DeafLink

04/06/2026

DeafLink's ASL Workshop, presented by Roger Williams - Interpreting in Mental Health & Substance Abuse, April 10-12, 2026, still has openings.
Why do you need this workshop? Here's a message from Roger Williams:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X75CxvKwU4A

The need for qualified interpreters with specialized training in mental health is growing at a faster than expected rate. A shortage of qualified interpreters exists for the roughly 500,000 American Sign Language (ASL) users, creating high demand in education, healthcare, and video relay services.
As a way to increase the pool of trained interpreters in this setting, DeafLink is bringing in Roger Williams! His company, “Hands On Interpreting, LLC,” is committed to providing quality services to improve access to healthcare, both behavioral and physical health, for individuals who are Deaf and hard of hearing. He comes highly recommended in the field of mental health interpreting, and he is a trainer for MHIT (Mental Health Interpreter Training).

If you are interested in mental health interpreting but haven't been able to get your feet wet yet in this setting, this training is a great first step! We are excited to have a presenter of this caliber coming to Fort Wayne. I am thrilled that we can offer this level of professional development in our own backyard! 1.4 CEUs will be awarded for this training.

This training is open to all. There is a special discounted rate for students currently in an ASL program.

Costs: $50 Student; $125 for current DeafLink Interpreters; and $175 for ASL Interpreters. There are options to attend Friday and Saturday as well. See the brochure for more information.
The class is filling up, but there are still slots available.

Register today at:
https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/ZGFS72AMFTBVS?fbclid=IwY2xjawRA2g1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFRQVR0WjBsQ0cxbW1nWkxJc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjLnJqJ0ovnEVLti0ueEJWeR37ijkbfkQ4TGQVDC2UxO7YzGdNHUYEyuXBKC_aem_Lh-08uXpSylJKGKbIlxIlQ

This video was made with Clipchamp

03/09/2026

Join us for our next Mental Health Workshop!

When: April 10, 11 & 12, 2026
Where: Holiday Inn Purdue
4111 Paul Shaffer Dr, Fort Wayne, 46825
Who: Roger Williams

Please join us!
Register here:
https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/ZGFS72AMFTBVS
or
Use QR code on the flier!

Any questions, please reach out to:
Angie Crawford
260-488-8230 or [email protected]

League for the Blind and Disabled

03/03/2026

ASL classes offered at the YMCA-Jackson Lehman location!

Spring Session April 13-May 31, 2026

Please reach out to:

[email protected]

For Registration or questions!

League for the Blind and Disabled

02/19/2026

Deaflink would like to congratulate Staff Interpreter Ally Roskos-Neilson for meeting the state requirements for the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA).

The EIPA is a national, research-based tool designed to evaluate the voice-to-sign and sign-to-voice skills of interpreters working in K-12 educational settings.

Unlike general community interpreting tests, the EIPA focuses specifically on the needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing students in schools, assessing both expressive and receptive skills.

NIDAC Events for Everyone League for the Blind and Disabled

02/17/2026

INTERPRETERS WILL BE PROVIDED UPON REQUEST!!!

Any questions, please reach out to:
Cassidy Cwiertnia
260-222-5132
[email protected]

The League would like to announce that the United Way of Allen County will once again offer the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program.

This program is for residents with income under $69,000 in 2025, IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers help residents file their taxes & claim available credits. United Way partners with Volunteer Center and Catholic Charities Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend to offer the VITA program in Allen, DeKalb, Noble, and Steuben counties.

This free tax preparation service brings nearly $3 million back into the local community in refunds and saves residents nearly $800,000 in preparation fees, keeping more money in the pockets of those who need it the most.

For more information about the program and what documents you should bring with you, visit https://www.unitedwayallencounty.org/vita/.

02/17/2026

The League’s Inclusion Institute, in partnership with 1st Source Bank, is offering a FREE, accessible Cashflow Control: Financial Awareness Workshop Series, and we need your help spreading the word.

