Resources By Location Guide


Minnesota Resources

Contents:

If you would like to update or add to the information on this page, please e-mail us.

DeafBlind-Focused Resources in Minnesota

Minnesota agencies and providers included in this section voluntarily provided information to the Department of Human Services Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division. Unless otherwise noted, all resources listed provide services to deafblind people with additional disabilities. Please read our Copyright/Disclaimers.

(*) Accessibility Note: Resources marked with an asterisk link (*) after the resource name provide services that were originally designed to serve people who are deaf, or blind, or have other disabilities, but have been redesigned to accommodate the needs of deafblind people. Resources without an asterisk provide services that were specifically designed for people who are deafblind.

Non-profits


  • DeafBlind Services Minnesota (DBSM)
    1936 Lyndale Ave S
    Minneapolis, MN 55403
    (612) 362-8454 Voice
    (612) 362-8422 TTY
    (612) 362-8437 Fax
    E-mail: info@dbsm.org
    Internet: http://www.dbsm.org
    Services for Adults: computer training, functional assessments, independent living skills training, interveners, orientation and mobility, social/recreational activities, support service providers (SSPs), training for professionals who work with adults.
    Services for Children and Youth: communication assessments, equipment, family communication instruction, interveners, social/recreational activities for families and/or deafblind children.
    Notes: Services provided statewide; may be a waiting list for services due to limited funding.
  • Duluth Lighthouse for the Blind - Hearing and Vision Loss Program
    4505 West Superior Street
    Duluth, MN 55807-2728
    (218) 624-4828 Voice
    (218) 624-8822 TTY
    Toll-free in Minnesota: 1-800-422-0833 Voice
    (218) 624-4479 Fax
    E-mail Martha Hanson: hansonmartha@hotmail.com
    Internet: http://www.lighthousefortheblind-duluth.org
    Services for adults: advocacy, case management, computer training, counseling, equipment on a trial basis, functional assessments, independent living skills training, information and referral, interveners, orientation and mobility, social/recreational activities, support groups, support service providers (SSPs), training for consumers in Braille and communications, training for professionals who work with adults, itinerant instruction in all program areas.
    Notes: Some services for transition-age students; services limited to 14 counties in Northeastern Minnesota; may be a waiting list for services due to limited funding.
  • Health and Wellness Program Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing People (*)
    Regions Hospital
    640 Jackson Street
    St. Paul, MN 55101
    (651) 254-5708 Voice/TTY - Program Secretary
    (651) 254-1888 TTY answering machine
    (651) 254-9426 Fax
    Internet: http://www.regionshospital.com/Regions/Menu/0,1592,4464,00.html
    Services for Adults: Provides advocacy, counseling, functional assessments, information and referral, mental health services and support groups for adults.
    Services for Children and Youth: Provides communication assessments, family and individual counseling, functional skills assessments, information and referral, mental health services, psycho/social assessments, training for parents/families and for professionals.
    Notes: Statewide services.
    • Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) - Deaf IL Program (*)
      1600 University Ave. W., Suite 16
      St. Paul, MN 55104-3825
      (651) 603-2004 TTY - Deaf IL Program
      (651) 646-8342 Voice - front desk
      (651) 603-2006 Fax
      E-mail Sheila Faricy-Hobson: sheilaf@mcil-mn.org
      Internet: http://www.mcil-mn.org/tdeaf.htm
      Services for Adults: advocacy, independent living skills training, information and referral, training for consumers in budgeting, SSI issues, etc.
      Services for Children: advocacy, communication assessments, family communication instruction, functional skills assessments, information and referral, training for parents and families in independent living skills, transition-age programs and services.
      Notes:       Services offered in 7-county Metro area; may be a waiting list for services due to limited funding. See also MCIL's Introduction to Independent Living.
  • Minnesota DeafBlind Association (MDBA)
    1821 University Ave. W., Suite S-117
    St. Paul, MN 55104
    (651) 647-6564 Voice/TTY
    mdba1979@netzero.net
    Internet: http://www.deafvision.net/mdba
    Services for Adults: Advocacy, information and referral, social/recreational activities, training for consumers offered several times each year.
    Notes: A statewide DeafBlind-run consumer group, with many events in the Twin Cities area, and some events in Greater Minnesota. Affiliated with the American Association of the Deaf-Blind.
  • Lifetrack Resources
    Greater Minnesota Assessment Service (GMAS)
    Kim Opat, Project Coordinator
    (866) 840-0749 Voice
    (866) 857-2379 TTY
    E-mail: GMAS@lifetrackresources.org
    Services: Provide psychological and social assessments and follow-up consultation for children who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing, ages 0 - 21 and their families residing in Greater Minnesota (outside of the seven-county metro area). Children who are deafblind and who have multiple disabilities living in the metropolitan area are considered for assessment services on a case-by-case determination, requiring prior approval from DHS.

