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WSD Outreach Library
WSD provides an Outreach Library with resources and information for individuals seeking information on deaf education.
State & Local Agencies
Southwest Washington Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Provides programs and services to deaf and hard of hearing individuals in SW
Washington. A non-profit organization funded by the Washington Department
of Social and Health Services / Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, United
Way, and YOU, our community partners.
Washington
State Association for the Deaf
A non-profit organization that
works to promote, protect and preserve the rights and quality of life of deaf and
hard of hearing individuals in the state of Washington.
Washington State Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) provides services to the deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind communities throughout Washington State. ODHH contracts with six community service centers, located in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Pasco, Spokane, and Bellingham, to provide communications access advocacy, sign language interpreter information, workshops, information and referral, counseling, outreach and independent living support services to clients and their families
Washington State Deaf-Blind Citizens,
Inc. (WSDBC)
Works to promote educational, economic, and social
welfare; to encourage fellowship; to defend rights, and advance an organization
in which members can participate in the discussion of problems and solutions
relative to their welfare and prosperity.
Assistive Devices & Hearing Aids
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Hearing aids are the most common devices needed by deaf and hard of hearing people. In certain instances, some of the agencies listed can provide new or reconditioned aids free of charge or at reduced rates. Other agencies may offer assistance in obtaining these aids. In some states, Medicaid will help cover the cost of purchasing a hearing aid. Check with your health insurance company regarding its policy coverage for hearing aids. You may also wish to contact the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) for information on insurance coverage of hearing aids and related service. ASHA keeps abreast of current developments and change in the coverage of hearing health care expenses by private insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare.
Text Telephones (TTYs)
Telephone accessibility for deaf
and hard of hearing people has improved in recent years. The
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title IV requires that
each state maintain a telephone relay service (TRS). These
services enable TTY users to communicate with non-TTY users
and have been operational since 1993. These programs are usually
administered by the state agency on deafness. The state agency
invites applications from residents that have a hearing loss
or speech impediment.
Applicants are screened for medical and financial eligibility. Once
eligibility is established, the agency may give the applicant a TTY at
no charge, or may lease or sell the applicant a TTY at substantially
reduced rates. In some states, the applicant is given a voucher
that may be used to purchase equipment from dealers.
For more information about TTY distribution programs for your state,
contact your local Vocational Rehabilitation office. For information
on an office in your state and what technology services they
offer please refer to the following website: http://www.larynxlink.com/Library/StatePrograms.htm
For more information on Relay services, please contact:
For Relay service (Voice, TTY, and Video) contact:
http://www.ip-relay.com/index.html
For Video Relay services contact:
http://www.sorensonvrs.com
PROUD SPONSORS OF WSBC!
Sorenson Communications
Hands on VRS
Washington Relay Service
Sources of Assistance
Rehabilitation Service Administration: Vocational Rehabilitation
(VR) will provide service for VR clients who meet eligibility requirements.
Assistance with hearing aids and devices may be provided to clients who need
such devices to secure or retain employment.
U.S. Veterans Administration: All World War I veterans are eligible to receive free hearing aids. Other
veterans can receive free hearing aids if their hearing loss is at least 50
percent service-related. Veterans must first contact a V.A. medical facility
near their home. The veteran's health
care act provides free TeleCaption decoders to veterans who have profound
hearing loss that is service-related. The V.A. will also provide TTYs and
telephone amplification devices to veterans with service-related hearing loss.
Civic/Service Organizations: Many community service organizations
receive charitable donations to purchase hearing aids and other devices
for low income deaf and hard of hearing people. Clubs often recondition hearing
aids and donate them to needy individuals. Many of these organizations
are listed in your telephone directory.
