TRC improves workplace
environment for deaf staff

Posing together after one of the monthly meetings of TRC’s deaf employees are, from left, Nancy Ingram and Christine Peterson; and, standing, Marcella Olmstead, Lisa Swanson, Debbie Long, and Janelle Krueger.

For Marcella Olmstead, being recognized at TRC’s 26th annual Employee Service Recognition Luncheon for her 30 years of service really meant a lot.

“I’ve really enjoyed the work for so many years,” said and signed Marcella, Activity Leader at the Senior Adult Day Habilitation Program.  “I’ve been working with so many different people and staff, teaching them to sign.”

Marcella is deaf and is one of three other deaf TRC employees who meet once a month to touch base and catch up on work and life.  Originally, though, there was a more direct purpose as to why the group got together.  

“The group first formed because the staff expressed some concern about their working conditions regarding communication,” said Nancy Ingram, Assistant Executive Director for Service Operations and facilitator of the group.  “We had to iron out some issues like phones and e-mail.”

“We also started the group to discuss some of the things we could improve on,” said Lisa Swanson, a Direct Support Professional Trainer and group member who has worked for TRC since 1986.

Another member of the group, Debbie Long, a Cook at the Intermediate Care Facility on Foote Avenue since 2002, said, “We got together to work out our frustrations, and it’s a great opportunity to help us do our job better and realize we’re no different from anyone else.”

“We needed a better voice to make sure our needs were being met,” added Marcella.  “It was a real challenge during meetings to have equal access to what was going on.”

“If we hadn’t set up this group, we wouldn’t be able to communicate,” said Christine Peterson, who has been with TRC since 1994 and serves as Assistant Site Supervisor for Celoron B, the ICF at 27B Gifford Avenue, “and we would miss a lot of important information.”

“Without an interpreter, I had to read lips,” said Lisa, “which was difficult because of too many people talking at once, or people not looking at me while they spoke.”

“Through this group, I’ve learned so much.  You need an interpreter,” commented Nancy.  “Interpreting is a much different skill than knowing sign language.”

“I feel that TRC has more respect for us, and everyone is concerned that we have an interpreter when we need them,” said Christine.

Enter Janelle Krueger, a nationally certified interpreter for the deaf and hard of hearing, who has spent the last two years of her long-standing career doing freelance work for several agencies, including The Resource Center.

“I get goose bumps just listening to these stories,” said Janelle.  “This is so rewarding because without an interpreter, people can only watch and have an idea of what’s happening, but they’re missing the emotion and expression.  When others are laughing, for instance, with an interpreter they can laugh too.” 

“I would also like to tell people not to be afraid to call me on the video phone,” said Christine.  “If I don’t answer, leave a message and I’ll call you back.  Sometimes I call people and they are panicked or shocked, but I use the NYS relay system so I can use the phone.”

“I want to thank Nancy and Janelle for taking the time to set this up and meet with us,” concluded Lisa. Marcella added, “I appreciate working with the group and with Nancy.  It really helps the communication as an employee of TRC.”

“We’ve improved communication a lot,” stressed Nancy.  “Now we enjoy just getting together.”

All four deaf employees agreed that “we just want to be included and not left out of everything.  We want to do our jobs as equals.”

Look for the deaf group at the annual TRC Expo, set for May 18 and 19 in Jamestown and June 1 in Dunkirk.

If you would like to gain a better understanding of the group, the Jamestown-Warren Fellowship for the Deaf meets the third Saturday of each month from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. in the Conference Center at TRC’s Administrative Offices on Dunham Avenue in Celoron.   For more information, call Debbie Long at 338-4299.