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Individual Professionals


  • Joseph Cioffi, M. Ed.
    P.O. Box 75762
    St. Paul, MN 55175
    (612) 220-6657 Voice/TTY
    (520) 962-3811 Fax
    E-mail: cioffijoe@msn.com
    Internet: http://clickandgomap.com/01_intro_bio_resume.htm
    Services for adults: advocacy, functional assessments, information and referral, orientation and mobility, training for professionals, training for consumers in O&M, tactile sign language, visual efficiency.
    Services for children and youth: advocacy, communication assessments, family communication instruction, functional skills assessments, information and referral, orientation and mobility, training for professionals, training for families and children in skills related to O&M, transition-age services.
    Notes: Statewide services.
  • Sandra L. H. Davenport, MD, C. M.
    Sensory Genetics/Neuro-development
    5801 Southwood Drive
    Bloomington, MN 55437-1739
    (952) 831-5522
    (952) 831-0381 Fax
    E-mail: slhdaven@umn.edu
    Services for Adults and Children: Functional Assessments, Info and Referral
    Notes: Statewide; Limited Services
  • Laurie Lee Johnson, Ph.D.
    Licensed Psychologist
    1313 Fifth Street SE, Suite 123C
    Minneapolis, MN 55414
    (651) 457-1301 TTY
    E-mail: LaurieLeeJohnson@msn.com
    Services for Adults and Adolescents: Services specifically designed for people who are deafblind; Dr. Johnson is fluent in sign language and is knowledgeable about communication techniques used by deafblind people; provides family and individual counseling, mental health services, training for professionals who work with adults, psychological evaluations and diagnosis.

