DEAF SERVICES COMMISSION OF IOWA

Commission Meeting

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Altoona Public Library

Altoona, Iowa

10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The DSCI Commission Meeting was called to order by Chairperson Theresa Legg at 10:09 a.m., Saturday, May 8, 2009, Altoona Public Library, Altoona, IA

Members present: Theresa Legg, Dr. James Grover, Gus Cordero, Jan Fletcher

Members absent: Dr. Muhammad Chowdhry, Tammy Westhoff-Gentry and Preston Daniels

Staff members present: Kathryn Baumann-Reese, Suzy Mannella, and Linda Scott

Staff absent: Barbara Jones, Stephanie Lyons

Interpreters: Peggy Chicoine, Kim Kischer-Larson and Renee Partlow

Commissioners, staff and interpreters were introduced, visitors recognized and ground rules for the meeting presented.

Approval of Minutes from the May 8, 2009 and June 19, 2009 Meetings :

There being no changes to the minutes for either meeting, minutes stand approved as presented.

Commissioner/Committee Reports:

Legg:

- worked at JCP Camp and acted as head cook

- took the Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) test in Omaha but did not pass; expects to attend more workshops, have some mentoring and learn more sign vocabulary

- went to the CSD community baseball game and the ADA celebration at the Kernels with CL clients

- attended the Iowa Association for the Deaf (IAD) Conference in Marshalltown last week. Made a motion at the Conference in support of holding CDI workshops and IAD approved a contribution of up to $1,500

- at the Conference, IAD presented a Certificate of Appreciation to DSCI in recognition of its administrator, who has provided a variety of workshops, donations and assistance with the JCP and activities for the deaf community

- talked about recent complaints from the IA City/Coralville area deaf community on interpreting service for court situations

- has been approached about a possible workshop on educating the community about fraud, especially fraud occurring on the computer

- received a suggestion that there be a Big Brothers/Big Sisters program for the deaf because young children need to have some positive input from an older person

Cordero:

- client stream at Vocational Rehab (VR) in Des Moines has been steady. They’ve started to serve clients quicker, with no waiting list. Right now, there are not a lot of job vacancies in this area

- looking at the possibility of financing deaf to attend colleges such as Gallaudet, NTID, etc. If VR and RCDHH could give the institutions students, they might be able to go tuition free. With local colleges it might be possible to pay half the tuition

Grover:

- talked about stimulus dollars funneling in to VR. The money is being used by their offices in many different ways, but they are to develop new programs for quick employment. Those who ready to work now, rather than people needing long-term training or college classes before they can be hired

Every VR office in Iowa has some liberty on how they use the money. Sioux City is focusing their efforts on people who need hearing aids, especially those who are already employed. There are 14 area supervisors and they each have to write a stimulus plan and who they are going to target by population. Some offices have not yet set out their plans.

Fletcher:

- continues to forward information on scam e-mails and fraud e-mails to proper authorities

- talked about the importance of using qualified interpreting services and to encourage people to file a complaint when they have incompetent interpreting services

Staff Reports:

Baumann-Reese:

- again, talked about possible reorganization of the department. It’s being worked on, but no recommendations right now. Once they’re in place, they’ll be sent out to the Commissioners for feedback.

- on Friday, August 14, Administrator was called into a meeting and the Governor’s office has asked that DSCI and Persons with Disabilities (PWD) work with their office during the month of October to establish a state-wide job shadowing program. The month of October was chosen because it’s Deaf Awareness Month and also National Employment of People with Disabilities Week. This shadowing program would include students of high school and college age who are deaf, hard of hearing or those with other disabilities to have the opportunity to go into a large company and job shadow the President; the CEO, etc. They even want to job shadow the Governor and/or Lt. Governor. Specifics have not been finalized, but something must be planned by October 1. She’s been asked to work with VR, the Area Education Associations (AEAs), etc. and her student contacts are limited so she asked the Commissioners to share this information. She asked for ideas, for the names of companies who might seem motivated and willing to allow a student to come in and job shadow for a day. The goal is to establish 2,000 students to job shadow

Grover asked that when more information is received, that it be forwarded to the Commissioners. VR has 14,500 clients in the system and of that, 25% are high school kids. VR may have enough to do it all over the state.

