Enhancing Knowledge Through Online Learning
Bimonthly online discussions are continuing education opportunities for mental health interpreters and clinicians who work with deaf consumers. QMHI's are required to have 40 contact hours of continuing education per year.
You can go to this URL https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-How-Do-I-Join-A-Meeting- for more information on how to join the webinar. More tips for using Zoom can be found HERE
All presentations are in the form of a webinar. Links to the webinar will be sent out the same day as the event. This year our webinars will be hosted on Zoom. To use this platform, please read documents on the Zoom Website.
Important: In order to ensure time to process your registration, the completed form and payment must be received 7 days prior to the event you wish to join.
The registration fee for all online discussions in the calendar year 2025 is just $35.*
How to Register:
- Download and fill out the 'Permission to File CEUs" form. This will serve as your registration form for all online discussions within that calendar year.
- Send a check for $35.00 made out to ADARA- MHIT Fund along with the completed form to:
Shannon Reese, Services Coordinator
Alabama Department of Mental Health
Office of Deaf Services
P.O. Box 301410
Montgomery, AL 36130
Upcoming Events
All Events run 6:00 - 8:00 PM Central Time
2026 Online Discussion Events
September 8 Between Two Cultures: How Acculturative Stress Affects Deaf Adults’ Mental Health.
Presenter: Aileen Aldaur
November 10 Deaf Hispanic Identity and Community: Challenges and Opportunities.
Presenter: Jesus Barreto Abrams
GabrielMonica Zmudzinski recently graduated with her Doctorate in Audiology from the University of Arizona and is currently a PhD student in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at the University of Arizona. Her research is focused on the experiences of
families of children who are deaf and hard of hearing, as well as on removing barriers to accessing resources.
"Now Showing"
"“The Radical Middle-Caregiver Beliefs about
Language Access for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children
"
Presented by:
Monica Zmudzinski, Au.D.
The Purpose of the Training
This This workshop presents a study examining how caregivers of deaf or hard-of-hearing children are counseled on communication options at the time of diagnosis. Findings show that many caregivers receive minimal information, leading most to choose spoken language to maintain a connection with their hearing family. Families also reported significant barriers to learning sign language, including limited access to in-person courses and difficulty using new vocabulary in daily life. The session will discuss how providers can deliver unbiased guidance and better support families’ real-world sign language needs..
The Objectives of the Training:
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Describe how caregivers of DHH children are counseled about communication options at the time of diagnosis.
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Identify key factors that influence caregivers’ decisions to pursue spoken language or sign language.
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Discuss common barriers families face when attempting to learn sign language and explore support strategies to address these
needs.
After the Training, participants will
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Identify at least three measurable barriers that hearing families experience when attempting to learn sign language.
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Describe, with at least two examples, how families report being counseled regarding language access in early intervention or
clinical settings. -
List at least three evidence-supported strategies that increase sign language learning and daily use among hearing family
members.
Target Audience:
Interpreters in Mental Health, Community Interpreters, Mental Health Professionals, School Counselors
July 14, 2026
All discussions are conducted from
6:00 - 8:00 Central Standard Time (CST)