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State Offices


  • DeafBlind Advocacy Project
    Paul Deeming
    612-362-8454 voice/TTY
    E-mail Paul Deeming: pauldeeming@comcast.net
    Services: Advocacy for adults and families with deafblind children, especially for Medical Assistance programs; consultation in conjunction with staff from the Department of Human Services Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division.
  • Minnesota Commission Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing People (MCDHH)
    444 Lafayette Road
    St. Paul, MN 55155-3814
    (651) 297-7305 Voice/TTY
    E-mail Mary Hartnett: mary.hartnett@state.mn.us
    Internet: http://www.mcdhh.org
    Services for adults and families with deafblind children: legislative advocacy, legislative training for consumers.
    Notes: Statewide services.
  • Minnesota DeafBlind Technical Assistance Project
    4001 Stinson Blvd NE, Suite 210
    Minneapolis, MN 55421
    (612) 638-1525 Voice
    (612) 706-0808 TTY
    1-800-848-4905 Voice
    (612) 706-0811 Fax
    E-mail Sally Prouty: mndb@skypoint.com
    Internet: http://www.dbproject.mn.org
    Services for Children and Youth: Advocacy/Support, Training of Families, Info and Referral, Training of Professionals, Serve deafblind children with additional disabilities. Children Linking Families program provides "family workshops, an annual family weekend, support groups and electronic networking of families throughout Minnesota."
    Notes: Statewide services.
  • Minnesota Department of Children, Families, and Learning
    Low Incidence Supervisor
    1500 West Highway 36
    Roseville, MN 55113-4266
    Main number: (651) 528-8200 Voice
    Special Education/Low Incidence Unit: (612) 638-1531 Voice
    E-mail Eric Kloos: eric.kloos@state.mn.us
    • Regional Low Incidence Facilitators (RLIFs)
      Fergus Falls, Marshall, Minneapolis, Mount Iron, North Mankato, Rochester, Staples, Warren. Contact information varies by region.
      Internet: http://cfl.state.mn.us/SPECED/lowincidencefacilitators.html
      Services for Children: Info and Referral. "regional projects are funded to provide regional access to specialists, networking, and professional development in the low incidence areas, including deafblind.
    • Statewide Resource Center for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing
      (507) 332-5491 Voice/TTY
      Toll-Free: 1-800-657-3936 Voice/TTY
      E-mail Mary Cashman-Bakken: mary.cashman-bakken@state.mn.us
      http://education.state.mn.us/html/intro_speced_prog_dhh.htm
      Description: A statewide technical assistance resource addressing special education and services for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
    • Statewide Resource Center for the Blind/Visually Impaired
      (507) 332-5510 Voice
      Toll-free: 1-800-657-3936 Voice/TTY
      E-mail Jean Martin: jean.martin@state.mn.us
      Internet: http://education.state.mn.us/html/intro_speced_prog_bvi.htm
  • Minnesota Department of Human Services - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division (*)
    P.O. Box 64969
    540 Cedar Street
    St. Paul, MN 55164-0969
    (651) 431-2355 Voice
    (651) 431-2353 TTY
    Internet: http://www.dhhsd.org
    Regional Offices in MN: Duluth, Virginia, Bemidji, Fergus Falls, St. Cloud, Rochester, St. Peter, St. Paul.
    Services for Adults:     advocacy, consultation to agencies related to access services, equipment and resource demonstration labs, information and referral, social/recreational activities, telephone equipment distribution program, resource guides to local services, sensitivity and awareness trainings.
    Notes: statewide services.
    Services for Children and Youth: advocacy, ASL camp, consultation to agencies related to access services, Deaf Mentor project, equipment and resource demonstration labs, family resource packets, information and referral, social/recreational activities for families, sensitivity and awareness trainings.
    • DeafBlind Consumer Directed Services Program
      Jan Radatz
      (651) 431-2361 Voice
      (651) 431-2362 TTY
      E-mail: jan.radatz@state.mn.us
      Services: Adults who are deafblind or families with children who are deafblind design their own services and supports using state grant funding; funding may be used to help an individual achieve or maintain independence, integrate within their families/community, develop communication skills.
  • Minnesota State Academy for the Blind (MSAB) (*)
    400 SE 6th Avenue
    Faribault, MN 55021
    (507) 333-4800 Voice
    (507) 333-4825 Fax
    E-mail Debra Wasserman: dwasserman@msab.state.mn.us
    Main E-mail: info@msab.state.mn.us
    Internet: http://www.msab.state.mn.us
    Services for children and youth to age 21: advocacy, case management, communication assessments, equipment, family and individual counseling, functional skills assessments, information and referral, interveners for children, orientation and mobility training, psycho/social assessments, social/recreational activities for families, support groups, training for parents and families, training for professionals, transition-age programs and services.
    Notes: Statewide services.
  • Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf (MSAD) (*)
    P.O. Box 308
    615 Olof Hanson Drive
    Faribault, MN 55021
    Toll-free: 1-800-657-3996 Voice/TTY
    (507)332-5400 Voice/TTY
    (507)332-5475 TTY
    E-mail: carmen.adams@msad.state.mn.us
    Internet: http://www.msad.state.mn.us
    Services for children and youth to age 21: Advocacy, case management, communication assessments, family and individual counseling, functional skills assessments, information and referral, interveners for children when arranged via IEP process, orientation and mobility services, psycho/social assessments, support groups, transition-age programs and services.
    Notes: "Children/youth are placed at our academy from the statewide area and receive services on-site or at sites arranged according to the IEP process."
    • DeafBlind Connection
       Highway 298, P.O. Box 68
      Faribault, MN 55021
      (507) 332-5400 Voice/TTY
      Toll-free: 1-800-657-3996 Voice/TTY
      Description: A joint program of Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf and Minnesota State Academy for the Blind
      Services for Children: Info and Referral.
  • State Services for the Blind (SSB) (*)
    Minnesota Department of Economic Security
    2200 University Avenue West, Suite 240
    St. Paul, MN 55114
    (651) 642-0500 Voice
    (651) 642-0506 TTY
    Toll-free in Minnesota: 1-800-652-9000 Voice/TTY
    Internet: http://www.mnssb.org/
    Regional Offices in MN: Bemidji, Brainerd, Duluth, Hibbing, Mankato, Marshall, Moorhead, Rochester, St. Cloud, St. Paul.
    Services for Adults and Children: Equipment, information and referral, library and transcription services, Radio Talking Book Network, self-care assistance for seniors, transition-age services, vocational training and referral (employment assistance, job placement for people with vision loss, including deafblind people).

