Berkshire DHILS - Viability

04/23/2026

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📣 Register Now — Understanding Social Security Benefits for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Community!
Are you receiving Social Security benefits and unsure how they work? Or wondering how employment might affect your SSDI?
Join us for a two-part live Zoom webinar with Melinni Taylor, Deaf Benefits Specialist!
📅 Session 1 — Friday, May 22, 2026
🕔 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Pacific Time
📋 Social Security Benefits: Overview & Guide
📅 Session 2 — Saturday, May 23, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Pacific Time
📋 Working While on SSDI: Protecting Your Benefits
✅ Fully in ASL
✅ Deaf-Led
✅ Zoom Webinar
✅ Not recorded — attend live!
💰 Registration:
🔹 Session 1 only — $49
🔹 Session 2 only — $69
⭐ Bundle (Both Sessions) — $99 Best Value
👉 Register here: https://blc.ticketbud.com/understanding-social-security-benefits

04/21/2026

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Recruiting Massachusetts Deaf Community Members with Lived Mental Health Experience!
WHO CAN JOIN? 
(All Are Required)
-Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, or Hard of Hearing 
-18 years or older 
-Lived mental health experience
-Need for MA mental health crisis services in past 5 years 
WHAT TO EXPECT 
-Interview on Zoom
-60-90 minutes long
-$100 Amazon gift card 
-Opportunity to share your experiences and stories!
INTERESTED?
Email felicia.mcginnia@umassmed.edu

Visual description in the comments.

04/16/2026

Viability staff, Renee Coutts and Anthony Russo, attended the transition fair at Willie Ross School for the Deaf, where they hosted a table and shared information about our Deaf and Hard of Hearing services and available resources.

They enjoyed connecting with students and having the opportunity to talk about how our program can provide support.

Thank you to Willie Ross School for the Deaf for having us and allowing us to collaborate!

04/14/2026

04/14/2026

The Hard of Hearing/Late-Deafened Committee invites you to join us for a workshop on how to read your audiogram with presenter Dr. Nancy Duncan. This workshop will be available both in person and on Zoom.

We hope to see you there!

Image Description:
Flyer with a dark green background, top left, large bold white text: How to Read Your Audiogram, top right corner, white DEAF, Inc. logo. Below, a circular image of an audiogram on a white background next to white text: Ever wondered what the symbols on your hearing test mean? Bring your audiogram, and get ready to learn with us from Dr. Nancy Duncan! In the center of the flier, medium white text: Hosted by the Hard of Hearing/Late-Deafened Committee. Along the left side, medium white text: Friday, April 17, 2026, DEAF, Inc., 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601, Zoom ID: 869 0940 5259, Password: audiogram. Along the right side, a circular picture of a white woman with curly brown hair and a blue scrub top. Below the picture, white text: Nancy Duncan, Au.D. Bottom right corner, light green background with navy blue text: ASL and CART requested, Questions or accommodations request? Please contact the front desk. Along the bottom, a black email icon next to navy blue text: hello@deafincma.org, a black and white phone icon next to navy blue text: 617-505-4823.

04/14/2026

We can assure you this is not an April Fools joke! (Seriously, this is not a joke.) 😁 This is the complete calendar for April's Mobile Food Bank schedule throughout all four counties of Western Massachusetts. You can also see the full list of each Mobile Food Bank's location and date on our website https://www.foodbankwma.org/get-help/mobile-food-bank/ - We also encourage everyone to share this post because it may help someone you know, thank you! 💚

Remember: everyone is welcome to visit a Mobile Food Bank and get free groceries regardless of other services you might receive. We have an automated phone line to check if a Mobile Food Bank or Brown Bag is canceled due to weather, the number is: (413)-419-0079.

04/14/2026

Check out this webnair being hosted by the Museum of Deaf Arts and Culture! Don’t miss it. Join us for a live webinar ‘Panelist HANDTALK’

​When: Wednesday, April 29th
Time: 6:00pm Central
Cost: FREE

HandTalk: Honoring a Native American Legacy

Join us for a live one-hour webinar moderated by Dr. Melanie McKay-Cody which features four panelists discussing the history, cultural richness, and significance of Plains Indian Sign Language and beyond.

About the Moderator: Dr. Melanie McKay-Cody is a Cherokee Deaf scholar, assistant professor at the University of Arizona, and leading authority on HandTalk and North American Indian Sign Languages, dedicated to preserving the heritage of Native Deaf communities.

Panelists: James Wooden Legs, Patrick Shije, Rachel Kills Small, and Andy Shije.

To register to get webinar link: https://www.museumofdeaf.org/cultural-series