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Commission at the Supreme Court | Commission News
Mark your Calendar | Where We've Been
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Auxiliary Services at Colorado Supreme Court | |
Image Description: The Auxiliary Services team recently spent the day at the Colorado Supreme Court. The team has grown from two, to five members in just a few months. Left to right: Mandy Turner, Kevin Harrer, Ali Lombardi, Trish Leakey and Christine Pendley. |
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Justice Márquez with the Colorado Supreme Court swears in ASL interpreters and captioners | |
Image Description: Justice Márquez presides over the swearing-in for legally designated interpreters and captioners for the State of Colorado. |
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Sixteen court-qualified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters and realtime captioners were sworn in during a special ceremony at the Colorado Supreme Court on Feb. 24. Justice Monica M. Márquez presided over the ceremony, which will allow interpreters and captioners to provide services in future court proceedings without having to be sworn in each time.
Lead ASL/English interpreter Christine Pendley from the Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind’s Legal Auxiliary Services program explained the important role these service providers play in the system when she addressed the candidates during the swearing-in ceremony.
“Access to justice is essential to achieve the commission’s goal of a barrier free Colorado. Each of you makes this happen when you provide effective communication access. The Colorado Judicial Branch needs skilled interpreters and captioners such as yourselves to ensure that deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind residents have access to justice in our state. Judges, judicial staff, attorneys, managing court interpreters and others rely on the unique skills and expertise you possess to meet communication needs.”
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Image Description: Certified ASL Interpreters stand with their right hands raised, taking an oath to serve. | |
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The first group swearing-in ceremony for legal designation in Colorado was held in 2015, with Supreme Court Chief Justice Nancy Rice presiding. Colorado now has 41 court-qualified interpreters and nine court-qualified captioners.
The interpreters are certified to provide ASL/English interpretation, and the captioners are certified to provide Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services. Justice Márquez said, "Typically the only happy reason people come to a courtroom is to be married or finalize an adoption. In most other situations, people are scared or concerned. Having these newly sworn-in members of the court who can make sure the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind community can fully participate in court is so important."
In addition to its credentialing role, the Legal Auxiliary Services program provides qualified interpreters and captioners for all state court-related proceedings (including mediation and evaluations), jury duty, pretrial services and probation, and court-ordered treatment or classes. The program, which was established in 2006, makes all communication access arrangements for Colorado State Court proceedings, making it the only one of its kind in the United States.
Legal Auxiliary Services also makes lists of court-qualified providers available to law enforcement and prosecutors, who are required to utilize legal-credentialed providers for effective communication during arrests and questioning of victims and witnesses. The program provides communication access services for state-level administrative, commission, agency or licensing hearings. People who wish to observe state court proceedings are also covered when resources are available.
Interpreters and captioners must hold a Colorado Status I or II Court/Legal designation to work in state court proceedings. See definitions below for an explanation of these designations. The referral list of providers and other information about the program is available on the Legal Auxiliary Services program webpage.
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Image description - Interpreters and staff from left to right: Christine Pendley, Sandi Johnson, Marcie Murphy, Sharon Ploeger, Kali Janda, Mah-rya Proper, Christina Witczak, Chelsea Lee, Kevin Harrer, Justice Monica Márquez, Karen McCullah, Calene Carrano, Shannon Townsend, and Trish Leakey. | |
Image description - Captioners and staff from left to right: Christine Pendley, Matthew John Aufdemberge, Brandice Edwards, James Sandoval, Justice Monica Márquez, Alicia M. Berg, Amy Alvarez, and Trish Leakey. | |
Providers that were sworn in on February 24, 2023 | |
Commissioner Vacancy - Seeking Parents | |
The commission, known as an advisory board, of the Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind advises on policies that direct the State of Colorado to take a course of action to meet the Colorado Department of Human Services functions, mission and vision. The commission promotes the interests of the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind constituents and ensures access to both communication and environment. | |
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The commission is seeking independent, enthusiastic and committed candidates for the Governor appointed Parent of deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind child position. | |
The application deadline is 4 p.m. on March 31, 2023.
Commissioners receive no paid compensation for their service on the commission, but travel expenses are reimbursed in accordance with state travel regulations.
Commission duties include, but are not limited to:
- Completing Commissioner Pendley’s four-year term from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2024.
- Monitoring the functions and performance of the commission.
- Attending quarterly and special commission meetings.
- Preparing for commission meetings.
- Becoming familiar with the needs of your specific constituency.
- Serving on a committee of the commission.
- Representing the commission before the public, businesses and community.
For more information regarding the commission and services, please visit www.ccdhhdb.com or contact us at 720-457-3679 or office.ccdhhdb@state.co.us.
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FY 2023-24 Grant Application | |
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The Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind is now accepting applications for community grants for fiscal year 2023-24 (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024).
You can find the application (Form A and Form B), budget template, and application RFA guidelines on our Grant Program Page
Please read carefully before you complete your application.
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We are available to respond to your Questions until Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
The application deadline is 4 p.m. Friday, June 30, 2023.
