Deaf YES: Center for Deaf Empowerment and Recovery

01/27/2026

Sharing courtesy of DeafHealth

01/23/2026

👀 Wondering if you’re eligible for our Signs of Safety Research Study?

For today's FAQ FRIDAY, we’re answering: Who can join the Signs of Safety Research Study?

Watch to learn the requirements and tap the link to see if you qualify.

Link: bit.ly/SignsOfSafety
OR
Email: signsofsafety@umassmed.edu

Video description and transcript in comments!

01/22/2026

EXCITING NEWS! DeafYES will be adding a new research study opportunity for deaf individuals in Massachusetts that focuses on drinking habits. Stay tuned for more details!

Video description: the cover of the reel is an image with DeafYES's logo, a faded out blue cloudy background with bold black text 'New Research Opportunity Coming Soon For Massachusetts residents who are Deaf. The state of Massachusetts in blue is underneath. The video then spirals to Alex, co-founder of DeafYES, signing details about the study.

Transcript in comments.

01/16/2026

FAQ FRIDAYS!

Got questions? We’ve got answers. ✅

This week's question: What is informed consent?

📋Every research study starts with informed consent which means clear information, real choices, and the right to refuse at any time.

VD: a reel with a cover photo that is light blue. Text that says 'what is informed consent?' Underneath, there's text that says 'No surprises. No pressure. Your choice!' DeafYES logo at the bottom. It then turns into a video of Tam, silver hair in a pony tail, wearing a black sweater standing in front of a black background. Tam signs information about informed consent

TRANSCRIPT: What is informed consent?
*video spins out to show the answer*

Informed consent is a person’s voluntary agreement to a service, treatment, or action after being fully informed of the risks, benefits, alternatives, and their right to refuse.

*closing transition with fade out*

01/15/2026

Feeling stressed, anxious, or generally “off” this new year? You’re not alone. These can be signs of trauma showing up in your body and mind.

Common symptoms of trauma-related stress:
-Hands shaking / heart racing
-Hyper-alert or on guard
-Trouble sleeping / nightmares
-Flashbacks or intrusive memories
-Emotional numbness / detachment
-Irritability, anger, or frustration

Some trauma survivors cope with these symptoms by drinking, but there are healthier ways! Help is available.

The DeafYES! Center for Deaf Empowerment & Recovery is conducting a study to find better ways to support Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing individuals managing trauma-related stress and alcohol use.

Possible benefits may include :
12 virtual counseling sessions with a Deaf therapist at no cost
Learning skills to manage trauma & addiction
Earning up to $500 for completing 5 online surveys (in ASL!)

Interested? Want to learn more? Go to https://bit.ly/SignsOfSafety



[Video description: The video opens with a 3×3 grid of nine black-and-white video frames featuring different people. Each frame unfreezes one at a time as the person signs. When they finish signing, their frame freezes again and the next video begins, following a left-to-right, top-to-bottom order.

Top left: Carmelita, a woman wearing clear glasses with brown hair styled in low buns. She is dressed in a pastel-striped sweater and tan-colored bottoms. She sits against a plain gray background with a ceiling fan visible overhead.

Top middle: Gabby, a chubby blonde woman with her hair in a half ponytail. She is wearing a blue top and seated on a green couch, with plants visible in the background.

Top right: Naima, a light-skinned woman with her hair up. She is wearing a pink top, gray pants, and a metal feather–style earring. She is seated on a pink chair.

Middle left: Allysa, a woman with blonde, wavy hair seated in front of bookshelves. She is wearing a dark green and black plaid button-up shirt.

Middle center: Tamara, a white woman standing against a solid black background. She faces the camera with a gentle smile, her hair pulled back, and wears large black-framed glasses. She is dressed in a dark burgundy long-sleeved top with a soft cowl neckline. One hand is raised near her chest, showing a ring and a small tattoo on the side of her hand.

Middle right: Kayla, a dark-haired woman with bangs and glasses, wearing a black “DEAFYES” hoodie.

