FAQs

Q: Where does the Deaf Service Center (DSC) provide services?

A: DSC services are provided in Southwest Florida, throughout Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties. The DSC office is open Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (closed on holidays). If you need services in another region, try contacting The Deaf Service Center Association, Inc., the National Association of the Deaf, and the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.

For more information about DSC services, see the the About DSC page.

Q: How can I learn sign language?

A: The DSC teaches American Sign Language classes. Check out the webpages about DSC's ASL classes and Community Education programs.

Q: Does the Deaf Service Center have a newsletter?

A: Yes! The DSC mails out "The Silent Gazette" several times a year to the community and to DSC members. Also, we invite you to sign up at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSCevents/ to receive new email updates about the DSC sign language class schedule and other DSC community education events.

Q: How can I learn more about Deafness?

A: Check out these resources:

National Association of the Deaf
The mission of the National Association of the Deaf is to promote, protect, and preserve the rights and quality of life of deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America.

Deaf Linx
Visit Deaf Linx to find information about Deaf culture, meeting the Deaf community, technology, American Sign Language, interpreting, education, information for parents, history, poetry, art, linguistics, legal issues, health care, & much more.

Q: What laws apply to deaf and hard of hearing people for equal access? Who has to pay for services?

A: Check these resources:

Americans with Disabilities Act
The goal of the ADA is to make it possible for people with disabilities to participate in the everyday commercial, economic, and social activities of American life. The law covers employment, state and local government programs, services, activities, and facilities; and businesses and nonprofit service providers. Find out more about your rights and responsibilities.

Special Education Resources
The Individuals with Disabilities Act ensures that every child with a disability will be provided with a free and appropriate public education in their least restrictive environment. The goal of IDEA is to meet each student's unique needs in order to prepare him or her for further education, employment, and independent living. Learn more about IDEA and other school-related laws.

DSC Fact Sheets:

	Fact Sheet for Providing Interpreting Services
	Fact Sheet for Medical Interpreting
	Fact Sheet for Legal Interpreting
	Working with an ASL-English Interpreter and Providing Visual Accessibility for Deaf Consumers

Q: I have never worked with an interpreter before. What do I do?

A: Check these resources:

Working with an ASL-English Interpreter & Providing Visual Accessibility
Information about the role of the interpreter - providing access, what interpreting IS, what interpreting IS NOT, ethics, preparation, rest, & visual access

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc., (RID) is a national membership organization of professionals who provide sign language interpreting/transliterating services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons.

Q: Can I work for DSC as an interpreter?

A: The Deaf Service Center works with professional interpreters who demonstrate appropriate credentials, experience, education, and suitability. For job opportunities, check the Work @ DSC webpage.

Also, check out these resources:

How to become an Interpreter

Information about becoming a professional ASL-English interpreter

Helpful Resources for Southwest Florida Interpreters

Information for professional interpreters who are new to the Southwest Florida area

Q: How can I get help to pay for hearing aids?

A: Contact the Starkey Hearing Foundation (HEAR NOW program) for information about financial assistance for hearing aids.

The Starkey Hearing Foundation
6700 Washington Avenue South
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
800.769.2799
952.828.6946 fax

www.sotheworldmayhear.org

Q: How can I get a volume controlled phone or TTY in order to use the telephone?

A: The DSC can provide Florida residents who have hearing loss with a variety of phones. Check out our Telephone Equipment Loan Program.

Q: I need information about Sorenson videophones. Where do I look?

A: For information about VPs and VRS, check out the Sorenson website:

www.sorensonvrs.com

Sorenson Video Relay Service is a free service for the deaf and hard of hearing community that enables anyone to conduct video relay calls with family, friends, or business associates through a qualified ASL-English interpreter via a high-speed internet connection.

Q: How can I learn to read lips?

A: Only about 30% of spoken English is visible on the lips. Many letters and words look the same, which can cause misunderstandings. For example, "pail", "bail", and "mail" look the same. "I love you" and "olive juice" also look very similar. Not all deaf or hard of hearing people read lips, but some find it helpful if they hear enough to compensate for the 70% of the sounds they miss visually. For more information about how to learn to lipread, please see: http://deafness.about.com/cs/communication/a/lipreading.htm

Have other questions? Contact us!