Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Program

Image of Teresa O'Brien
Teresa O'Brien - Supervisor of 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.

People communicating with sign language

Resource Links

Deaf & Hard of Hearing Brochure (Espanol)

Deaf Life Magazine
http://www.deaflife.com/

Deaf Linx
http://www.deaflinx.com

Deaf Nation
http://deafnation.com

Hearing Loss Association of America
http://www.hearingloss.org

Helen Keller National Center
http://hknc.org/

National Association of the Deaf
http://www.nad.org

Questions and Answers About Deafness and Hearing Impairments in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act
https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/publications/qa_deafness.cfm

Relay RI
http://www.hamiltonrelay.com/state_711_relay/index.html

Rhode Island Association of the Deaf
http://riadeaf.blogspot.com

RI Adaptive Telephone Equipment Loan (ATEL) Program
/programs/atel

Rhode Island Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.cdhh.ri.gov/

Rhode Island Registry of Interpreters
http://www.ririd.org

Rhode Island School for the Deaf
http://www.rideaf.net

Tips for Applicants with Disabilities on Getting Federal Jobs
https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/publications/abc_applicants_with_disabilities.cfm

For more information on this program, please contact Teresa O'Brien, Supervisor, at 401.787.2984 or by email at teresa.obrien@ors.ri.gov.