Deaf Assistance & Advocacy: A Program Fact Sheet
Funding needed: $65,000 July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012
Program Description
People who are deaf are often disenfranchised and experience communication discrimination in a world designed, built and run primarily by people who can hear. Traditional methods of serving this segment of our community are often unsuccessful. The Deaf Services program at EFR provides a safe and welcoming place for effective assistance and advocacy. The Deaf Case Manager is not only able to communicate fluently but also understands the unique cultural perspectives of this community. These services are an essential part of the community's safety net that helps catch people in need and helps them stand back up to become more productive and independent.
EFR's program delivers services in deaf individuals' first language—American Sign Language (ASL). English is a second language for most deaf individuals. Being deaf encompasses a unique culture of language, history, values, and social norms. ASL interpreters bridge the language gap but not the entire cultural gap that exists. Deaf individuals have many knowledge gaps because they miss out on information that hearing people get through incidental learning or the overhearing of conversations between others. This EFR program uniquely addresses the language and cultural needs simultaneously for deaf individuals, their families, and the community.
Services
EFR's Deaf Assistance and Advocacy (Case Management) Services are provided by a deaf case manager to provide barrier-free services via direct communication in American Sign Language. These services assist clients to identify their unique needs and set short and long-term goals. The Deaf Case Manager provides:
- coaching to individuals to find and maintain employment
- cultural education and accessibility consultation to businesses
- connections to resources to find housing and accessibility
- coaching to access higher education and accommodations necessary for success
- consultation to parents of deaf toddlers on language/literacy development
- coaching on finances/budgeting issues
- connections to healthcare resources and accommodations
- consultation and information for various service providers working with deaf clients
- information on opportunities to build social support and reduce isolation for deaf individuals
Program Statistics
- 100-120 new and/or returning clients and family members served annually throughout an eleven year program history including individuals who face the additional challenges of:
- Developmental, intellectual and other physical disabilities
- Refugee status: new language development, culture adjustment and issues of past trauma
- Co-occurring mental health and/or substance abuse disorders
- Domestic abuse and/or child abuse
- 40-45 social service organizations were served by providing consultation regarding deaf clients
- 45-50 businesses served by providing consultation regarding deaf employees, accessibility and/or outreach
Community Benefits of this Program
- The Deaf Case Management Program provides individualized solutions by assisting deaf and hard of hearing individuals and their families with effective problem-solving that positively impact the entire community including individuals, families, employers, businesses and service providers
- Deaf clients become more stable, productive employees and tax-paying citizens with reduced reliance on public resources (those served are less likely to need public assistance, such as social security disability income, food stamps and other needs-based programs)
- Hearing parents of deaf children take a more active role in their child’s early language development and literacy
- Hearing family members take less time away from work to assist their deaf family member