Deaf/Blind Program
The Deaf-Blind Program serves people throughout the state of Illinois with varying degrees of visual and hearing losses, providing access to other Lighthouse programs, services within the community, and appropriate referrals to agencies.
- Information and referral
- Case management and advocacy
- Sign language training
- Independent living skills training
- Braille training
- Career guidance
- Ongoing counseling
- Social services
- Crisis intervention
- Functional assessment
- Academic tutoring
- Family Services
- Braille phone / Deaf-Blind Communicator training
Staff also assists with communication devices, such as TTY phone equipment with Large Visual Display and Braille accessories.
The Deaf-Blind Program is a proud sponsor of Le COBDA (The Club of Blind-Deaf Adults). A central component within the program, this social club joins peers together for monthly recreation activities and outings. Meetings are held on the second Saturday of each month, except for January, June, and August. The Deaf-Blind Program hosts the annual Deaf-Blind Workshop Retreat which is held in June. The focus of the retreat is to increase awareness and provide training skills for individuals who are deaf-blind and their Support Service Providers (SSPs).
Click here to to view our recent video about the Deaf Blind program.
To make a donation to the Deaf-Blind Program, please click here and select "Deaf-Blind Program" under "Program Designation".
The Deaf-Blind Program hosts their annual Deaf-Blind Awareness Day in October.
The Chicago Lighthouse Deaf-Blind Program is an affiliate of the Helen Keller National Center.
For more information, please contact:
Joann Rushing
Program Manager of Deaf-Blind Outreach/Braillephone Trainer
Tel: (312) 666-1331 ext. 3415
Fax: (312) 243-8539
TTY: (312) 666-8874
Email: joann.rushing@chicagolighthouse.org
Videophone number: (866) 675-0924
Mindy Joy Mayer's TTY number: (312) 421-4788
