Montana Accessible Communications

06/11/2026

With June being National Safety Month, it’s only fitting to highlight how communication access plays a huge role in safety.

During National Safety Month, we’d like to highlight the importance of accessible emergency information, interpreters, captioning, visual alerts, and communication supports for all individuals. Everyone deserves to be informed, prepared, seen, and heard.

🚨 If you are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, have low vision, have speech disabilities, or mobility challenges, consider these emergency preparedness tips:

✔️ Make a personalized emergency plan that includes your communication preference(s)
✔️ Have backup power sources and batteries for hearing devices, wheelchairs, communication devices, or any medical equipment that needs power to operate
✔️ Use accessible alert systems (text, vibration, flashing alerts, screen readers, etc.)
✔️ Share your emergency needs with trusted people nearby
✔️ Keep medical and communication information easy to access
✔️You can create a RapidSOS Emergency Health Profile so that first responders using RapidSOS have access to important information such as preexisting health conditions, medications, and allergies. You can find information about how to set this up under the “Resources” tab on our website: https://bit.ly/3VGdrYM
✔️Prepare an emergency go-bag
✔️ Plan transportation and evacuation options ahead of time

Prepared communities are inclusive communities. Take time today to review your emergency plan and encourage others to do the same.

Here are some videos demonstrating emergency signs in ASL for you to use if you ever need and aren’t able to speak, or to learn to recognize when someone else may be in a time of need:

📲 https://bit.ly/4uPhr8H

📲“Call 911”: https://bit.ly/4fyte6L

DPHHS is offering one-time incentive payments to recruit employees at Montana’s state-run health care facilities. For more information go to Work4DPHHS.com

06/10/2026

Need Saturday evening plans? 🎭🍿 Grandstreet Theatre has an ASL interpreted performance of “SIX: Teen Edition” on Saturday, June 13th, at 7:30 pm.

📍325 North Park Helena, MT

The SIX wives of Henry VIII take the mic to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st-century girl power. 👑🎶

MTAC is a proud sponsor of the ASL-interpreted events at Grandstreet Theatre!

Don't miss out! Get your tickets here 🔗 https://bit.ly/4eb90yu

Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the mic to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st-century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyon...

06/09/2026

Today's Tuesday Talking Tips 🗣️💡

When communicating with someone who is deaf or hard-of-hearing:

1️⃣ Ask and respect their preferred communication methods
2️⃣ Face the person and give them your undivided attention
3️⃣ Speak clearly to help them read your lips
4️⃣ Try to reduce as much background noise as possible
5️⃣ Use visuals when helpful
6️⃣ Utilize your phone’s accessibility settings
7️⃣ Be patient

06/09/2026

When was the last time you called your doctor? 📞🏥 MTAC is here to provide you with the communication equipment you may need to make that call!

We offer everything from amplified phones, caption phones, and phones with larger buttons for those who may have a harder time seeing, to ring signalers, electrolarynxes, and more!

Learn more about the equipment we provide to eligible recipients and how to apply for our services on our website ➡️ https://bit.ly/3ZGCwUn

DPHHS is offering one-time incentive payments to recruit employees at Montana’s state-run health care facilities. For more information go to Work4DPHHS.com

06/08/2026

How our Speech-to-Speech (STS) service works 👇

1️⃣ The STS user dials the designated STS Montana Relay number (1-253-4613)
2️⃣ A specially trained Communications Assistant (CA) listens to the words being spoken and revoices the user’s words to the other person.

3️⃣ When the other person on the line speaks, the STS user listens directly to what is being said.

Get started and dial 📳 1-253-4613 to place your STS call

06/04/2026

What is aphasia? It’s a symptom of another condition, such as a stroke or brain tumor, that 2️⃣ million Americans are currently living with. This disorder affects speech patterns and can make it difficult to be understood when speaking.

Here are some quick facts about aphasia and who it affects:
🔹 About 35% of stroke survivors develop aphasia

🔹 In the U.S., roughly 180,000 people are diagnosed with aphasia per year

🔹 While aphasia can affect all ages, it is most common in middle-aged or senior individuals

Our Hearing Carry Over and Speech-to-Speech services might be a perfect fit for those with aphasia. Learn more about our services here 📲 https://bit.ly/4frtFvA

DPHHS is offering one-time incentive payments to recruit employees at Montana’s state-run health care facilities. For more information go to Work4DPHHS.com

06/03/2026

Interested in getting some exercise and supporting a good cause? 🏃‍♀️💨The Governor’s Cup Road Races are taking place on 6/13 in Helena. This event is held annually on the 2nd Saturday of June and hosted by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana.

The mission is to provide people with a fun and festive opportunity to celebrate the benefits of exercise and make healthy lifestyle choices with their friends, family, and neighbors. The Governor’s Cup offers a wide variety of events, including the marathon, marathon relay, half-marathon, 10K, 5K, Fun Run, and the Kids’ Marathon. Each event starts at different times, so visit their website to see when your chosen event will be.

The Governor’s Cup serves as the main fundraising event for The Caring Foundation of Montana, with all race registration fees going to the foundation. If you don’t want to participate in the run but would like to contribute through a donation, you can do so on their website.

For more info about the event, visit https://bit.ly/4vgGcuc
or watch https://bit.ly/4uH8nCR

The annual event in Helena to provide people with a fun and festive opportunity to celebrate the benefits of exercise and healthy lifestyle choices.

06/02/2026

Looking for weekend plans? 🎲🎭 Grandstreet Theatre has an ASL interpreted performance of “Guys and Dolls Jr.” on Saturday, June 6th, at 2:30 pm.

📍325 North Park Helena, MT

The show promises to be a great mix of old-school charm and youthful energy, and is bound to have you singing, dancing, and laughing throughout.

MTAC is a proud sponsor of the ASL-interpreted events at Grandstreet Theatre. 😊

For tickets and more information: https://grandstreettheatre.com/event/guys-and-dolls-jr/

Grandstreet Theatre is rolling the dice and bringing you the ultimate Broadway hit, Guys and Dolls Jr., for a high-energy, toe-tapping experience you won’t forget!

06/01/2026

😊 Today is National Say Something Nice Day! Take a moment to compliment someone and spread positivity and kindness to those you cross paths with.

📹 Here is a video that teaches many different compliments you can communicate in ASL: https://bit.ly/3LgJRaa

COMPLIMENTS: TALENTED, SWEET, FRIENDLY, INTELLIGENT, CREATIVE, CONFIDENT, BEAUTIFUL, & GOOD-LOOKING! Signs of the day!Transcript: I’m going to teach you… COM...

05/31/2026

Today is National Save Your Hearing Day, created to raise awareness about hearing protection and prevent hearing loss.

Did you know that up to half of hearing impairment cases are preventable? This is a reminder for you and your loved ones to reduce your exposure to loud noises.

Ways to protect your hearing:

🔹 Utilize earplugs or earmuffs when applicable
🔹 Follow the 60:60 rule when listening to music with earbuds/headphones—Listen at no more than 60% volume for less than 60 minutes
🔹 Get your hearing tested by an Audiologist to stay on top of where your hearing is at
🔹 Get educated and spread awareness to your circle