Deafness « Disabilities – Conditions
Articles
- Dept. of Public Welfare Discriminates Against Deaf Pennsylvanians (PR Newswire 2010)
Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania filed a class action lawsuit in U.S. District Court today against the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare alleging multiple violations of federal law in how they provide services to deaf persons with intellectual disabilities. - Florida Commits to Provide Effective Communication for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Persons (Earth Times – 1-26-10)
The Florida Department of Children and Families will provide qualified sign language interpreters as required by federal law to deaf and hard-of-hearing persons using its programs and services across the state under a Settlement Agreement reached with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. - Hearing Aid Tax Credit in 2009/2010 (Better Hearing Institute)
The Hearing Aid Tax Credit has been reintroduced in BOTH the House of Representatives (H.R. 1646) and the Senate (S.1019)! It's now more critical than ever to write your Members of Congress and ask them to support this important legislation! - How do Deaf Blind People Communicate?
Communication devices that deaf blind people use to connect with other people and exchange information with the world around them. - Lawsuits Against Cochlear Implants (CILSF Advocacy Blog)
Weitz & Luxenberg has filed multiple lawsuits against California cochlear implant (“CI”) manufacturer Advanced Bionics related to certain defective Advanced Bionics cochlear implants, and is currently investigating numerous other cases. - Work and Being Deaf (About.com)
Finding work can be challenging for a deaf or hard of hearing person. Deaf and hard of hearing people may experience discrimination, both before and after finding employment.
Publications
- A Brief Summary of Estimates for the Size of the Deaf Population in the U.S.A. Based on Available Federal Data and Published Research (Accessing Safety)
The Gallaudet Research Institute offers this summary of estimates for the size of deaf populations in the United States. - Deafweekly
An independent news report for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community that is mailed to subscribers on Wednesdays and available to read online. These are the actual headlines and portions of recent deaf-related news articles, with links to the full story. - Early Identification of Hearing Loss (Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center)
Help identify young children who may need a medical and/or audiological evaluation by familiarizing yourself with the facts. - Communication Considerations for Parents of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children
Deafness or hearing impairment affects not only a child who is deaf or has a hearing loss, but also the child's family, friends, and teachers. For hundreds of years, people have debated the best ways to develop communication skills and provide education for deaf and hard-of-hearing children. - How to Call Deaf People Who Have a TTY (DeafHope)
- Interpreter Classification System
A 1/14/10 letter written by RID to the Division on Deaf and Hard of Hearing – Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth:
"…RID has received a copy of the proposed Interpreter Classification system which will limit working interpreter's ability to earn a living; require that nationally certified professionals, who have already met standards by earning RID certification, pay for and take the BEI; and adversely affect consumer access to interpreters in this time of interpreter shortages." - Opening Doors: Technology and Communication Options for Children with Hearing Loss (Department of Education)
If you've recently found that your child has a hearing loss, this resource sheet is for you. - Parents' Guide (OtiKids)
This booklet should help you understand your child's hearing loss. - So Your Child has a Hearing Loss: Next Step for Parents
Your child with a hearing loss can succeed – in school, in work, and in life! - Supply and Demand for Interpreters for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Michigan (MI Dept. of Labor, Div. on Deaf and Hard of Hearing)
A number of new and more stringent criteria regarding the provision of education, qualifications of educators in the classroom, and test results will be used to determine the progress made over a number of years. - The 10 Commandments of Deaf Culture (DeafHope)
Organizations & Services
- American Society for Deaf Children
A national, independent non-profit organization founded as a parent-helping-parent network. - American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
The professional, scientific, and credentialing association for members and affiliates who are speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists in the United States and internationally. - Association of Late Deafened Adults
ALDA is about communication and acceptance of every deafened individual. - Better Hearing Institute
A not-for-profit corporation that educates the public about the neglected problem of hearing loss and what can be done about it. - Communication Access Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
CAC has grown from a non-profit agency in 1972 from a handful of people to around 50 serving the needs of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. - Deaf & Hearing Impaired Services, Inc.
Established from a need for deaf and hard of hearing older adults to access services, otherwise made impossible or difficult to access due to the communication barrier. - Deaf C.A.N.
Utilize our services for casework assistance. - DeafHope
Provides a variety of information about the Deaf community. - Detroit Assn. of the Deaf
The sole purpose of this is to provide you with a variety of deaf-related information about our organization as well as about out-of-state deaf clubs. - Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans
NEADS was established to train and provide rescued dogs and donated puppies to assist people who are deaf or physically disabled in leading more independent lives at work, at home and at school. - E-Michigan Deaf and Hard of Hearing People
A statewide coalition of agencies and organizations working together to improve accessibility and services for Michigan’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing people. - Hands & Voices
A nationwide non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families and their children who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as the professionals who serve them. - Hearing Loss Association of America
Information, education, advocacy & suport - Michigan Deaf Association, Inc.
Statewide organization for, of and by people who are deaf. - Michigan Deaf Community
To be informed of important information and events in the deaf community. - Michigan's Hands & Voices
If you or your child/student talk or sign; if you talk or sign, we care, we need you. We rally around the need to improve educational outcomes for our kids and to enhance their quality of life. - Michigan Self Help for Hard of Hearing People
An all-volunteer non-profit organization providing information, advocacy and support for people who do not hear well. - Michigan School for the Deaf
Mission is to provide academics and social excellence – rich in ASL and English literacy for all students from infancy to graduation, to be the leader in educating Deaf and Hard of Hearing children in Michigan, and to provide services to their families and the community. - MSU's American Sign Language Living/Learning Option
Residence is open to students from all majors who have some proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL); other students interested in learning about ASL and the Deaf culture are welcome at our events. - National Association of the Deaf
The nation's premeir civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the U.S. - National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA)
The official voice of Black deaf and hard of hearing Americans – a community that has historically been neglected in terms of provision of equal access to education, employment and social services. - Quick Hearing Check Challenge (Better Hearing Institute)
This hearing loss check is based on the Revised American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) five-minute hearing test*. It is a means of quickly assessing if you possibly have a hearing loss requiring referral for an objective hearing test and possible hearing solution. - Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)
RID is a national membership organization representing the professionals who facilitate communication between people who are deaf or hard of hearing and people who can hear. - Sign Language Interpreters (DeafHope)
A major part of reasonable accommodations is qualified sign language interpreters. - Sign Language Services of Michigan
Linking the deaf community with the rest of the world. - TTYs (DeafHope)
A TTY is a device that deaf people can use with their telephone to make calls.
Resources: Websites & Blogs
- Deafined (American Sign Language)
Geared to three main groups (parents, students, community) to help people who are deaf no longer feel isolated and left out of conversations. - Listen Up
Specializing in information for people who are deaf and hard of hearing. - Michigan websites related to deafness (Michigan Assn. for Deaf and Hard of Hearing)
- Pediatric Hearing Loss
Contents include info on diagnostic evaluation, types of hearing losses, legal and family issues, recent developments and resources.