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The RASAC Rulemaking Subcommittee Meetings
Wednesdays, March 15 & 29, and
April 5, 12, 19 & 26, 3-4:30 p.m.
The focus of these meetings is on the definition of rural, eligibility for the program, and other issues. These meetings are also held in Zoom and are also open to the public. Email ras.ccdhhdb@state.co.us if you are interested in meeting information.
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COEHDI Alliance Meeting
March17, 2023 from 10-11:30 a.m.
The COEHDI Alliance meets the third Friday of each month from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Meetings are open to the public and members of the public are invited to submit a public comment. Contact kcue@coehdi.org for Zoom link.
COEHDI Early Intervention Task Force
Tuesday, March 21, 2023 from 2-3 p.m.
This task force has been meeting monthly on the third Tuesday of each month. Meeting schedule is subject to change. Contact habraham@coehdi.org for the link.
Catch CCDHHDB at the Deafopia Denver Event!
Saturday, April 1, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wings over the Rockies Museum
13005 Wings Way Englewood, CO 80112
Deafopia is hosting the first annual Deaf Owned Business conference in Denver at Wings over the Rockies museum on April 1, 2023. This event is for the deaf community - including deaf businesses owners, and the signing community in Denver and neighboring cities. Deafopia events nationwide served over 464 businesses and 9,100 people in 2022. Admission is FREE! The commission will be at this event and we hope to see you there. More information at deafopia.com
COEHDI Screening Task Force
Tuesday, April 11, 2023 from 11 a.m. - 12 noon
This task force continues to meet monthly on the second Tuesday of the month. Contact astredlerbrown@coehdi.org for the link.
DeafBlind Citizens Council Meeting
Thursday, April 13, 2023 from 4-5:30 p.m.
Online registration is required. Anyone is welcome to attend whether they are deafblind themselves, a family member, a professional working with deafblind individuals, or a stakeholder of the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind communities. DBCC Virtual Meeting: Online Zoom registration required.
Rural Auxiliary Services Advisory Council Meetings
Wednesday, May 3, 2023 (time TBD)
These meetings are held via Zoom and are open to the public. The Rural Auxiliary Services Advisory Council (RASAC) generally holds meetings the first Wednesday of the month. Email ras.ccdhhdb@state.co.us if you are interested in meeting information.
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BE SURE TO SAVE THE DATE!
Quarterly Commission meeting
Thursday, June 1, 2023 from 4-7 p.m.
IN PERSON: Location TBD
The June commission meeting will be in-person! Deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind individuals, members of the public, professionals working with the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind communities, and any other interested stakeholders are more than welcome to attend! ASL interpretation and CART will be provided. Online Zoom attendance will be available as well. Online Zoom registration required for online attendance
Contact office.ccdhhdb@state.co.us for questions.
Access Now Expo
Save the Date: Saturday, June 3, 2023
Aurora, CO
Enhance and empower your communication access using the latest technological
Advancements. Free admission, workshops, hands-on demonstrations, exhibits, and more.
Stay tuned for more details!
Protactile Interpreter Workshop/DeafBlind Community Open House
Workshop - Saturday and Sunday, June 3 & 4
DeafBlind Community Open House - Sunday, June 4 from 4-6 p.m.
The commission is working with Tactile Communications, LLC, to plan a two-day protactile training workshop. The details are still being finalized, but the training is tentatively scheduled to occur at the Englewood Civic Center in the Community Room. Additional details will be sent out once the training is finalized. The number of training participants will be limited to 15 interpreters. Questions? Please contact Christine Pendley christine.pendley@state.co.us.
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Deaf Blind Citizens Council Meeting Summary
The DeafBlind Citizens Council (DBCC) met virtually on February 9, 2023 and was attended by two DBCC members, six CCDHHDB staff, and seven deafblind community members and stakeholders. Our new Deafblind Outreach Consultant, Ellie Carlson, facilitated the meeting.
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Topics of discussion included:
- DBCC is actively recruiting for the following positions: member who is DeafBlind, member who is Deaf with low vision, member who is latent deafblind, and a professional working with the deafblind community. When seats are filled the Committee and all sub-committees can resume action.
- JoAnne Hirsch/iCanConnect is seeking an assistive technology trainer who is Deaf or knows ASL.
- HB 2310-67 is making forward progress towards intervener services for deafblind children outside of educational settings.
- Protactile language workshop for interpreters is in planning stages, save the date 6/5 for PT open house.
- Updates from stakeholders including Tanni Anthony from the Colorado Department of Education DeafBlind grant, Jonathan Pringle from the Helen Keller National Center, Doula Jarbou from the NFB CO deafblind chapter, AADB membership discounts, and summer camp opportunities for deafblind.
- Considering in-person DBCC meeting June 8, 2023 with DB social afterwards.
The next meeting will be Thursday, April 13, 2023 from 4-5:30 p.m. This meeting will be virtual, online Zoom registration is required.
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SUBSCRIBE
This is The Navigator newsletter, a monthly report of news and updates from the Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind. You can subscribe to related topics and other newsletters using our sign-up form. Contact us via email at
outreach.ccdhhdb@state.co.us
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