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Other Helpful Resources in Minnesota


  • See also Consumer Advocacy Groups on our Tools for Independence page.
  • CSD of Minnesota
    2055 Rice Street
    St. Paul, MN 55113
    (651) 297-6700 Voice/TTY
    (651) 297-6766 Fax
    Internet: http://www.c-s-d.org/
    Description: "a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing broad-based services, ensuring public accessibility and increasing public awareness of issues affecting deaf and hard of hearing individuals."
  • Fairview Medical Center - Chemical Dependency Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People
    Internet: http://www.mncddeaf.org
    Description: "an inpatient chemical dependency program located at Fairview hospital in Minneapolis… designed to meet the communication and cultural needs of deaf and hard of hearing persons."
  • Lifetrack Resources
    Internet: http://www.lifetrackresources.org
    Description: "provides rehabilitation therapies, employment resources and early childhood services in the Twin Cities area… to empower persons with physical, mental, social or emotional challenges."
    • Family Support Connection
      Internet: http://www.familysupportconnection.org
      E-mail Candace Lindow-Davies, Family Support Specialist for Families with Deaf or Hard of Hearing Children: candaced@lifetrackresources.org
      E-mail Laura Himes Iversen, Family Support Program Assistant: laurai@lifetrackresources.org
      Internet: http://www.familysupportconnection.org
      Description: "information and support to families of deaf and hard of hearing children."
  • Minnesota Department of Human Rights
    Army Corps of Engineers Centre
    190 East 5th Street, Suite 700
    Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101
    Toll free: 1-800-657-3704
    (651) 296-5663 Voice
    (651) 296-1283 TTY
    E-mail: complaintinfo@therightsplace.net
    Internet: http://www.therightsplace.org/
    Description: "a neutral state agency that investigates charges of illegal discrimination." Web site includes Information about your rights in employment, housing, and other settings, a very extensive listing of related resources, and an online version of a CD-ROM on disability rights issues.
  • Minnesota State Council on Disability
    Internet: http://www.disability.state.mn.us/
    Description: "agency that collaborates, advocates, advises and provides information to expand opportunities, increase the quality of life and empower all persons with disabilities."
  • PACER Center
    8161 Normandale Boulevard
    Minneapolis, MN 55437-1044
    (952) 838-9000 Voice
    (952) 838-0190 TTY
    Toll-free in Minnesota: 1-800-537-2237
    (952) 838-0199 Fax
    Internet: http://www.pacer.org
    E-mail: pacer@pacer.org
    Description: "The mission of PACER Center is to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents. With assistance to individual families, workshops, and materials for parents and professionals, and leadership in securing a free and appropriate public education for all children, PACER's work affects and encourages families in Minnesota and across the nation."
  • Sight & Hearing Association
    674 Transfer Road
    St.Paul MN 55114-1402
    Toll-free: 1-800-992-0424 Voice
    (651) 645-2546 Voice
    (651) 645-2742 Fax
    E-mail: mail@sightandhearing.org
    Internet: http://www.sightandhearing.org
    Description: "nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing the needless loss of vision and hearing through effective screening, education, and research. This site provides public information about vision and hearing topics as well as information regarding our products and services."
  • Vision Loss Resources
    1936 Lyndale Avenue South
    Minneapolis, MN 55403
    (612) 871-2222 Voice
    Internet:     http://www.visionlossresources.com
    Description: "mission is to assist people who are blind or visually impaired achieve their full potential and to enrich the lives of all persons affected by blindness or vision loss."

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Resources in Other States


If you would like to update or add to the information on this page, please e-mail us.

Resource Listings for All States


  • List of State DeafBlind Projects
    Internet: http://www.azdb.org/deafblindstateprojects.htm
    Description: Links and contact information for every federally-funded DeafBlind Project in the U.S.
  • State & Multi-State Projects Site Review Summary
    Internet: http://www.tr.wou.edu/ntac/summary2.htm
    Description: Strengths of each DeafBlind Project, as assessed by NTAC.
  • State Resource Fact Sheets
    Internet: http://www.tr.wou.edu/dblink/data/statefac.htm
    Description: Detailed listings of resource agencies and organizations for each state, compiled by DB-LINK.

