DeafLink

THIS SATURDAY!!!

Fort Wayne Pride is having ASL interpreters at their Drag Show!!

When: Saturday, July 25, 2026
Time: 9:00pm
Where: Downtown, Headwaters Park
333S Clinton St, Fort Wayne

Come out and join us!!!!

Pride video Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Accessibility means everyone deserves to experience the moment.

We're proud to partner with Fort Wayne Pride by providing American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters on stage during this year's Pride celebration.

Access to communication creates opportunities for connection, participation, and belonging. Whether it's at a community event, a performance, or in everyday life, accessibility helps ensure everyone can fully experience what's happening around them.

If you're attending Fort Wayne Pride this weekend, look for our interpreters helping make the celebration accessible for all.

Together, we're creating a community where everyone belongs.
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Now through 2028, the DeafYES team at UMass Chan Medical School is recruiting Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing individuals across the U.S. for a research study on trauma and addiction!

We are seeking people who have used alcohol and experienced trauma-related stress in the past month. Participants may receive 12 virtual counseling sessions at no cost, learn skills to manage trauma and addiction, and earn up to $500 for completing five online surveys.

Below, I’ve included the link to our recruitment vlog, our pre-screening survey, and attached our study flyers to this message. Please share this information with members of your organization and other organizations!

DeafBlind-accessible recruitment video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lEN3F6_O-QM

Pre-screening survey:
https://bit.ly/SignsOfSafety

If you have any questions about the Signs of Safety study, please reply to this message or contact the study team at [email protected]. If interested, our team can share additional details about the study, either through a 1:1 videochat or a presentation to your organization.

Thank you for your time and consideration!

If you have any questions, please reach out to:

Gabby Humlicek

Deaf Community Advisor
DeafYES! Center for Deaf Empowerment and Recovery
UMass Chan Medical School

Email:
[email protected]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWLBTMWmM8E

Pre-Screening Survey

Come Join Us!!

In this invite only community learning session, representatives from the Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD), Fort Wayne Fire Department (FWFD), and Three Rivers Ambulance Authority (TRAA) will provide educational overviews about their services, emergency response procedures, communication practices, and ways residents can help emergency situations go more smoothly and successfully.

WHEN: Thursday, July 30, 2026

TIME: 5:30p- 7:30p

WHERE: Brotherhood Mutual
6400 Brotherhood Way, Fort Wayne

**INTERPRETERS WILL BE PROVIDED**

Click the video link below to learn more!!

www.youtube.com

Come Join Us!!

In this invite only community learning session, representatives from the Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD), Fort Wayne Fire Department (FWFD), and Three Rivers Ambulance Authority (TRAA) will provide educational overviews about their services, emergency response procedures, communication practices, and ways residents can help emergency situations go more smoothly and successfully.

WHEN: Thursday, July 30, 2026

TIME: 5:30p- 7:30p

WHERE: Brotherhood Mutual
6400 Brotherhood Way, Fort Wayne

**INTERPRETERS WILL BE PROVIDED**

Join us for a fun time!

JOIN US!!

Everyone deserves the opportunity to participate.

The Race 4 Independence isn't just a race. It's an event designed to welcome people of all abilities.

Participants can choose from:
🏃 5K Run/Walk
🚶 2.5K Family Walk
♿ 2.5K Walk/Run/Stroll options for individuals with disabilities, including wheelchair users, assisted walkers, and participants with low vision.

Because inclusion isn't an extra feature. It's the foundation.
Join us July 25 at Purdue Fort Wayne.
Register here:

https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/?raceId=184579

NIDAC Events for Everyone DeafLink League for the Blind and Disabled

👐 Behind every great interpreter is a great start. For Vici, that start was the Bridge Program. 👐

This week we celebrated our very own Vici earning her National Interpreter Certification (NIC) — and we couldn't be prouder.
But did you know her journey began right here, as a student in our Bridge Program? 🌉

The Bridge Program is designed to do exactly what its name says: bridge the gap between learning ASL and becoming a confident, working interpreter. Through real-world experience, mentorship, and hands-on training, we help students grow into skilled professionals who serve our Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
Vici's success is proof of what's possible. 💙 She's not just a graduate — she's an example of where this path can lead.

✨Are you a recent graduate ASL graduate or an ASL interpreter who just needs a little extra guidance? The Bridge Program could be your first step. Reach out to learn more about how you can get started.

Reach out to our DeafLink Director - Karen Horvath at [email protected] for more information.
Be sure to tag a recent ASL grad who needs to see this!

Wellness Group in ASL starting here in Fort Wayne for our Deaf community!

**This is not offered through DeafLink, if you would like more information, please reach out to Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne**

League for the Blind and Disabled DeafLink NIDAC Events for Everyone

A portion of all ticket sales through the LINK BELOW will go back to benefit The League for the Blind and Disabled!

We will have interpreters in the sections 101 and 102!!

Come out and join us for a good time watching America's past time!!