The ADS Bureau of Rehabilitation Services' Office in Middletown is temporarily closed for repairs. Please call the New Haven Office at 203-974-3000 for assistance and further information.

picture of man and women signing to each other

Please note Deaf,  Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind Services from Aging and Disability Services and other State of Connecticut Health and Human Services Agencies will be listed on this page in accordance with Public Act No 22-31  - AN ACT CONCERNING STANDARDS FOR INTERPRETERS FOR DEAF, DEAFBLIND AND HARD OF HEARING PERSONS 

Department of Aging and Disability Services

Programs and services offered by the Department of Aging and Disability Services for people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or DeafBlind.

Access Through Technology

Provides free equipment such as smartphones, tablets, computers, screen readers, braille displays, and more to eligible Connecticut residents who are DeafBlind. Program participants receive an individual assessment to determine the best equipment solutions as well as installation and training all at no cost to the individual.

ADS Human Services Advocate

Alvin Chege is the Human Services Advocate at Department of Aging and Disability Services/Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS). He is the main contact for any Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind consumers on communication access issues. 

Meet Alvin (ASL, captioned video)

E-mail: Alvin.Chege@ct.gov

Video Phone: 860-899-1551

Connecticut Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resource Guide

A comprehensive resource guide for Deaf,  Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind Services in Connecticut.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Counseling 

Provides counseling related to special language, communication and socioeconomic problems unique to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families. 

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Interpreter Registry 

The department monitors and posts a statewide Interpreter Registry for all sign language interpreters working in Connecticut in accordance with state statute.

Services for People who are DeafBlind

BESB provides funding to create opportunities for recreation, communication, socialization and other services that further community inclusion for adults age 21 or older who are deafblind.

VR Counselors for people who are Deaf

The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services has VR counselors who are geographically situated across the state. Staff works to provide individualized services, develop effective partnerships, and share sufficient information so that consumers and their families may make informed choices about the rehabilitation process and employment options.

Meet Simone Cossette - New Haven, Middletown, Uncasville, Willimantic and Danielson(ASL, captioned video)

E-mail: Simone.Cossette@ct.gov

FaceTime/Text: Simone.Cossette@ct.gov

Video Phone: 203-584-9840

Meet Chris Reynolds - Greater Hartford area (ASL, captioned video)

  E-mail: Chris.Reynolds@ct.gov

FaceTime/Text: Chris.Reynolds@ct.gov

Video Phone: 860-920-7172

Meet Audrey Stone - Torrington to Bridgeport (ASL, captioned video)

E-mail: Audrey.Stone@ct.gov

FaceTime/Text: Audrey.Stone@ct.gov

Video Phone: 203-577-5319

Meet Lucy Trusock - Danbury, Norwalk, Stamford (ASL, captioned video)

E-mail: Lucrecia.Trusock@ct.gov

FaceTime/Text: Lucrecia.Trusock@ct.gov

Video Phone: 203-617-0971

Relay Services Contact

Aging and Disability Services serves as point of contact with PURA and the FCC on CT’s telecommunications Relay Services contract, which includes serving on the Relay CT Board.

OTHER STATE AGENCIES

 
Department of Social Services

Services and links the Department of Social Services Services (DSS) offers for people who are Deaf,  Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind. 

  • To contact DSS Client Information Line and Benefits Center - Call 1-855-6-CONNECT (1-855-626-6632) (TTD/TTY 1-800-842-4524 for persons with speech or hearing difficulties) 
  • DSS offers Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) / Language Translation Services - DSS’s Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) is the on-demand service that provides communication between deaf or hard of hearing persons and hearing persons that are in the same location, utilizing an interpreter by way of a computer with a webcam and Internet connection or a tablet using a cellular connection.

Benefits: 

  • On-demand services – no need to schedule in advance
  • Average speed of answer 
  • Experienced video interpreters
  • Clear audio and video quality
  • Quiet, private locations
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

 

Services and links the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) offers for people who are Deaf,  Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind (please note, this will open the DMHAS webpage).