The Illinois Department on Aging
2nd Annual CCP Supervisors Conference
March 25-26, 2013
Crowne Plaza
Springfield, IL
Handouts/Resources Provided BY:
Paige Berry, National Coordinator
Senior Adult Services
Helen Keller National Center
Richmond, VA
804-827-0920
paige.berry@hknc.org
www.hknc.org
Presenter: Barbara Chandler
HKNC SE Regional Representative
barbara.chandler@hknc.org
404-462-0185
Page 1
Vision and Hearing Loss: Double-Trouble
When you encounter consumers experiencing both a vision and hearing loss, it is critical
that their vision and hearing loss be viewed in total and not as separate entities.
Appropriate services are needed to help reduce the fear, isolation, helplessness, and
loneliness felt by many senior adults. They did not expect their “Golden Years” to be like
this. We hope the information below serves as a guide to assist you in getting
consumers with combined loss of vision and hearing the appropriate services needed in
order to lead meaningful and productive lives.
The term “Deaf-Blind” includes individuals in the following categories:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Blind and Hard of Hearing
Deaf and Visually Impaired
Hard of Hearing and Visually Impaired
Deaf and Blind
If the consumer you are working with needs skills in any of the following areas of
Activities of Daily Living, please refer them to the appropriate agency listed in the
resource section of this handout.
Alerting Devices (tactile, visual, auditory) for the telephone, doorbell,
smoke/carbon monoxide detector
Communication aids: writing guides; computer/email access; large button phones;
talking caller ID; enhanced volume control; loud ringer
Folding Money
Cooking and Kitchen Safety
Orientation & Mobility (traveling safely in my environment)
Glasses and other Low Vision Reading Aids
Sunwear to reduce glare (inside building and outside)
Budgeting
Leisure Activities
Page 2
SPECIAL RESOURCE
The American Foundation for the Blind, in conjunction with the
Helen Keller National Center Senior Adult Services, produced a
series of short videos on different aspects of Vision and Hearing
Loss. The videos describe some common aids and devices used by
this population. To view the videos go to:
 http://www.visionaware.org/
 Click on “Everyday Living”
 Scroll down to videos on Vision and Hearing Loss
Page 3
Types of Vision Loss
Acuity Loss:
 Problem with central vision
 Central vision is used to read and write
 It is the vision tested with an eye chart and corrected with glasses.
 Some people have an acuity loss so great that it cannot be corrected with
glasses.
Field Restriction:
 Loss of one section of vision.
 Often peripheral or side vision, which is used to spot things near by and to
"keep track" of what is going on around us.
Mixed Loss: It is possible to have both a field restriction and acuity loss. (Macular
Degeneration and Glaucoma)
Legal Blindness: Visual acuity of 20/200 or worse with the best correction OR a visual
field restriction of 20 degrees or less.
20/20 VISION: This means that the person being tested can see at 20 feet what a
normal-seeing person can see at 20 feet. 20/200 indicates that the person being
tested can see at 20 feet what a normal-seeing person can see at 200 feet.
Page 4
Questions for My Vision Care Specialist
1.
What is my visual acuity?
2.
Do I have a field loss?
3.
What is the cause of my vision loss?
4.
Will I lose more sight?
5.
What can I do to protect my remaining vision?
6.
Will medications I am taking cause temporary or permanent vision loss
7.
Will I benefit from a low vision exam?
 Magnifiers
 CCTV
 Sun wear (inside and outside)
 Telescope
 Direct Lighting
Page 5
Fonts – which can you read with ease?
12 Point
14 Point
16 Point
18 Point
20 Point
24 Point
30 Point
36 Point
42 Point
48 Point
60 Point
Times Roman 72
Page 6
Charles Bonnet Syndrome
(Visual Hallucinations)
• Named after the Swiss naturalist and philosopher Charles Bonnet.
• He reported hallucinations of Charles Lullin, his 89-year-old otherwise healthy
and cognitively sound grandfather, who was blind owing to cataract and yet
vividly saw men, women, birds, and buildings.