- discussed the new Waterloo 911 program. It’s a wonderful service with limitations. There is just one company working with this system at this point – iWireless and only in Black Hawk County right now. Still urging people to use the telephone to call 911, to keep a hard line telephone installed in their home with TTY capability for faster response. They’re hoping to improve the system by November

Mannella:

- talked about the new DSCI website. Design and input still in initial stages – but should have something up and running Winter 2009 or Spring 2010

- Conference to be held on September 10 on Emergency Preparedness at the Hilton Garden Inn, Johnston, IA. Flyer has been sent out by e-mail. There will be a panel discussion with deaf and hard of hearing individuals sharing their experiences during emergency situations

- a Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN) Training will be held in Ames on September 23 from 8:00-4:30. This is a workshop on communication access, developing a plan and how to make 911 system more accessible during a disaster. This will be the only opportunity here in Central Iowa to take this training. Interpreters and captioners will be provided

- is looking at funding sources for next year’s JCP Camp. Looking at several different grants that might be available, but they don’t support a week-long camp. Meeting next week to look at adding educational opportunities along with work. They want to touch upon employment issues, transition issues and educating the youth about different things other than just leadership

Went on to discuss the differences between the September 10^th Conference and the CEPIN Training on September 23^rd.

Public Comment:

Don Miksell:

- introduced himself as the new President of IAD. Next Board Meeting will be held on October 31 in Council Bluffs. Time and location to be announced. Board will meet four (4) times per year – October 31, 2009, February 13, May 15, August 14 and November 13, 2010. Looking forward to working with DSCI

- reminder that the Deaf Awareness Walk-A-Thon will be held on September 26^th from 9:00-2:00 – Nollen Plaza, downtown Des Moines. Information on IAD and DSCI websites

Old Business:

FY10 and FY11 Budget Requests --

Baumann-Reese talked about the FY10 Budget that started July 1^st and ends June 30, 2010 and the budget cuts that have happened both last budget year and anticipated this fiscal year. Some things have had to be cut – the Program Planner position, half of the secretarial position, JCP Camp, out-of-state travel money, funds for rental of rooms and equipment, booths and set up charges for conferences and workshops. No money for conferences, seminars or trainings. Because she feels that the Mental Health is one of our goals and she will try and find the funding for Mannella to attend the Mental Health Conference in Ames in October 6 and 7.

Discussion took place on the best and worst scenarios if budget cuts needed to be made as well as funding options and how DSCI could keep moving on

DHR Strategic Planning Update:

No report at this time.

Certified Deaf Interpreter Training:

Baumann-Reese clarified what CDI means: a deaf person who is trained to become an interpreter to work with a hearing interpreter as a team effort. Or, if they’re working with a person who is deaf-blind, then maybe they can see the deaf person sign and learn how to sign tactilely or somehow interpret for that deaf-blind person. Most states use the CDI for working with deaf-blind, working in mental health situations, working in the court’s legal system, working with a deaf person who is from another country, not skilled in ASL yet, or maybe working with a deaf person who really has minimal language skills.

There may be workshops set up to help those who want to take the test and pass for CDI licensure. Working with ISRID in setting up a workshop or a study group for those who might be interested to help and support them to prepare to take the test again. The first study group would probably not require any money, because there are people willing to volunteer their time to be a part of the group.

Talked further about CDIs and possible trainings for those wanting to become licensed and the cost of the testing and training.

Temporary Licensure of Sign Language Interpreters:

Discussed licensing of sign language interpreters from the 2005 to present. In the beginning, license was good for two (2) years. This would be a temporary license if one had not passed the test. Thus, in 2007, if they had not passed any test, the license expired. The Licensing Board thought that two (2) years was not sufficient time to allow one to become permanently licensed so the Licensing Board asked the Legislature to change the law and extend it to four (4) years to pass the test and become permanently licensed. With the change in law, then, those who wanted licensure had until 2009 to become permanently licensed or they lost their credentials. Interpreters were advised and warned that they had until this year to pass their test and obtain permanent licensure or their temporary license would expire. In April 2009, a small group complained to the Legislature and the Governor’s lawyer reviewed the licensure language and asked the Attorney General to review. In June, they came back that some interpreters could end up having their temporary licenses for six (6) years. This was an Administrative Law Judge’s decision and they have until 2011 to pass the test and become permanently certified. If they don’t pass by 2011, they lose their license.

