At the Lealman Exchange: Deaf Fest and Ribbon Cuttings

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When disaster strikes, Pinellas County relies on communication channels (telephone hotlines, AM radio – even megaphones) to keep residents informed. Several years ago, the County recognized the need to improve how important information reaches the deaf and hard of hearing community.

“We partnered with the Family Center on Deafness to try and figure out what was available, what was already in place, and what we could bring on board,” said Jess McCracken, Emergency Management Coordinator for Pinellas County. “The list became, ‘Hey, we should bring these parties together,’ and Deaf Fest was born.”

The 4^th Annual Deaf Fest took place Saturday (Aug. 9) at the Lealman Exchange, the new home of the Family Center on Deafness (FCD). Over 20 parties had a presence with giveaways and crucial information to help the community better prepare for emergencies. County departments such as Emergency Management, Consumer Protection and Human Rights were on hand, as well as 911 Emergency Services with a text-to-911 demonstration.

Other service providers, such as PSTA, Pinellas County Schools and BayCare provided resources, answered questions and conducted screenings. The event’s maximum accessibility was thanks in part to a team of interpreters provided by AQI Interpreting.

In addition to emergency service providers, Deaf Fest welcomed organizations who specifically serve the deaf and hard of hearing community statewide. Among them were Pinellas County’s Deaf Literacy Center, Clearwater’s Blossom Montessori School for the Deaf, the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine, and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services of Florida.

ALDA stands for Association of Late-Deafened Adults. It’s part social club, part advocacy arm, with a 35-year presence in the area. 

ALDA Suncoast’s Chapter President, Kim Mettache, sat with her husband, Tahar Mettache, distributing booklets of ASL signs for emergencies. “These communication packets help emergency services to communicate with the community,” she said

ALDA Suncoast sponsored food for the event, providing free pizza and cannoli to all attendees courtesy of Leonardo’s Pizzeria, a deaf-owned restaurant in Palm Harbor. “We make everything from scratch,” co-owner Kelly Doleac said through an ASL interpreter.  “Our goals are good food, good pizza, and to empower the deaf community.”  

In the days leading up to the event, the Lealman Exchange was host to the annual public meeting of the Florida Coordinating Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The council is a resource for the nearly three million Floridians with hearing loss, and acts as an advisory and coordinating entity.

They were also available at Deaf Fest for additional interaction with the community.

During Deaf Fest, the Family Center on Deafness held two ribbon cuttings. The first officially opened its new permanent home in the Lealman Exchange, a facility housing several nonprofits with social service benefits to the Lealman neighborhood and beyond. Pinellas County Commissioner Chris Scherer, Rep. Lindsay Cross, Juvenile Welfare Board Interim CEO Michael G. Mikurak and current FCD Board President Susanne Moeller joined FCD Executive Director Anthony Verdeja in welcoming the public. 

The second ribbon cutting celebrated the FCD Girl Scout Troop’s completed butterfly garden. Troop 96360 received the Girl Scout Bronze Award for the project, the highest award a Junior Girl Scout (grades 4-5) can earn.

Mary Pat King, CEO of Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, attended the ceremony to congratulate the Troop. “Girl Scouts aims to eliminate any barrier to a high-quality Girl Scout leadership experience,” she said in her remarks, “and it is partnerships like this that make it possible.” 

All the partners at Deaf Fest are striving to eliminate communication barriers, especially when it comes to emergencies. Deaf and hard of hearing persons can contact the County Information Center through an ASL interpreter on the language line, or use the live chat feature on the County’s website, and the County will implement improved signage in shelters and on aid distribution vehicles.

“We want to support the deaf and hard of hearing community getting prepared for hurricane season, know how to get resources, and know how to communicate needs,” said McCracken. “And we will continue to try to improve our knowledge.”

Becca McCoy is a Navigator with the St. Petersburg Foundation.

Read the article as originally published at https://stpetecatalyst.com/at-the-lealman-exchange-deaf-fest-and-ribbon-cuttings/.