieve personal and professional goals through accessible programs and services. We are thrilled you are here looking to join our team!

STAY UP TO DATE WITH DEAF, Inc.

Follow us on our social media and website.

www.deafincma.org

Any Questions? Feedback?

Please contact the front desk at
617-505-4823 or hello@deafincma.org

DEAF, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) agency funded through government contracts, private funding and donations. This material was developed with support from: MA Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Boston Evening Clinic, Bushrod Campbell, City of Boston’s Age Strong Commission, City of Boston’s Office of Jobs and Community Development Block Grant, Commonwealth Care Alliance, Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Liberty Mutual, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission – Title VII Part B, Sanofi Genzyme, MA Community Health and Healthy Aging Funds, Rockland Trust, Point32Health