Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

05/06/2026

Happy National Interpreter Appreciation Day!

We want to say thank you to our interpreters! Your dedication, skill, and commitment to access for the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities is appreciated.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services is truly grateful to work with incredible interpreters. Your expertise, professionalism, and passion are essential to the work of our agency.

On behalf of our staff and board, thank you for all that you do!

04/24/2026

The MDCR Division on Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing will have their Advisory Council Meeting tomorrow, April 24, 2026, in Kalamazoo. Please see their original posting here for all the details and an updated Zoom link.

🚨Updated Zoom Information 🚨

Due to technical difficulties, the Zoom link for the Advisory Council meeting on April 24 has been updated.

You can find new link, meeting agenda, last meeting's minutes, and more at: https://www.michigan.gov/mdcr/divisions/doddbhh/advisory-council

04/23/2026

We’re Recruiting Board Members!

Are you passionate about equity, access, and inclusion for our Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities? Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services is seeking dedicated individuals to join our Board of Directors.

We’re especially interested in candidates with lived experience, professional expertise, and a strong commitment to accessibility, advocacy, and community partnership. Board members help guide our mission, strengthen our impact, and ensure the community is centered in our work.

If you’re ready to make a meaningful difference and help shape a more accessible future, apply to join our board!
Visit https://deafhhs.org/board-of-directors/ for more information.

[image description]
Flyer has in the upper left a photo of many hands overlapping in a show of "go team" spirit. In the upper right corner is the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services multi-colored logo. Directly under that in a large blue box with bold white letters it reads: Become a D&HHS BOARD MEMBER!
Text for the remainder of the flyer says:
At Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services, we are always in search of good people who can contribute to our organization through service on our board. This is especially true for potential Board members who can represent the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities.
Board Duties:
Attend regular board meetings
Participate in Board Committees
Supervise and support the Executive Director
Build relationships with donors and supporters
Ensure the organization is working to carry out the mission in empowering Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities.
Interested in Joining?
Contact our board for more information!
charis533@gmail.com
www.deafhhs.org
160 68th St. SW Suite 140
Grand Rapids, MI 49548

04/09/2026

In this news story by WOOD TV8, we learned that one of the lead roles will be played by a Deaf actor using ASL in their performance! “Bye Bye Birdie” runs April 10-11 and April 17-18 at the Gezon Auditorium on Calvin’s campus. Two shows will feature full ASL interpretation: April 11 at 7:30 p.m. and April 18 at 2 p.m.

For the full story, click the link in the original post below!

Audience members at Calvin University’s production of “Bye Bye Birdie” will see two actresses playing the lead role: https://www.woodtv.com/westmichiganguide/asl-actress-to-share-lead-role-in-calvins-bye-bye-birdie/

04/09/2026

Save the date for Kids Kamp 2026!

Mark your calendars for Monday, August 3 - Friday, August 7 from 9 AM - 12 PM each day! Join us for a week of fun adventures in the Grand Rapids area.

Registration will open soon, so watch for more information in the coming weeks! Scholarships will be available. Questions about Kids Kamp can be sent to Erica Chapin at echapin@deafhhs.org

Volunteers are needed all week long! If you are interested in volunteering for Kids Kamp, contact Alex Bono at abono@deafhhs.org

Make a donation to support Kids Kamp and provide scholarships for those who need them! Follow the link here to donate to our Youth Program now!
https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/APPIQGsedTvFI55n3OsG4w?mc_cid=127833a769&mc_eid=UNIQID

04/09/2026

Join us next Saturday, April 18, 2026, for a thrilling Visual Vernacular and light show with New Sebi'Art during our 14th annual Silent Weekend event!

Tickets for the show are only available until April 16, and you must reserve your tickets in advance, so don't miss out! This performance will be in American Sign Language, ASL, with no ASL to English (voice) interpreters. Reservations for dinner are closed, but there are plenty of tickets left for the performance! See you there!

Questions? Email event coordinator, Jen Kolhoff at JKolhoff@deafhhs.org.

[image description]
The flyer uses a white background with blue and orange accents. Top left is the blue, orange, violet, and green D&HHS logo. Top center is the multi-colored Sebi' Art logo. Top right is the logo for Silent Weekend, an illustration of yellow flames and the words Hands on Fire, Silent Weekend 2026.
Flyer reads:
Sebi'Art
VISUAL VERNACULAR & LIGHT SHOW
April 18, 2026
YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin - 1095 N Briggs Rd, Middleville, MI 49333
JOIN US FOR THE SHOW!
$15
Includes one ticket to the VV & Light Show! Select "Entertainment Only Saturday Night" ticket for Silent Weekend registration. Show starts @ 8pm
Show in ASL! No spoken English. Must be 18+ to attend
Tickets available on Eventbrite under Silent Weekend 2026
Attendees must register by April 16, 2026
deafhhs.eventbrite.com

04/08/2026

The MDCR Division on Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing, DODDBHH, Advisory Council will meet April 24, 2026 in Kalamazoo, MI. If you can't make it to the meeting, you can join on Zoom at https://ow.ly/h0Cg50YFKLr

Want to spread the word? Download the flyer at https://ow.ly/cPoU50YFKLq

Want to keep up with the DODDBHH Advisory Council but can't make it to the April 24th meeting? Join us on Zoom at https://ow.ly/h0Cg50YFKLr

Want to spread the word? Download the flyer at https://ow.ly/cPoU50YFKLq

04/07/2026

Reminder that the Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Board of Interpreters for the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing, will hold a public meeting in person on Monday April 13, 2026. See public notice here for details.

Public Notice: The Michigan Board of Interpreters for the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing has an upcoming in-person meeting. Here's what you need to know:

📅 Monday, April 13, 2026 at 11 a.m.
📍 Horatio S. Earle Learning Center (7575 Crowner Dr., Dimondale, MI, 48821)
➡️ RSVPs are not required

Members of the public may also join via Webex at: https://go.mi.gov/bumtz2270ils

Public Notice: The Michigan Board of Interpreters for the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing has an upcoming in-person meeting. Here's what you need to know:

📅 Monday, April 13, 2026 at 11 a.m.
📍 Horatio S. Earle Learning Center (7575 Crowner Dr., Dimondale, MI, 48821)
➡️ RSVPs are not required

Members of the public may also join via Webex at: https://go.mi.gov/bumtz2270

04/04/2026

CBS Evening News shares this story of a school’s commitment to making all their students feel valued. Click below to see the whole story. Captions are available on this video.

04/02/2026

The Whitehouse ASL channel on YouTube will have ASL interpretation tonight, April 1, 2026 during the President’s address to the nation about Iran.

https://www.youtube.com/live/C8atRB5Xpx0?si=ehqiSN3oMekW39Q5

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services is sharing this post to share information about accessibility and does not endorse or support any one political party. No comments that endorse discriminatory or harmful speech will be accepted and will be deleted immediately.

The White House