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Information and Referral Services:  Our staff works to empower deaf or hard of hearing clients who need assistance in overcoming communication barriers and accessing community resources.  This is accomplished through information exchange and referral to appropriate service providers throughout Southwest Florida. The Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center is considered a central source of information on Deafness, sign language, communication systems, interpreting, and adaptive equipment for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. 

Outreach - An ongoing effort to create       community awareness about deaf and hard of hearing people is accomplished       through presentations to civic clubs, neighborhood and professional       associations, businesses, churches and schools, as well as participation in health fairs. 

Sign Language Classes - The Center offers daytime and evening classes in American Sign Language for children and adults on an ongoing basis. We use the Signing Naturally Curriculum for all classes.

Deaf Community Workshops - We host workshops and support groups for Deaf and hard of hearing people and their families.

ADA Title II and Title III Regulations Fact Sheet Series

The U.S. Department of Justice recently revised the ADA Title II and Title III regulations. These regulations amend the DOJ's Title II requirements for State and Local Governments and Title III requirements for Places of Public Accommodation. Many of the regulations took effect March 15, 2011 with some requirements going into effect March 15, 2012. In response to these regulatory changes, the National Network of ADA Centers has created a Fact Sheet Series to give guidance around the specific changes. Each fact sheet focuses on a different topic, providing an overview of what the revised regulations are for that topic. 

For more info go to: www.ada.gov