Video description:
Kelly (a female with long brown hair pulled back into a ponytail, wearing a short sleeved black shirt) is sitting in front of a black background and is signing into the camera.

Video transcript:
Hello! I'm Kelly. My sign name is a K that moves over top of my arm, and is modified for PTASL where the K actually touches my arm.  I'm Chicago. I'm DeafBlind.  I'm a mother, an ASL instructor, and I also host various DeafBlind events such as, DeafBlind cruises, community events, and ProTactile Happy Hour (PTHH).  I love PTASL, because I don't miss any part of the communication, or anything that a person is doing.  So, for example, if a person is laughing, they can indicate that to me through touch, with what's called a "claw handshape". Being able to touch my body to show that they are laughing, I can feel that.  Or, if they take my hand and put it to their vocal cords, I can feel them actually laughing.  So, I'm not missing out on what's going on. That's why I love PTASL!

(Video transcript and description also available for download as an accessible Word document)

#WhyISignPTASL ​​

​The DeafBlind Interpreting National Training and Resource Center is conducting a national needs assessment survey to assist us in identifying current and emerging practices in the field of DeafBlind interpreting. 

The goal of this survey is to identify specific competencies required for interpreters who work with DeafBlind consumers. The term DeafBlind will be used throughout the survey. For our survey purposes, the definition includes individuals who are DeafBlind, deaf-blind, and/or who have a combination of hearing and vision loss, those who are late-deafened with vision loss, hard of hearing with vision loss, close vision, or are oral deafblind.

This survey will take about 20 minutes to complete, depending on your answers to some of the questions. You must answer the first question so we can know you have read and agree with the Consent information.

The results of this survey will assist in determining the skills and competencies expected of DeafBlind interpreters.

Please share the survey link widely as we are working to reach as many professionals who work with people who are DeafBlind as possible.

The survey link is here: 
http://woutri.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1RdibQTyoGC6t93
The survey will close on Sunday, October 15th at 11:59pm.

Thank you!

(Video transcript and description also available for download as an accessible Word document)

​Video Description:
Roberto (Latino male, with short hair, black rimmed glasses, and wearing a dark button down, three-quarter length sleeve shirt) stands in front of a dark curtain and signs into the camera.

​Video Transcript:
Hello! I'm Roberto. I am DeafBlind. I am a VR counselor and I teach American Sign Language.   I work with DBI – The DeafBlind Interpreting National Training and Resource Center.  We're about to send out a survey and we need your help.  Are you DeafBlind, Deaf, hearing, sighted, hard of hearing, or low vision? If so, please fill this survey out.  Do you work as an interpreter, an interpreter educator, or a VR counselor, or in some other field related to DeafBlind individuals?  If so, please fill out this survey. It will only be available for a limited time, two weeks in fact.  It will close October 13th, which is next Friday. Please be sure to fill it out before then. Thank you!