This six-session, in-person series is practical, welcoming, and built for real life. Participants will gain tools to budget effectively, understand credit and loans, build savings, protect against identity theft, and confidently navigate major life transitions. No prior financial knowledge is needed.

Thursdays, 3/5, 3/19, 4/2, 4/16, 4/30 and 5/14
5–7 PM
WindSwell Foundation (formerly AWS Foundation)
Fort Wayne

Light dinner provided
ASL interpreters available

**Register: 260-441-0551 ask for Lanette!

Please post the attached flyer and personally invite those who could benefit. Together, we can help turn financial uncertainty into independence—and connection into lasting impact!

NIDAC Events for Everyone League for the Blind and Disabled

01/30/2026

What a great page to follow!!

Deaf professionals in the medical field!

Today’s feature:

Her name is Jennie Kremer. She is deaf and from Columbus, Ohio. She attended Mount Carmel College of Nursing, earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN), passed the NCLEX, earned her registered nurse (RN) license, and then continued her education at Capella University, earning her master of Science in Nursing (MSN). She ultimately continued her education and skills by obtaining the cardiac vascular nursing certification (CV-BC) and is primarily working at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Cardiac Rhythm Device Management. Her dream is always to love what she does; if not, she will change her job. That’s the beautiful aspect of nursing. There are so many jobs within this one career! She says, “You are not defined by your disability. Just because you are HOH/deaf/Deaf does not mean you can’t do amazing things. This also does not define your intelligence. I have a thriving career and love what I do, helping pacemaker/ICD patients! I also often function as a charge nurse or preceptor in my department. You can do anything you put your mind to.”

If you have any questions for Jennie Kremer, she can be reached at:
TikTok- Jennies_CI_Journey

Want to be featured?
Criteria to be featured: Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Currently certified, licensed, or registered as a medical professional. Retirees accepted!

If you meet these criteria, fill out this form: bit.ly/3NajyTD

01/30/2026

Please reach out to schedule an appointment!

Interpreters will be provided upon request.

The League would like to announce that the United Way of Allen County will once again offer the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program.

This program is for residents with income under $69,000 in 2025, IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers help residents file their taxes & claim available credits. United Way partners with Volunteer Center and Catholic Charities Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend to offer the VITA program in Allen, DeKalb, Noble, and Steuben counties.

This free tax preparation service brings nearly $3 million back into the local community in refunds and saves residents nearly $800,000 in preparation fees, keeping more money in the pockets of those who need it the most.

For more information about the program and what documents you should bring with you, visit https://www.unitedwayallencounty.org/vita/.

01/30/2026

Good information to know!!

01/16/2026

!!!CANCELLED!!!

This event has been cancelled due to low enrollment.

Please look for this workshop to be held at a later date!

REMINDER!!! Please Register!

DeafLink's BDB #7 (Breaking Down Barriers)
" How to Request an Interpreter and What to do if You are Denied One."
When: January 22, 2026
Time: 6-8:30pm
Where: AWS Foundation
5323 W Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, 46804
PLEASE RSVP to:
Cassidy Cwiertnia
[email protected] by January 20th, 2026

League for the Blind and Disabled
NIDAC Events for Everyone

01/13/2026

FREE ASL class online!!

CHECK IT OUT!!!

It’s here again! Be sure to check this out and register! Find more information as you register.
Repost off 🎉 Who’s ready to take FREE online ASL classes with the Oklahoma School for the Deaf? 🤟

Registration opens today! https://courses.osd.k12.ok.us/

Choose ASL 1, ASL 2, or both—and start your class immediately after registering. Learn at your own pace from anywhere.

🗓 Registration closes February 12 — don’t miss out!

👉 Sign up today and start learning ASL!

Many thanks to the Oklahoma School for the Deaf Foundation for their generous support in making these FREE online ASL classes possible!
Photo ID / Visual Description:
Flyer for Oklahoma School for the Deaf advertising FREE Online ASL Classes. Green and white design with OSD bison logo at top. A woman on the right is signing in ASL. Text highlights self-paced classes, January–June 2026 dates, and free registration with optional donations. A QR code and registration link are shown at the bottom.