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Home > Bureau of Rehabilitation Services > Division for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing> Resource Guide > Agencies Resource Guide: AGENCIESLast Updated; August 24, 2009 Alpha OneSouth Portland office Bangor office Presque Isle office Website: www.alphaonenow.org Alpha One is a community-based enterprise directed and managed by people with disabilities dedicated to developing independent living opportunities. Alpha One promotes peer interaction, community resource utilization, and self advocacy skills. It seeks to ensure equal opportunity and compliance with all disability-related laws through increased public awareness, professional consultation, and community advocacy. Adaptive Equipment Loan Program, Adaptive Driver Education, and Information and Referral Service are of special interest to deaf citizens and agencies who serve deaf clients. Low interest loans can cover hearing aids, flashing alert systems and agency TTYs. Interest rates are based on the borrower's monthly income and expenses, and loans may be for extended periods of time. A down payment may not be required. A loan of $2,500 or less could qualify for expedited approval. Independent Living (IL)-Deaf services are provided in the Portland and Bangor areas by IL service advocates for deaf individuals who use sign language. Services may include independent living support or advocacy. Services help people advocate for themselves within the community. Possible source of adaptive smoke alarms, and low interest loans for hearing aids and other adaptive equipment. Area Agencies on AgingAging & Disability Resource Centers These agencies provide services to older adults, adults with disabilities and their families, including information and assistance, education, advocacy, insurance counseling, nutrition programs and caregiver education and support. Aroostook Agency on Aging, Inc. Spectrum Generations Eastern Area Agency on Aging Southern Maine Agency on Aging SeniorsPlus AUDIENT221 Yale Avenue N., Suite 450 E-mail: info@audientalliance.org AUDIENT, an alliance for accessible hearing care, is designed to assist income qualified hard of hearing people - nationwide - to access quality hearing aids and related care at significantly reduced costs. The AUDIENT program was developed by the non-profit Northwest Lions Foundation for Sight & Hearing and made possible through the help of dedicated providers and suppliers. For more information or an application please call AUDIENT Program Services 1-877-AUDIENT (877-283-4368) or write to info@audientalliance.org. Read about AUDIENT on the web at: www.audientalliance.org. The AUDIENT Program was designed for individuals whose income is above the government's established poverty levels, but still find it difficult to afford quality hearing care. Offers reduced cost hearing aids $1,290 to $2,400 for 2 new digital hearing aids, ear molds, a fitting, three follow-up visits, and a one-year manufacturers limited warranty period. Arrangements are made for referral to a participating hearing healthcare professional near you. Income requirements: Family size: 1: $27,000 income, 2: $36,000, 3: $46,000. Family Violence Assistance ProjectP.O. Box 304 The Project provides counseling, advocacy, referral, and shelter to victims of domestic violence. hear ME now!
