For over 30 years, OOD has partnered with community entities to provide support and communication services to deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind individuals, as well as, their families and communities.

Watch a video that features Trista Thompson Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with OOD as she highlights deaf services in American Sign Language.

OOD provides partial funding to eight partners around the state so that individuals with hearing loss, potential employers, and communities have information to allow individuals with hearing loss to fully integrate into employment and other activities.

These Centers provide the following services:

• Independent Living Skills Training
• Peer Support
• Advocacy
• Interpreting/Communication Services
• Walk-in office hours
• Public videophone access

Contact Our Program Coordinator

Katie Scheetz, Deaf Services Coordinator

Email:

katie.scheetz@ood.ohio.gov

Phone and Fax:

513-314-7650 Call or Text
513-815-7383 VP
800-686-3323 Toll Free for Consumers
614-985-9581 Fax

Mailing Address:

Katie Scheetz, MRC, CRC

PCA and CCD Programs, Deaf Services
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities
895 Central Avenue, 7^th Floor
Cincinnati OH 45202

Interpreting / Communication Services

Interpreting/Communication Services are language accessibility (any signed language, C-Print, writing, emerging technologies, etc.) used by people who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind.

These services are also used by individuals and businesses in the general community so that they may be accessible to deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind Ohioans.

All Community Centers for the Deaf offer sign language interpreting services 24/7.

Information & Referral Services

Information and Referral Services are provided so that deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind individuals have the information or resources they require so they may integrate into Ohio services and opportunities. These services may include, but are not limited to:

• Providing general information about the unique needs of deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind individuals to the general public or a specific audience;
• Providing specific information regarding deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind individuals to the general public or a specific audience;
• Responding to inquiries about deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind individuals in all counties in the target geographic area;
• Developing partnerships with programs so that the unique needs of deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind individuals are addressed and considered in their programming;
• Developing partnerships with specific providers that have a high influence in the deaf community (i.e., Social Security Administration, Job and Family Services, court systems);
• Providing direct referrals to community supports to both deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind individuals and the general public;
• Providing information about technology related to the target population; and
• Coordinating communication access.

Advocacy

Individual and Systems Advocacy Services promote short- and long-term opportunities and change for deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind individuals. Advocacy services may be provided to individuals and groups and may also target general systems to ensure that the needs of deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind individuals are accounted for and understood. Services may include, but are not limited to:

• Advocating for deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind individuals when access to communication is threatened;
• Advocating for the provision of reasonable accommodation services in housing, community and government services, medical, employment, and religious settings;
• Increasing the awareness of the unique needs and values of deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind persons in the business, educational, and general communities;
• Conducting deafness simulation trainings to increase sensitivity and awareness;
• Working with OhioMeansJobs centers and other work-focused programs to increase target population access to services;
• Conducting accessibility studies in the community;
• Conducting deaf awareness and communication trainings with service providers and community partners;
• Attending general community events to expose the larger community to matters related to hearing loss and Deaf culture;
• Increasing the awareness of the need for deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind individuals to have information in their preferred language; and
• Consulting with Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs) that contract with OOD and provide basic VR services to the target population.

Peer Support

Peer Support empowers deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind individuals to develop leadership skills, an understanding of their own community, and opportunities for understanding other disability groups. Services may include, but are not limited to:

•  Developing a mentoring program;
•  Developing a cross-disability awareness program;
•  Developing leadership opportunities for deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind individuals to encourage their peer or cross-disability peer group; and
•  Developing opportunities for members of peer groups to interact