OVERCOMING COMMUNICATION BARRIERS - … · OVERCOMING COMMUNICATION BARRIERS Scott Murray...
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OVERCOMING COMMUNICATION BARRIERS Scott Murray Deaf-Blind Program Coordinator Elaine Williams Communications Technology Manager
Transcript of OVERCOMING COMMUNICATION BARRIERS - … · OVERCOMING COMMUNICATION BARRIERS Scott Murray...
OVERCOMING COMMUNICATION BARRIERS
Scott Murray
Deaf-Blind Program Coordinator
Elaine Williams
Communications Technology Manager
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Hearing Loss is Difficult to Track Hidden disability
Denial and under-diagnosis
US Population – 36m and growing
Maine Population - 1.3m Deaf/Hard of Hearing: 8.5% (110,500)
Profoundly Deaf: 10% of above (11,050)
Only 20% of people receive the technology services they need.
HEARING LOSS DEMOGRAPHICS:
An estimated one-third of US adults have hearing loss.
Hearing loss is the #1 disability among veterans Paired with other disabilities
Noise induced & age related
Maine is the “oldest” state! 30-60% of seniors have hearing loss
Hearing loss may be compounded by language processing issues, medical conditions and/or dementia
Average 7-10 years between onset & asking for help.
THE AUDIOGRAM AND SPEECH SOUNDS:
Mild Moderate
Moderately Severe Severe
ADDITIONAL IMPLICATIONS:
Elders with hearing loss: Hyper-vigilance as a coping skill
Hearing loss can mask other illnesses
Every day, people with hearing loss: are forced into early retirement
experience isolation
90% of deafened adults experience severe depression
Acquired Hearing Loss and Mental Health Issues: Grief and Loss
Physical and Mental Exhaustion
Paranoia
Depression and Anxiety
FACE TO FACE COMMUNICATION:
Get attention
Provide topic
Maintain eye contact
Speak at a normal pace and
volume
Add natural gestures
Advise of topic change
Check for Understanding
Allow extra time for responding
Offer choices
Share what you learn with others to improve overall communication with an individual!
DRM PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE ADAPTIVE TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT:
Telecommunications Equipment Program (TEP)
Maine Relay
National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution
Program (NDBEDP)
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
EQUIPMENT PROGRAM (TEP)
ABOUT TEP:
Disability Rights Maine administers the Maine state
telecommunications equipment distribution program.
We are able to provide:
Amplified Phone Equipment
Captioned Telephone Equipment
Phone Accessories
Training and Installation of the above Equipment
A Single Hearing Aid per Client
We are located in Portland, and have demo equipment
available for testing!
AMPLIFIED PHONE EQUIPMENT:
Easy Application Process
Identify your struggles on the phone and let us help you find the right equipment!
Requires proof of income and proof of disability.
Download & complete the application online: http://drme.org/deaf-services/tep
Variety of Features
Tone and Volume Adjustment
Phone Number Memory
Caller ID Screens
Photo Memory Buttons
Corded and Cordless
All equipment is hearing aid compatible!
CAPTIONED TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT:
CapTel phones use the relay system to
provide captions of what the other party is
saying!
Amplified- listen to what you can.
Read the captions to catch information you
may have missed.
Large, Adjustable Screen Features
Captioned Answering Machine
Built in, one touch customer service
button!
PHONE ACCESSORIES:
Flashing Ringers
Amplified Ringers
Amplified and Slow Play Back Answering Machines
Surge Protectors
Pocketalkers
HEARING AIDS:
DRM provides a single hearing aid to individuals
65+, on a lending basis
Tiered system of distribution:
Age
Live alone
Waiting list!
We partner with audiologists
all over the state
LENDING AND COST-SHARE PROGRAMS:
Equipment provided based on income guidelines.
People on limited or fixed incomes qualify for LENDING
PROGRAM
Equipment at no cost to you!
Repairs and replacements of the equipment covered.
You return it to us when you no longer need it!
If you exceed the income guidelines, you may qualify for
our COST-SHARE PROGRAM!
You purchase the equipment at a reduced cost.
You own the equipment for life.
Installation and training are included.
MAINE RELAY
RELAY SERVICES OFFERED IN MAINE:
TTY
Voice Carry Over
Hearing Carry Over
Speech-to-Speech
Deaf-Blind Services
Spanish
Captioned Telephone (CapTel)
HOW IT WORKS:
Captioned Telephone User
Communication Assistant
Other Party
HAMILTON CAPTEL MODELS:
Internet and Non-Internet Based Models
Traditional Style
Tech Savvy Updates
Mobile CapTel
Hamilton CapTel for PC/Mac
Hamilton CapTel for Smartphones
Hamilton CapTel for Tablets
NATIONAL DEAF-BLIND EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM (NDBEDP)
ABOUT NDBEDP:
DRM administers the FCC’s National Deaf-Blind
Equipment Distribution Program for the State of
Maine
SIGNIFICANT COMBINED hearing and vision loss
Established in 2012, the program is available in all
states.
Funding is based on the individual state’s
population.
PROGRAM DEMOGRAPHICS:
74 Mainers served so far:
26 in year 1
25 in year 2 (19 New)
27 in year 3 (19 New)
22 in year 4 (10 New)
Of those served, two are Braille users and twelve
use ASL as their preferred language.
COUNTIES SERVED:
o Extreme South (A): 11
o L/A Area (B): 7
o Portland Area (B): 20
o Augusta Area (C): 12
o Mid-Coast (D): 7
o Bangor Area (E): 6
o Extreme North (F): 7
o Downeast (J): 4
PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY/GOALS:
Reduce isolation
Increase independence
Enhance access to telecom and internet
DSI is more than the sum of its parts
Focus on distance communication
APPLICATION PROCESS/ELIGIBILITY:
Follows Helen Keller National Center for
Deaf-Blind Youths & Adults (HKNC) definition
of Deaf-Blind
Income limit is 400% of FPL
Flexible sign-off
No age limit
Application stays “open” after equipment and training
received
APPLICATION PROCESS – DETAILS:
Simple application form – basic client data
Attester signoff, proof of income
Goal is distribution of equipment within 60 days of
approval of application
First-time applicants get priority
Can reapply if needs change
EQUIPMENT/ACCESSORIES:
Everything TEP provides, plus:
iPads and iPhones
PC or Mac laptops/desktops
Magnification software
Screen Readers
Refreshable Braille displays
Large-screen monitors
Touch-screen All-in-Ones/Tablets
NO hearing aids or hearing aid accessories.
Training, Installation and Follow-up:
Up to 10 hours of training included
Partners include DBVI, Iris Network,
Mainely Access, and Perkins.
Interpreters provided for trainings
as needed.
Equipment maintenance is covered
for first three years.
Outreach:
Independence without Fear
Senior Expos
Assisted Living Facilities
Deaf Culture Festival/Deaf Culture Tea
iCanConnect.org
LOW-TECH APPROACHES TO VISION AND HEARING LOSS:
o Fresnel lens
o Micro LED flashlight
o Assistive Listening Devices
o Tablet Stand
o Ear Plugs
QUESTIONS:
If you would like a brochure, application, or more
information about any of our programs, please call
us:
207.797.7656 (LOCAL)
800.639.3884 (TOLL-FREE)
207.766.7111 (VIDEO PHONE)
Or stop in and see us:
68 BISHOP STREET, SUITE 3
PORTLAND, MAINE, 04103
WWW.DRME.ORG
THANK YOU!