Specific Resources you may find Helpful


  • Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
    Internet: http://www.tsbvi.edu
    Description: A very comprehensive site, with information about a wide variety of topics relating to blindness, visual impairment, deafblindness, and children with multiple disabilities.
    • See/Hear
      Internet: http://www.tsbvi.edu/Outreach/seehear/index.htm
      Description: "a quarterly newsletter for families and professionals on visual impairments and deafblindness." Complete online archive is available in English and Spanish, and in multiple file formats, including PDF format, text format, and grade two braille file.
  • Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind - Deaf-Blind Program
    Internet: http://www.deafblindlh.com/
    Description: Seattle has perhaps the largest and most active DeafBlind community in the country. DeafBlind adults come from all over the U. S. every summer to experience camp at the Seabeck Retreat.
  • Deaf-Blind Service Center
    Internet: http://mytown.koz.com/community/dbsc
    Description: A grassroots organization of DeafBlind people and their advocates that has been going strong for over 15 years. "The Deaf-Blind Service Center is committed to assisting Deaf-Blind People in reaching and maintaining their highest possible quality of life and degree of personal autonomy."
    Note: the background and contrast of the current DBSC web site can make it hard to read, so you may also try another site called More about the Deaf-Blind Service Center at http://www.deafblindlh.com/dbsc.htm.
  • Advocates for Communication Technology for Deaf-Blind People (ACT, INC.)
    Internet: http://www.deafblindadvocates.org
    Description: "a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization assists people, who are deafblind, living in the Maryland/Washington, DC area to obtain communication technology and support services and are not otherwise able to afford it."
  • Ohio Center for DeafBlind Education
    Internet: http://earth.ssco.org/deafblind/
    Description: provides services in Ohio for individuals, birth through 21 years, with combined visual and hearing losses, including free collaborative technical assistance to families, educational personnel and service providers through training and information dissemination. The OCDBE offers innovative approaches to the education of children and youth with deafblindness.

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National Resources in the USA

If you would like to update or add to the information on this page, please e-mail us.


