For many years, DAS has had 2 separate funds set up – the Special Interpreter Fund (SIF) and the Compassion Fund. These funds are established through donations from the community and provided to eligible, qualified individuals who apply.
The purpose of the SIF was to help cover interpreting costs for occasions where an interpreter is not covered under the ADA; for example, weddings & some funerals.
The purpose of the Compassion Fund is to financially help community members who may be in need. For example, if someone had started a new job but couldn’t afford bus fare until they were paid, the Compassion Fund would be able to help with the cost of a bus pass to enable that person to work and get ahead.
As of August of 2020, the SIF has helped countless individuals and their families cover interpreting costs for a variety of special occasions, and the fund is now exhausted. Starting in September, we revised the compassion fund to also include covering the special interpreting circumstances.
The Compassion Fund is restricted. You must be Deaf or Hard of Hearing to qualify, ONLY those who are approved to receive funding are eligible. Your request must meet the requirements for reasoning and financial need, and there is not unlimited access. Unless special circumstances arise, you are able to use this fund once per calendar year.
DAS needs your help to keep this fund alive through donations. Please consider making a special contribution to the Compassion Fund to support fellow community members.
SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY TODAY! Click Here
VIRTUALLY WINTER
Sunday's Information:
Monday November 16: Kicking off “Virtually Winter” fundraiser- 9 am
Kicking off the event from our Director at DAS!
Monday Afternoon: Recognizing Pati Aine Guzinski - Erie County Department of Health - 3 pm
Tuesday November 17th: What is the Career Pathway Program? - 9 am
Tuesday Afternoon: Recognizing Erie County- Executive Mark Poloncarz- 3 pm
Wednesday November 18th: Interpreting Department - 9 am
Understanding how the Interpreting Department works and What is the Compassion Fund?
Wednesday Afternoon: Recognizing Alice Primm - 3 pm
Thursday November 19th: ASL education at DAS! - 9 am
Thursday Afternoon: Recognizing Chautauqua County- Executive Paul Wendel Jr. - 3 pm
Friday November 20th: Self-advocacy and how DAS can support you? - 9 am
Friday Afternoon: Recognizing Convo Relay. - 3 pm
Saturday November 21st: Video on AmeriCorps Member: How you can join and make a difference? See our member's experiences! - 9 am
Award – to be announced…
Do you want to donate and Support Deaf Access Services and the Deaf and hard of hearing community for the Virtually Winter Event? You can go and donate here:
Do you want to be a sponsor? You can SUPPORT Deaf Access Services and the Deaf and hard of hearing community for the Virtually Winter Event. You can go and sponsor here:
Deaf Access Services is now seeking D/deaf and hard of hearing community members who is interested in making a difference within the community in Buffalo. We are looking for new members if you are interested in the opportunity to participate in our advisory council and contribute to the work we are doing in the region, or if you are interested in learning more information, please contact us at: Jchibi@wnydas.org
Interested? Click here for contact information
Deaf Access Services, an Affiliate of People Inc., is proud to share their video about inclusion:
Watch The Video About Inclusion Here
As an affiliate of People Inc., we support this statement:
On behalf of the Board of Directors and our entire agency, People Inc. and its affiliates are committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) for everyone - the people we support, our employees and our communities. Recently, there has been civil unrest locally and across teh nation regarding social injustices and systemic oppression for people of color. We express our sincere condolences to the families of people that have lost loved ones and who have been harmed due to horrific racially-biased acts. We strongly denounce racism and violence in society, and support the need for equality for all people of color. We will continue to work together with the help of our DEI Committee to unite our communities and create a better future for all.
Community help: If you are currently making masks, or know anyone who is making masks and would like to donate & help the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community, please contact DAS, and we can arrange to help distribute them to the community!
Contact us at: sallen@wnydas.org.
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2020 Newsletter - Coming Soon
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DAS Interpreting Service Partners
Contact DAS today for interpreting help!
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Deaf Access Services is looking for volunteers.
Contact our office today!
Phone: (716)833-1637
Email: DWantuck@wnydas.org
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Would like to make a donation to DAS? THANK YOU!
Go to our donation page; OR
Simply shop Amazon Smile, and 0.5% of your purchase will be donated to DAS!
Your commitment helps us continue to provide services that many depend on for Educational, Employment and Health Access.
Deaf Access Services has decided to go back to doing a Biannual Newsletter. This is our first for 2020! Please feel free to browse through our newsletter! The next news letter will be ready in the first half of 2021! 2020 may have had a lot of ups and downs, but DAS has made some great strides to supporting the community and m... READ MORE
If you missed Deaf Awareness Week: Here are the videos you can watch! September 18, 2020: Kick off on Facebook. Mark Poloncarz and Frank Cammarata is doing the Proclamation. : Check out DAS, SMSD's Facebook Page. Missed the post? Watch it here! Deaf Awareness Video Kick off 2020! September 19, 2020 ASL Coffee Chat on Face... READ MORE
View below for the full story of how our interpreters in Western New York has helped the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community to know what is going on during the Global Pandemic, COVID-19. https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/global-pandemic-highlights-the-importance-of-asl-interpreters ... READ MORE