P.O. Box 896 Children who are deaf or hard of hearing are learning to listen and speak at hear ME now!, Maine's first auditory-oral learning center. Stunning advances in technology, such as digital hearing aids and cochlear implants, have made it possible for many of these children to detect most, if not all, of the speech spectrum. Carefully taught, they can learn to listen and speak, and ultimately enter the elementary school mainstream. hear ME now! offers a parent-infant program for children ages two years or younger. This program provides parents with auditory-oral techniques to enhance their child's communication using meaningful sound, language and play. It also provides the support parent needs to make educated decisions for their child. Children ages three to six who are deaf or hard of hearing learn to play, listen and speak in hear ME nows toddler and preschool programs. Children interact on a daily basis in small groups and individually with teachers and a speech-language pathologist to develop age-appropriate audition, speech, and language skills. Goals include developing sensory awareness, fine and gross motor skills, cognition, and social skills. Parents actively participate in educational programs and support groups. hear ME now! also provides support for children transitioning into mainstream schools. New programs are developing all the time! Hear NowA Program of the Starkey Hearing Foundation HEAR NOW, the U.S. program of the Starkey Hearing Foundation, provides hearing aids to adults and children who are permanent residents of the U.S., meet the financial criteria and are approved for assistance. HEAR NOW is an organization of last resort; all other options for service must be used before HEAR NOW benefit is approved. To determine if someone meets the eligibility requirements, call 1-800-648-4327 (V). There is a nonrefundable processing fee of $100 per hearing aid. HEAR NOW also collects used hearing aids for recycling. Donations are tax deductible. Hearing aids should be packed in a padded envelope or box along with the clearly printed name and address of the donor inside with the aids. Send to the above address. Acknowledgment letters will be sent within six weeks of receipt of donation. Lion's ClubBruce Keezer, State Chair of Speech & Hearing Your local Lion's Club can donate toward hearing aids and adaptive equipment. Call the club nearest you to inquire about their speech and hearing program. The Lion’s Club will accept donations of old hearing aids in the eyeglass collection boxes. For information about your local club, call the above number. Maine Center on Deafness (MCD)68 Bishop Street, Suite 3 Website: www.mcdmaine.org The Maine Center on Deafness (MCD) is a small, private, non-profit community resource center that serves to identify the needs and maximize the potential of D/deaf, hard-of-hearing, late-deafened and speech-impaired individuals throughout the State of Maine by providing information, empowerment, advocacy and referral services to promote public awareness and understanding of Deaf culture. MCD provides advocacy and promotes systemic change for Maine’s D/deaf, hard-of-hearing, and late-deafened people through the Civil Rights Program, offers Deaf-friendly education and awareness related to HIV/STD prevention, and hosts structured social support groups for Maine’s D/deaf, hard-of-hearing and non-verbal people who have developmental delays in a signing environment. Civil Rights ProgramAmy Sneirson, Managing Attorney E-mail: bgallie@mcdmaine.org Meryl Troop, Civil Rights Advocate & Staff Interpreter E-mail: mtroop@mcdmaine.org Maine Center on Deafness (MCD) promotes the rights of D/deaf and hard-of-hearing people throughout the state. MCD advocates for D/deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals when they have encountered civil rights violations directly related to their hearing loss in employment, housing, federal, state and local government programs, education and public accommodations. MCD provides individual representation in meetings and hearings, and assists in obtaining workplace and other accommodations such as amplified phones, TTYs and interpreters. MCD also participates in the Deaf Rights Group (DRG), which is a statewide coalition of organizations and individuals committed to obtaining equal access for the D/deaf and hard-of-hearing people in Maine. HIV/AIDS Prevention & Healthy Sexuality ProgramJennifer McCann, LCSW MCD’s HIV/AIDS Prevention and Healthy Sexuality program provides education, outreach and referrals for Maine’s D/deaf and hard-of-hearing community. We provide confidential and private information and education on healthy sexuality and communication in person, in ASL, captioned English, or over TTY. In addition, we provide education and outreach statewide to the HIV/AIDS service providers with in-service trainings, workshops, and “lunch and learn” presentations. MCD’s HIV/AIDS prevention and healthy sexuality program serves as a bridge between service providers and this underserved population. Visual Gestural Communication (VGC)ProjectJennifer McCann, LCSW, Coordinator Visual Gestural Communication (VGC) is often used by folks who have limited formal language skills. The VGC project delivers communication training for staff and families who work with adults with developmental delays and limited language who are D/deaf, hard of hearing or nonverbal, and who are served by the Department of Health & Human Services (formerly Behavioral and Developmental Services). Visual Gestural Communication trainings and workshops are available on a limited basis; contact MCD for more information. Peer Support GroupJennifer McCann, LCSW, Coordinator Individuals who are D/deaf, hard of hearing or nonvocal with developmental delays or mental illness get together for social activities in a signing/visual gestural environment. This group typically meets twice monthly at locations in Augusta, Bangor, Lewiston and Portland. Please check our web site or call the Maine Center on Deafness (MCD) for more information, or to be added to the mailing list regarding Peer Support Group. Equipment ProgramJennifer Welch, Equipment Program Manager Telecommunications Equipment: Telecommunication devices, including TTYs, amplified telephones, speakerphones, and other specialized telephone equipment are either loaned or sold on a cost-share basis to eligible individuals who are unable to use regular telephone equipment effectively because they are D/deaf, hard of hearing, or have one or more speech, vision, cognitive or mobility disability (ies). Individuals are required to provide proof of disability as well as documentation of annual household income. The staff will provide information and training on use of the various types of equipment that an individual may need, and are available to assist if there are problems with the equipment functioning correctly and addressing the individual’s needs. Emergency Alert Notification Equipment: Individuals who are D/deaf or hard of hearing are eligible to receive, either on a loan or cost-share basis, equipment that will allow them to receive emergency alert notifications that are not accessible to them via normal television and/or radio transmission. TTY Directory: MCD publishes an annual directory of TTY users and TTY access numbers for public and private agencies. The directory also includes contact information for videophone users (for Video Relay Service and direct videophone communication) and any other personal information which individual members of the Deaf community request to have included in their listings. Updates will be made available on the MCD web site. To apply for the Telecommunications Equipment or Emergency Notification System Program, contact MCD or download an application from our web site.
