Department of Labor and Economic Growth

Michigan Commission for the Blind

Vocational Rehabilitation

Deafblind Unit

Serving Individuals Who Are BOTH Deaf and Blind

The Deafblind Unit of the Michigan Commission for the Blind provides statewide Vocational Rehabilitation services and/or Independent Living consultations to adults and high school students who are legally blind and have moderate to profound hearing loss.

Some of the more common causes for the dual-sensory impairment of Deafblindness are:

§       Usher Syndrome types I, II, III

§       Congenital Rubella Syndrome

§       Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

§       Brain Tumor or other serious illness or injury

§       Congenital Deafness with later vision loss

§       Congenital Blindness with later hearing loss

§       Aging process

Referrals for services for Deafblind individuals come from a variety of sources including family members, friends, physicians, employers, other professionals, or the individual him/her self.

Services that may be provided include:

Training

- Sign Language

            - Activities of Daily Living

    - Orientation and Mobility

    - Vocational

Consultation

Job Placement Services

Transition Services

In-service Presentations:

     - Community service organizations

     - Group homes

     - Day programs

     - Sheltered workshops

     - Families

     - Agencies

The Intervenor Program

An Intervenor works as an independent contractor providing direct one-on-one services to a specific consumer. These services focus on developing daily living skills and vocational potential as possible.

These services may be provided in any or all of three areas:

--The workplace (day program, sheltered workshop, or supported or competitive employment in the community)

--The home environment (family home, adult group home or supported independent living situation)

--In the community (shopping, going to restaurants, libraries, laundromats etc.)

The Intervenor becomes a tutor, friend, advocate, mentor, and a language role model to improve the Deafblind individual’s communication skills.

The Intervenor Program is funded through a cooperative cash match agreement between Michigan Commission for the Blind and another agency: i.e. Community Mental Health, Independent School District (ISD/RESA) or other rehabilitation agency.

Employment

Persons who are Deafblind are successfully employed in a variety of occupations including, but not limited to, the following:

-   Teacher

-   Rehabilitation Counselor

-   Computer operator

-   Janitor

-   Florist

-   Hotel Housekeeper

-   Retail worker

-   Factory worker

-   Laundry worker

-   Author / Poet

-   Paper Shredder

For more information call or write the

Michigan Commission

for the Blind / Deafblind Unit

201 N. Washington Square, 2nd Floor

P.O. Box 30652

Lansing, MI  48909

Phone:

(517) 373-2062 VOICE

1-800-292-4200 VOICE

(517) 373-4025 TTY

1-888-864-1212 TTY