Supporting Families Booklet: When a combined vision and hearing loss is first diagnosed, parents often report feelings of shock. These feelings later turn to disbelief, grief, and anger. As time passes, families begin to search for help. We can get many questions answered from the internet. But, local information and resources are hard to find. Hearing and Vision Connections created a booklet to help parents find those people and resources that will bring the support you need on a daily, personal level. To access the free booklet, "Supporting Families: An Illinois Resource Guide for Families of Young Children Who Have a Combined Vision and Hearing Loss," visit http://www.morgan.k12.il.us/isd/hvc/documents/deafblind_supp_families.pdf or call Hearing and Vision Connections at 217-479-4318.
Financial Assistance for services and diagnostics: The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) can help eligible families find and pay for services from an approved ophthalmologist and audiologist. They can help pay for appointments related to diagnosis and for medical treatment of some conditions related to vision and hearing. Contact DSCC at 800-322-3722 to find out if you qualify. Visit them on the web at www.uic.eduhsc/dscc.
Early Intervention Services: When a child has a diagnosed combined vision and hearing loss, he is at high risk for communication and developmental delays. But, research has shown that we can decrease or avoid these delays. We must provide young children with the proper play opportunities with supports. Families of children with a dual sensory loss can receive help through the Illinois Early Intervention System (EI). A number of different services and therapies are available. These services are usually provided in your home. To find out more, contact your local Child and Family Connections agency. To find a specialist to offer in-service training on intervention techniques for service providers and families of combined vision and hearing losses, contact Project Reach: Illinois Deaf Blind Services at 630-790-2474 (voice) or 800-771-1158 (TTY).
The Chicago Lighthouse Deaf-Blind Program serves people with varying degrees of hearing and vision loss, providing them with access to Chicago Lighthouse programs, community services and activities and service referrals. For more information contact Joann Rushing Program Manager of Deaf-Blind Outreach/Braillephone Trainer at 312-666-1331 ext. 3415 (voice) or 312-666-8874 (TTY), or visit them on the web at http://www.thechicagolighthouse.org/default.asp?page=deafblind.
Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services, Rehabilitation Counselors for the Deaf-Blind work with families, professionals, state agencies, and community organizations and are trained to help provide the following services to persons who are deaf-blind.
- Vocational Rehabilitation services
- Counseling and guidance
- Assistance with training and technology
- Resources related to hearing loss
- Information and referral
- Interpreter resources and guidelines
- In-service training
- Advocacy
For more information about the Division of Rehabilitation Services and how to apply for services visit http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=29975 or call the DHS Help Line at 1-800-843-6154 (voice) or 1-800-447-6404 (TTY).
Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) North Central Regional Office regional representatives provide consultation and technical assistance to persons who are deaf-blind and their families and to public and private agencies in their region. They locate, assist and refer individuals to the most appropriate programs for services, if needed. The states covered by this regional office are IL, IN, OH, MI, MN, and WI.
Laura J. Thomas (HKNC5LJT@aol.com)
Regional Representative
485 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 5
East Moline, IL 61244-4040
(309) 755-0018 Voice/TTY/VP
(309) 755-0025 Fax
(866) 327-8877 (video relay service) When prompted, give office telephone number.
FINDING SUPPORT:
Illinois Advocates for the Deaf-Blind is an organization of parents, families and friends dedicated to protect the rights and advocate for the needs of all individuals who have a combined sensory impairment. For more information, contact kjo@bradley.edu.
National Family Association for Deaf Blind (NFADB) is the largest national network of families focusing on issues surrounding deaf-blindness. For more information, contact by phone at 800-255-0411 or visit the web at www.nfadb.org. Illinois Parents of the Visually Impaired (IPVI) is a very active parent group. They produce a monthly newsletter and have regularly scheduled outings. Parents have the chance to get to know one another. IPVI also develops an incredible resource guide. This guide is made available to their members each year. For more information, contact by phone at 877-411-4784 or visit the web at www.ipvi.org.
Illinois Families for Hands and Voices is a parent-driven organization dedicated to providing non-biased support to parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. For more information, contact support@ilhandsandvoices.org.
The Parent Infant Institute (PII) is another great way to meet with other parents. This three-day event is held at the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired and at the Illinois School for the Deaf each June. Families attend at no cost. Parents attend workshops to learn about impact of vision and hearing loss. Children receive developmental evaluations. But, parents say that the greatest benefit is meeting other parents. Contact the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired at 217-479-4400 or the Illinois School for the Deaf at 217-479-4200 (V/TTY) for more information. Visit them on the web at www.isvi.net or www.morgan.k12.il.us/isd.
Le COBDA, The Club of Blind-Deaf Adults is a social organization with elected officers that holds regularly scheduled meetings the 2 nd Saturday of the month (with the exception of January and August) at the Chicago Lighthouse for People who are Blind or Visually Impaired, 1850 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60608. Many meetings include outings or special events. LeCOBDA also publishes a monthly newsletter. For more information contact Mindy Joy Mayer at mindy.mayer@chicagolighthouse.org.
