Are You Accessible?

To determine if your organization is accessible to Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing consumers and/or employees, the following questions need to be considered:

• Does the staff know how to determine and accommodate the preferred communication mode of Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing consumers/co-workers?  
• Does the staff know the difference between a signer and an interpreter?  
• Does the staff know how to provide assistive devices?  
• Does the staff have experience with using Teletypewriters (TTYs), the New York Relay Service and the Video Relay Interpreting services?  
• Does the staff have knowledge in the various communication aspects with Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing individuals?  
• Does the organization have an existing policy on communication accessibility for Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing individuals?  
• Does the staff have any sign language skills?

The Access Program strives to improve communication accessibility for Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing individuals in all health care, social services, educational, and government facilities though:

Community Education
Deafness Sensitivity Training workshops are offered to organizations that want effective communication and understanding between their hearing employees and deaf consumers/co-workers. Attention will be given to Deaf culture issues, use of sign language interpreters, and the New York Relay Service (a telecommunications relay service that assists deaf and hearing people in talking to each other over the telephone).  Contact Jason Goldstein, Program Manager, to schedule a training for your employees. These trainings and inservices are often provided at little or no cost.

Protocol Development
DAS assists organizations in becoming accessible to Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing consumers and/or co-workers through developing guidelines on how to provide interpreters and/or assistive devices; interpreting services contracts, etc.