Telecommunication Equipment Project Application Form
Website: www.mcdmaine.org/equipment.html Communication and OutreachJen McCann, LCSW, Program Manager MCD’s Communication and Outreach Program provides statewide remote office hours, information, and education related to all the MCD services including the Maine Relay System. The Outreach Program also strives to educate businesses, professional associations, educational institutions, and private and government agencies, as well as the general public, about the unique needs of the D/deaf, hard of hearing, and late deafened. Special emphasis is placed on the Maine Relay Service, and how to make and receive relay calls. Outreach Program staff provide educational presentations, public awareness materials, in-service training and workshops in locations across the state. Exhibits are provided for conferences, trade shows and other public meetings. The Outreach Program has an array of print materials available, including informational brochures and educational materials regarding making and receiving all types of relay calls. Outreach staff also provide training and assistance to new relay users and their families and friends, and assist in resolving any problems that relay users may have in accessing the Maine Relay Service and completing their calls. MCD also offers a quarterly newsletter publication. Contact MCD to add your name to the mailing list or read the electronic copy on our web site, www.mcdmaine.org. MCD Telephone System - TTY and Voice extensions for MCD staff:Front Office: 303 (TTY), 103 (V) MCD's telephone system makes it possible for TTY users and hearing callers to use the same system and phone numbers. When you call MCD during regular business hours, a real person will usually answer your call. TTY calling instructions: If you reach the answering machine, you will need to use this procedure: From a direct-connect TTY (TTY with phone line): If using TTY with voice phone (TTY without phone line): For a directory of staff, enter 5 using the instructions above, or you can wait until the answering machine message is finished and you will be connected with the TTY answering machine at the front desk at MCD. Your message will then be given to the person you want. Maine State Grange, Deaf Activities146 State Street The National Grange Health Program promotes service, education, and understanding through Granges and the Deaf Community. The four levels of the Grange have committees for programs to raise money and provide services to the Grange and the Deaf Community. The Grange presents scholarships at the national, state, and local levels and supports Governor Baxter School for the Deaf, mainstreamed students, teachers of the deaf, and various agencies working with the Deaf Community. Maine Handicapped SkiingSunday River Ski Resort Free year-round recreation lessons and programs for children and adults aged 4+ with physical disabilities. Sports include alpine skiing, nordic skiing, snowboarding, canoeing, kayaking, cycling, and golf, and take place at various sites and resorts throughout Maine. All equipment and instruction is provided. Call or visit the website for more information or to register for programs. New England ADA Center-DBTACA Project of the Institute for Human Centered Design [formerly Adaptive Environments] Oce Harrison, Ed.D., Project Director Provides federally approved information and training to individuals, businesses, and organizations about the Americans with Disabilities Act. An educational resource – not an enforcement agency. Inquiries will be kept confidential. TRICARE Regional Office (TRO)Family of Armed Service Members Eligible for Hearing Aids The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2002, provides active duty family members (ADFMs) who meet specific hearing loss requirements the eligibility to receive hearing aids, services, and supplies as a TRICARE benefit. Service physicians and audiologists from the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs have helped Tricare officials to establish separate hearing-level thresholds for adults and children. More information may be obtained from the Tricare website. Previously, hearing aids and services were only available to those beneficiaries who were in the Program for Persons with Disabilities (PFPWD). The criteria for an adult ADFM to qualify for hearing aids and services are 40 decibel (dB) hearing loss (HL) or greater in one or both ears when