  • American Association of the DeafBlind (AADB)
    814 Thayer Avenue, Suite 302
    Silver Spring, MD 20910-4500
    1-800-735-2258 Voice
    (301) 588-6545 TTY
    (301) 588-8705 Fax
    E-mail: info@aadb.org
    Internet: http://www.aadb.org/
    Description: "a national consumer advocacy organization for people who have combined hearing and vision impairments. AADB is open to all persons who are deaf-blind and individuals directly concerned with their well being, including spouses, children, friends, and health care professionals. Seeks to encourage independent living for individuals who are deaf-blind. Provides technical assistance to persons who are deaf-blind, families, educators, and service providers."
    Services: Training of Consumers, Info and Referral, Social/Recreational.
  • DB-LINK - The National Information Clearinghouse on Children who are Deaf-Blind
    345 N. Monmouth Avenue
    Monmouth, OR 97361
    1-800-438-9376 Voice
    1-800-854-7013 TTY
    (503) 838-8150 Fax
    E-mail: dblink@tr.wou.edu
    Internet: http://www.tr.wou.edu/dblink
    Services for Children: Info and Referral, Serve DeafBlind people with additional disabilities.
    • DB-LINK State Resource Fact Sheets
      Internet: http://www.tr.wou.edu/dblink/data/statefac.htm
    • DeafBlind Perspectives
      contact Randy Klumph
      (503) 838-8885 Voice
      (503) 838-8821 TTY
      (503) 838-8150 Fax
      E-mail: dbp@wou.edu
      Internet: http://www.tr.wou.edu/tr/dbp/current.htm
      Description: "a free publication, published three times a year by the Teaching Research Division of Western Oregon University… DB-LINK and NTAC contribute staff and resources for content, editing, and publication." An excellent, informative publication.
  • Hadley School for the Blind
    700 Elm Street
    Winnetka, IL 60093-2554 USA
    Toll-Free: 1-800-323-4238 Voice
    (847) 446-0855 Fax
    E-mail: Info@Hadley-School.org
    Internet: http://www.hadley-school.org
    Description: "Hadley has a course for you if you are a blind adult (14+ years of age), a parent or grandparent of a blind child, a family member of an adult who is blind, or a (para)professional in the blindness field. The Hadley School for the Blind offers more than 90 distance education courses to eligible students completely free of charge." Current course listing is on the Hadley web site, and is also available by mail in alternate formats. Designed to focus blind and visually impaired people, but many of the courses can be helpful to DeafBlind people and their friends, families, and professionals.
  • Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind Youth and Adults (HKNC)
    141 Middle Neck Road
    Sands Point, NY 11050-1299
    (516) 944-8900 Voice
    (516) 944-8637 TTY
    (516) 944-7302 Fax
    E-mail: HKNCINFO@rcn.com
    Internet: http://www.hknc.org/
    Services for Adults: Advocacy/Support, Functional Assessments, Independent Living Training, Orientation & Mobility, Training of Consumers, Support Service Providers (SSPs), Info and Referral, Social/Recreational, Training of Professionals.
    • HKNC North Regional Office
      485 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 5
      East Moline, IL 61244-4040
      (309) 755-0067 Voice
      (309) 755-0018 TTY
      (309) 755-0025 Fax
      E-mail: hknc5ljt@aol.com
      Services for Adults: Info and Referral. North Regional Office serves Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin.
  • Katlyn's Hope
    303 South Elm Street
    Wellington, KS 67152
    (316) 326-6118 Voice
    Toll-Free: 1-877-677-4673 Voice
    E-mail: khope@idir.net
    Internet: http://www.idir.net/~khope
    Services: Training of Consumers, Financial Assistance, Serve DeafBlind people with additional disabilities.
  • National Family Association for Deaf-Blind
    111 Middle Neck Road
    Sands Point, NY 11050
    1-800-255-0411, ext. 275 Voice
    (516) 944-8751 Fax
    E-mail: NFADB@aol.com
    Internet: http://www.nfadb.org
    Description: "a non-profit, volunteer-based family association. Our philosophy is that individuals who are deaf-blind are valued members of society and are entitled to the same opportunities and choices as other members of the community. NFADB is the largest national network of families focusing on issues surrounding deaf-blindness."
    Services for Children: Training of Families, Info and Referral, Social/Recreational.
  • National Federation of the Blind - Deaf-Blind Division
    Joseph B. Naulty, President
    11943 Suellen Circle
    West Palm Beach, Florida 33414-6277
    (561) 753-4700
    E-mail: jbn.naulty@worldnet.att.net
    Internet: http://www.nfb-db.org
    Description: "Deaf-blind persons working nationally to improve services, training, and independence for the deaf-blind. We offer personal contact with other deaf-blind individuals knowledgeable in advocacy, education, employment, technology, discrimination, and other issues surrounding deaf-blindness."
    Services: To join mailing list, send an e-mail to sub.nfb-db@nfbnet.org.
  • NTAC - National Technical Assistance Consortium for Children and Young Adults who are DeafBlind
    (503) 38-8391 Voice
    (503) 838-8221 TTY
    (503) 838-8150 Fax
    E-mail: ntac@wou.edu
    Internet: http://www.tr.wou.edu/ntac
    Services for Children and Young Adults: Advocacy/Support, Training of Consumers, Info and Referral, Social/Recreational.
  • Perkins School for the Blind
    175 North Beacon Street
    Watertown, MA 02712
    Internet: http://www.perkins.org
    General E-mail: Info@perkins.org
    (617) 924-3434 Voice - Main Switchboard
    (617) 926-2027 Fax
    Services for Children: Advocacy/Support, Functional Assessments, Intervenors for Children, Orientation & Mobility, Training of Families, Info and Referral, Social/Recreational.

    Programs hosted at Perkins School for the Blind:
    • DeafBlind Program (ages 3 to 22)
      (617) 972-7228 Voice
      (617) 923-8076 Fax
      E-mail: Deafblind@Perkins.org
      Internet: http://www.perkins.org/subsection.php?id=10
      Description: "comprehensive education services in a variety of enrollment options to day students and residential students ages three to 22 who are deafblind, or multihandicapped. The primary emphasis of the Deafblind Program is the development of total communication, which may include the use of sign and spoken language, written language, braille, pictures, objects, gestures and/or alternative or augmentative communication systems. As a student progresses, his/her classroom curriculum changes to accommodate his/her age and skill level."
      Services for Children: Advocacy/Support, Functional Assessments, Intervenors for Children, Orientation & Mobility, Training for Families, Info and Referral, Social/Recreational.
    • Hilton/Perkins Program - Domestic Services
      (617) 923-8076 Fax
      E-mail: HiltonPerkins@Perkins.org
      Internet: http://www.perkins.org/section.php?id=107
      Description: "designed to help Parents, Teachers and other organizations and professionals learn how better to provide for children who are multihandicapped blind or deafblind. Hilton/Perkins staff members have expertise to address the needs of infants, school-aged children and young adults transitioning from school programs. The Hilton/Perkins Program gathers data and develops curriculum, literature and materials for dissemination to parents and professionals nationally and internationally."
      Services for Adults and Children: Advocacy/Support, Financial Assistance, Serve DeafBlind people with additional disabilities.
    • National Coalition on DeafBlindness (NCDB)
      (617) 972-7347 Voice
      (617) 923-8076 Fax
      E-mail: Steven.Davies@Perkins.org
      Description: "committed to the continuation of services and to advocate for on-going federal responsibility for individuals with deaf-blindness… [The coalition] includes [leaders from] , American Association of the DeafBlind (AADB), Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Council for Exceptional Children - Division for the Visually Impaired, Council on Education of the Deaf, Council on Schools for the Blind, National Association for Parents of the Visually Impaired, Helen Keller National Center, St. Joseph's School for the Blind, Teaching Research and Perkins School for the Blind… The current membership is comprised of deaf-blind consumers, family members, professionals in the field of education and rehabilitation, and other concerned citizens."
      Services for Adults and Children: Advocacy/Support.
  • About Deaf-Blind
    Internet: http://www.drc-fredericksburg.org/progressctr/deaf_deafblind.html
    Description: An informative article from the disAbility Resource Center. Topics include: Who is a Deaf-Blind Person?, Family Issues, Modes of Deaf-Blind Communication, Special Considerations in Communicating with Deaf-Blind People, Other Sources of Information.

