June 23, 2005

Commission Members Present:

Doug Godfrey
Pierre Sevigny
Gary Vandevander
Melinda Siler
Molly Simonton
Emily Hopta
Pam Roush
J.D. Corbin
Nancy Haught (proxy for Division of Rehabilitation Services)

Commission Members Absent:

Dr. Charles Abraham
John Knisely
Jennifer Burgess
Annette Carey
Pat Moss
Dr. Michael Sullivan

Staff:

Deanna Stone, Executive Director
Roy Forman, Deputy Director
Kari Preslar, Secretary

Visitors:

Doug Evans
Paula Forman

Interpreters:

Teresa McGonigle
Dolly Ford

Agenda

I. Call to Order and Introductions

Doug Godfrey called the meeting to order at 1:04 p.m.

II. Approval of Minutes

The minutes from the February 10 meeting were reviewed. Molly Simonton asked for a change under number IV. The title of the Licensure Program for teachers is the “Deaf and Hard of Hearing Licensure Program,” not ASL. Gary Vandevander made the motion that the minutes be approved with the amendment. Molly Simonton seconded. Motion approved.

III. Executive Director’s Report

Deanna Stone received a request that the minutes be posted on the website immediately following each board meeting. The attorney for the Department of Health and Human Resources said that minutes should not be posted until after they have been approved by the governing board. The minutes will continue to be posted as soon as possible following the next board meeting.

Roy Forman will be attending the SHHH conference in Washington, DC on July 1-2, 2005.

Roy has also been approved as an EIPA Administrator. The details are still being worked out as to when and where the tests will be administered.

OLD BUSINESS

IV. Workshops

Deanna reviewed the workshops that the Commission has sponsored this spring. All were very positive.

No decisions have been made yet about fall workshops; however, Roy and Deanna have been working with Annette Carey and the Department of Special Education on a workshop for educators possibly in the spring.

V. WVRID

Roy reported that officers were elected at the last meeting in March in Clarksburg. They are waiting to see if the chapter will be approved at the RID Conference.

VI. Deaf Tech Fair

Deanna reported that the Deaf Tech Fair held on May 21, 2005 in Charleston was a huge success. Doug Godfrey added that over 200 people attended. He thanked Molly Simonton and Melinda Siler for organizing the children’s activities so that the parents could wander without worrying about their children. Roy shared a video that the Channel 3 TV news broadcast that night. Emily Hopta reported that Secretary Walker is very pleased with the work of the staff and the Commission board members, especially with the success of the Deaf Tech Fair.

VII. Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Government (DHHIG) Conference

Deanna taught a workshop at this conference and she reported that it went well. She appreciated the opportunity to meet with people to find out what issues others are dealing with around the country. Doug Godfrey reported that two of his co-workers attended Deanna’s workshop and were impressed.

VIII. Captioning Movies

Deanna reported that she and Roy have been meeting with the Human Rights Commission and movie theater owners regarding offering open captioned movies around the state. There are now four areas in the state where captioned movies will be shown on a regular basis. The list is on the WVCDHH website.

IX. Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Conference Roy will be attending the RID Conference in San Antonio on July 9-15, 2005.

NEW BUSINESS

X. Sorenson VRS

Pierre Sevigny reported that almost 100 homes now have the Sorenson VRS service in the state. Roy reported that the Commission office VRS is now working properly.

XI. West Virginia State Fair

The Commission will staff the booth on August 20, 2005. Emily Hopta said that DHHR will try to advertise when the Commission will be there to encourage deaf and hard of hearing to attend that day. Board members are welcome and invited to help staff the booth.

XII. West Virginia Association of the Deaf (WVAD) Biennial Conference – Aug. 5-6

Deanna shared a request from WVAD for funding. Emily Hopta made a motion that the board give approval to Deanna to review the proposal from WVAD and work with State Purchasing in order to sponsor an activity at the conference for a maximum of $999. Gary Vandevander seconded. Motion approved.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Doug Evans spoke about WVAD and the conference. There are 93 confirmed participants but he is expecting more people to attend.

Doug Evans reported that he is the Vice President for the WVRID chapter and Dolly Ford is the President. The officers will meet on Monday, June 20. He said that a logo has been created and would be presented to the officers.

Pierre Sevigny made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Emily Hopta seconded. The motion was approved. The meeting adjourned at 2:37 p.m.