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
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).