EDUCATION AND INFORMATION:
Start with Project Reach: Illinois Deaf-Blind Services when you are looking for information. Each Deaf-Blind Specialist with Project Reach has broad experience with children of all ages with dual sensory loss. She can answer questions about your child's impairment. She can bring you books and resources related to your questions. If there are other families in your area whose members have a combined loss, she probably knows them and can introduce you. Project Reach provides technical assistance, consultation, information, training, and family support to address the needs of children who have combined vision and hearing loss. Contact them at 630/790-2474 (Voice) or 800/771-1158 (TTY). Visit Project Reach at http://project-reach-illinois.org/.DB-LINK is a national information clearinghouse on children who are considered deaf-blind or dually sensory impaired. They have a comprehensive library of topics, including causes and characteristics of deaf-blindness. The DB-Link staff is available to help you use the database and obtain publications. At DB-LINK you will also find email discussion groups, training activities, people and program finders, and more. Contact by phone at 800-438-9376 (Voice), 800-854-7013 (TTY) or visit DB-Link on the web at http://www.dblink.org.
Another local resource is your child's Developmental Therapist Vision (DTV) or Developmental Therapist Hearing (DTH). She can provide continued support and information. For help in finding a DTV or DTH in your area, call Hearing and Vision Connections at 217-479-4318 (V/TTY).
Many families around the world have benefited from the free services available through the Hadley School for the Blind. Illinois is proud to be the home of this incredible organization. Hadley offers in-depth courses on a variety of topics. They have a track of classes specifically designed for new parents. Family members can take these classes at their own pace from home. Find out more about the Hadley School for the Blind by calling them at 800-323-4238. Visit them on the web at www.hadley-school.org.
Hadley also recognizes the John Tracy Clinic, which offers hope, guidance, and encouragement to families of infants and preschool children with hearing losses by providing free, parent-centered services worldwide. They extend parent distance education sessions for families of young children ages 0-5 years with hearing loss. A special course is available for parents of preschool children with a deaf-blind or dually sensory impaired diagnosis. Contact by phone at 213-748-5481 or visit the John Tracy Clinic on the web at www.johntracyclinic.org.
Hearing and Vision Connections (HVC) is funded through the Illinois Department of Human Services, Bureau of Early Intervention. One of HVC's main goals is to provide families with information related to vision and hearing loss. HVC offers a variety of resources including a quarterly newsletter, vision kits, communication kits, and sign language kits. HVC is available to answer specific questions related to children with vision and hearing loss. They offer free statewide training. Contact Hearing and Vision Connections at 217-479-4318 (V/TTY) or visit them on the web at www.morgan.k12.il.us/isd/hvc.
The Illinois Early Childhood Intervention Clearinghouse is a lending library. It is open to all Illinois residents. It has a vast array of books, periodicals, videos, and pamphlets related to vision and hearing loss and other topics. The Clearinghouse also has an informative newsletter that is mailed to families each month. Contact the clearinghouse for a free copy of their bibliography on blindness and visual impairment or on hearing loss. They will also help families find information on particular topics. Contact the clearinghouse at 800-852-4302. Visit them on the web at www.eiclearinghouse.org.
Interpreters in Schools: Now Required to Meet New Standards. Many children who are deaf or hard of hearing attend general education, or mainstream classes with the support of a sign language or cued speech interpreter. The skills and abilities of the interpreter plays a huge role in the success of these students, therefore the importance of having a qualified interpreter cannot be overemphasized. Prior to July 1, 2007, however, Illinois interpreters were not required to satisfy any educational or skill based standards. The good news for students with hearing loss is that, effective July 1, 2007, educational interpreters in Illinois are now being required to meet approval standards set by the Illinois State Board of Education. These standards establish minimum skill levels and education as well as requirements for continuing professional development for educational interpreters. The Illinois State Board of Education defines an educational interpreter as "...anyone whose job entails the facilitation of communication between students who are deaf or hard of hearing and individuals who are hearing.... whether the individual has the title of "aide", "interpreter", "assistant", or "teacher", if it is their responsibility to facilitate communication as noted..." (Taken from the Illinois State Board of Education website, "Approval of Educational Interpreters: Frequently Asked Questions". For more information on ISBE approval standards for educational interpreters, go to: http://www.isbe.net/rules/archive/pdfs/25ark.pdf.
When a combined vision and hearing loss is first diagnosed, parents often report feelings of shock. These feelings later turn to disbelief, grief, and anger. As time passes, families begin to search for help. We can get many questions answered from the internet. But, local information and resources are hard to find. Hearing and Vision Connections created a booklet to help parents find those people and resources that will bring the support you need on a daily, personal level. To access the free booklet, "Supporting Families: An Illinois Resource Guide for Families of Young Children Who Have a Combined Vision and Hearing Loss," visit or call Hearing and Vision Connections at 217-479-4318.
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES:
Illinois Lifespan Project provides current information about training opportunities throughout the state of Illinois on its website at http://www.illinoislifespan.org/events/index.asp. IABDB provides this link for reference purposes only and does not recommend or endorse any of the trainings listed.