The following are several organizations that typically offer this type
of assistance:
-National Easter Seal Society: http://www.easterseals.com/
-March of Dimes: http://www.marchofdimes.com/home.asp
-Telephone Pioneers of America: http://www.telephone-pioneers.org/
-Lions Clubs International: http://www.lionsclubs.org/
-Kiwanis Clubs: http://www.kiwanis.org/
-Rotary Clubs: http://www.rotary.org/
-Sertoma Clubs: http://www.sertoma.org/
-Optimist Clubs: http://www.optimist.org/
Statewide Agencies/Programs: These agencies and programs provide service
to residents of their state. Agencies may be able to provide full or partial
assistance depending upon financial circumstances. Medicaid provides service
to eligible recipients only. Crippled children's services may
provide hearing aids for children up to 21 years of age from low-income
families.
The following are several organizations that typically offer this type
of assistance:
-Medicaid: http://www.cms.gov/medicaid/
-Crippled Children's Service
-Department of Health and Human Service: http://www.hhs.gov/
-Department of Public Health (Health and Environment, etc.)
-Commission for Handicapped Children
-Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People (Council for the Hearing
Impaired, Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, etc)
-Programs for Individual with Developmental Disabilities
-Family Service Centers
Local Agencies/Programs: Local agencies sometimes
receive donations or private funds to assist with various needs. Speech
and hearing centers may provide hearing aids at a reduced rate for clients
who have used their service for audiological assessment. Some areas have
hearing aid banks that distribute reconditioned hearing aids to individuals
ineligible for finical assistance. These banks are often affiliated with
local service organizations such as:
-United Way: http://national.unitedway.org/
-Child Health Centers
-Speech and hearing centers
-Organizations for older adults
-Deaf community centers
-Organizations for Deaf and hard of hearing people
-Religious organizations/institutions
-Hearing aid banks
Hear Now: This unique national program provides assistance to individuals
and families with limited financial resources. HEAR NOW maintains the National
Hearing Aid Bank, which provides new and reconditioned hearing aids to
deaf and hard of hearing people who cannot afford them. These hearing aids
are distributed through hearing health care providers in comminutes nationwide.
HEAR NOW also has a cochlear implant program that raises funds to provide
cochlear implant and related service to both adults and children. In addition,
HEAR NOW has developed the National Hearing Assistance Directory (NHAD),
which provides state-by-state listings of financial and social resources
offered through government agencies and private organizations.
Miracle-Ear Children's Foundation: This program provides new or reconditioned "Miracle-Ear" hearing
aids and service free of charge to families who have hearing impaired children
ages 16 years or younger, with an income level that does not allow them to
receive public support. Dahlberg, Inc. is a corporate sponsor, which donates
hearing aids for needy children and underwrites the foundation's
administrative costs. Eligibility for hearing aids and other services requires
disclosure of complete financial information for individuals residing in the
same household.
Alexander Graham Bell Association
for the Deaf, Inc.: The Alexander
Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) is a
lifelong resource, support network, and advocate for listening, learning, talking,
and living independently with hearing loss. Through publications, outreach,
training, scholarships, and financial aid, AG Bell promotes the use of spoken
language and hearing technology. AG Bell financial aid offers support and resources
for people of all ages that have suffered hearing loss. It also offers a
comprehensive list of other organizations that offer free or financial assistance
for hearing technology, such as hearing aids and TTY technology.
Communication & Sign Language
Sign Language Classes offered by Washington School for the Deaf
HandSpeak: A Sign Language Dictionary Online
ASL Access
The ASL Access Video Collection consists of over 200 American Sign Language (ASL) videos available for free loan in your local library.
More Links
Captioned Media Program - Over 4,000 free-loan open-captioned educational and special interest titles on video, DVD, CD-ROM, and through Internet streaming.
www.cfv.org
American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC) - ASDC Non-profit organization advocating rights and education for deaf children.
Washington State Hands and Voices
A parent-driven organization dedicated to supporting and unifying families with children who are deaf, hard-0f-hearing or deaf-blind.
KidsWorld Deaf Net - KidsWorld Deaf Net is a national communication network that includes both an electronic discussion forum and a virtual library.
Gallaudet University - Contains a comprehensive list of deaf-related links.
National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders - Improving the lives of people with communications disorders.
National Association of the Deaf - Programs and activities include grassroots advocacy and empowerment, captioned media, certification of American Sign Language professionals
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Gallaudet University
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