• Less frequently diagnosed but rather common cause of complex visual
hallucination
• More common in elderly due to prevalence of vision loss later in life. Seen most
often in patients with Macular Degeneration.
• No clear level of visual acuity at which CBS occurs has been documented.
• May persist for a few days to many years, changing in frequency and complexity
• The imagery is varied and may include groups of people or children, animals,
and panoramic countryside scenes
Is CBS a form of Mental Illness???
•
No - that in itself is major relief to an elderly person experiencing failing vision,
social isolation, and other medical problems.
• Many don’t admit symptoms –why? fear being labeled with insanity
• Similar to phantom limb; musical auditory hallucinations
• visual cortex exhibits spontaneous activity, giving rise to conscious imagery
Page 7
Range of Hearing Loss
Level of Loss
0 to 25 dB
HL
26 to 40 dB
HL
41 to 55 dB
HL
56 to 80 dB
HL
81 dB or
more HL
Description
Normal
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Profound
Effect
Normal speech is
understood
Difficulty understanding
normal speech
Difficulty understanding
loud speech
Can understand amplified
speech only
Difficulty understanding
amplified speech
Hearing Aid Need
No need
Needed in specific
situations
Frequent need
Need for all
communication
May need supplemental
speech-reading, aural
rehab, or sign language
Things I need to know about my hearing loss!!
1. What is my decibel loss?
Right ear__________ Left ear ____________
2. In what frequencies do I hear best?
3. In what frequencies do I have more difficultly understanding?
4. Will hearing aids help?
5. Am I a candidate for a Cochlear Implant?
6. Is my hearing loss progressive?
7. Could the combination of medications I am taking cause further hearing loss?
Page 8
Communication Strategies for Service Providers
 Say the person’s name to get their attention before talking with them.
 Do not cover your face or keep hands near the mouth area.
 Know where to get an interpreter, if the individual’s primary language is sign
language.

Men – (mustaches should be trimmed so the lips are exposed to aid in speech
reading )
 Ladies – (careful about dangling and shinny earrings that might distract from
your face)
 Wear solid colors that contrast to your skin tone (no prints, polka dots, stripes)
 Kneel or bend to get at eye level with the consumer
 Make sure there is appropriate lighting
 Check to make sure you are in a position where you can be seen, avoid glare
behind you
 Avoid background noise
 Speak clearly at a moderate rate
 Don’t exaggerate mouth movements
 Use short sentences and get to the point
Page 9
Consumer Plan-Ahead Tips for Better Communication
General – Let others know:
 How to get your attention
 Which ear is best
 How to let you know where the speaker is, so I am facing him/her.
 To tell me when they leave the room.
 To let me know if the volume of my voice is too low or too loud. (ask them to
draw line up side of my arm if I need to speak louder; or down the side of my
arm if I need to speak lower)
 To let me know if there is feedback (squealing) on my hearing aid.
 Reconfirm important points
Restaurants




Call ahead and ask for booth with high back.
If there is no booth, ask for a table in the quietest part of the restaurant.
Ask to be seated away from kitchen and front door.
Ask if wait staff can assist you:
o Reading menu
o Buffet line
o Cutting meat
Community Events







Ask if an assistive listening device is available
If not, ask if you can bring your own ALD and if the speaker will wear it
Ask if the speaker will be using a microphone
Ask to be seated near speaker
Ask speaker to repeat questions from the audience when applicable
Do not bluff!
Try to remain patient and positive
Page 10
Print-on-Palm (POP)
is a simple method of communicating with a person who is deaf-blind and familiar with printed
English.
To use POP: with your index finger, “print” your message in the palm of the hand of the person
who is deaf-blind. To make each letter, follow the diagram above, which indicates the
recommended direction, sequence and number of strokes for each letter.
Use capital letters only, except for the letter “i” which is lower case. Print only in the palm area. Do not connect
letters. Pause after each word. If you make a mistake, “wipe” the palm, then print the correct letter. If the
person has speech, he or she may say each letter and word aloud as you spell it. This is a good way to know that
your message is being understood.