Bottom left: Felicia, a white woman with light brown hair pulled into a low bun. She is wearing a long gray turtleneck top and pearl earrings.

Bottom middle: Bee, a white q***r person with brown curly hair pulled back, wearing a black-and-gray ringer sweatshirt with yellow trim. They are wearing a pair of blue/brown-framed glasses.

Bottom right: Melissa, a middle-aged white woman with brown hair in a bun. She is wearing a gray turtleneck sweater and light blue jeans, seated at a dark wooden table in her home. In the background are a decorative rug and a plant on the right, and a vintage flour canister and snowman mugs on the left.

After the grid sequence, Bee continues signing for the remainder of the video.

[The screen fades to show the Signs of Safety study flyer. And a thumbnail of a faded white background of a doctor holding hands with another individual] Deaf. Healthy. DeafHealth. Learn more at www.deafhealthaccess.org.]

Transcript is available in the comments section.]

01/13/2026

Happy New Year!
ARE YOU DEAF & SOBER CURIOUS? WE ARE STILL RECRUITING!

WHO CAN JOIN THIS STUDY?
- Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled or Hard of Hearing
- Fluent in ASL
- 18 years and older
- Alcohol use in the past month
- Trauma-related stress in the past month

POSSIBLE BENEFITS MAY INCLUDE:
- 12 virtual counseling sessions at no cost
- Learning skills to manage trauma and addiction
- Earning up to $500 for completing 5 online surveys throughout the course of the study

INTERESTED? Click on the link: https://bit.ly/SignsOfSafety

If you have other questions, feel free to contact signsofsafety@umassmed.edu!

[A flyer for a study titled "DEAF & SOBER CURIOUS?". The flyer is in a light wintry blue with snowflakes in the background. The text is predominantly dark navy blue and highlights eligibility requirements, potential benefits, and screening survey link.
The "WHO CAN JOIN?" section lists criteria including: being Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, or Hard of Hearing; able to communicate in American Sign Language (ASL); having experienced alcohol use and/or trauma-related stress in the past month; living in the United States; and being 18 years or older.
The "POSSIBLE BENEFITS" section lists 12 virtual counseling sessions at no cost and learning skills to cope with trauma and addiction. There is also a monetary incentive: up to $500 for completing five online surveys throughout the study.
Link information is provided: https://bit.ly/SignsOfSafety and a study identification number. A QR code is displayed above the "in ASL" text which provides another way to learn more about the study in ASL.
There is also a logo with text "DEAF YES" next to the email address, and university affiliations and IRB numbers are listed at the bottom.]

01/09/2026

Got questions? We’ve got answers.
Starting this week, we’ll be sharing one FAQ at a time about our Signs of Safety Research Study because you deserve clear, honest information.

This week's question: Does joining this study mean I have to stop drinking?

[Visual description and transcript in the comments]

12/30/2025

We’re heading into 2026! Are you Deaf/Hard of Hearing/DeafBlind/DeafDisabled and use ASL? Are you 18 or older, have a history of trauma, and want to reduce or moderate your drinking?
You may be eligible for an exciting research study focused on support and change!
📧 Interested or want to learn more? Email signsofsafety@umassmed.edu

DEAF & SOBER CURIOUS?

This study may be for you!

WHO CAN JOIN?
- Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled or Hard of Hearing
- Fluent in ASL
- 18 years and older
- Alcohol use in the past month
- Trauma-related stress in the past month

POSSIBLE BENEFITS MAY INCLUDE:
- 12 virtual counseling sessions at no cost
- Learning skills to manage trauma and addiction
- Earning up to $500 for completing 5 online surveys throughout the course of the study

INTERESTED? Contact signsofsafety@umassmed.edu





Visual Description:
[A flyer for a study titled "DEAF & SOBER CURIOUS?". The flyer is black with white text. The flyer highlights eligibility requirements, potential benefits, and contact information.

