See you at Allies 2025 allies is planning
Vancro is an Approved RID CMP Sponsor for continuing education activities.
This Professional Studies (PS- PPO) program is offered for 1.5 CEUs at the SOME Content Knowledge Level.
CEU fee generously provided by Vancro Interpreting Services
As always, VANCRO is committed to offering educational opportunities free from discrimination and bias.
The Allies Conference is supported by registration fees. We will allow a full refund prior to Feb 15. No refunds will be given after Feb 15.
You can transfer your registration to someone who can attend the conference.
This weekend conference will create opportunities to engage in meaningful, and often challenging conversations generated by real world experiences and challenges experienced by participants representing the intersectional communities in which we live and work: Deaf, CODA, hearing interpreters. We will explore issues of power, privilege, social justice, and coexistence.
The Educational Objective(s) for this activity is/are:
Allies2024 is committed to respectful, and often challenging, dialogue. In registering for the conference, I agree to be guided by the team of facilitators in creating a weekend that will provide a safe and valuable community space for discovery and connection.
Updates and Announcements
allies2024 final (pdf)
DownloadVisual description: Opening slide (with stars in the background). text: “Update - Allies Conference 2024 Meet the facilitators….”
Zoom image with the 4 facilitators Upper left: Neisha is in front of a blue background wearing an olive green turtle neck sweater. She has shoulder length dark hair and is wearing glasses. Upper right: Aaron is front of a black background wearing a dark collared shirt. He has short dark hair and a salt and pepper short beard. Bottom left: MJ is in front of a blue background wearing a royal blue turtle neck sweater. She has chin-length blond hair. Bottom right: Morrison is in front of a black background wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with the word “UNITY” in rainbow colors. She is wearing a blue baseball cap with a Protactile logo on the left side of the cap, has short hair and is wearing glasses. Neisha: I'm Dr. Neisha from (emphasized proudly) DC. I identify as a Black Deaf person. My role is “CO”. I’m excited to be part of this conference standing in the foundation that was created by Nathie. I’ve taken to heart the breakthroughs that she caused and the vision she had for the breakthoughs we can create together. Morrison - I’m Morrison from Boston. I identify as white, DeafBlind and Queer and use they/them pronouns. My role is “CO”. My excitement about this conference is to see, feel and experience UNITY through collaboration. MJ - I’m MJ Grant, born and raised in Maine. My identities are CODA, white and female (pronouns she/her). My role for the conference is “CO”. From the time I was a young child I’ve envisioned a future filled with unity and collaboration. That future begins with each person starting on THEIR healing journey that is grounded in individual and collaborative effort. That’s my dream. Aaron. I’m Aaron Brace in San Francisco, CA. I’m am hearing, white, male, gay interpreter. My role for the conference, as is true for all of us, is “CO”. You may wonder what “CO” means and I’m not going to tell you now:). Come to the conference and we’ll share that with you. I'm looking forward to the conference to explore the hard shell that has surrounded/protected me as I travel through the world. I’m not sure that the term “ally” best defines what we’re talking about. I do know that the concept of taking on an ally role surrounded by a safety shell blocks my ability to truly walk in tandem with people. I want to examine this deeply with all of you. Neisha - The conference theme is “Finding Our Center”. I’d like to hear from each of you how you sign that. Morrison - I struggle with it. I think there’s no right or wrong answer and each person will have their own way of expressing it. One could sign {Sign description: R-hand ‘b’ handshape movement signing CENTER with L-hand up-facing palm} or one could sign {Sign description: R hand b-handshape singing CENTER to the middle of the chest}. Or the coming together and supporting each other {Sign description: 2 C handshapes coming together with the signs SUPPORT, STRONG and COLLABORATION}. MJ - We all have internal wisdom. i feel strongly that finding our center is the coming together of that wisdom with action. [Sign description: both R and L arms with a ‘b’ handshape meet in the middle and align.] Aaron - I envision a tootsie roll pop that, after a lot of licking, leaves a soft sweet center. That’s the soft sweet center I want to share with you. Neisha - I think of 2 signs for CENTER meeting in the middle. [Sign description: R-hand CENTER (8-handshape) palm facing down and L-hand palm facing up touching when they get to the middle.} Sometimes it is hard for either hand to find the middle because of fear or confusion. But in that process we can bring both sides together and find the right niche that can become the torch that lights the way and carries us forward together . [Description: Neisha again signs her sign for CENTER] Neisha: We look forward to you coming to the conference. Aaron - Join us! Morrison - I look forward to connecting and having hand-on-hand connection with you. Come! All: Hugs. ILY!!
Opening slide: www.AlliesConference.org
[Visual Description]
Light skinned Latina Deaf woman, salt and pepper hair wear a black turtle-neck shirt, black watch on one arm and a silver bracelet on the other in front of a light-purple background.
I’ve Ivy Velez, Conference Chair for the 2024 Allies Conference: Finding Our Center. This year’s conference will be March 1- 3 in Nashua, NH.
We are excited about our 4 facilitators: Morrison - DeafBlind, Niesha Shepard-Washington - Deaf, MJ Grant - CODA and Aaron Brace - hearing. They are all ready and in action to work with YOU for this exciting weekend.
One of the special opportunities this weekend will be Deafhood monologues giving conference attendees a chance to both enjoy, learn and really get the the Deaf experience from shared stories. There will also be booths for you to shop.
Early bird registration continues til January 15.
Costs:
$75 for Deaf, DeafBlind, CODAs and hearing participants who are not interpreters
$100 for students
$275 for working interpreters (Deaf, DeafBlind, CODA, hearing). Deaf interpreters can choose to pay the Deaf/DeafBlind rate or the interpreter rate. You choose.
If you need a payment plan, send an email to alliesplanningteam@gmail.com.
Clarifying the role for students this year. We encourage you to come, observe and take in the all that will happen at the conference. You will have designated sessions with other students and your own guide you during the weekend. We encourage you to take this time, not so much to contribute, but to take in the experience. You are our future interpreters and we value you!
As we get closer to the conference, we please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. We’re happy to hear whatever you have to say.
Hope to see you there!
Closing slides:
The Conference flyer then brief sparkling stars and www.AlliesConference.org.