Page 11
Self-Advocacy






Know situations you handle well.
Know difficult hearing situations.
Coping skills: What do you do when …
Know your preferred accommodations.
Be able to state why you prefer one accommodation over another
Be aware of application laws.
Page 12
Alerting Devices
Questions to consider:
1. Doorbell or Knock on Door:
a. Can you hear a knock on the door?
b. With/without hearing aid.
c. If you are not in the same room as the bell/door?
2. Smoke alarm/Carbon Monoxide:
a. Do you have a smoke /carbon monoxide detector?
b. Do you change the battery every 6 months?
c. Can you hear it when it is activated?
d. Can you hear it without hearing aid?
e. Can you hear it if you are not in the same room with it?
3. Telephone:
a. Can you hear it ring if not same room with it?
b. If you do not have hearing aid on?
c. Can you understand most speech over the phone?
d. Do you hear better in the high or low frequencies?
Page 13
HKNC’s Confident Living Program (CLP)
for Senior Adults goes




Partner with HKNC to host a CLP in your
state
Length of program 2.5 days
The program is geared toward consumers,
ages 55 and better who are hard of hearing
and blind or visually impaired and do not
use sign language as their primary means
of communication.
A maximum of 10 participants
Participants will obtain information and an
introduction to skills in the following areas:
For more information contact
CLP Facilitated by:
Helen Keller National Center
North Central Regional Office
485 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 5
East Moline, IL 61244
309.716.3657 VP
309.755.0018 voice
309.755.0025 fax
Laura J. Thomas, Regional Representative
Laura.Thomas@hknc.org
Paige Berry, National Coordinator
Senior Adult Services
Helen Keller National Center
c/o Virginia Commonwealth University
Department of Rehabilitation Counseling
PO Box 980330
Richmond, VA 23298
804-827-0920 Voice
paige.berry@hknc.org








coping with hearing and vision loss
enhancing independent living skills
enhancing communication skills
experiencing new technology
self advocacy
elder law issues
emergency preparedness
community integration and developing
community resources
 sharing life experiences with peers
 exploring leisure activity options
 having FUN
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."
- Helen Keller, 1941
Page 14
ILLINOIS RESOURCES
For individuals who have combined loss of Vision and Hearing,
their families, service providers and others
Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Rehabilitation Services
400 W. Lawrence Avenue
Springfield, IL 62794
217.785.9304 voice
217.785.7798 fax
312.957.4881 VP
Ingrid Halvorsen, Manager of D/HH/DB Services
Ingrid.Halvorsen@illinois.gov
www.dhs.state.il.us
DHS/BBS Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education (ICRE-Wood)
1151 South Wood Street
Chicago, IL 60612
312.633.3545 voice
312.633.3479 fax
Brenda Alexander, Program Manager
Brenda.Alexander@illinois.gov
Janet Sherburne, Program Manager
Independent Living for Older Blind
Department of Human Services
Bureau of Blind Services
Division of Rehabilitation Services
809 Commercial Avenue
Springfield, IL 62703
Phone: (217) 785-3887
Fax: (217) 524-1235
TTY: (217) 785-3887
Relay: (866) 704-2313
E-mail: janet.sherburne@illinois.gov
Independent Living Services for Older Blind
Contact: Priscilla Curtis
Department of Human Services
Bureau of Blind Services
Division of Rehabilitation Services
1307 North Mattis Avenue
Champaign, IL 61821
Phone: (217) 278-3500
Fax: (217) 278-3508
Relay: (888) 472-0940
E-mail: Priscilla.curtis@illinois.gov
Page 15
Helen Keller National Center
North Central Regional Office
485 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 5
East Moline, IL 61244
309.716.3657 VP
309.755.0018 voice
309.755.0025 fax
Laura J. Thomas, Regional Representative
Laura.Thomas@hknc.org
The Chicago Lighthouse (HKNC Affiliate)