tested at one of the following frequencies; 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, 3,000 or 4,000Hz; or 26dB HL or greater in one or both ears at any three or more of those frequencies (mentioned previously); or a speech recognition score less than 94 percent. The criterion for children of active duty service members to qualify for hearing aids and services is 26dB HL or greater hearing threshold level in one or both ears when tested in one of the following frequency ranges: 500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 or 4,000Hz. Eligible TRICARE beneficiaries will receive all medically necessary and appropriate services and supplies, including hearing examinations administered by authorized providers that are required in connection with this benefit. Eligible beneficiaries who suspect they or a family member may have a hearing loss should schedule an appointment with their primary care manager or medical provider for an examination. Beneficiaries will then be referred to an audiologist for any necessary tests. The Warren Center for Communication & Learning175 Union Street Mary E. Poulin, Administrative Director Our Mission: The Warren Center for Communication & Learning provides evaluations, therapies and technologies in the areas of speech, language development and hearing to children and adults of Central and Eastern Maine. Audiology: The Warren Center provides complete audiometric evaluations performed by our licensed, certified doctors of audiology. Evaluations include a number of specialized tests for infants, children and adults that assess hearing ability and type of loss, such as nerve damage or ear infection. Complete Hearing Aid Services: Hearing aids may be purchased through the Warren Center after a complete diagnostic evaluation. With recommendations from the audiologists, you can choose from a wide variety of hearing aids, including programmable and digital aids. The Warren Center offers a 30-day trial period and a two-year warranty with any new hearing aid. Hearing aid repairs and servicing are available for most makes and models. The Regional Hearing Aid Bank (ReHAB): Designed to provide one hearing aid to those members of our community who are unable to afford them. It utilizes donated behind-the-ear hearing aids that can be refurbished and reprogrammed for use by another person. The ReHAB program is designed particularly for members of the community who are unable to be served by the Veterans’ Administration, Vocational Rehabilitation program, insurances or other third-party providers and whose annual income is less than 200% of the federal poverty level. There is an application process and a waiting list (which can be up to three years long, depending on funding available) for these services. Applications are available by calling the Warren Center at 941-2850 or may be picked up at the Warren Center office at 175 Union Street, Bangor. Donations of hearing aids to benefit the ReHAB program are always accepted. Behind-the-ear hearing aids of all makes and models are those used for refurbishment and placement. In-the-ear hearing aids are recycled, and the proceeds are then used to help with the costs of refurbishing the BTE hearing aids. Hearing aids may be dropped off or mailed to the Warren Center office at 175 Union Street, Bangor, Maine 04401. Voices to be Heard: In its most basic explanation, this Warren Center program teaches deaf and hard of hearing individuals how to listen - and speak. Children and adults who are part of this program are taught by a speech-language pathologist who is specially trained to help the hearing impaired or deaf make the most of their residual hearing or cochlear implant for oral communication. Those in the Voices program may be profoundly deaf, using a cochlear implant to hear, or they may use amplification such as hearing aids or an FM system. As such, this program is often closely linked with services of an audiologist, who assists in making the most of residual hearing in those with hearing loss. Cochlear Implant Mapping: Besides hosting the only such program in central, eastern or northern Maine, the Warren Center also is the area's only cochlear implant programming/mapping facility and one of three in New England. The others are located in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Warren Center staff work closely with staff of all three implant teams. |
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