FAQ: Disability Specific: Hearing Impairment/Deafness

For a quick link to the FAQ of your choice on the topic of Hearing Impairment/Deafness, click on the question below.

Hearing Impairment, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Support Groups

Hearing Impairment Services

Hearing Impairment, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Support Groups

Q: How do I locate a support group?
  • A: To locate support groups in your area, look in the phone book under Hotlines and Helping lines for a “First Call for Help” phone number. Call and ask for addresses and phone numbers of the type of support group you are seeking. Otherwise, look in the information pages at the beginning of the telephone book under Community Services.

    In Wisconsin:

    • Milwaukee County, Wisconsin - 211 Milwaukee, an information and referral line for family, health and social service needs, formerly Community Information Line. Milwaukee callers dial 2-1-1 (toll-free). Callers outside of Milwaukee, call (866) 211-3380 (toll-free).
    • Outgamie County, Wisconsin - Disability Helpline: (920)832-0344
    • Waukesha County, Wisconsin - Mental Health Association in Waukesha County, First Call For Help: (262)547-3388 (Voice & TTY)

  • A: Visit Community: Support Groups and Disability Specific Organizations: Hearing Impairment. This section includes links to organizations that assist people with disabiliites.

  • New Sign A: Visit Community and Internet Resources: Centers for Independent Living. This section includes links to Centers for Independent Living across the United States. People with disabilities are the best experts on what is needed to live, work, and play independently.  It is the belief that all people should be able to live independently and in a community of choice.  Centers for Independent Living work with people with disabilities to achieve these goals.  Centers for Independent Living must provide the following five (5) core services: Transition Services, Peer Support, Advocacy, Independent Living Skills Training, and Information and Referral.

Hearing Impairment Services

Q: We were looking at a Center for Independent Living in the Columbus, Ohio area. Can you tell me if there are any services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the Columbus, Ohio community? Thank you for your help.

  • A:There are several organizations that offer Deaf/Hard of Hearing services to people in the Columbus, Ohio area.

      Columbus Speech & Hearing Center is a non-profit organization offering such services as Audiology & Hearing Aid Services, Speech-Language & Occupational Therapy, and their Comprehensive Program for the Deaf, which provides vocational training and placement services to adults who are deaf or hard-of-hearing throughout Ohio. They also offer sign language classes. For more information, contact:
        Columbus Speech & Hearing Center
        510 E. North Broadway
        Columbus, Ohio 43214
        (614) 263-5151
        (614) 263-2299 TTY
        (614) 263-5365 FAX

      The local Center for Independent Living that serves Columbus does offer a Deaf Equipment Program, which provides equipment to assist people who are deaf to ensure their safety and independence. For more information on this program, contact:
        MOBILE
        690 S. High St.
        Columbus, OH 43206
        Ph: 614-443-5936
        Fax: 614-443-5954
        TTY: 614-443-5957
      Another possible organization is https://www.hearingloss.org/Hearing Loss Association of America a national organization with chapters throughout the United States. They appear to be more of an information source than a direct service provider but the local chapter should certainly be able to point you towards others who are deaf or hard of hearing as well as some helpful service providers. For more information, contact: 7910 Woodmont Ave, Suite 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814, Phone: 301.657.2248, or Fax: 301.913.9413.

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