MICHIGAN’S DEAF and HEARING IMPAIRED SERVICES AN OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY ADVOCATE FOR THE DEAF AND H
About one-tenth of Michigan residents are deaf or hard of hearing, as verified by the State's Division on Deaf and Hard of Hearing. These individuals come from all walks of life, from infants born deaf to seniors who have become deaf or hard of hearing later in life.
While there are many programs and laws that provide the deaf with special accommodations in specific situations, these individuals share a common thread--the desire to live life to the fullest and be a fully integrated member of society. Fortunately, these individuals have a friend and advocate in Farmington Hills, Mich.-based nonprofit Deaf and Hearing Impaired Services (DHIS). For 20 years now, DHIS' community based programs have the deaf and hard of hearing navigate available resources, while helping society at large better understand their needs and rights.
"Finding common ground always worker better than legal threats," says Linda Booth, DHIS president and a longtime advocate and innovator in services for the deaf consumer.
"Besides working with our service clients, we spend a lot of time meeting with corporate groups and professionals to help them understand the world of the deaf or hard of hearing."
It starts in the communities. A key pillar of DHIS' community education efforts is its senior programs at 16 sites throughout southeast Michigan, including in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair, Livingston and Monroe counties. These programs provide group education and customized case management services for the deaf and hard of hearing. Perhaps more, importantly, Booth emphasizes attendance by those not just deaf or hard of hearing, helping both groups stay connected to others as they age.
"About half of those deaf or hard of hearing become so in the 60s, so everyone learns. It's no different than staying alert to Alzheimer's or other issues as we age," Booth adds.
DHIS is a frequent guest presenter to community groups, including other nonprofits, and will also provide custom presentations for doctors, lawyers, accountants or any group that must service the deaf and hard of hearing. They will learn how to communicate better with the deaf or hard of hearing and how to meet existing anti-discrimination and accommodation laws, including Michigan's Deaf Persons' Interpreter Act. For example, this Act mandates that a certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter be provided for deaf clients in specific situations.
For more information about community education programs for the deaf and hard of hearing and to reach Linda Booth, please visit http://www.dhisonline.org.
While there are many programs and laws that provide the deaf with special accommodations in specific situations, these individuals share a common thread--the desire to live life to the fullest and be a fully integrated member of society. Fortunately, these individuals have a friend and advocate in Farmington Hills, Mich.-based nonprofit Deaf and Hearing Impaired Services (DHIS). For 20 years now, DHIS' community based programs have the deaf and hard of hearing navigate available resources, while helping society at large better understand their needs and rights.
"Finding common ground always worker better than legal threats," says Linda Booth, DHIS president and a longtime advocate and innovator in services for the deaf consumer.
"Besides working with our service clients, we spend a lot of time meeting with corporate groups and professionals to help them understand the world of the deaf or hard of hearing."
It starts in the communities. A key pillar of DHIS' community education efforts is its senior programs at 16 sites throughout southeast Michigan, including in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair, Livingston and Monroe counties. These programs provide group education and customized case management services for the deaf and hard of hearing. Perhaps more, importantly, Booth emphasizes attendance by those not just deaf or hard of hearing, helping both groups stay connected to others as they age.
"About half of those deaf or hard of hearing become so in the 60s, so everyone learns. It's no different than staying alert to Alzheimer's or other issues as we age," Booth adds.
DHIS is a frequent guest presenter to community groups, including other nonprofits, and will also provide custom presentations for doctors, lawyers, accountants or any group that must service the deaf and hard of hearing. They will learn how to communicate better with the deaf or hard of hearing and how to meet existing anti-discrimination and accommodation laws, including Michigan's Deaf Persons' Interpreter Act. For example, this Act mandates that a certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter be provided for deaf clients in specific situations.
For more information about community education programs for the deaf and hard of hearing and to reach Linda Booth, please visit http://www.dhisonline.org.