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Resource Listings for Many Countries


  • A DeafBlindness Web Resource
    E-mail: James@deafblind.co.uk
    Internet: http://www.deafblind.co.uk
    Description: Maintained by deafblind Brit, James Gallagher, this text-only site provides links to a wealth of information on DeafBlindness and related topics from around the world, including terminology, internet resources, conferences and courses, journals and periodicals, videos, service providers, bibliographies, equipment, communication, internet access, accessible e-mail services, and accessible computer programming resources. See also "A-Z to Deafblindness," which may have slightly more updated information.
  • A-Z to Deafblindness
    E-mail: James@deafblind.com
    Internet: http://www.deafblind.com
    Description: "My name is James Gallagher and I am deafblind myself. This site is here to try and offer some help to Blind or deaf people, and especially deafblind people, and those who provide specialised services for those who are deafblind. A-Z to Deafblindness is also here, to make people more aware about deafblindness." Includes archives of info about deafblindness, and extensive resource lists of DeafBlind-related conferences, courses, mailing lists, newsletters, equipment, organizations, poetry, and videos for and about DeafBlind people from around the world.
    • Organizations for DeafBlind People Throughout the World
      Internet: http://www.deafblind.com/org.html
      Description: An extensive list, organized by country/region
  • DeafBlind International (DbI)
    E-mail: dbi@sense.org.uk
    Internet:     http://www.deafblindinternational.org/
    Description: "As deafblindness is a low incidence disability the extent of activity in any one country will not be enough to maintain a distinct identity for this field. International networking and the sharing of information is essential to the development of the deafblind field and quality services for deafblind people. To learn from good practice we need to collaborate across national boundaries."
    • DbI members/contacts - lists contact information for Honorary Officers, Management Committee, Corporate Members, and information networks around the world.
  • Hilton/Perkins International Program
    E-mail: HiltonPerkins@Perkins.org
    Internet: http://www.perkins.org/section.php?id=105
    Description: "Hilton/Perkins staff provide the training, consultation and technical expertise to enable educators, local communities, schools, and family members to develop, establish and expand their own programs for [multihandicapped blind or deafblind] children in need, [especially Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe and Latin America]."
  • DeafBlind Children Home Page
    E-mail: shelmack@bc.sympatico.ca
    Internet: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/5939
    Description: "...a resource for parents of deafblind children. We face many challenges in our everyday lives looking after and communicating with our deafblind children… a place for parents to gain information, [and] talk with other parents who face the same unique challenges."
    Services: Listserv, Chat Room, Life Stories of DeafBlind children and the adults who care for them.
  • Sense
    11-13 Clifton Terrace
    Finsbury Park
    London N4 3SR
    UNITED KINGDOM
    E-mail: enquiries@sense.org.uk
    Internet: http://www.sense.org.uk/
    Description:    The world's largest deafblind-focused organization. "Sense is the national [and international] voluntary organisation that works with and campaigns for the needs of children and adults who are both deaf and blind; providing advice, support, information and services for them, their families, carers and the professionals who work with them. In addition we work with many of the thousands of people who have a sight or hearing problem plus other disabilities."
  • World Federation of the DeafBlind (WFDB)
    WFDB can be reached through:
    The Swedish Association of the Deafblind (FSDB)
    Sandsborgsv 44
    SE-122 88 Enskede, Sweden
    +46-8-39-9000 Voice
    +46-8-659-5042 Fax
    E-mail: fsdb@fsdb.org
    Internet: http://www.fsdb.org
    Newsletter: To obtain the newsletter on the Internet from the server of the Swedish Deafblind Organisation FSDB, send an e mail to listserv@frukt.org in the body of the e mail you have to write subscribe intndb-l
    Newsletter Sample: http://www.wfdb.org/newsletter/News_2000_april.htm
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Resources Specific to One Country

