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Commission updates | Accepting nominations Where we've been | Financial Notes
Mark your calendar
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Introducing Kyle Rosenberg
"I am ecstatic to be joining a team that shares the same mission and values as I do to ensure that Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals have full, unfettered access to communication and more," said Kyle.
Image Description: Kyle Rosenberg a brunette man with a full beard, glasses and a green beanie standing outside in a snowy environment wearing a plaid shirt
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Communication Access Services (CAS) is pleased to introduce Kyle Rosenberg as the newest CAS Coordinator. Kyle started on February 10 and is already working closely with the CAS team to boost the level of service to the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind communities in court/legal and rural settings. He also will be assisting with scheduling SSP and intervener requests. With Kyle on the team, CAS will be better equipped to fulfill the growing number of requests, as well as help with invoice processing and vendor paperwork.
Originally from the East Coast, Kyle gained experiences and perspectives across the country before finding his forever home in Colorado. Kyle’s education includes a BA in Intercultural Communication Studies from the University of New Mexico and an MS in Experiential Education from Minnesota State, Mankato. He spent 20 years promoting and focusing on youth development and community engagement as a camp professional, community organizer, and experiential educator.
In his spare time, Kyle can be found camping, hiking, whitewater rafting, and overlanding in the Western United States. Kyle is always pursuing impactful and meaningful educational opportunities along with volunteering/mentoring within the disabled community as a disability advocate.
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The job posting for the director position closed on Friday, January 31. Approximately 15 candidates remained after the minimum qualifications review. The next step was a structured application review by a committee. Once the pool was narrowed, top applicants were invited for interviews beginning in February. The committee is hoping to finalize the director search process sometime this spring. | |
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The commission is accepting nominations for two prestigious awards recognizing community members, organizations, and interpreters for their significant outstanding contributions to the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind communities in Colorado. The most recent award winners of the Lynda Remmel award include Lynda Remmel (2023) and Lorrie Kosinski (2024). Susan J. Elliot award winners include WellPower, Rick Drurity and Mary Sterritt (2024).
Susan J. Elliott Award
This award was established in 2008 by the Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind (CCDHHDB) in honor of Susan J. Elliott, who was the chair of the Colorado Association of the Deaf’s legislative committee to create CCDHHDB through Senate Bill 00-194. As a talented deaf teacher, she knew how to collaborate with key deaf and hard of hearing community members to create CCDHHDB.
This award recognizes individuals or organizations who have made sustained contributions to the Colorado deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind communities of which the CCDHHDB is a part, similar to the legacy left by Susan’s lifelong work. This award may or may not be given on an annual basis.
Eligibility
To qualify for this award, nominees must be:
- An individual or organization that acts as an agent of change for a sustainable statewide network of resources
- Dedicated to removing barriers for residents of Colorado
- Significantly working to provide cultural and linguistic equality
- Contributing to an activity that helps to satisfy an unmet need or expands services
- Creating long-term value for all relevant community members
Nomination forms for eligible individuals/organizations must be submitted by March 20, 2025.
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Deadline - March 20, 2025 | |
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Selection of recipients
The commission’s Nomination Committee and CCDHHDB Director will review the nominations and select the recipient. The award will be presented at a quarterly commission meeting. The recipient will be added to the Susan J. Elliott Award plaque on display in the commission’s office.
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This award was established in 2023 by the Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind in memory of Lynda Remmel, a gifted interpreter, role model, and mentor. Because of her commitment to raising the bar in the interpreting profession, she earned the respect of her colleagues and members of the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind communities.
This award recognizes interpreters who have made outstanding contributions to the Colorado deaf community and interpreting profession while demonstrating an active commitment to the highest ethical practices similar to those demonstrated by Lynda Remmel. This award may or may not be given on an annual basis.
Eligibility
To qualify for this award, nominees must be:
- An American Sign Language/English Interpreter or Certified Deaf Interpreter
- Makes outstanding contributions to the deaf community and interpreting profession
- Demonstrates a commitment to professional development
- Adheres to high standards of conduct and models values while holding self and others accountable
Nomination forms for eligible interpreters must be submitted by April 1, 2025.
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Selection of recipients
The commission’s Nomination Committee, including one Communication Access Services staff member, will review the nominations and select the recipient. The award will be presented at a quarterly commission meeting. The award recipient will be added to the Lynda Remmel Award plaque displayed in the commission’s office.
