SIGNificant Mission
To change a myth that the deaf community is not a significant value to the general Community. By making them Valued Customers, accessible certifications to be excellent Employees, Public Trainers and visable Professional Leaders.
Upcoming SIGNificant Events
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Our History
Growing SignIFICANT to the place we are today has been quite a journey. In 2006 we launched JOBS Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. We have 6 office locations in 3 States; Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. In partnerships with the American Job Centers, we serviced 465 deaf job seekers with a 65% placement rate.
In 2009, We launched Deaf Employment and Business Solutions LLC (DEBS) a Social Security Administration Ticket to Work Employment Network provider. This allows us to work with any SSI or SSDI beneficiary in providing Benefits Counseling along with Career Development. We are now a National SSA Ticket to Work Provider, who focuses non gainful employment opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing candidates.
We are a Vendor for the Michigan Rehabilitation Services for Job related Trainings, ASL Interpreting services and job development/ placement services. We also serve as a Partnership Plus services provider. A program that braids the Vocational Rehabilitation Services with the SSA Ticket to Work Employment Network provider that offers employers long term consulting services that in turn increase job retention rates with the job candidates.
In 2015, we launched Alliance for Deaf Services LLC. ADS added innovative technology to bridge communication access for individuals who are deaf and individuals with a hearing loss. We offer American Sign Language through Video Remote Interpreting on any smart devices, as well as, Talk to Text (T2T) digital communication for individuals with a hearing loss and do not use American Sign Language.
In 2018, we established a Community Integrated ASL training company; SignIFICANT LLC. The focus of SignIFICANT is to work with employers who have customized training for the jobs they need to fill and create the training into ASL. At the same time, create access to the deaf community Many of the certification programs will be made available online as well as in person. Second, by being integrated in the American Job Centers, this allows SignIFICANT to teach their staff Deaf Culture and basic Sign Language, while teaching them how to be accessible to the Deaf Community. Last, Significant offers digital outreach to the deaf community on behalf of the agencies and customers that they have trained. This last part is critical to inform the deaf community of the new accessible programs, jobs and resources.
Meet the Team
Debra Morrison
CEO
dmorrison@significantcommunity.com
Office: (810) 522-6684
Cell: (810) 333-3262
Debra received her MI State Qualified Interpreter certification in 1990. In 2004 she was appointed to the Michigan Statewide Advisory Council for The Deaf and Hard of Hearing. In 2009, Debra became the Founder/CEO of Deaf Employment and Business Solutions (DEBS) and Alliance for Deaf Services (ADS). In 2012, Debra Founded ADS; A National ASL Video Remote Interpreting communication service for the Deaf.
In 2016, she developed a program with DTE Energy and Walker Miller Energy that provides marketing, education and outreach for Energy Efficiency Services within the Deaf Community. This one of a kind program has brought energy efficiency services to the deaf and hard of hearing community to over 500+ homes in Michigan as of 2018.
Todd Morrison
President
tmorrison@significantcommunity.com
Office: (517) 618-9268
Cell: (517) 680-4334
Todd is the President of SignIFICANT and the former Chief Marketing Officer for Alliance for Deaf Services. Todd is the Michigan Deaf Association President, an appointed council member for the State of Michigan Civil Rights Department; Michigan Division on Deaf DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing. His most recent advancement is the implementation of a bipartisan Michigan Legislature Caucus on Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing, ASL Document Translations for Governor Snyder on the Flint Water Crisis and ASL Translation for the Medicaid Match Program Grant through University of Michigan. Todd is a subject matter expert in the most innovative, current technology being utilized for communication access with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
Amy Tait
Gov Programs Operations
atait@significantcommunity.com
Office: (810) 355-5613
Amy began working with Deaf Employment Solutions in 2009. She began her career as a Professional Development Manager, then moved into Operations Manager and in 2016, Amy became the Government Programs Operations Director. Amy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Amy is a Child of a Deaf Adult (CODA). Therefore, having deaf family members, she has spent a life -time in the Deaf Community. She is a passionate advocate and systems implementation Director that strives to improve the quality of life for the community she serves.
Matt Bohlman
Marketing Coordinator
mbohlman@significantcommunity.com
Matt is the Marketing Coordinator at SignIFICANT. Matt received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing at Eastern Michigan University in 2018. Matt was born with a severe hearing loss in both ears which resulted in him learning American Sign Language and being placed into the total communication (mainstream) program in the Dearborn Public School system. Matt was in the total communication program from age 3 until he graduated from Dearborn High School in 2014. Matt’s passion is to help bring awareness to the business world that Deaf/HoH professionals are more than capable being successful when given the same opportunities as their hearing colleagues. Success fuels the overall energy and creativity in the work place.
Pam Groth
Case Manager + Scheduling
pgroth@significantcommunity.com
Pam began working with Deaf Employment & Business Solutions (DEBS) in 2016 as an Interpreter Scheduler and Case Manager for the Ticket to Work DEBS consumers. Pam graduated with a Associates of Science in Healthcare Administration and a Bachelor’s of Administration in Health and Wellness with honors. She is an strong Deaf advocate that continuously advocates to improve and empower lives in the Deaf community.