ALDA Chicago
 

News from ALDA


Watch this space for news about ALDA Chicago business and events and other news of interest to people who are late-deafened or have hearing loss. 
  • 31 Oct 2023 11:00 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    For the differences between Professionally fitted vs Over the Counter Hearing Aids click here.

  • 24 Jun 2019 4:44 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission (IDHHC) has a communication placard for use in communicating with law enforcement officers as well as a 2-page summary explaining various communication methods typically used by deaf and hard of hearing individuals.  You can also use their website to create your own communication card to tell anyone of your communication needs and how to obtain services like interpreters and CART, etc.  ALDA Chicago is currently working with IDHHC and AIM CIL to have the placard and summary readily available at all DMVs (Division of Motor Vehicles) throughout the state. 

    The placard and summary are available in PDF format in the Resources, Helpful Links section of our website.  To access the placard, click here.  To access the summary, click here.  You can also view, download and save/print each one using the links to IDHHC site below.

    Law Enforcement Communication Placard

    Communicating with Deaf/HOH Individuals

    Create Your Own Communication Card

    Info provided by ALDAn Marsha Kopp, with website links coming from Rachel Arfa at Equip for Equality.


  • 24 Jun 2019 4:39 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Hearing Health Foundation (HHF) launched a new website, www.menieresdisease.org, which seeks to build awareness of and clarify this mysterious condition.  The platform will inspire hope among people who live with Ménière’s disease and their loved ones, share updates about Ménière’s disease from scientists funded by HHF as well as provide a channel through which individuals can donate to life-changing research toward better treatments and cures.  Source: Hearing Health Foundation, Sept. 2018.


  • 24 Jun 2019 4:18 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    In December last year, we asked for recommendations from our members and others in the hearing loss community on medical alert systems for the deaf/HOH. There were three separate responses. Two came from the SayWhatClub Friends group on Facbook; another from one of our members. All three responses provided an identical link with what the reviewers consider the top three companies, how each ranked and product/service reviews, including comparisons of features, pricing, available options and other info. You can check each of these out for yourself by clicking here or going to https://medical-alert-systems.bestreviews.net/hearing-impaired/. 

    Please note that ALDA Chicago has not personally reviewed any medical alert systems and as such, cannot verify the accuracy of any information presented while visiting the above website.  As routine practice, we also do not endorse any product, commercial organization or service group, and cannot attest to the value or quality of products or services identified on our website, in our newsletter or transmitted via our listserv.  We are posting this info in response to requests from members and other interested parties.  It is based solely on its informational or educational content, and provided for your convenience.  We hope you will find it useful.

    If any other information or comments come in on this subject, we will gladly pass them along to you as each becomes available.

  • 20 Mar 2018 10:45 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    As we move forward in anticipation of Spring 2018, ALDA Chicago is putting the proverbial CART before the horse. Please consider donating at least $18 to help us offset our CART captioning expenses this year--$18 to tie in with the numerical year 2018. Larger or smaller donations are always welcome and appreciated, too. You can make your tax-deductible donation to this cause in one of two ways:

    1-Donate online by clicking here.

    2-Make your check/money order payable to ALDA Chicago and mail to ALDA Chicago, PO Box 785, Bedford Park, IL 60499. Be sure to specify CART captioning in the memo field.

    Thank you in advance for your ongoing support.

  • 01 Oct 2016 10:22 PM | Sarah Wegley

    The following information is courtesy of the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission (IDHHC).

    Resources continue to expand for the DeafBlind population in Illinois. Below are some resources:

    Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind
    The Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths & Adults (HKNC) gives people who are DeafBlind tools to live, work and thrive in the communities of their choice. HKNC has a regional office, known as Region 5, in Moline, IL that also covers some surrounding states including Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. 

    Judy Knisely, who is the representative for Region 5, is available for assistance and is able to connect DeafBlind individuals, their families, and service providers to programs, services, assistive technology, and more. Judy can be contacted at judy.knisely@hknc.org or 419-951-6020/419-951-0474 (VP).

    HKNC maintains a confidential National Registry of people who are DeafBlind. The collected information assists in their research, program planning, and enhances their advocacy efforts.

    HKNC offers a variety of programs: the traditional programs, youth programs, senior adult services programs, DeafBlind Individuals with Cognitive Challenges programs, professional development programs, and some online courses including “Confident Living: A Course for Individuals Supporting Older Adults with Combined Vision and Hearing Loss” and “Working with Individuals who are DeafBlind: A Course for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and Other Professionals.

    In addition, HKNC is accepting applications for their Confident Living Program for Senior Adults to be held at the headquarters in Sands Point, NY. This on-site training will be provided on October 3-8, 2016. Please contact Judy Knisely for more information.