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Highlighting our activities in the communities we serve | |
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Outreach Specialist Luke Adams and Deputy Director Dr. Katie Cue have been involved in discussions with the Department of Motor Vehicles for several years, trying to identify ways to make systems more accessible. This includes accessibility at driving schools, driving tests, and other DMV-related tasks.
They shared concerns and barriers reported to them by community members. One issue is some driving schools are contracted out to third parties and are not providing communication access. The DMV has traditionally refused to allow an interpreter in the car for driving tests, citing safety concerns.
Luke and Lead ASL/English Interpreter Christine Pendley, volunteered to perform a mock driving test. The demonstration identified how it is possible to have an interpreter in the car without impacting safety.
The hope is to identify appropriate methods for accommodating the need for American Sign Language (ASL) during driving tests for the deaf. Luke will continue to work with the DMV to address these barriers for any DMV process. You can currently request an interpreter using the DMV form linked below. Please note, the form does not include the driving portion of the test.
Article Links:
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Gathering to share and engage
On January 24, 2025, the Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind hosted its first community meeting for hard of hearing (HOH) community members. The meeting provided space for HOH individuals to meet each other and begin discussing important topics related to their hearing status. These meetings will continue monthly to provide connection and support for HOH individuals.
Participants from across Colorado joined the session, including Adams County, Berthoud, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Englewood, Fruita, Grand Junction, Golden, and Monument.
Important topics included:
Deaf or Hard of Hearing?
- Similarities between deaf and HOH needs
- Differences between deaf and HOH needs
- Language modality and identity
- Challenges HOH individuals experience
- How hearing status/difference shaped lives
- Support and awareness
Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)
- Challenges before 1990
- Progress made since 1990
- Work still needed
The commission’s work
- What the commission currently does
- What the commission cannot do
- Areas where the commission can better support HOH community needs
If you are hard of hearing and would like to participate in future meetings, please email JoAnne Hirsch, Communications Technology Program Manager, at joanne.hirsch@state.co.us.
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Outreach support contract awarded | |
Image Description: Navy background muted by a wash of blue, with white and orange text showing the Davidson/Belluso logo. On top of the muted blue wash is bright white text reading "Welcome to the point of more return." Orange text follows below, stating Strategy. Passion. Results. | |
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Davidson & Belluso was awarded a contract from the Communications Technology Program (CTP) to provide outreach and education on telecommunications devices, increase enrollment in CTP, implement public awareness to engage Colorado’s diverse communities and drive traffic to the program’s website.
These funds are from the Colorado Performance Assurance Plan (CPAP) special award from the Public Utilities Commission. The contract lasts until June 30, 2025, with additional one-year renewal periods available depending on funding availability. These funds are from the Colorado Performance Assurance Plan (CPAP) special award from the Public Utilities Commission.
In addition to online outreach, the fund intends to support the development of demonstration centers in rural areas, staffing support, and expansion of outreach efforts.
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Wednesday, March 5, 2024
4-6PM
Online Zoom registration is required
Agenda
ASL/English interpretation and CART will be provided as well as automatic Zoom closed captioning. To request any other accommodations, contact scheduling.ccdhhdb@state.co.us.
Deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind individuals, members of the public, professionals working with the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind communities, and any other interested stakeholders are more than welcome to attend.
Contact email: office.ccdhhdb@state.co.us
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Image Description: Multiple smiling African American individuals of all ages featured on the left in a 6 photo grid. Text on the right includes the Center for African American Health logo, and Save the Date! The 24th Annual Collaborative Health Expo, March 29, 2025 9AM - 2PM. | |
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Thursday, April 10, 2024
3:30-5:30PM
Online Zoom registration is required for each meeting
ASL/English interpretation and CART will be provided as well as automatic Zoom closed captioning. If any other accommodations are needed, contact scheduling.ccdhhdb@state.co.us
The Zoom meeting link will open before the meeting at 3:30PM for technology set up. This allows for everyone to get comfortable and test their technology so that the meeting can start on time, at 4PM.
The DeafBlind Advisory Council (DBAC) holds meetings every other month on the second Thursday. Everyone is welcome to attend whether they are deafblind themselves, a family member, a professional working with deafblind individuals, or a stakeholder of the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind communities.
Contact email: dbac.ccdhhdb@state.co.us
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SUBSCRIBE
This is The Navigator newsletter, a monthly report of news and updates from the Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind. You can subscribe to related topics and other newsletters using our sign-up form. Contact us via email at
outreach.ccdhhdb@state.co.us
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