Meet DeafHealth: Jessica Kennedy

Meet DeafHealth! Jessica Kennedy is a Deaf attorney, a Minnesotan, she leads the DeafHealth team, and she advocates for accessible healthcare for deaf communities.  

DeafHealth is a radically different healthcare advocacy organization. We are Deaf-led, Deaf-operated, and Deaf-community-centered. Each of us represents DeafHealth. Together we are Deaf & Healthy. 

Stay Informed in ASL: We’ve got you covered! Sign up with your email at deafhealthaccess.org/sign-up or follow us on social media for new and current health updates. 

Video Description and Transcript

Video Description:

The post has a video thumbnail with blue shading overlaid. The middle has a text bubble that reads “Meet Jessica Kennedy” in white text with rose background. In the video: A woman with light brown long hair is standing in front of the camera with a blue couch and framed diplomas behind her. She is wearing a black blazer and a black shirt. 

Transcript:

Hi I’m Jessica Kennedy. I’m here at my home in Minnesota. I’m an attorney, and a mom, and I lead the DeafHealth team. Like you all, we are Deaf advocates. And like you all, we believe that healthcare is a basic human right, not a privilege. But for too long, deaf communities have been denied that right. That needs to change. That change is HUGE. That change is possible; but we can’t do it alone. We need community support. We need your stories, your ideas, your insights. We need your vision of what accessible, equal healthcare looks like. “We know that there’s nothing about us, without us.” Our deaf communities must be centered in this change. Join us. [The screen fades to show a thumbnail of a faded white background of a doctor holding hands with another individual] Deaf. Healthy. DeafHealth. Learn more at www.deafhealthaccess.org.]

DeafHealth Responds to Federal Acknowledgement

Last week, DeafHealth submitted public comment, advocating for change. Responding to a proposed rulemaking by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, which agreed that people with disabilities face widespread discrimination in accessing healthcare, DeafHealth demanded more for our deaf communities.

The acknowledgement of bias and mistreatment that we face in everyday healthcare was profound, but it was no surprise for deaf communities who live this experience. While we were grateful and relieved that the federal government was recognizing this decades-long injustice, we advocated that more is needed to effectively challenge the status quo here.

Just as much as the law needs text, our communities need teeth; we need stronger enforcement of the laws. For too long we have borne the consequences of significant health disparities and poorer health outcomes. No more. Join us in that change.

Read more on DeafHealth's comment here.

Stay Informed in ASL: We’ve got you covered! Sign up with your email at deafhealthaccess.org/sign-up or follow us on social media for new and current health updates. 

Video Description and Transcript

Video Description:

The post has a video thumbnail with blue shading overlaid. The middle has a text bubble that reads “Federal gov’t recognizes widespread discrimination” in white text with rose background. In the video: A woman with light brown long hair is standing in front of the camera with a blue couch and framed diplomas behind her. She is wearing a black blazer and a black shirt.

Transcript:

WOW. The federal government just acknowledged our experience, as people with disabilities relating to healthcare. They said: widespread discrimination. This is not a surprise for deaf communities. We live that experience. We know that. We also agree that it needs to change. DeafHealth agrees too, and we submitted a public comment saying that. We also said that we need more –We need more education, we need more enforcement. Historically, deaf communities bear the burden of the consequences of this discrimination and casual enforcement. No more. We can’t continue that. But DeafHealth is doing more than submitting letters like this. We are rolling our sleeves and actively participating in that change. Join us. [The screen fades to show a thumbnail of a faded white background of a doctor holding hands with another individual] Deaf. Healthy. DeafHealth. Learn more at www.deafhealthaccess.org.]

Check Out Our Video Library!

Love staying in the loop with health info in ASL? We’ve got exciting news for you! Explore our fresh video library on our website by checking out www.deafhealthaccess.org/updates. Enjoy! 🤟 

Stay Informed in ASL: We’ve got you covered! Sign up with your email at deafhealthaccess.org/sign-up or follow us on social media for new and current health updates. 

Video Description and Transcript

Video Description:

The post has a video thumbnail with blue shading overlaid. The top middle has “Try our ASL video library!” in white text with a rose background. In the video: A young woman with brown shoulder length curly hair is sitting in front of the camera with shelves, books, and decorative items behind her. She is wearing a black shirt with red framed glasses. 

Transcript:

Do you like staying updated with health based videos in ASL? Guess what? We have a video library on our website to help you stay informed and caught up on information related to COVID, health based information, and health tips! Check it out! www.deafhealthaccess.org/updates [The screen fades to show a thumbnail of a faded white background of a doctor holding hands with another individual] Deaf. Healthy. DeafHealth. Learn more at www.deafhealthaccess.org.]

Get Your Free COVID-19 Tests Now!

Don’t miss this opportunity! Get 4 free COVID tests at covidtests.gov! Hurry while supplies last - sign up here: covidtests.gov 

Stay Informed in ASL: We’ve got you covered! Sign up with your email at deafhealthaccess.org/sign-up or follow us on social media for new and current health updates. 

Video Description and Transcript

Video Description:

The post has a video thumbnail with blue shading overlaid. The top middle has “Get Free COVID-19 Tests!” in white text with a rose background. In the video: A young woman with brown shoulder length curly hair is sitting in front a green screen screenshot of the website covidtests.gov. She is wearing a black off the shoulder shirt with tank-top and clear rimmed glasses.

