Are meals provided at the “Empowerment Symposium?”
No, meals are not provided at the “Empowerment Symposium.” However,
attendees are welcome to purchase tickets to attend the Saturday luncheon of
the Missouri Interpreters Conference.
Are MICS CEUs given to interpreters who attend the
“Empowerment Symposium?”
Yes, interpreters who attend the “Empowerment Symposium” are eligible to
receive MICS CEUs. Specific instructions regarding how one can get CEUs for
attending the “Empowerment Symposium” are normally included in the program
book for the Missouri Interpreters Conference. Detailed instructions can
also be obtained simply by contacting the MICS Coordinator at the MCDHH
office.
Are there any exhibit booths at the “Empowerment
Symposium?”
No, historically there have not been exhibit booths at the “Empowerment
Symposium.” However, MCDHH is trying to encourage this practice for future
symposia. For additional information concerning this matter, please contact
the Workshop/Training Specialist at the MCDHH office.
Do I have to register for the Missouri Interpreters
Conference in order to attend the “Empowerment Symposium?”
No, a person does not have to register for the Missouri Interpreters
Conference in order to attend the “Empowerment Symposium.”
How are topics and themes selected for the
“Empowerment Symposium?”
The topics and themes for the “Empowerment Symposium” are selected by
the MCDHH staff. Everyone is welcome to contact the Workshop/Training
Specialist at the MCDHH office at any time and suggest ideas for future
symposia topics.
How long does the “Empowerment Symposium” normally
last?
The length of the “Empowerment Symposium” has varied over the years, but
most recently it has been either 4 hours long (all afternoon) or 6 hours
long (all afternoon plus 2 hours in the late morning).
How much does it cost to attend the “Empowerment
Symposium?”
There is no charge to attend the “Empowerment Symposium.” It is free
for everyone! All expenses associated with the “Empowerment Symposium” are
covered by MCDHH.
What are some themes from “Empowerment Symposia” that
have been held in the past?
Some themes from past symposia include “Advocacy: Why and How,” ”ASL and
Missouri’s Future,” “Certification and Licensure of Missouri Interpreters.”
“Deaf Child’s Bill of Rights,” “Diversity and Hearing Loss,” “Emergency
Preparedness,” “Employment and People Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing,”
“Legal Rights of Deaf and Hard of Hearing People,” “Money Matters,” and
“Police and the Deaf Community.”
What is
the “Empowerment Symposium?”
The “Empowerment Symposium” is an annual program hosted by MCDHH to
provide a variety of information useful for the empowerment of persons with
hearing loss.
What is the history of the “Empowerment Symposium?”
In 1997, what was then the Missouri Commission for the Deaf (MCD) hosted
the first “Deaf Empowerment” program. It was held at Tan-Tar-A Resort and
featured presentations by Jerry Covell and Joel Mankowski concerning
certification and licensure of Missouri interpreters. The “Deaf
Empowerment” program has been held annually ever since. The name of MCD was
changed in 2002 with the passage of HB 1783 to the Missouri Commission for
the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH). In order to better reflect the
broader constituency of the Commission, the name of the “Deaf Empowerment”
program was also changed in 2002 to the “Empowerment Symposium.”
What is the purpose of the “Empowerment Symposium?”
The “Empowerment Symposium” has as its purpose the empowerment of deaf
and hard of hearing people. That objective is pursued by having guest
speakers present information concerning a variety of topics of possible use
to people with hearing loss.
When is the “Empowerment Symposium” normally held?
The “Empowerment Symposium” is normally held on a Saturday during the
fall.
Where is the “Empowerment Symposium” normally held?
The “Empowerment Symposium” is normally held in conjunction with the
Missouri Interpreters Conference.
Who can attend the “Empowerment Symposium?”
Anyone and everyone can attend the “Empowerment Symposium,” including
people who are deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing. Friends, family members,
interpreters, and anyone interested in learning more about meeting the
challenges presented to people with hearing loss are most welcome to attend.
Who do I contact if I have other questions about the
“Empowerment Symposium?”
If you have any questions concerning the “Empowerment Symposium” you
should contact the Workshop/Training Specialist at the MCDHH office.
Who has presented at the “Empowerment Symposium” in
the past?
Past symposia have included a wide variety of guest speakers from both
within and outside of Missouri. During the past few years speakers from
outside of Missouri have included:
●
Dr. Steve Boone, Director of Research at the University of Arkansas
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center for People Who Are Deaf and Hard
of Hearing (Little Rock, Arkansas)
● Patsy Bowman, Administrative Specialist for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
at the Governor’s Office for Individuals with Disabilities (Baltimore,
Maryland)
● Jeffrey Choate, School Improvement Facilitator at the Kansas School for
the Deaf (Olathe, Kansas)
● Mary Clark, Past President of the Association of Late-Deafened Adults
(Chicago, Illinois)
● Pamela Young-Holmes, Director of
Consumer and Regulatory Affairs at Ultratec, Inc. (Madison, Wisconsin)
● George Kosovich, Vocational Rehabilitation Program
Specialist in the Deafness and Communication Disorders Branch of the
Rehabilitation Services Administration in the U.S. Department of Education
(Washington, D.C.)
● Josh Mendelsohn, Supervisory Attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice
(Washington, D.C.)
● Sergeant Larry Parks, Law Enforcement Officer in
the Olathe Police Department (Olathe, Kansas)
● Howard A. Rosenblum, Founder of the Midwest Center for Law and the
Deaf (Chicago, Illinois)
● Dr. Bobbie Beth Scoggins, Executive Director of the Kentucky Commission on
the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Frankfort, Kentucky)
● Claude L. Stout, Executive Director of Telecommunications for the Deaf and
Hard of Hearing, Inc. (Silver Spring, Maryland)
● Dr. Douglas Watson, Director of the University of Arkansas
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center for People Who Are Deaf and Hard
of Hearing (Little Rock, Arkansas)
● Barbara Jean Wood, Executive Director of the Colorado
Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Denver, Colorado)
Who
sponsors the “Empowerment Symposium?”
The “Empowerment Symposium” is hosted by MCDHH. Organizations and
individuals who are interested in providing partial sponsorship for future
symposia should contact the Executive Director of MCDHH.
Why is the “Empowerment Symposium” normally held in
conjunction with the Missouri Interpreters Conference?
The “Empowerment Symposium” is normally held in conjunction with the
Missouri Interpreters Conference in order to enable interpreters to attend
symposia sessions if they so desire. Furthermore, this provides an
additional opportunity for deaf and hard of hearing people to socialize with
interpreters and further educate them concerning various aspects of Deaf
culture and hearing loss.
