Cassie Franklin Kathy Schwabeland pepnet

1. Beyond Deafness- Serving Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing with Co-Occurring Disabilities Cassie Franklin Kathy Schwabeland www.pepnet.org

2. Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals with Vision Loss WHATare the leading causes of co-occurring vision and hearing loss? HOW are these conditions diagnosed? HOW does co-occurring vision and hearing loss impact employment outcomes? WHAT can be done to assist an individuals with dual sensory losses? Communication Techniques Accommodations Assistive Technology WHERE can I get more resources and training?

3. WHAT are the leading causes of co-occurring vision and hearing loss? • Usher’s Syndrome • Diabetes • Macular Degeneration • Cataracts • Optic Nerve Atrophy • Birth Trauma • CHARGE Syndrome • Cortical Visual Impairment • Accidents or Illness

4. HOW are these conditions diagnosed? • Audiologist • Ophthalmologist • Low vision specialty

5. HOW does co-occurring vision and hearing loss impact employment outcomes? • Unable to maintain current occupation • Travel limitations • Safety • Communication barriers • Isolation • Fatigue • Very low incident population

6. WHAT can be done to assist an individuals with dual sensory losses? • Communication Techniques • Adapted signing space • Tactile signing • Tracking • Print on Palm (POP) • Clothing/lighting

7. WHAT can be done to assist an individuals with dual sensory losses? • Accommodations • Extended time for meetings, trainings, etc. • Team Interpreting • Orientation and Mobility training • Large Print/Braille • Independent Living Skills training • Transportation training • SSP’s • Assistive Listening Devices

8. WHAT can be done to assist an individuals with dual sensory losses? • Assistive Technology • Magnifiers • Specialized Computer Software • Braille Communicators • Specialized Computer Equipment • Vibrating Signalers

9. WHERE can I get more resources and training? I Can Connect http://www.icanconnect.org/ Helen Keller Center http://www.hknc.org/ Northern Illinois University Deaf Blind Rehabilitation Services Certificate Program http://catalog.niu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=21&poid=3651&returnto=645 National Center on Deaf Blindness https://nationaldb.org/ Pepnet 2’s Quick Class- Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumers with Additional Disabilities http://www.pepnet.org/quickclasses

10. Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals with Mental Illness or Chemical Dependency WHAT causes mental illness and chemical dependency to occur at a higher rate in deaf or hard of hearing individuals? HOW can mental illness and chemical dependency be diagnosed effectively in deaf or hard of hearing individuals? HOW do these conditions impact employment outcomes? WHAT can be done to address the service needs of deaf or hard of hearing individuals with mental illness or chemical dependency? WHERE can I get more resources and training?

11. WHAT causes mental illness and chemical dependency to occur at a higher rate in deaf or hard of hearing individuals? • Communication barriers • Isolation • Abuse • Low expectations by family and educators • Inability to handle social situations • Lack of support networks • Poor parental attachments • Lack of accessible awareness and prevention programs

12. HOW can mental illness and chemical dependency be diagnosed effectively in deaf or hard of hearing individuals? • Availability of qualified and licensed professionals who can communicate directly with DHH individuals • Development of qualified sign language interpreters to ensure accessibility • Provision of cultural and linguistic awareness training to MH/CD professionals • Use of appropriate testing instruments

13. HOW do these conditions impact employment outcomes? • Inability to obtain employment due to active symptoms • Inability to pass an employment drug screening test • Unable to maintain employment due to lack of follow up services and support • Difficulty with handling stressful situations on the job

14. WHAT can be done to address the service needs of deaf or hard of hearing individuals with mental illness or chemical dependency? • Interagency and state collaborations between MD/CD professionals and DHH services professionals • Creating/expanding accessible and culturally sensitive MH/CD programs • Utilization of remote MH/CD professionals able to communicate directly with DHH individuals • Increased professional training opportunities for sign language interpreters on vocabulary and treatments used within MH/CD programs

15. WHERE can I get more resources and training? Mental Health Services for Deaf Persons: A Resource Directory http://research.gallaudet.edu/resources/mhd/ Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Persons Who are Deaf http://www.nasmhpd.org/docs/publications/archiveDocs/2002/Deaf.PDF NCIEC Interpreting Resources http://www.interpretereducation.org/resources-technical-assistance/educational-supports-services/#healthcare Substance Abuse Problems Among DHH http://www.mncddeaf.org/articles/problem_ad.htm National Directory of Drug and Alcohol Treatment Programs for DHH http://www.rit.edu/ntid/saisd/info/nationaldirectory Pepnet 2’s Quick Class- Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumers with Additional Disabilities http://www.pepnet.org/quickclasses

16. Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals with Minimal Language Skills WHAT is minimal language skills? HOW can a deaf person with minimal language skills be effectively assessed? HOW does lack of language proficiency impact employment? WHAT types of accommodations and modifications can be used to create positive employment outcomes for this population? WHERE can I get more training and resources?

17. WHAT is minimal language skills? • Lack of proficiency in ANY language • Minimal Language Skills results from educational, linguistic and environmental deficits from childhood onwards • Individuals in this population use a mixture of methods to communicate including: • American Sign Language • “Home” signs • Gestures • Drawing • Acting

18. HOW can a deaf person with minimal language skills be effectively assessed? • Use a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) • Spend time assessing communication techniques- be prepared for trial and error • Allow more time for discussion and assessments • Utilize visuals and hands on demonstrations • Be flexible and creative with communication

19. HOW does lack of language proficiency impact employment? • Decreased number of employment options • Greater need for employer sensitivity • More significant communication barriers • Increased need for additional on the job supports • Prior work history and training opportunities

20. WHAT types of accommodations and modifications can be used to create positive employment outcomes for this population? • Employer education • Additional on the job support such as extended job coaching • Post vocational rehabilitation services • Establishment of visual based communication system at employment setting • Team based approach

21. WHERE can I get more training and resources? Accessing Workplace Communication Skills http://www.pepnet.org/sites/default/files/comm_assess.pdf Unrealized Dreams http://www.pepnet.org/resources/unrealized-dreams Pepnet 2’s Quick Class- Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumers with Additional Disabilities http://www.pepnet.org/quickclasses Visual Picture Dictionary http://visual.merriam-webster.com/

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