Last month I signed copies of my book at ADARA, the national conference for the American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association, which was held March 13-17, 2022, at the Hyatt Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
It gave me a chance to chat about my first book, “Between Two Worlds,” about my life as a CODA, and mention my new book, recently completed, “Advocate for the Deaf,” about my long career as a mental health counselor for the deaf.
Attendees represent a wide cross-section of professional disciplines, including academics, mental health counselors, administrators and even retirees like me.
The conference offered many breakout sessions where different professionals presented cutting-edge research in education and mental health therapy.
The conference ended with a bang at a reception featuring artisans showing their pottery and jewelry to authors doing book signings. About a hundred people gathered for the social events, which provided ample time for checking out vendors and mingling with speakers and authors.
This was the first opportunity we could gather due to the pandemic. I missed the one-to-one contact that brings people together. I really am not the tech person to zoom. It was awesome to hug and shake hands with old friends and meet new ones.
In 2023, ADARA plans an online conference, but in 2024 there will be another in-person conference. The venue will be announced soon.