DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING
INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES
ABOUT DHILS
VIABILITY's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Independent Living Services (DHILS) include a variety of services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. We accept referrals from other agencies and individuals may self-refer by visiting or contacting our offices.
OUR SERVCES INCLUDE:
Self-Advocacy: Learn how to access deaf-friendly community resources, understand how to define the differences between wants and needs, know how to stand up for yourself, make good decisions, and solve problems.
Communication: Learn American Sign Language (ASL), reading and writing in English, ask for and schedule sign language interpreters, use video phones, and relay services.
Money Management: Make and follow a budget, use banking services, understand how credit works, and pay bills online.
Benefits Counseling: Understand the eligibility for entitlement programs, such as the Massachusetts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income benefits, MassHealth, and others.
Social Skills: Interact with hearing people, have good hygiene, be polite, and understand body language and social cues.
Daily Living Skills: Learn to do housekeeping, laundry, shopping, and simple meal preparation.
TO QUALIFY
* You must be at least 18 years old.
* You must identify as deaf or hard of hearing.
* You must not qualify for other state agency funding such as Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) or Massachusetts Developmental Services (DDS).
* You must currently reside in the Western Massachusetts or Berkshire region.
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CONTACT US
DHILS
WESTERN MASS
302 HIGH ST, 4TH FLOOR
HOLYOKE, MA 01040
(413) 650-5365 VP
(413) 536-4880 VOICE
Director: Nicole Nelson
DHILS@viability.org
34 DEPOT ST, SUITE 301
PITTSFIELD, MA 01201