The "WHO CAN JOIN?" section lists criteria including: being Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, or Hard of Hearing; able to communicate in American Sign Language (ASL); having experienced alcohol use and trauma-related stress in the past month; living in the United States; and being 18 years or older.

The "POSSIBLE BENEFITS" section lists 12 virtual counseling sessions at no cost and learning skills to cope with trauma and addiction. There is also a monetary incentive: up to $500 for completing five online surveys throughout the study.

A QR code is displayed next to the "in ASL" text which provides another way to learn more about the study in ASL. Contact information is provided, including an email address (SignsOfSafety@umassmed.edu). There are two logos - "DEAF YES" and "Gallaudet University" below the email address, and the university affiliations and IRB numbers are listed at the bottom.]

12/22/2025

DeafYES 2025 YEARBOOK!

From the bottom of our hearts, DeafYES Co-Directors Melissa Anderson and Alexander Wilkins would like to take a moment this holiday season to thank our team members for all of the hard work, thoughtfulness, and care invested in our projects this year. We couldn't do it without you and we are better because of you!!!

Signs of Safety team members = Gabby Humlicek, Naima Johnson, Rhys McGovern, Felicia McGinnis, Kayla Meza, Tam Schmidt, and intern Carmelita Rose.

Deaf MET team members = Aileen Aldalur Urmc, Jessica Carter, Mikah Covelli, Makoto Ikegami, Erika Lohmiller, and Kendra Timko-Hochkeppel.

Statewide Needs Assessment team members = Lionel Frechette, Laura Peters, Felicia McGinnis (again!), and intern Hannah Ahearn.

We love you all and are so grateful to be working by your side!

💜💜💜

Image Description:
[Image with dark teal background that reads, "DeafYES! 2025 YEARBOOK." 16 headshots are shown; underneath each headshot is the individual's name and their 2025 yearbook superlative. From top to bottom, left to right:

Melissa Anderson: Most likely to laugh at their own jokes.
Alex Wilkins: Most likely to roll eyes at Melissa's jokes.
Aileen Aldalur: Most likely to be a pickleball champion.
Jess Carter: Most likely to win the "gun show," with icons of big bicep muscles.
Mikah Covelli: Most likely to make a spreadsheet for fun.
Lionel Frechette: Most likely to lead a protest.
Gabby Humlicek: Most likely to brighten your day.
Makoto Ikegami: Most likely to become a detective.
Naima Johnson: Most likely to be Instagram famous.
Erika Lohmiller: Most likely to be in Australia.
Rhys McGovern: Most likely to save the planet.
Felicia McGinnis: Most likely to dance in a Beyonce music video.
Kayla Meza: Most likely to become a travel blogger.
Laura Peters: Most likely to become a motivational speaker.
Kendra Timko-Hochkeppel: Most likely to be camping.
Tam Schmidt: Most likely to open their own yoga studio.]

12/19/2025

MY WHY- FELICIA 💛
📚"If done well, I believe research offers the best guidance for achieving long-lasting, effective change.”

🥰"This is why I feel fortunate to be part of a team that not only prioritizes good science, but also deep community engagement.”

Transcript and video description in the comments.

12/18/2025

Holidays can trigger a lot of feelings – nervousness, sadness, frustration, hurt, or even anger – especially when you’re surrounded by non-signing, hearing family at the dinner table and feel deeply isolated.

How do you cope? Some people may turn to alcohol, but there are healthier ways to manage stress.

Developed by the community for the community, Deaf YES: Center for Deaf Empowerment and Recovery is conducting a study to support Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing individuals experiencing trauma-related stress and alcohol use.

Want to possibly learn healthy ways to cope this holiday season? Contact signsofsafety@umassmed.edu for more info.

[VD: The post features a video thumbnail with a blue overlay. Centered on the image is a rose-colored text bubble with white lettering that reads “Holiday Isolation.” In the video, Bee, a white q***r person with long, curly hair, is wearing a dark gray denim top and blue–light brown framed glasses.

Transcript is available in the comments section.]