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Blind-deaf advocate urges state support :: Neighbors :: Post-Tribune
Suzanne McGeath talks animatedly about her journey in the deaf-blind community.
Moving her hands rapidly, she teaches others how to facilitate communication with the deaf-blind. McGeath is a board member of the Indiana Association of the Deaf-Blind. She recently conducted a workshop at Indiana F.A.C.E.S. in Merrillville.
McGeath suffers from Usher, type II syndrome. She has been deaf since birth and her eyesight has deteriorated to the point that she can no longer drive.
About 32,000 people in the United States are deaf and blind. They encompass a wide range of hearing and sight disabilities.
McGeath touched on service support providers, interpreters, and dos and don'ts with the deaf-blind.
Indiana offers support from the deaf-blind from birth to age 21 and for seniors, but McGeath and others are pushing for funding for service support providers at the state level.
Service support providers help with transportation, reading mail, shopping, vacations and other activities.
For those communicating with a deaf-blind person for the first time, McGeath recommends identifying yourself and your purpose, showing patience and a willingness to listen, and showing respect by not pitying the deaf-blind.
"A first-time meeting will be awkward, but we will give you opportunities," McGeath said.
McGeath gives this presentation about 15 times per year.
"My hope is that we're opening minds," McGeath said. "We're not twiddling our thumbs in misery. Ninety percent of us live very fulfilling lives."
Deaf Services Coordinator Joanna Witulski said that F.A.C.E.S. serves at least two deaf-blind residents in the region.
Finding resources in the area for the deaf-blind can be a challenge, since many programs are deaf-only or blind-only.
Cedar Lake resident Jessie Ackerson is studying sign language on her own. She was excited to test her skills and see other signers in action.
"I thought it was very interesting because deaf-blind is not a population we always think about," Ackerson said.
Suzanne McGeath talks animatedly about her journey in the deaf-blind community.
Moving her hands rapidly, she teaches others how to facilitate communication with the deaf-blind. McGeath is a board member of the Indiana Association of the Deaf-Blind. She recently conducted a workshop at Indiana F.A.C.E.S. in Merrillville.
McGeath suffers from Usher, type II syndrome. She has been deaf since birth and her eyesight has deteriorated to the point that she can no longer drive.
About 32,000 people in the United States are deaf and blind. They encompass a wide range of hearing and sight disabilities.
McGeath touched on service support providers, interpreters, and dos and don'ts with the deaf-blind.
Indiana offers support from the deaf-blind from birth to age 21 and for seniors, but McGeath and others are pushing for funding for service support providers at the state level.
Service support providers help with transportation, reading mail, shopping, vacations and other activities.
For those communicating with a deaf-blind person for the first time, McGeath recommends identifying yourself and your purpose, showing patience and a willingness to listen, and showing respect by not pitying the deaf-blind.
"A first-time meeting will be awkward, but we will give you opportunities," McGeath said.
McGeath gives this presentation about 15 times per year.
"My hope is that we're opening minds," McGeath said. "We're not twiddling our thumbs in misery. Ninety percent of us live very fulfilling lives."
Deaf Services Coordinator Joanna Witulski said that F.A.C.E.S. serves at least two deaf-blind residents in the region.
Finding resources in the area for the deaf-blind can be a challenge, since many programs are deaf-only or blind-only.
Cedar Lake resident Jessie Ackerson is studying sign language on her own. She was excited to test her skills and see other signers in action.
"I thought it was very interesting because deaf-blind is not a population we always think about," Ackerson said.