Deaf-Blind Program
1850 W. Roosevelt Rd.
Chicago, IL 60608
312.666.1331, ext. 3415 voice
312.957.4865 VP
312.421.4788 TTY
312.666.8874 TTY
312.243.8539 fax
Joann Rushing, Program Manager
Joann.Rushing@chicagolighthouse.org
National Deaf Blind Equipment Distribution Program/iCanConnect (ICC)
The Chicago Lighthouse (HKNC Affiliate)
Deaf-Blind Program
1850 W. Roosevelt Rd.
Chicago, IL 60608
312.666.1331, ext. 3415 voice
312.957.4865 VP
312.421.4788 TTY
312.666.8874 TTY
312.243.8539 fax
Joann Rushing, Program Manager
Joann.Rushing@chicagolighthouse.org
www.iCanConnect.org
Helen Keller National Center
for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults (national headquarters)
141 Middle Neck Road
Sands Point, NY 11050
516.944.8900 voice
516.570.3626 VP
516.944.7302 fax
www,hknc.org
Page 16
Helen Keller National Center Senior Adult Services
Paige Berry, National Coordinator
c/o Virginia Commonwealth University
Department of Rehabilitation Counseling
PO Box 980330
Richmond, VA 23298
paige.berry@hknc.org
804-827-0920 Voice
Le COBDA (a Deaf-Blind social group)
1850 W. Roosevelt Rd.
Chicago, IL 60608
Regularly scheduled on 2nd Saturday of the month (except January, June and August)
President: Celine Bush
312.957.4865 VP
mindy.mayer@chicagolighthouse.org
312/421.4788 TTY
312.666.8874 TTY
Illinois Association of Deaf-Blind (state consumer organization)
Karyn Campbell, President
Karyn1421@wowway.com
Karyn.campbell@iladb.org
Renee Ingalsbe, Vice President
Renee.ingalsbe@iladb.org
Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation (ITAC)
3001 Montvale Dr. Suite D
Springfield, IL 62704
217.698.4170 voice
217.698.0942 fax
Braille Phone, Large Visual Display TTY and Deaf-Blind Communicator
www.itactty.org
State of Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission (IDHHC)
528 South 5th St., Suite 209
Springfield, IL 62701
217.303.8010 VP
217.557.4495 voice
217.557.4492 fax
John Miller, Executive Director
John.Miller@illinois.gov
www.idhhc.state.il.us
Page 17
Center for Sight & Hearing (HKNC Affiliate)
8038 Maclntosh Lane
Rockford, IL 61107
815.332.6800 voice
815.332.6810 Fax
Diane Jones, President
djones@rockfordcenter.org
www.rockfordcenter.org
Anixter Center
2032 N. Clybourn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
773.929.8200 ext. 283 voice
Anne Westerman-Rivera, Director of Community Resources and Support
awesterman-rivera@anixter.org
www.anixter.org
Project REACH Illinois (Deaf-blind Technical Assistance Project)
Philip J. Rock Center and School
818 DuPage Blvd
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
630.790.2474
630.790.4893 fax
Michelle Clyne, Project Coordinator
mclyne@philiprockcenter.org
www.project-reach-illinois.org
Camp Lions of Illinois
2814 DeKalb Avenue
Sycamore, IL 60178
815.756.5633 voice
815.748.9087 fax
Alan Wilson, Registrar Coordinator
adwilson@tbc.net
Illinois Deaf-Blind Weekend Retreat (ILDBWR) - June or July 2014 (TBA)
Annual four-day educational retreat for individuals who are Deaf-blind and working interpreters/ITP
students.
deafblindinfo@chicagolighthouse.org
Page 18
Illinois SSP Task Force (IDHHC)
Bryen Yunashko, Chairperson
Through HKNC’s national network, we are in touch with resources specific to youth
and adults who are Deaf-Blind, including: technology, housing, SSP services, older
adults and camps. For more information about these resources, contact
Laura.Thomas@hknc.org
Revised 3/2013
Page 19
Additional Resources for Working with Senior Adults Experiencing
Combined Vision and Hearing Loss
Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs)
ADRCs assist people of all incomes and ages. Forty-three (43) states have ADRCs. To
find out if your area is served by ADRC visit their web site.
