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Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

Deaf and Hearing Services Brochure

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Guide

 

 


Table of Contents

Overview of Services to Consumers who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Services to Consumers who are Deaf

Services to Consumers who are Hard of Hearing or Late Deafened

Services to Consumers who are Deaf/Blind

 

OVERVIEW

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) understands that people with hearing loss have different communication needs. Clear communication between the rehabilitation counselor and the person with hearing loss is the key to successful vocational rehabilitation services. Eligible individuals receive services to get a job, return to a job, keep a job, or get a better job.

OVR has staff trained to understand about the different problems people with hearing loss may have. Rehabilitation Counselors for the Deaf (RCDs) have sign language skills and serve persons who are deaf and use this type of communication. Communication Specialists are trained about devices and ways to serve individuals who are hard of hearing or late deafened. RCDs and Communication Specialists are also skilled in serving people who have vision problems in addition to a hearing loss or deafness.

For more information contact:

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Branch

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

209 St. Clair Street

Frankfort, KY 40601

Telephone: 1-800-372-7172 (V/TTY)
FAX:  502-564-6742

 

DEAF SERVICES

     Individuals who use sign language are served by a Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf (RCD). There are RCDs statewide to provide services. Examples of specialized services:

  • Information & counseling about jobs.

  • Information & referral for other services.

  • Assessment about job skills.

  • Training programs with support services to learn job skills.

  • Technology (including training) - for work related technology.

  • Job Placement assistance.

  • Interpreting Services.

      Janis Friend, Program Administrator for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Branch, provides technical assistance and coordinates services statewide. She can be reached at (502) 564-4440 (V/TTY)     

 

 

Links to Deaf Websites

www.rid.org – The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. - Information concerning interpreters for persons who are deaf including testing, code of ethics, etc.

http://ClercCenter.gallaudet.edu/InfoToGo/index.html – The National Information Center on Deafness is a centralized source of accurate, up-to date, objective information on topics dealing with deafness and hearing loss.

www.ntid.rit.edu/nce/ - National Technical Institute for the Deaf Center on Employment – Information for job seekers and employers.

www.nad.org/ - The National Association of the Deaf safeguards accessibility and civil rights of deaf and hard of hearing Americans in a variety of areas.

www.agbell.org/ - Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing established to empower people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

HARD OF HEARING/LATE DEAFENED SERVICES

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) has implemented a new initiative in serving individuals who are hard of hearing and late deafened. VR currently has 45 Communication Specialists (CS) located in the major  Vocational Rehabilitation offices statewide.

An individual whose communication mode is use of amplification (hearing aids, and/or assistive listening devices), lip reading, large visual display or real time captioning would be served by the CS that covers the county in which they live. CS’s have experience in assistive technology, coping skills training, communication strategies, and job site/work analysis.

 

Some examples of these specialized services for consumers who are hard of hearing/late deafened include:

  • Assessment of Technology needs

  • Onsite work/task analysis

  • Technology training

  • Communication/Coping skills training

  • Educational training programs with support services such as note-takers, interpreters, assistive listening devices

  • Community training programs such as employment preparation and training

 

 Lori Bishop, Coordinator of Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened Services, provides technical assistance and coordination statewide. Lori is located in Frankfort and can be reached at (502) 564-4440 (V/TTY), (502) 564-6745 FAX, or LoriT.Bishop@ky.gov

 

 

Links to Hard of Hearing Websites

Self-Help for the Hard of Hearing (SHHH) – Information concerning hearing loss related issues such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and technology devices. http://www.shhh.org

Association for Late Deafened Adults (ALDA) – Membership is international in scope. Works collaboratively with other organizations around the world serving the needs of late-deafened people. http://www.alda.org/

League for the Hard of Hearing – Provides hearing rehabilitation and human service program to people who are hard of hearing and deaf, and their families. Empowers consumers and professionals to achieve their potential and to provide leadership to and be the model for, disciplines that relate to hearing rehabilitation. http://www.lhh.org

Other Related Links

 

Kentucky State SHHH www.kentucky-shhh.org

email info:  info@kentucky-shhh.org

 

Derbytown Chapter www.derbytownshhh.org

email info:  info@derbytownshhh.org

 

DEAF/BLIND SERVICES

The amount of hearing and vision loss in people who are deafblind is different with each person. DeafBlind people may need many different services. Several people may need to work together to provide all those services. Services may be provided by either a Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf (RCD) or a Communication Specialist. If the person is Deaf and uses ASL, they will work with a RCD. If the person is hard of hearing or late-deafened, a Communication Specialist can best serve him/her. A Rehabilitation Counselor for the Blind may also work with a person who is deafblind. The person may need to work with both a RCD and Counselor for the Blind to get the best services. Counselors for the Deaf, Communication Specialists and Counselors for the Blind are all trained to work with people who have both hearing and vision loss. Some people who work at the Carl D. Perkins and Charles W. McDowell Rehabilitation Centers are also trained to work with deafblind people. OVR Staff Interpreters are trained to communicate with people who are deafblind and can help when needed.

 

There are three DeafBlind Specialists who help counselors serve someone who is deafblind. One works with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and the other works with the Dept. for the Blind. They work with counselors of both agencies in different parts of the state. They provide information, technical help and coordinate services for people who are deafblind. They also train people who work with other agencies, places or programs to help people who are deafblind. They help family members and consumers too.

 

A person who is deafblind can receive the following services to help him/her get and keep a job:

  • Testing to decide what technology can help both hearing and vision

  • Training to learn to use assistive technology

  • Guidance & counseling from a rehabilitation counselor trained in hearing and vision loss

  • Finding out what can help a person at the job site

  • Training to improve communication and deal with problems

  • Help to get services from other agencies

  • Help to decide what the person’s abilities & interests are

  • Support services (interpreters, notetakers, etc.) while a person goes to school

  • Training & preparation for a job

  • Help to learn job tasks and be successful at work.

 

Through the efforts of OVR and OFB staff working with the consumer, many deafblind people are working successfully. More and more deafblind people are getting jobs as well.

 

Customers who have hearing and vision loss combined (deaf-blindness) should consult Janis Friend, the State Coordinator of Deaf-blind services, to help determine which counselor can best meet their needs and plan suitable services. Janis coordinates these services statewide and works with both the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Office for the Blind. Janis also maintains a statewide registry of persons who are deaf-blind and needs information on individuals for this purpose. Janis is located in Frankfort and can be reached at 502-564-4440 (V/TTY) or 800-372-7172 KY and (502)-564-6742 FAX or through e-mail at JanisK.Friend@ky.gov.

 

Links to Deaf/Blind Websites:

www.helenkeller.org/national – Information related to all aspects of deafblindness including other resources.

www.dblink.tr.wou.edu/dblink – A clearinghouse for information related to children who are deafblind as well as a listing of job openings for those interested in working in the field.


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Last Updated: 10/09/2008