A long under-served part of our community will now have access to two new agencies in Reno.
Providing the deaf and hard of hearing with communication services, job placement, coaching and advocacy programs, The Deaf Centers for Nevada and Nevada Hands and Voices had their grand opening today.
The offices for the Deaf Centers for Nevada and Nevada Hands and Voices in Reno are open and ready to serve. Gina Burnaugh is a case specialist for the deaf and hard of hearing. With a warm, welcoming smile, Burnaugh introduces herself by signing her name with a hand near her cheek; "...It means I laugh easily, that's why my sign name is there."
Burnaugh spoke with us with the help of an interpreter, and explained that access to communication is a vital part of the mission for the Deaf Centers of Nevada. "…the resources l, they need to learn more about Social Security benefits, how to apply for things", says Burnaugh.
Executive Director Kevin Carter says they can provide a lot of guidance; "...helping me obtain my driver's license, how to get my social security benefits, what is the process, what do I do, how does that happen for me?"
Carter says thanks to a $1.6 million grant from the state, the Deaf Centers of Nevada now have offices in Las Vegas and Reno. They face plenty of uphill battles; "Letting the kids know that you can get through high school, you can graduate with a diploma, you can go on to college and you can come back and receive jobs."
At the center, advocacy, support and services are all in one place. There are two case specialists on staff, referrals and information as well as help with assistive technology like specialized fire alarms and smoke detectors, or telephones and devices.
The group has also partnered with Nevada Hands and Voices, which reaches out to parents of kids who are deaf and hard of hearing, because 90 percent are born to hearing parents. Eric Wilcox began as a client and is now president of the board. He knows first-hand the challenges these parents face. “They don't know anything about the services that are available and they are suddenly confronted with a bunch of difficult choices to make about how to help their children develop language and how to communicate with their children.”
Services at The Deaf Centers for Nevada and Nevada Hands and Voices are provided free of charge.
