Edmonton at the Alberta School for the Deaf
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Our 55+ Year History Deaf & Hear Alberta is a charitable community based organization that has been providing services since 1961. We have grown from a parent-created, Calgary group to a province-wide non-profit with an additional office located in Edmonton at the Alberta School for the Deaf. Vision & Mission Vision Recognized for excellence in communication equity. Mission Deaf & Hard and Hear Alberta enhances the lives of deaf, deafened and hard of hearing persons and those with whom they interact. A little background info about me & DHA Been with Deaf & Hear Alberta (DHA) since July 2011 in several different roles Member of the Accessibility Services team since 2013, providing one-on-one consultations, supports, information and equipment to clients I myself deal with Tinnitus and have family members who live with hearing loss In 2013, helped launch our online e-Store which has grown to carry over 800 individual items that assist those who are Deaf and hard of hearing Our Accessibility Services Team has grown to 3 members with a Coordinator working in Edmonton and a Coordinator working with me in Calgary We are completely dedicated to serving our clients in a person-centered and service-oriented way. We are constantly on the lookout for new assistive technology and supports, and being on top of trends in hearing health and communications. Our Service Teams Deaf ASL Interpreting Services Courses Services Accessibility Hearing Counselling Services Services DEAF SERVICES Services Provided: • Sensitivity Training – workplace or organizations o Facilitates better understanding when working with Deaf or hard of hearing employees or serving the same group as consumers • Student Literacy – ASL tutors work to improve English reading & writing literacy levels within an ASL format • Referral to counselling and employment services • One-on-one supports to Deaf community members in accessing community and government services; all signed in their first language (ASL) • Advocacy on community advisory committees & government services (e.g., Canada Video Relay Service) ww.textwith911.ca Beaver County Town of Millet Calgary Parkland County Edmonton Red Deer Flagstaff County Strathcona County Foothills County of Two Hills City of Fort Saskatchewan Town of Vegreville Grande Prairie Lamont County County of Wetaskiwin City of Leduc Wood Buffalo Lethbridge Yellowhead County Calgary Police Service ONLY www.calgary.ca/cps/Pages/Community-programs-and-resources/Diversity-resources/Vulnerable-Person-Self-Registry.aspx ASL Classes Deaf Alberta offers American Sign Language (ASL) courses to individuals, groups and organizations in Edmonton and Calgary. Family Focused ASL is exclusive to DHA and provides a unique learning environment intended for families with Deaf (or with severe or progressive hearing loss) members and professionals who work with children who are Deaf or have a developmental disability. INTERPRETING SERVICES American Sign Language Interpreters: DHA has a roster of 80+ interpreters in the province of Alberta. All interpreters must meet strict criteria to be and remain on DHA’s roster. Booking requests are sent out to the roster by the Interpreting Services Coordinators and the interpreters accept the bookings they can attend. Funding Supports may be available... Contact DHA to find out about available funding supports to pay for Interpreters for the following types of meetings: Community & Social Services (CSS) – Covers medical, mental health, employment, and legal appointments Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) – Covers any client-centered meeting with the PDD department Alberta Health Services - Covers medical and mental health appointments in any AHS site Alberta Human Services Edmonton/Calgary – Covers job interviews, Province of Alberta Career Fairs and Job Orientation/Trainings for new employees Disability Related Employment Supports (DRES) – post-secondary education To accommodate the communication needs of Deaf children and/or their parents, your school may be required to pay for Interpreters from school or district budgets. To book an Interpreter, contact Deaf & Hear Alberta via: Bookings (Calgary Office) Bookings (Edmonton Office) Skype – DHHSalberta Skype – DHHS.Edmonton Email – [email protected] Email – [email protected] Text Message – 403-284-6203 Text Message – 780-666-1351 TTY – 403-284-6204 TTY – 780-666-1350 FaceTime – [email protected] FaceTime – [email protected] Telephone – 866-471-2805 ext 2 Telephone – 866-471-2805 ext 2 HEARING SERVICES Sound Advice Our Education Programs (Calgary only at this time) • Hearing Matters • Live With and Love Your Hearing Aids • Managing Your Hearing Loss Regular presentations on-site and out in the community Peer-to-Hear Our Peer Mentoring Program We match adults learning to manage their hearing loss, with someone who has walked a similar path and now wants to offer support. ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES Know the technology in your hearing aid/CI! Telecoil Program • Telecoil (T-switch or T-coil) available in the aid • Transmitted sound will then come through receiver directly to aid • Wiring can also be placed around an area • Used in schools, churches, https://www.williamssound.com theatres, banks, customer service counters, libraries • Allows a wireless connection to various devices – cellphones, TVs, etc. • The device is paired to input sound directly into the hearing aid/CI through a direct signal • Might be built-in, or you might need an external loop system to connect to the hearing aid Hearing Aid Apps • Pair the hearing aids by Bluetooth to an App downloaded to a cell phone: – Control volume – Adjust programs for: • Phone • Music • TV • Microphone – Watch Training Videos Smart Phone Apps Apps are always being updated and new ones developed for an array of different purposes. Cell Phone Accessibility Settings CART – Communication Access Real-time Translation Provides real-time verbatim text of the spoken word in person or remotely through the internet to a computer screen or a large screen for everyone to see. Please contact DHA for service provider names. No Tech & Low Tech… In the Home and Community • Ask for what YOU need! Don’t be shy • ASL or CART • Agenda/Class plan before and notes after • Where do I sit? Which way to face? • Soft furnishings, carpet, lower ceilings, soft wall hangings all reduce reverberation. • Background noise – What sounds are there? They could be loud for someone with hearing loss • White noise machine or radio can help block out background noise for some DHA One-to-One Consultations • Available free of charge if the client comes to one of our fully accessible offices in Calgary or Edmonton. • Home visits are available, however a fee-for-service charge applies. DHA e-Store www.estore.deafandhearalberta.ca DHA Workplace Assessment • Available for employees as well as the employers and co-workers • Includes an in-person assessment of the work environment, accommodation suggestions (no tech, low tech & high tech), a detailed written report is optional, sensitivity training and/or Hearing Matters presentation is also optional Assistive Devices High Tech : – Shaker Alarm Clocks – Amplified and Bluetooth Phones – TV Amplification Devices – Bone Conduction Headset – Safety Signaling Devices for the home Phonak Roger Pen • Connects with most hearing aids/CI or use with a headset • Easy to use, very inconspicuous • Connects to multiple microphones (clip-on mic , table mic, other pens) • Good for home, school or work, and in the community Home Safety Signaling Equipment Safety Signaling Devices for the home that flash and shake/vibrate to notify person of doorbell, phone, sound such as baby cry, oven timer, dryer cycle as well as smoke and carbon monoxide. Stick’n’Stay Hearing Aid Stickers • Keep hearing instruments in place • Double sided sticker • Sweat resistant – great for sports or outdoor activities! • 30 pair of stickers per box Funding Supports Hearing Impaired Kids Equipment (HIKE) Fund Canada • Assist children from newborn to 20 years of age with hearing assistive devices. President’s Choice Children’s Charity • Helping children who are physically or developmentally disabled. Elks & Royal Purple Fund for Children • Programs related to hearing & speech Children’s Ability Fund (Edmonton Only) • Specialized equipment for children and young adults Cochlear Implant Assistance Fund (CHHA Calgary) • Help cochlear implant users cover the cost of batteries and accessories, up to $1000.00 per year. Disability Related Employment Supports (DRES) • Addresses the disability-related barriers limiting access to education and employment • Cannot be eligible for other funding Counselling Services • Those people seeking counselling are able to communicate in a way that is natural and comfortable for them…… • Two service providers now offer counselling and mental health services in American Sign Language Bridges Support Services (Edmonton) Susanne Martin [email protected] 780-428-6610 H.O.P.E. Counselling (Calgary) Dee Dee Kay [email protected] 403-605-9536 Phone/Text Also available by Skype, VRS, text and email. Community Partners - Working Together Canadian Hard of Hearing Association Calgary and Edmonton Branches The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA) is a consumer-based organization formed by and for hard of hearing Canadians. CHHA works cooperatively with professionals, service providers and government bodies, and provides information about hard of hearing issues and solutions.