Deaf and Hard of Hearing Unit

The Office of Rehabilitation Services helps individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing obtain services to meet their needs, provides counseling and guidance to help plan vocational goals and services, assists the individuals to obtain employment. They serve as a resource to professionals, state agencies, community organizations, and the public providing information related to employment, training and accommodations for persons who have a hearing loss. Clear communication between the vocational rehabilitation counselors and the individual with the hearing loss is the key to successful vocational rehabilitation services. These counselors use the deaf or hard of hearing person's preferred communication method and have a good understanding of the abilities and problems of deaf or hard of hearing individuals.

Services available may include: vocational counseling and guidance; vocational evaluation to determine skills, abilities, and potential to work; vocational training; purchase of hearing aids and appropriate communications devices; interpreter services for the purpose of obtaining and maintaining employment; job placement assistance; and rehabilitation technology services.

Resource Links

Deaf & Hard of Hearing Brochure (Espanol)

The Corliss Community Cooperative

Deaf Life Magazine

Deaf Linx

Deaf Nation

Hearing Loss Association of America

Helen Keller National Center

National Association of the Deaf

PepNet

Questions and Answers About Deafness and Hearing Impairments in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act

Relay RI

Rhode Island Association of the Deaf

RI ATEL

Rhode Island Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Rhode Island Registry of Interpreters

Rhode Island School for the Deaf

Tips for Applicants with Disabilities on Getting Federal Jobs

 

For more information on this program, please contact Teresa O'Brien, Supervisor, at 401.462-7793 or by email at teresa.obrien@ors.ri.gov.