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.