Web Address: www.adrc-tae.org
American Foundation for the Blind
Center on Vision Loss, Dallas, Tx
Telephone: 214 – 352-7222
***For a series of short videos on Vision and Hearing Loss Aids and Devices go to:
http://www.visionaware.org/
Click on “Everyday Living”
Scroll down to videos on Vision and Hearing Loss
Centers for Independent Living (CILs)
CILs assist people with disabilities. A state-by-state directory of CIL can be found by
visiting their web site.
Web Address: www.ilru.org/html/publications/directory/index.asp
National Senior Citizens Law Center (NSCLC)
The NSCLC advocates nationwide to promote the independence and well-being of lowincome elderly individuals and persons with disabilities. They also provide technical
assistance and training to attorneys and other advocates and are active in litigation and
policy advocacy with a strong focus on income security and health care. For more
information, please visit the web site.
Web Address: www.nsclc.org
State Technology Assistance Project
The State Technology Assistance Project has information on medical equipment and
other assistive technology. Contact the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive
Technology Society of North America (RESNA) to get contact information for your state.
Phone: (703) 524-6686
Web Address: www.resna.org
Page 20
National Deaf Blind Organization
hkncinfo@hknc.org
News and Information in ASL
www.oicmovies.com
Retinitis Pigmentosa List-Serv
rplist@listserv.icors.org
The American Association of the Deaf-Blind
www.aadb.org
The following companies and organizations distribute catalogues
and sell products useful for persons with vision and/or hearing
loss. This list is not intended to be a complete listing of all
organizations, which sell such products, nor is it intended to be
an endorsement of the actual products by HKNC.
American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
1839 Frankfort Avenue
PO Box 6085
Louisville, KY 40206-0085
(800)223-1839 or (502)895-2405
Fax: 502-899-2274
Email: info@aph.org
Website: www.aph.org
Independent Living Aids, LLC
200 Robbins Lane
Jericho, NY 11753
(800)537-2118 or (516)937-1848
Fax: (516)937-3906
Email: can-do@independentliving.com
Website: www.independentliving.com
Page 21
Harris Communications
15155 Technology Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344-2277
(800)825-6758 (800)825-9187 (TTY)
Fax: (952)906-1099
Email: info@harriscomm.com
Website: www.harriscomm.com
LS&S
145 River Rock Drive
Buffalo, NY 14207-2172
(800)468-4789 (866)317-8533 (TTY)
Fax: 877-498-1482
Email: lssinfo@lssproducts.com
Website: www.lssproducts.com
Maxi-Aids, Inc.
42 Executive Blvd.
Farmingdale, NY 11735
(800)522-6294
Fax: 631-752-0689
TTY: 631-752-0738
Email: sales@maxiaids.com
Website: www.maxiaids.com
Assistance to purchase hearing aids and assistive listening devices:
Better Hearing Institute (BHI) has a listing of over 55 different private programs that provide loans or
grants to qualifying people who need hearing aids, “Your Guide to Financial Assistance for Hearing
Aids.” You can access this at http://www.betterhearing.org. Most of the resources in the guide are
for low-income individuals and families. However, there are a few who assist those whose income is
above the government’s established poverty levels but who still find it difficult to afford quality
hearing, such as AUDIENT (www.audientalliance.org), and Let Them Hear Foundation
(www.letthemhear.org). For a listing of providers of financial assistance for hearing aids and
personal assistive technology, visit http://hearingloss.org/support/financial.asp.
Lions Affordable Hearing Aid Project
email: LionsAHAP@lionsclubs.org
www.lionsclubs.org
Page 22
Hear Now Program
6700 Washington Ave S
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Contact:
Joanita Stelter, HEAR NOW Program Coordinator
e-mail: joanita@sotheworldmayhear.org
phone: 1-800-648-4327.
Page 23