September is Deaf Awareness Month
September is Deaf Awareness Month!
Deaf Awareness Month offers visibility and awareness of Deaf hardships in our society, communication needs, Deaf culture, and community. This month also gives a perspective on the positives of deafness as well as encourages social inclusion.
15% of the United States population are considered deaf or hard of hearing.
What is the difference between Deaf, deaf, Hard of Hearing?
Capital D- Deaf refers to a group of deaf people who share a language, culture, values, and traditions. These individuals identify themselves as part of the Deaf culture. Lowercase d- deaf refers to the absence of or diminished hearing. These individuals may or may not identify themselves as part of the Deaf culture. Hard of Hearing (HH) refers to those who have mild to moderate hearing loss.
My experience
Growing up in a Deaf family, I learned American Sign Language (ASL) as my first language. I had a unique perspective into the Deaf culture as a hearing person in a Deaf family. I felt stuck between both worlds, hearing and Deaf, when I was younger. I saw firsthand the hardships my parents experienced, but I also got to experience life to the fullest with people who never saw themselves as less than or unable. I am passionate about bridging the gap between Mental Health services and the D/d/HH community. I want to educate other Mental Health professionals on how we can be better advocates and allies for those who are D/d/HH. I currently am offering reduced rate counseling as well as a free counseling group called Deaf Mental Health Talks on Saturdays at 9AM.
Events during Deaf Awareness month
- Every Saturday in September at 9AM Deaf Mental Health Talks free counseling group at Grow Psychological, LLC led by Rebecca Bell Reserve your spot here
- 9/15 – Board Games & Coffee Deaf Community Social at Abundant Life in Lee’s Summit 7-9PM
- 9/16 – ASL Night at SERV Hosted by Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KCDHH) and The Whole Person 4-10PM contact mkeck@thewholeperson.org for questions
- 9/16 – ASL Chiefs Stadium Tour at Arrowhead $25 email tours@chiefs.com for tickets
9/16 – Deaf Awareness Day at Silver Dollar City hosted by Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing - 9/22 – Ice Cream Social Kick off Deaf Cultural Festival weekend with Rosa Lee Timms hosted by Museum of Deaf History Arts and Culture (MDHAC) 455 E. Park St. 6-7:30PM
- 9/23 – Kansas School for the Deaf Homecoming
- 9/24 – Deaf Cultural Festival at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Arts 10-4PM
- 9/26 – Deaf Peer Support Group hosted at The Whole Person at 3710 Main St. KCMO
- 9/28 Allies in Deafhood virtual webinar with DeAnna Swope www.deafhood.org/events
- 9/30 First Annual ASL for ALL! 5K Run and Walk 7-11AM register at www.museumofdeaf.org/annual5k
- 10/21 – ASL Night at Sporting KC 7:30PM section #112 www.tinyurl.com/ASLsporting
Interested in learning American Sign Language?
Free community ASL classes hosted by ONW ASL and Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KCDHH) Monday evenings 6-7 PM at 21300 College Blvd starting September 18th.
Contact marcy.barnesmaelzer@ks.gov
LOCAL Mental Health Resources for Deaf/deaf/Hard of Hearing
Rebecca Bell – Counseling Intern at Grow Psychological, LLC in Leawood, KS
- Child of Deaf Adults (CODA) and fluent in ASL reduced rate counseling offered for D/d/HH
- rbell@growandthrivekc.com
- www.growandthrivekc.com
Deaf Mental Health Talks counseling group –
- 9-10AM Saturdays through October
- FREE
- at Grow Psychological, LLC
- led by Rebecca Bell
- Reserve your spot here
Anna Carroll, Licensed Professional Counselor
- ASL
- private pay and sliding scale available
- https://carrollcarescounseling.clientsecure.me/
ReDiscover Mental Health, Brandy Haddock, Licensed Professional Counselor
- ASL
- Lee’s Summit, MO
- www.rediscovermh.org
OTHER Mental Health Resources for Deaf/deaf/Hard of Hearing
National Deaf Therapy https://nationaldeaftherapy.com
My Deaf Therapy https://www.mydeaftherapy.com
24-HOUR CRISIS HOTLINES
Deaf Crisis Line
DeafLEAD offers 24-hour crisis lines committed to providing a safe place for you to get the help that you need.
- Video Phone: 321-800-3323 Crisis Text Line Provides 24-hour confidential crisis counseling via text messaging.
- Text HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis support
988 SUICIDE AND CRISIS HOTLINE
- Chat online at www.988lifeline.org, or TTY users can dial 711 then 988
- Text 988