Help Us Build a More Connected and Accessible Future

We see DEAFinitely Fun becoming more than an events website. Our long-term vision is to build a trusted community and professional-development hub where people can find connection, education, encouragement, and opportunities in one accessible place. Beginning in 2027 and continuing as resources allow, we hope to develop the following initiatives.

​

DEAFinitely Fun Membership

A future membership program could give community members access to exclusive educational materials, member discussions, early program announcements, special events, downloadable resources, and networking opportunities.

We envision different membership options designed for:

• Deaf and Hard of Hearing community members

• Parents and families

• ASL students

• Interpreter education program students

• Working interpreters

• Community allies and supporters

• Deaf-owned businesses and professional partners

Donations will help us research the best membership structure, develop accessible content, purchase the necessary technology, and keep membership costs reasonable.

​

Professional Development and CEUs

We want to create high-quality professional-development opportunities for interpreters, interpreting students, educators, organizations, and professionals who serve the Deaf community.

Future programming may include:

• Live webinars and workshops

• Deaf-led training opportunities

• Ethics and professional-practice discussions

• Deaf culture and community education

• Accessibility and communication training

• Specialty interpreting topics

• EIPA, NIC, and CASLI preparation resources

• Recorded learning materials

• Continuing Education Units, or CEUs, through approved partnerships

Funding will help cover qualified presenters, Deaf consultants, interpreters, captioning, technology, program materials, CEU processing, and accessible recordings.

​

Volunteer Interpreter Opportunity Board

Interpreting students often need safe, ethical opportunities to gain experience while organizations need help making community activities more accessible.

​

Our proposed Volunteer Interpreter Opportunity Board would help connect qualified students and emerging interpreters with appropriate volunteer opportunities. It would not replace paid professional interpreters or encourage unqualified people to accept assignments beyond their ability.

The program would be designed around:

• Clear skill-level expectations

• Ethical placement guidelines

• Appropriate supervision and mentorship

• Transparent descriptions of each opportunity

• Deaf community input

• Protection against replacing paid interpreting work

• Feedback and reflection after assignments

Contributions will support program design, legal and ethical guidance, application and screening systems, technology, supervision, and community partnerships.

​

Mentorship Programs

We envision structured mentorship opportunities connecting interpreting students and newer professionals with experienced interpreters, Deaf mentors, and other knowledgeable community leaders.

Possible features include:

• Individual or small-group mentoring

• Goal-setting and accountability

• Receptive and expressive skill development

• Professional decision-making support

• Deaf perspective and cultural guidance

• Resume and interview preparation

• Certification-exam preparation

• Networking and career-development opportunities

Funding will allow us to compensate qualified mentors and Deaf consultants, coordinate appropriate matches, create mentorship materials, and develop a sustainable program.

​

Interpreter Support Services

Interpreters and students need more than a list of jobs. They need reliable information, professional encouragement, ethical guidance, practical tools, and a community that understands the work.

Future interpreter support services may include:

• Certification and testing information

• Scholarship and training opportunities

• Study groups and accountability sessions

• Resume and portfolio templates

• Professional resource libraries

• Referral and networking opportunities

• Burnout prevention and wellness resources

• Workshops led by Deaf professionals and experienced interpreters

• Information about local and national interpreting organizations

Your support can help us build these services thoughtfully, with Deaf voices involved from the beginning.

​

Premium Resource Library

We also hope to develop an accessible digital library containing free and affordable resources, including:

• ASL learning guides

• Interpreter preparation materials

• Scholarship lists

• Accessibility guides

• Resume and portfolio templates

• Deaf advocacy toolkits

• EIPA, NIC, and CASLI preparation resources

• Parent and family resources

• Deaf-friendly event-planning guides

• Educational materials created with Deaf professionals

Contributions will help support research, writing, editing, design, captioning, ASL access, professional review, website technology, and ongoing updates.

​

Expanded Community Programming

As DEAFinitely Fun grows, we hope to create and support more opportunities for connection, including:

• Deaf-friendly social gatherings

• Educational workshops

• Virtual community events

• Book clubs and discussion groups

• Faith-based programs

• Deaf-owned business showcases

• Family-friendly activities

• Student and interpreter networking events

• Community collaborations

• Accessible programs developed in response to community needs

We want these programs to be welcoming, affordable, accessible, and shaped by the people they are intended to serve.