Press Release: 5/11/2026

MCDHH Celebrates Agency’s 40th Anniversary with Gatherings at Massachusetts State House and Holyoke Community College

BOSTON, MA — The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH), established in 1986, celebrated 40 years of service with an event on April 30 at the Massachusetts State House and one on May 2 at Holyoke Community College. 



On April 30, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Constituents Day, organized by MCDHH and the Statewide Advisory Council for MCDHH, brought the Deaf and hard of hearing community of Massachusetts together to connect with state legislators, policymakers, and agency leaders in celebration of Deaf culture and history. 



Community gathered at State House for MCDHH 40th Anniversary Celebration. Commissioner Sotonwa is speaking at podium.



Commissioner Sotonwa welcomed the Deaf and hard of hearing community to MCDHH's 40th Anniversary at the Massachusetts State House. Photo by Jonathan O'Dell.



In the Great Hall of the Massachusetts State House, Undersecretary of Human Services Mary McGeown presented a new Proclamation, issued by Governor Maura Healey, declaring April Deaf History Month in Massachusetts. 



Undersecretary of Human Services Mary McGeown presents new proclamation signed by Governor Healey, declaring April Deaf History Month in Massachusetts.



Undersecretary of Human Services Mary McGeown presents Proclamation, declaring April Deaf History Month in Massachusetts. Photo by Jonathan O'Dell.



“Over the past 40 years, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has helped break down barriers and open doors for thousands of residents across our state,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This work is about dignity and access, and making sure every person can connect and fully participate in their community. I’m proud to proclaim April as Deaf History Month in Massachusetts as we celebrate the contributions of the Deaf and hard of hearing community and recommit ourselves to expanding access, strengthening services and building a more accessible and inclusive Massachusetts for all.”  



“Across all 351 of our cities and towns in communities big and small, this work has made a real and lasting difference,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “It has helped families to be able to communicate with one another. It has helped people access healthcare, education, and employment. It has helped residents participate fully in their communities, not on the margins but right at the center. That’s what good government looks like in my mind.” 



“With April now officially proclaimed as Deaf History Month in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, we acknowledge and celebrate the meaningful contributions of the Deaf and hard of hearing community,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah, MD, MBA. “Congratulations to the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing on 40 years of meaningful service. May today serve as another step towards an accessible and inclusive future.” 



“Congratulations to MCDHH on accomplishing four decades of success in their commitment to expand and improve communication, technology, and education for the benefit of Massachusetts’ Deaf and hard of hearing population,” said Undersecretary for Human Services Mary McGeown. “This anniversary milestone is a testament to how far leadership and care can advance policy so that all Deaf and hard of hearing individuals can prosper.” 



The event also included a video presentation with remarks from Senator Robyn Kennedy. 



“As the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, this work is incredibly important to me,” saidSenator Robyn Kennedy. “So much of what we focus on come back to the equity, dignity, and making sure families and individuals with disabilities have the support they need to live fully and independently, and we cannot do that work without listening to and working alongside the Deaf and hard of hearing community. Your voices, your leadership, and your lived experience have to continue shaping the policies and services that impact your lives.” 



Representative Jay Livingstone, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities also offered remarks at the event. 



“Congratulations to the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing on 40 years of serving the Commonwealth,” said Representative Jay Livingstone. “That’s a huge accomplishment. The work MCDHH does to provide accessible communication, education and advocacy is vital to the state and helps ensure people with disabilities live the life they deserve.” 



“I am grateful to the MCDHH Statewide Advisory Council for convening Deaf and hard of hearing residents from across the Commonwealth to engage directly with their state representatives in celebration of Deaf culture and advocacy,” said Dr. Opeoluwa Sotonwa, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. “During Deaf History Month—and as we mark MCDHH’s 40th anniversary—we reflect on both progress and purpose. Over the past three years, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has helped position MCDHH for deeper impact through sustained budget growth, interpreter workforce development, specialized legal and high-profile training, expanded after-hours emergency services, and increased support across medical, mental health, and substance use disorder settings. These are not symbolic steps—they are system-building steps. The work ahead is to continue that trajectory: strengthening communication access providers' quality assurance, modernizing our referral infrastructure, and ensuring that communication access is designed, embedded, and sustained across every system in the Commonwealth.” 



MCDHH awarded four individuals within the Deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind, late-deafened, and oral deaf communities for their positive impact and contributions in advocacy, leadership, public service, accessibility and inclusion. The four award winners included: 




  • The BJ Wood Trailblazer Award: Katie McCarthy 

  • The CART Captioning Excellence Award: Stefanie Farrell 

  • The Gail Sallop Interpreter Award: Alice Harrigan 

  • The Lifetime Achievement Award: Ed Varallo 



Separately, the MCDHH Statewide Advisory Council awarded individuals and organizations across five categories. The Statewide Advisory Council’s 2026 award recipients included: 




  • Outstanding Advocate of the Year: Andrea Kaneb 

  • Outstanding Service Provider of the Year: Kim White 

  • Legislator of the Year: Senator Adam Gómez 

  • Outstanding Youth Advocate: Tia LaBrecque 

  • Outstanding Organization of the Year: Discovery Museum of Acton 



“Each of this year’s award recipients represents the spirit of advocacy, access, and community that the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has advanced over the past 40 years,” said Michelle Motta Dardeno, Chair of the Statewide Advisory Council. “We are honored to recognize their contributions and celebrate their work at the State House during this important anniversary year.”  



MCDHH Commissioner Sotonwa stands with Statewide Advisory Council Members Jonathan Ozek, Nini Silver, Zinma Camelio, and Michelle Motta Dardeno.



MCDHH Commissioner Sotonwa with Statewide Advisory Council Members (Left to Right: Jonathan Ozek, Commissioner Opeoluwa Sotonwa, Nini Silver, Zinma Camelio, and Michelle Motta Dardeno). Photo by Jonathan O'Dell.



On May 2, MCDHH continued its Anniversary celebration with a second public gathering at Holyoke Community College. Members of the Deaf and hard of hearing community celebrated with a day comprised of interactive games, networking, and speeches from several special guest speakers including opening remarks from Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, who congratulated the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing on its work over the past 40 years. 



Lieutenant Governor Driscoll smiles beside MCDHH Commissioner Sotonwa in Holyoke, MA.



Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and MCDHH Commissioner Sotonwa at MCDHH's anniversary event at Holyoke Community College. Photo by Jonathan O'Dell.



The event also featured a keynote speech entitled “Learning from our History and Reimagining the Future” by the first Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Barbara Jean “BJ” Wood. 



Former and first Commissioner of MCDHH BJ Wood delivers keynote speech at MCDHH anniversary event at Holyoke Community College.



Former and first Commissioner of MCDHH BJ Wood delivers keynote speech at MCDHH anniversary event at Holyoke Community College. Photo by Jonathan O'Dell.



Several organizations hosted tables at both events in support as community partners, including Viability, DEAF, Inc., My Ombudsman, the Department of Children and Families Foster Care Program, and Your Access Advocates, among several others. 



About the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) 



The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is the principal agency in the Commonwealth responsible for providing access, communication support, and services to Deaf and hard of hearing individuals, while advising public and private agencies on accessibility and communication access. MCDHH provides direct services to the public in the form of communication access trainings, communication needs, substance use recovery, ASL interpreter and CART captioner coordination, and workforce development. To learn more about the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, please visit mass.gov/mcdhh. 



About the Statewide Advisory Council (SAC) 



The Statewide Advisory Council advises the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing on issues affecting Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing individuals across the Commonwealth, including access, policy, services, and community needs.