After a meeting this week, DSCI, the Department of Education (DOE) and the AEAs, among others, will be working together on a plan where the AEAs would provide funding and DOE/DSCI would administer the plan as written. Marcia Gunderson, DOE, is responsible for the coordination of the plan and it’s in four (4) parts:

1) Interpreter Evaluation

2) Mentoring

3) Workshops

4) Socialization

Administrator touched upon each point.

Discussion took place on the number of licensed interpreters in the state, holding either a temporary or permanent license. 166 (41%) of those licensed interpreters have passed the test and are permanently licensed. The remaining 241 (59%) hold a temporary license. Last quarter we started out with 392 licensed interpreters, now there’s 407. The good news is that the percentage of interpreters who have passed the test has stayed the same. That means that the new interpreters who have applied for a license, generally haven’t passed the test yet. In 2005, we started with 25% that licensed by examination. Now that percentage has increased to 41%.

The Commission and public talked about the different testing systems, who could take the tests and procedures used to analyze and validate the tests. What’s important is to think about 2011 and what’s going to happen then. We need to start educating people now on why it’s important to pass that test and not just put it off.

New Business:

2009 JCP Program Recommendations –

Baumann-Reese summarized the priority recommendations.

Recommendation: That hotels have vibrating alarm clocks, flashing lights, different alarms. That they also have video phones available. If a hotel has Wifi capability at no charge, they provide a video phone for this service as well.

Recommendation: Handicap parking be made available for the deaf and hard of hearing. Oftentimes deaf or hard of hearing pedestrians can’t hear the motor of a vehicle so that they don’t have to walk through dangerous parking lots.

Recommendation: Any sports event should have some type of visual system, especially for students who play sports in mainstream schools. It’s important that the referee or umpire have a flashing light or something visual instead of blowing a whistle, or in addition to.

Recommendation: All public phones in the schools have a video phone. If they have a public phone in the schools readily available to the students, that they also have a video phone there as well.

There were others that are not being formally presented to the Commission.

Motion #10-01: Motion to approve the 2009 JCP Recommendations as presented. Fletcher/Grover

Discussion:

Grover appreciated the input from the Junior Commissioners. It allows them an opportunity to express themselves.

Fletcher concurred, whether the ideas were frivolous or brilliant they’re our Junior Commissioners and our future leaders. They are excited and motivated and we need to listen to them.

Approved: 4

Disapproved: 0

Abstained: 0

Motion passed.

Issues Committee Meetings:

With two (2) Commissioners absent, Administrator asked that this be tabled and placed on the agenda for the November meeting. Asked that the Commissioners work together and be ready to present in November.

Motion #10-02: Motion to table this portion of the agenda until the next meeting. Fletcher/Cordero

Approved: 4

Disapproved: 0

Abstained: 0

Motion passed.

Commission Meeting Calendar:

After discussion, the following dates were presented for Commission meetings through May 2010.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Friday, May 14, 2010

Motion #10-03: Motion that the Commission meet on November 14, 2009, Febraury 13, 2010 and May 14, 2010. Cordero/Fletcher

Approved: 4

Disapproved: 0

Abstained: 0

Motion passed.

Announcements:

Marlene Kautzky has IAD Directories available for purchase, if anyone is interested.

Jim Halischek: DMACC Deaf Culture will be having a Deaf Panel coming up on October 31, 2009, from 9-12. They’ve been holding this for the past three years and it’s free of charge. They are looking at the possibility of adding CEUs this year.

Gretchen Waech: As the new Editor of Sign Language News is asking that Commissioners write an article for the bi-monthly newsletter. She’s already asked Baumann-Reese to write an article about budget issues.

Legg: Cedar Rapids Association for the Deaf (CRAD) is hosting the Halloween party on October 7^th. Also, gave an update on the DTV captioning.

There being no further business, meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m.

___________________________________ __________________________________

Theresa Legg, Chair Linda A. Scott, Secretary