  • Australian DeafBlind Council
    PO Box 1213
    Camberwell Victoria Australia 3124
    Telephone: Voice (03) 0427 435 243
    Fax (03) 9486 2092 ( +61 39 486 2092)
    E-mail: segrave@connexus.net.au
    Internet: http://internex.net.au/~dba
    Description: "Objectives are to encourage self-organisation and self-determination by people who are deafblind, to serve as a national assembly for meetings, ommunication and interchange, to provide a forum for collective expression and discussion, to work for improvement throughout Australia in education, health, welfare, rehabilitation, employment and recreation for deafblind people, to cooperate with kindred organisations such as the NFBCA and the Deafness Forum, to disseminate information, to solicit support from government at various levels for people with deafblindness."
  • Canadian DeafBlind and Rubella Association
    350 Brant Avenue
    Brantford, Ontario
    N3T 3J9
    CANADA
    (519) 754-0729
    (519) 754-5400 Fax
    E-mail: cdbra.nat@sympatico.ca
    Internet: http://www.cdbra.ca/index1.html
    Description: "committed to assisting all persons who are deafblind to achieve with Intervention the best quality of life."
  • Canadian Helen Keller Center
    Canadian Helen Keller Centre
    210 Empress Avenue
    Toronto, ON
    M2N 3T9
    (416) 225-8989
    (416) 225-4871 Fax
    E-mail: deafblindinfo@onranp.ca
    Internet: http://www.chkc.org
    Description: "the first skills training centre in Canada where individuals who are Deaf-Blind can upgrade or gain independent living and technical skills."
  • Canadian National Society of the DeafBlind
    405-422 Willowdale Ave.
    North York, Ontario
    M2N 5B1
    CANADA
    E-mail: CNSDB@canada.com
    Internet: http://www.cnsdb.ca
    Description: "advocate for new and improved services… promote public awareness of issues affecting persons who are Deaf-Blind," and publish information about Intervenor services.
  • Deafblind New Zealand
    3/18 Erson Avenue
    Royal Oak, Auckland
    NEW ZEALAND
    E-mail President Max Comer: max.jan@xtra.co.nz
    Internet: http://www.deafblind.org.nz
    Description:     "DeafBlind New Zealand arose from the need seen in the NZ Foundation for the Blind, for a separate Society run by DeafBlind people themselves."
  • DeafBlind UK
    E-mail: info@deafblinduk.org.uk
    Internet: http://www.deafblinduk.org.uk/
    Description: "...offers comprehensive services to deafblind people, their support assistants and other professionals. These include training in communication and rehabilitation skills; a free 24 hour helpline; a regional network of staff and volunteers; a varied leisure programme and a range of publications in different reading formats."
    • Touch Appeal / National Centre for Deafblindness
      E-mail: laura@touchappeal.org.uk
      Internet: http://www.touchappeal.org.uk/
      Description: "Deafblind people have decided that the best way to increase the range of services to meet their unique needs and also to raise public awareness, is to create a National Centre for Deafblindness. Special features of the centre, which [was in 2002] built in Peterborough, will include a guidance system to make it totally accessible to deafblind people, a publications department, an information and research centre, and conference facilities."
  • Scottish Sensory Centre
    Moray House Institute of Education
    University of Edinburgh
    Holyrood Road
    Edinburgh EH8 8AQ
    SCOTLAND
     0131 651 6501 Voice
    0131 651 6067 TextPhone
    0131 651 6502 Fax
    Description:     "promotes and supports new developments and effective practices in the education of children and young people with sensory impairments, that is; visual impairment, deaf and deafblind. SSC collaborates with: education authorities; schools and groups of teachers; voluntary organisations; parents groups; young people themselves."
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