Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Celebrates 35 Years
BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker, Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) Commissioner Opeoluwa Sotonwa, MCDHH Statewide Advisory Council members, and members of the deaf, hard-of-hearing, and late-deafened community came together this week for a virtual celebration to kick off MCDHH’s 35th anniversary. The event signaled the beginning of a year-long celebration of 35 years of service delivery, education, and advocacy on behalf of the Commonwealth and the communities the organization serves.
The virtual event provided context on the agency’s formation, major milestones in its history, and reflections on the critical role MCDHH plays in the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program also featured stories about MCDHH’s history, performances, and award presentations.
“MCDHH’s 35th anniversary is an important milestone in the history of our Commonwealth,” Baker said. “Its creation was the result of the community advocating for a dedicated agency focused on deaf, hard-of-hearing, and late-deafened individuals, which represents 20% of the population who has some degree of hearing loss. As we take a moment to look back on MCDHH’s accomplishments, we can also celebrate the exciting work that lies ahead.”
Sudders added that “this has been an exceptionally difficult year for all of us in so many ways, and I am proud of how MCDHH continued to support the community. They continued to deliver essential services and increased communication access during the pandemic, including regularly staffing the governor’s COVID-19 press briefings — and the Boston and Springfield mayors’ press briefings — while simultaneously providing direct services, technical assistance, and communication access to consumers across Massachusetts.”
At this week’s virtual event, the BJ Wood Trailblazer Award was presented to Ivy Velez, who founded the Boston Latino Deaf Assoc. in 1994 and the New England Latinos Deaf Assoc. in 2018.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to two individuals: Terry Malcom, for her work as a certified deaf interpreter working in medical, mental-health, deaf-blind, and other government settings as well as volunteering with Our Deaf Survivor Center to help those experiencing domestic violence; and Congetta Koetteritz, an MCDHH community and customer-service representative awarded for her patience, attention to detail, and willingness to listen to each consumer with full focus.
The Gail Sallop Interpreter Award was presented to two individuals: Stephanie Hakulin, Massachusetts Assoc. of the Deaf President, deaf interpreter, and community organizer; and Diane Stains, for her advocacy with the educational interpreting community and proactive work during the pandemic to create resources for teaching, interpreting, technical needs, as well as mask and sanitation requirements.