ARKANSAS DEAF-BLIND RETREAT 2009
The Arkansas Deaf-Blind Community (ADBC) is very excited to host the third biennial Deaf-Blind Retreat in Arkansas on October 22-25, 2009. It will be held at the beautiful Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center in Ferndale about 10 miles west of Little Rock . This retreat is for adults who are deaf-blind. It is also an excellent opportunity for Support Service Providers (SSPs) and volunteer-interpreters who want to enrich their professional experience to work and have fun with the deaf-blind campers.
Exciting activities are being planned for this retreat. They include socials, workshops, games, crafts and an educational field trip to a historical point of interest in Arkansas .
RETREAT SCHEDULE
The retreat begins at 4:00 PM on Thursday, October 22 nd and ends at 12:00 PM on Sunday, October 25 th .
DEAF-BLIND CAMPERS
The number of registrations for deaf-blind campers is limited to 30. Campers must be 18 years or older. Arkansas and Louisiana campers have priority to attend this retreat. If there are spaces available and sufficient number of SSPs/volunteer-interpreters, we will accept anyone who resides outside Arkansas and Louisiana . If we receive more than 30 camper registrations, they will be put on a waiting list until further notice.
SSPS/VOLUNTEER-INTERPRETERS
We invite individuals who wish to work as SSPs and volunteer-interpreters who are also 18 years or older to this retreat. For an event with 30 campers, approximately 60 individuals are required. While those with some experience working with deaf-blind individuals are of great benefit, experience is not strictly required.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this retreat is to bring together individuals who are deaf-blind in a social atmosphere that provides plenty of opportunity for interaction and camaraderie. Through careful planning of the schedule of activities and coordination with the SSP schedule, everything about this retreat is totally accessible for individuals who are deaf-blind. Such interaction fosters independence and empowerment. We, the deaf-blind, learn with and from each other and often come away with a new sense of what deaf-blind individuals CAN do.
ACCESSIBILITY
The retreat is free of communication and accessibility barriers. ADBC partners with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) Interpreter Education Program. UALR faculty train/mentor students and community volunteers in the skills necessary to become Support Service Providers. These individuals then provide the communication and access needs for individuals who are deaf-blind.
SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT
UALR students complete a required service learning requirement while volunteering to provide a much needed service to the deaf-blind community. The UALR Interpreter Education faculty volunteer their time at this retreat as they supervise/mentor the students and volunteers. ADBC is thankful for this partnership as without such, accessibility would be unaffordable.
HISTORY OF RETREAT
In 1999, some ADBC members started attending an annual retreat in Pineville , Louisiana , hosted by the Louisiana Career Development Center for the Deaf and Deaf-Blind (LCDC). Over the years attendees at these retreats indicated a desire to attend a retreat in Arkansas . Finally in 2004, Art Babin started investigating possible venues for a retreat and found Ferncliff Camp to be the most suitable place to host such an event. After months of planning, the first ever retreat became a reality on October 20-23, 2005. It was such a tremendous success that LCDC and ADBC have agreed to host retreats on alternate years.
COST
ADBC is working hard to raise funds to help defray the costs of the retreat. The cost for each Deaf-Blind Camper is $100 (includes meals, board, some retreat activities). The announcement letter and registration forms have been mailed out on June 1, 2009. The room and board costs for interpreters/SSPs are paid by the hosting organization in lieu of volunteer services. Observers are welcome to attend at the cost of regular registration at $100.
REGISTRATION
Registration packets have already been mailed out. If you have not attended this retreat before and want to have your name put on the list to receive the packet from ADBC for this retreat, please contact Art Babin (see below).
DONATION INFORMATION
ADBC will greatly appreciate donations of any kind (cash, craft items, snacks, etc.) to help defray the costs of the retreat. ADBC is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization. Tax deductible contributions can be mailed to ADBC in care of Art Babin .
CONTACT INFORMATION
Art Babin, Retreat Chairperson
Arkansas Deaf-Blind Community, Inc.
Post Office Box 25913
Little Rock , AR 72221-5913
Email: adbabin@sbcglobal.net
Phone: 501-223-0777 (TTY*)
866-679-3167 (Videophone)
* For voice callers, please use the Relay Services for the Deaf/Hearing Impaired by dialing 711 or the number found in your phone book for relay services.