South Dakota Services for the Deaf

Happy Summer!

In honor of Juneteenth Day, here is how you sign it in ASL:

https://www.handspeak.com/word/8735/

What tips do you have to keep your child's hearing assistive technology dry near the water? Share below!

Here are some other ideas: https://www.cchatsacramento.org/blog-and-events/swimming-and-hearing-assistive-technology

Does your family member who is Deaf and Hard of Hearing like to make phone calls but have a challenging time understanding on the phone? Check out the Rylo app (used to be Nagish). It will live caption your phone calls in real-time! There is no cost for the app.

Are you signed up for the 5th Annual Kids Golf Day this Friday, July 24th from 9:30-1:30? This is a GREAT opportunity to hang out with friends who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing and their families.

Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScqixUiXDp_j_uSbKgLgfevP-21MmHZ_wQuTu4sZdTOd_p3DA/viewform

Special Guest Speaker: Battle https://www.mybattlecall.com/

Hope to see you there!

Be sure to check out SD Deaf Resource & Outreach Programs' page this week with Summer Camp week! Looks like everyone is having a great time!

What an amazing weekend at our first annual family retreat hosted by SD DROP and SDSD at Swan Lake!

Families from across South Dakota came together for a weekend filled with laughter, connection, adventure, and unforgettable memories. From swimming, kayaking, games, and family challenges to simply spending time together, it was amazing to see friendships grow and families connect with others who share similar experiences.

A huge thank you to all of the families, staff, volunteers, and supporters who helped make this retreat such a success. We had an absolute blast and are already looking forward to next year!

SDSD Foundation is thrilled to announce this year's SDSD Foundation scholarships! We will highlight all recipients on the coming Fridays. Congratulations, we are proud of you!

Donavon Pourier of Box Elder is the recipient of the $950 South Dakota Services for the Deaf Foundation Scholarship. He plans to attend either Western Dakota Technical College or Great Plains Welding Academy to pursue training as a welder.

During high school, Donavon was unable to participate in extracurricular activities as he worked to help support his mother with household expenses. He held several jobs while attending school, most recently working at Hardee’s, where he worked approximately 30 hours per week.
In addition, Donavon attended the SDSD/SDDROP High School GPS for Life Camp, where he assisted with activities and served as a positive role model and leader for other students.

Donavon’s long-term goal is to become a certified journeyman welder, allowing him to take on more complex projects and eventually move into a lead welder or supervisory role. He also hopes to one day start his own small welding and fabrication business.

Looking for FREE ASL resources for your child, family, or classroom?

The Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) offers a variety of American Sign Language (ASL) videos, lessons, educational content, and training resources designed for families, educators, interpreters, and students. Their growing library includes ASL video lessons, educational videos with ASL interpretation, and professional development opportunities—all designed to support language access and learning. DCMP also provides thousands of accessible educational videos with captions and ASL support for qualifying families and educators.

Explore their ASL resources here: https://dcmp.org/media/asl

https://dcmp.org/media/asl

We had a great time presenting during teacher in-service day at Primrose Schools in Sioux Falls!

SDSD Outreach Consultant Erica shared a practical lesson in functional sign language, providing teachers with simple signs and strategies they can immediately use in their classrooms to support communication with young learners. SDSD Audiologist Dr. Jacynda Lane also presented on the importance of communication development, the benefits of incorporating sign language into everyday classroom routines, and information related to hearing, hearing loss, and ear/hearing concerns that educators may encounter.

It was wonderful to connect with such an engaged group of educators who are committed to creating inclusive and communication-rich learning environments for all students. Thank you to the staff for welcoming us and for your enthusiasm and participation throughout the day. We appreciate the opportunity to share resources and strategies that help support language, communication, and accessibility in the classroom!