There are many resources and organizations that serve the deaf and hard of hearing community. Different & Able has compiled a list of resources, phone services, and nonprofits that work with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Resources
The American Society for Deaf Children has compiled a database of resources for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The database can be viewed as a list or as a map.
State Agencies of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
The National Association of the Deaf has compiled a list of websites for each state’s agency of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
State-by-state Regulations for Interpreters & Transliterators
The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf has compiled a database for interpreters and translators, which can be searched by state. The website should not be constructed as legal advice.
“The National Deaf Center’s mission is to close the substantial gaps in education and employment that exist for deaf people in the United States and its territories.” Their website has a comprehensive resource page that covers an extremely wide range of topics. It has toolkits for professionals and students.”
Resources for the deaf and hard of hearing community in New York City.
Phone Services
“CaptionCall is part of a federally funded program to benefit people with hearing loss. This fund pays the total cost of service for qualified users. CaptionCall is used specifically for people with hearing loss who have trouble hearing on the phone. The CaptionCall captioned telephone is designed to let one hear and read what the other person is saying, so one can better understand the conversation. The phone and service are exclusively for people with hearing loss who need captions to use the phone.”
“CaptionMate is a free app that instantly transcribes both sides of a phone call. This real-time captioning service is free to anyone with hearing loss and is paid for by a fund administered by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). CaptionMate is there to assist you in your personal, work or school life. This simple tool makes communicating easier with your mobile phone, landline, tablet or computer.”
“ClearCaptions is a call captioning service that provides near real-time display of caller’s words during phone conversations, a service intended for individuals whose hearing loss inhibits their phone use. Similar to captioned television, ClearCaptions allows you to actually see the words your callers say, made possible by our revolutionary home phone or mobile device app. This captioning service is provided by ClearCaptions and paid for through a program managed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). There is no cost to qualified individuals.”
Other phone service providers are Hamilton Captel, Olelo, InnoCaption, T-Mobile, State telephone programs.
Video Relay Services
Video Relay Services (VRS) allows individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to use a television or computer to use a live interpreter to have a conversation.
“GlobalVRS is a federal telecommunications fund-eligible video relay provider who is dedicated to providing exceptional services to the Deaf Community while showing absolute respect for its diversity, language, culture, uniqueness and values.”
“As a Deaf-owned company, our understanding of human connection is different from most. In a rapidly advancing world, technology is often developed on the basis of spoken language. We offer a different perspective: universal communication solutions that just feel right.”
According to Purple’s website they have versatile VRS solutions, fast connection times, 24/7/365 service, and employees over 300 individuals who are deaf.
“Sorenson Relay combines innovative products with the highest-quality, professional interpreters, so you can focus on what matters: connecting with others.”
Non-Profits
“We are dedicated to helping children with hearing loss and their families in the tri-state area secure the support they need to live happy, productive, and fulfilling lives. Whether you are a medical professional, or a parent, child or teen dealing with hearing loss, we are here for you — to share our knowledge, experience, and community.”
American Speech-Language Hearing Association
The American Speech-Language Hearing Association has compiled a list of nonprofits that serve the deaf and hard of hearing community.
“Hands & Voices is a parent-driven organization that supports families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing without a bias around communication modes or methodology. We envision a world where children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing have every opportunity to achieve their full potential.”
National Association of the Deaf
“The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is the nation’s premier civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America. Established in 1880, the NAD was shaped by deaf leaders who believed in the right of the American deaf community to use sign language, to congregate on issues important to them, and to have its interests represented at the national level.”
According to their website, Baby Hearing is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping parents find resources after learning their child suffers from hearing loss or deafness.
Alexander Graham Bell Association
The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is a non-profit organization that provides a community of support and helps families get connected to helpful resources.
The American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC)
“Since 1967, ASDC has been supporting parents of children who are deaf and hard of hearing. We believe that deafness is not a disability, but language deprivation is. That’s why it’s our mission to ensure that every deaf child can learn sign language from the very start.”
