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DEAFNESS

DEAFNESS

GOVERNMENT BENEFITS

  • SSDI is paid to people who have worked and paid taxes into the system. With SSDI the amount of the benefit is based on your prior earnings. If you never worked, you cannot get SSDI, but you may still qualify for SSI.


  • The Certificate of Deafness for Tuition Waiver (CODTW) is a state of Texas program available to people who have an unaided 55 dB (or aided 30 dB) average or greater loss in their better ear based on the average at 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hertz. 


  • The Specialized Telecommunication Assistance Program (STAP) is a voucher program that can assist with buying telephone equipment to access telephone services for residents of Texas who have a disability (not limited to hearing loss) which limits their ability to use the telephone. The program can be accessed once every five years for equipment. The application can be printed from the STAP website


NATIONAL CHARITY RESOURCES

  • 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.


  • The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) is a non-profit charity dedicated to enhancing the quality of children’s lives. Thanks to the generous contributions of many donors, UHCCF has been able to touch the lives of thousands of children and their families through much needed medical grants. These medical grants help improve access to medical services and items that are not covered, or not fully covered, by a family’s current commercial health benefit plan. Since being founded in 1999, UHCCF has granted over $15M to over 5,000 families across the country. Grants have helped pay for necessary medical services and medical equipment such as physical therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and medical equipment such as orthotics, wheelchairs and hearing aids for children.


  • LEAD-K Family Services focuses on connecting families with their local school district, Early Start home visit teachers, parent mentors, Deaf coaches, and other supports as outlined in an Individualized Family Support Plan.


  • Miracle-Ear centers nationally provide new or reconditioned "Miracle-Ear" hearing aids and services free of charge to families with hearing-impaired children (up to 16 years old) and an income level that does not allow them to receive public support. Eligibility for hearing aids and other services requires disclosure of complete financial information for individuals residing in the same household



  • Deaf Latinos y Families provides resources and ASL classes to Latino/a/x families and guides them through adapting the Deaf Culture and ASL into their lives.


  • American Society for Deaf Children - The American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC)  is committed to empowering all families with deaf* and hard-of-hearing children and youth by embracing full language and communication access in inclusive environments through mentoring, advocacy, resources, and collaborative networks. 


  • AgrAbility Project agricultural and agribusiness workers who have hearing loss. Education and assistance are available to accommodate disabilities, eliminate barriers, and create a favorable climate among rural service providers for people with disabilities (including hearing loss).


  • The Let Them Hear Foundation was established in 2003 and is a registered 501(c)(3) corporation in the State of California. This Foundation offers a Cochlear Implant and Pediatric Hearing Aid Program providing services to patients in Northern California and around the world.


  • Communications for the Deaf - CSD is a constellation of companies that provide products, programs, and services that are designed to create opportunities for deaf people to succeed. 


  • The Deaf Children’s Literacy Project - The Deaf Children’s Literacy Project (DCLP) is a guided program to support families with children who are deaf, hard of hearing, and/or have various processing disorders and who may benefit from Cued Speech to achieve age-appropriate language and literacy acquisition. 


  • Center on Early Intervention on Deafness maximizes communication potential through education, family support, and community audiology services for children and adults who are deaf and hard of hearing.


  • Deaf Women United - Deaf Women United is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering deaf women and promoting their rights. Our mission is to create effective initiatives that address the unique challenges faced by deaf women. We believe in taking urgent action to raise public awareness about the pressing issues affecting deaf women and society today. 


  • Deaf Hope - Our mission at DeafHope is to end domestic and sexual violence in Deaf communities through empowerment, education and services. 


  • Deaflympics - Also known as the World Deaf Games, is an international multi-sport event for deaf and hard of hearing athletes. The event aims to promote deaf sports and showcase the athletic talents of deaf athletes on the global stage. Deaflympics follows the same principles as the Olympics but is specifically designed for deaf and hard of hearing participants. 


  • Hands & Voices - The organization operates on a philosophy of unbiased support and fosters a positive approach to communication choices, including sign language, spoken language, and other communication methods.


  • Gallaudet University - Gallaudet University is the world’s only university specifically designed for deaf and hard of hearing students. Established in 1864, Gallaudet offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs, focusing on providing an inclusive and accessible educational environment for its students.


  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing Counselors include: Deaf culture and awareness, Communication techniques, Assistive listening devices and other rehabilitation technology, Interpreter services, Referrals and assistance to obtain services from specialized agencies, Specialized vocational and other training services, Audiologic and hearing aid assessments, ADA requirements for communication accessibility, and Resources for hard of hearing and late deafened individuals.


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