    Chicago Lighthouse
    The Chicago Lighthouse (CLH) provides educational, clinical, vocational and rehabilitation services for children, youth and adults who are blind or visually impaired including DeafBlind and multi-disabled. Their DeafBlind program provides communication support, crisis intervention, adaptive technology training and advocacy. The program serves people throughout the state of Illinois with varying degrees of visual and hearing losses, providing access to other Lighthouse programs, services within the community and appropriate referrals to agencies. The DeafBlind program offers the following services: telecommunication assessment and training, job readiness preparation, braille phone/Deafblind communicator training, sign language training, braille training, basic counseling and functional assessment.

    CLH also administers the iCanConnect Program (The National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program) which is a national accessibility program providing communications technology free of charge to low-income people of all ages who have combined vision and hearing loss. Individuals work with qualified program specialists to identify hardware, software and applications that best suit their communications technology needs.

    CLH also operates a north side facility in Glenview, IL, known as the Chicago Lighthouse North that sponsors a parent support group facilitated by psychologist Dr. Joseph Wallach for parents with children who are blind or visually impaired. Their Children's Enrichment Program also offers music therapy for children ages 6 months to 3 years old, a teen transition program, and social events designed to connect families.

    Project Reach
    Project Reach is a federally funded grant program that provides technical assistance, information, and training to address the early intervention, special education, related services, and transitional services needs of DeafBlind children and enhance state capacity to improve services and outcomes for children and their families. Technical assistance is designed to assure that service providers more effectively provide special education services, provide in-service training to paraprofessionals and professionals, provide activities to facilitate family involvement, provide consultative services, and promote the integration/inclusion of children with deaf-blindness with children with other disabilities and without disabilities. Project staff members include DeafBlind specialists and family specialists with many years of experience. This grant program is currently funded until September 30, 2018 and is located at the Phillip J. Rock Center & School in Glen Ellyn, IL. They distribute newsletter bi-annually and you can find this information at this page.

    Illinois Service Resource Center
    The Illinois Service Resource Center (ISRC) provides behavior support to Deaf, Hard of Hearing & DeafBlind students in Illinois. Behavior support can be for individual students with challenges, or at the preventive level with classrooms or school programs. ISRC serves students with hearing loss regardless of communication mode.

    ISRC provides free training, onsite assistance and resources for parents and educators of students who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or DeafBlind. ISRC team members visit homes and schools to work with families and educators in developing positive behavior support plans for DHH students in need of intensive level supports. ISRC team members work with DHH programs and classrooms to develop positive behavior support plans that teach appropriate expected behaviors for all students. The ISRC logo now includes printed braille letters as well as sign language. Stay posted for more information as ISRC expands its mission.

    Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission
    The Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission (IDHHC) has a Service Animals Resource page on its website. For information, please check this page. In addition, IDHHC has a Statewide Services for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind page that gives brief information on each agency including its mission that provides services to the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind in the state of Illinois.

  • 26 Sep 2016 5:37 PM | Sarah Wegley

    Source: Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission (IDHHC). Visit their website at https://www.illinois.gov/idhhc.

    In light of recurring situations where there is miscommunication between law enforcement and Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind citizens, it is critical to know and understand some tips in order for the interaction to go smoothly. Below are some resources:

    ·The Deaf/Hard of Hearing Communication Card for Law Enforcement & Citizens can be used by both law enforcement and Deaf citizens. This communication card holds some quick communication tips, resources on how to obtain auxiliary aids and services, communication symbols where one can point to assist with communication during a traffic stop. This is available for printing and can be found on IDHHC’s website under Programs & Services: Information for Service Providers.

    ·J88 Deaf/Hard of Hearing Drivers License- J88 is a notation on a drivers license that alerts law enforcement officers before approaching a vehicle that a motorist is deaf or hard of hearing. Below is information on how the J88 notation works. The information is found on the Secretary of State’s website in its manual, “A Guide to Services Serving Senior Citizens, Persons With Disabilities and Veterans.

    • Request the J88 notation be added to your drivers license at any Secretary of State Driver Services facility. J88 will appear on both the front and back of your drivers license.

    • Include your drivers license number on your vehicle registration to link the two together.

    • If you are stopped by a law enforcement officer, he/she will run your license plate or drivers license number, and a “Deaf/Hard of Hearing: Uses Alternative Communication” message will appear. The officer will then know to use alternative communication.

    • You must request the J88 notation if you want the option. (The SOS office will not ask you if you want to include the J88 option.)

    · Marlee Matlin On Deaf And Police Interaction- This is an ASL video signed by Deaf actress, Marlee Matlin, who is the wife of a police officer. This video provides tips on how Deaf people should know their rights when interacting with law enforcement.

    This information is provided for informational purposes only and should not be substituted for appropriate legal advice. IDHHC does not control, monitor or guarantee the information contained in these sites or information contained in links to other external web sites. The existence of these links are provided for the convenience of visitors signed up on the IDHHC email listserv and should not be construed as an endorsement by IDHHC of the content or views of the linked materials.

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