Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults Services and Programs By C. C. Davis, Regional Representative

Program History Authorized by an Act of Congress in 1967, the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults (HKNC) is a national rehabilitation program serving youth and adults who are deaf-blind.Act of Congress in 1967

Who’s Eligible for Services? The person must be both deaf and blind Vision loss central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with corrective lenses, or a field loss of 20 degrees or less, … and any vision problem that leads to these conditions A current or progressive loss of hearing that makes speech unintelligible, even with optimum amplification Any combined hearing and vision problems that together make normal life functions extremely difficult

HKNC Mission The mission of the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults is to enable each person who is deaf-blind to live and work in his or her community of choice.

HKNC Goals Maintenance of a National Registry of individuals who are deaf-blind Support for consumer-driven support groups and organizations Support for family support groups and organizations (Example: DBMAT, TX Chargers) Training and technical assistance to enhance improved vocational outcomes for deaf-blind consumers

HKNC Goals - continued Support the development or improvement of community services such as SSP’s, Interveners, better long-term care programs, etc. (TX ex: DB-MD Waiver) Support for specialized deaf-blind services in lead agencies in education, Vocational Rehabilitation and long-term care services Develop and support interagency committees and task forces (ex: TX Interagency Task Force on Deafblindness) to work on improvement of deaf-blind services Support individual families and consumers and the teams of services providers involved with them.

Programs and Services Traditional center-based training program services and referral process.  Referral through HKNC Regional Office  Creation of a home team to plan for services and transition back to home community  Follow-along services provided by Regional Rep  Training areas and services include: mobility, communication, employment assessment, job retention skills training, independent living skills training, home management, rec and leisure training, counseling and guidance, and others

National Training Team and Senior Adult Program NTT conducts seminars at HKNC’s center and Provides on-site training for agencies and organizations The older adults program specialist, Paige Berry, provides consultation, training and TA. The program serves deaf-blind persons over 55. Direct training to older deaf-blind adults can be provided at HKNC or in a consumer’s local community.

Affiliated Programs HKNC played a part in developing the deaf- blind program at the TX Commission for the Blind many years ago. A network of affiliated programs serving deaf-blind people exists in the United States HKNC has a long history of collaborating with the Division of Blind Services or DARS, out Texas Affiliate.

Regional Representatives Advocacy Consultation and technical assistance Point of entry for referrals to HKNC’s center based training program Assistance in developing services Consumer follow-along support “as needed” Information and Referral In-service training Public Education and Awareness (ex: “Deaf-Blind Awareness Week in June”) Maintenance of National Registry Work on interagency problem-solving efforts

How and when to use HKNC services? Help get an accurate count and description of the deaf- blind population in the US by participating in the national registry effort For deaf-blind persons of any age, … contact the HKNC Regional office for resources and information. Get connected. Get support. Stay in touch with the regional office as a deaf-blind “case” is never closed. When appropriate explore training at the HKNC National Center (teens and on up). When state and local services seem to be failing you, consult with the HKNC Regional office for guidance.

Contact Information C. C. Davis Regional Representative Helen Keller National Center South Central Regional Office Abrams Road, Suite 620 Dallas, TX (972) (V/TDD/VP) (972) (Fax) Web site: Please visit our web site at where you will find information on all the services HKNC provides. HKNC maintains a national registry of deaf-blind persons which is very important for research, funding, and planning for services. The registry form can be filled out online at Support HKNC's mission by making a donation: