2022 ADARA Conference

The American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association (ADARA) is a national organization that brings together professionals from vocational rehabilitation, mental health, chemical health, education, interpreting, and related fields to share best practices in working with individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind to address policy and program concerns, and to network.

The ADARA conference is going on this week, in Albuquerque, New Mexico and as part of that conference, Being Michelle Advisors Deb Guthmann, Gabe Lomas and Damara Paris did a presentation on a book they edited which focused on Criminal Justice within the Deaf Community and also highlighted the documentary Being Michelle.

During the presentation, film clips were used from Being Michelle and the addition of the film clips put a much needed focus on a population many don't know exist. The audience noted that the video clips also raised awareness and concern that there are people like Michelle who are interacting regularly with the criminal justice system which is not able to address the needs of deaf individuals.

The personal connection of what Michelle has experienced raised much needed awareness for all participants. As a result, the professionals in the session want to start a social media facebook group to continue discussion of issues raised during the presentation.

@ADARA @guthmanndeb @damara_paris @gabelomas #BeingMichelle #RightToCommunication #DisabilityJustice #DeafInPrison #DisabledInPrison #ArtTherapy #TraumaRecovery #TellYourStory #collaboration #ClevelandInternationalFilmFestival #BigSkyDocumentaryFilmFestival #SignedByStories @nad1880 @cilgainesville @cil_orlando