Hear Eye Am! DeafBlind Services
Welcome to DeafBlind Services at the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI)! This quarterly newsletter highlights activities within DBVI and DeafBlind Services. DBVI serves blind, vision impaired and deafblind individuals in Virginia. DeafBlind Services is a program within the agency dedicated to work with people who have all types and degrees of combined vision and hearing loss.
Do you have trouble hearing your doorbell or telephone ring? Does your father need help getting hearing aids? Are you a teacher or administrator providing services to a deafblind student, or the parent of a young deafblind child? Would you like some advice on how to make your program more accessible to deafblind participants? DeafBlind Services is here to help!
Elizabeth Spiers is the Program Director for DeafBlind Services, and works with deafblind people in eastern Virginia, served by our Richmond, Norfolk and Fairfax regional offices. Charity Reid-Davis is our DeafBlind Specialist, and works with deafblind people in the western part of Virginia, specifically those served by our Bristol, Roanoke and Staunton offices. If you have any questions or want more information, please contact Elizabeth or Charity. Our contact information is at the bottom of this newsletter.
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iCanConnect is a national equipment distribution program for people who are deafblind and have low incomes. In 2010, then President Obama signed the Communications and Video Accessibility Act into law. One provision of this law allocates $10 million dollars a year towards a national equipment distribution program for eligible low-income deafblind people. DBVI runs the program for Virginia in partnership with Perkins School for the Blind in Massachusetts. People who qualify can get free equipment for distance communication such as computers, smart tablets and smartphones. They also can get peripherals such as Zoomtext and braille devices so they can use devices more easily. Trainers from ICC can provide assessments and training. For more information, visit http://www.icanconnect.org, or contact Elizabeth or Charity.
Want services from DBVI?
If you feel you can benefit from DBVI services and want to apply, you can contact your nearest regional office and speak to the intake specialist to open your case. If you want to live more independently, you can ask for Rehabilitation Teaching/ Independent Living. If you are looking for work, you can ask for Vocational Rehabilitation services. You can get both services if you want; for example, you can look for a job while getting independent living skills training. If you are a parent of a deafblind child or a professional working with one, you can get assistance from our Education Services. Once your case is open, you will be assigned to a DBVI staff member who can help you. A VR Counselor, Education Coordinator, or Rehabilitation Teacher can also refer you to DeafBlind Services if you need services from our program.
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DBVI Highlight: DBVI Centennial Celebration
DBVI was established 100 years ago, on March 22, 1922. Fifty-five years later, in 1977, the agency established DeafBlind Services when Louis Anderson was hired as the agency’s first deafblind specialist. After his departure in the early 1980s, two deafblind specialists were hired, one for eastern Virginia, and the other for western Virginia. We have had two deafblind specialists since then.
Throughout the year DBVI has held several events for individuals to learn about services offered through the agency. Recordings of these events can be found on the DBVI Centennial website.
The culmination of a year of celebration will allow DBVI staff to celebrate this milestone event on March 21 - 22, 2022, at the Westin Richmond. Staff will meet during the day to network, learn new things, and celebrate DBVI’s achievements.
Congratulations, DBVI, on your 100th birthday, and for 100 years of service!
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