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Deaf seniors to raise funds for center, services | mydesert.com | The Desert Sun
Philip Rubin had to reschedule his appointment at the hospital three times.
With only two certified sign language interpreters qualified to accompany a patient on a medical visit busy, Rubin found himself in a frustrating experience common for those in the valley's deaf community.
“It's an uphill battle to educate the whole valley, such as hospitals, police, fire department, mental health and social service departments,” Rubin said in an e-mail to The Desert Sun.
He is among a group of seven people who established the Deaf Seniors Foundation of Palm Springs in 2007.
Many people experience problems in life, such as discrimination, domestic violence, addiction and medical issues.
“This same set of problems are compounded among the deaf community due to lack of communication and access to information.”
The organization promotes awareness about the need for communication accessibility and works with local organizations to provide support services to those hard-of-hearing and deaf individuals in the desert.
However, the group hopes to realize bigger dreams of one day establishing a community center and deaf senior housing for the local community.
“Deaf seniors are currently isolated at senior centers due to communication barriers and do not receive appropriate services due to misunderstanding/lack of knowledge about their own health issues and rights,” Rubin wrote.
The foundation is in the early stages of fundraising for the housing and future community center, which would serve many generations and families with deaf children.
Its first major fundraising event will be a gala and auction in January in Palm Springs. Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin (“Children of a Lesser God”) will be among honorees at the gala.
“Having few Coachella Valley angels would be great,” Rubin wrote.
Philip Rubin had to reschedule his appointment at the hospital three times.
With only two certified sign language interpreters qualified to accompany a patient on a medical visit busy, Rubin found himself in a frustrating experience common for those in the valley's deaf community.
“It's an uphill battle to educate the whole valley, such as hospitals, police, fire department, mental health and social service departments,” Rubin said in an e-mail to The Desert Sun.
He is among a group of seven people who established the Deaf Seniors Foundation of Palm Springs in 2007.
Many people experience problems in life, such as discrimination, domestic violence, addiction and medical issues.
“This same set of problems are compounded among the deaf community due to lack of communication and access to information.”
The organization promotes awareness about the need for communication accessibility and works with local organizations to provide support services to those hard-of-hearing and deaf individuals in the desert.
However, the group hopes to realize bigger dreams of one day establishing a community center and deaf senior housing for the local community.
“Deaf seniors are currently isolated at senior centers due to communication barriers and do not receive appropriate services due to misunderstanding/lack of knowledge about their own health issues and rights,” Rubin wrote.
The foundation is in the early stages of fundraising for the housing and future community center, which would serve many generations and families with deaf children.
Its first major fundraising event will be a gala and auction in January in Palm Springs. Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin (“Children of a Lesser God”) will be among honorees at the gala.
“Having few Coachella Valley angels would be great,” Rubin wrote.