SLINeurodiversity

08/20/2026

Amanda’s Update:

This morning, I took the Test of English Proficiency (TEP) which is a timed written exam and the first step of the BEI Certification* process. I passed! 🎉

Accommodations:
DHHS has an accommodation request process with information on their website. The testing site allows you to bring in a clear water bottle. They also provide noise canceling headphones.

For self-accommodations:
I wore comfortable clothes, including slip-on shoes and a cardigan. I also wore my fidget ring and pulled my hair back into a bun.

*BEI is the Texas’s Board for the Evaluation of Interpreters and a recognized credential in an increasing in number of states.



ID: close-up chai latte and gluten-free donut from Kick Butt Coffee where I hung out to wait for results.

08/19/2026

Hello! My name is Amanda and I am an anxious xennial who needs to arrive at the airport two hours early and check the gate’s existence before I do anything else. 😂

(Yes, I have PreCheck and only carry-on. I still need to be early.)

Spoiler alert: that didn’t happen today.

At some point this morning, my brain mixed up what time I needed to arrive at the parking lot with what time I needed to leave my house. Then I left the house 30 minutes later because .

Anyway…I arrived at the gate three minutes before boarding started. I used the restroom; filled my water bottle; and seeing that first class had just started boarding, ordered a chai latte at the cafe next to the gate. When I returned to the gate, I got in line with my group.

Austin, TX bound for the TEP & BEI Advanced!



ID: 1) plane selfie of Amanda, a white woman with long wavy red hair in pigtails. She’s wearing a black tank top and holding a blue & white cup. 2) screenshot of Libby app audiobook, “I Identify as Blind” by Lachi.

08/10/2026

COMING SOON! THE DEAFYES SEMINAR SERIES!!!

Are you a Deaf mental health provider or enthusiast looking for learning opportunities directly in ASL? Please save the date for our new Seminar Series – taking place the third Wednesday of each month from 12pm - 1pm Eastern time on Zoom.

Check out our exciting fall 2026 line-up!

✊ September 16, 2026: Adam Brownfeld, "How to Diagnose Adult ADHD Without Standardized Testing"

✊ October 21, 2026: Concetta Pucci, "The Mindful Summit: Climbing the Mountain of Self-Compassion"

✊ November 18, 2026: Mel Whalen, "Fluency Without Freedom: Structural Dissociation in Deaf Adults”

✊ December 16, 2026: Tandy Lewis, "What Does it Mean to Create a Safe Space in Today's Political Climate?”

Oh, and did we mention it's FREE?! More info to come!!!

Visual description in comments.

08/10/2026

I hope you’re okay, even if you don’t talk about what you’re going through. 🤍

08/08/2026

New BEACON Chat coming August 26th!

Join us with Myers & Lawyer to discuss their latest publication about "Co-Regulation and Interpreter Training: Relational Processes and Professional Practice"!

Click on this link to get more info and view the ASL version of our ad! https://www.beaconinterpreteracademy.com/learn-with-us/august-beacon-chat

Visual Description: Blue to orange ombre background. Title text reads the same as the title to the side. Kenton Myers is pictured on the left wearing a black shirt with a red blazer over. The middle image shows 2 people with a glowing orb and light streams between them and the title of the talk. Dr. Gloshanda Lawyer is pictured on the right wearing a black shirt and a maroon blazer. Text on the bottom reads "Join us live on Zoom! August 26th 8-9pm EST, 0.1 RID PS CEUs Free for BEACON Academy Members, $30 for the public"

08/06/2026

07/30/2026

07/27/2026

Happy Monday!

Amanda is kicking off the week with Outreach Services for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind's Summer Institute: "Behavior Impedes Learning? I've checked yes, now what?" with Katie Berg.

https://www.snswi.com

Schedule a time to talk: https://snswi.com/booknow

07/20/2026

We are excited to announce a new hybrid workshop with our Interpreter Mosaic Affinity Group! The two topics will be: "The Role of Deaf Interpreters in the K-12 Classrooms" with Alexis Bravo (10am-12pm PST) and "The Experience of Imposter Syndrome as a BIPOC Interpreter" with Benjamin Estrada (1pm-3pm PST)

Cost: $20 (+$5 to process CEUs)
When: August 1st
Where: on Zoom!
CEUs: 0.2 PS CEUs for each workshop!
How to sign up: email [email protected] and [email protected]!

BEACON Interpreter Academy is an Approved RID CMP Sponsor for continuing education activities. This Professional Studies program is offered for 0.2 CEUs for each workshop at the Little/None Content Knowledge Level. The target audience for these workshops is Entry level Educational Community-based Interpreters. Requests for accommodations can be sent to [email protected].

Visual description: background of flyer is tan with brown, orange, and blue diagonal stripe. Image in top right corner is a multicolored mosaic type image with two brown hands making the sign for "Interpret". Headshots of Alexis and Benjamin in the middle with BEACON Interpreter Academy logo and RID logo. Text on flyer reads "Interpreter Mosaic Affinity Group Aug 1st $20 Online Zoom Workshop Alexis Bravo "The Role of Deaf Interpreters in the K-12 Classrooms", Benjamin Estrada "The Experience of Imposter Syndroe as a BIPOC Interpreter" 0.2 CEUs. $20 payment: Zelle 414-339-7616 or PayPal [email protected]. Any questions or concerns contact: [email protected] or [email protected].

07/16/2026

Thank you to the lovely group that joined us for “Navigating the Nuance: Language Variation, Trauma, and Systems in Interpreting” this morning.

Running out of time to do all of the slides because we were have such awesome discussions is the best problem to have as a presenter! 🤟🏻



ID: 1) Celena and Amanda in front of projector screen with purple and white title slide 2) NAIE sign with workshop title and presenters listed