Transcript:

Grab this opportunity now! Get free COVID-19 tests at this website here! (she points to COVIDTests.gov). Sign up, type in your home address, and you will get 4 free COVID-19 tests for your household. Take advantage of this opportunity while supplies still last! [The screen fades to show a thumbnail of a faded white background of a doctor holding hands with another individual] Deaf. Healthy. DeafHealth. Learn more at www.deafhealthaccess.org.]

Join our Focus Groups on Deaf Health! 

Ready to change the future of healthcare? Join our focus groups! Our 1st focus group will be on September 15, 11 - 12 PM CST. Share your unique experiences, insights, and ideas on COVID-19 and vaccination. 

Participants will get a $50 gift card as compensation. Interested? Fill out our prescreening questionnaire: https://forms.office.com/r/mdHrXZ9rtg. 

This focus group on September 15 is only open to Minnesota residents. Not eligible and can’t participate? Stay tuned for future focus group dates by signing up at deafhealthaccess.org/join-us. 

Video Description and Transcript

Video Description:

The post has a video thumbnail with blue shading overlaid. The top middle has “We want to hear from you!” in white text with rose background. In the video: A young woman with brown curly hair is sitting in front of the camera with shelves, books, and decorative items behind her. She is wearing a blue v-neck shirt with clear framed glasses.

Transcript:

Do you feel like you are frustrated with the doctor’s office, accessibility, or understanding medical information? We want to hear from you! Join our focus group to share your opinions and experiences. We value your opinion and your experiences! This focus group is easy, and will be a small group of 8 people and will last up to 1 hour. We will meet virtually on zoom. After participating, you will get a $50 gift card. The focus group will touch on different topics such as COVID-19 and vaccinations. Are you interested? Sign up at the following form: Link in caption below! Do you want to know more about other focus groups and their upcoming dates? Sign up with your email at Deafhealthaccess.org. Follow for more at DeafHealth.

COVID-19 Update: Vaccinations, Testing, & More 

On May 10, 2024, the U.S. federal government announced significant changes in managing the COVID-19 situation, but that doesn’t mean COVID-19 is over! We’re here to provide you with the essential details.  

The government will change the type and frequency of data reporting. Stay informed through reliable sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  

Vaccines, treatments, and testing are still available:  

  1. Get Your Free COVID-19 Vaccine: Protect yourself and others by getting vaccinated. Visit https://www.vaccines.gov/ for more information.  
  1. Find a Testing Location Near You: Stay vigilant by finding free COVID-19 tests at a place close to you. Check out https://testinglocator.cdc.gov/.   
  1. Medication for Prevention: Limited supplies are available for medications that can prevent severe COVID-19.  

Stay Informed in ASL: We’ve got you covered! Sign up with your email at deafhealthaccess.org/sign-up or follow us on social media for new and current health updates.  

Video Description and Transcript

Video Description:

The post has a video thumbnail with blue shading overlaid. The top middle has "IS COVID-19 OVER?" in white text with rose background. In the video: A young woman with brown curly hair is sitting in front of the camera with shelves, books, and decorative items behind her. She is wearing a black shirt with metallic-framed glasses. 

Transcript:

On May 10, 2023, the federal government announced the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. That means COVID-19 is over, right? No! This just means that COVID-19 reporting such as how often and what kind of reporting will be changing. However, that means vaccines, treatments, and testing is still available. What does that mean? This means that you can still get free COVID-19 vaccines. You also still can get access to free COVID-19 tests. Additionally, you can get medication to prevent severe COVID-19, such as Paxlovid. This only applies while supplies last. Do you want to get more new, current health updates in ASL? Sign up with your e-mail at deafhealthaccess.org and follow us on social media @deafhealthaccess

Introducing DeafHealth

We are here to break barriers in Healthcare.

Our goal is to see strong deaf communities where people feel empowered, well-informed, and supported when dealing with healthcare. We think everyone should have the right to be healthy. 

DeafHealth is an inclusive effort that bridges the healthcare system and deaf communities. It was created by a group of people who care a lot about this cause, including healthcare experts. We aim to give strength and knowledge to deaf people about their health, well-being, and the healthcare choices they have. 

Key features: 

 You can help us break barriers too. Sign up with your email or follow us on social media for new and current health updates at @deafhealthaccess.  

Video Description and Transcript

Video Description:

The post has a video thumbnail of a faded white background of a doctor holding hands with another individual. The top text has "Deaf. Healthy. DeafHealth" in alternating light blue and dark blue font. The bottom text has “Learn more at” in rose font, and under the text lists www.deafhealthaccess.org” in white font with a rose background. In the video: A young woman with brown curly hair is sitting in front of the camera with shelves, books, and decorative items behind her. She is wearing a rose shirt with gold wire-framed glasses.  

Transcript:

Lack of access for the deaf community in healthcare is a serious problem. Nearly 70% of physicians recognized that they are at risk of a lawsuit under the ADA for not providing accommodations. That’s unacceptable. We see that there are many barriers in healthcare, and we want to break these barriers down. But how do we plan on doing that? We want to empower you with accessible healthcare content and support in ASL. JOIN US and be part of the change. [The screen fades to show a thumbnail of a faded white background of a doctor holding hands with another individual] Deaf. Healthy. DeafHealth. Learn more at www.deafhealthaccess.org