CSD of Texas to Expand Hard of Hearing Services

From: CSD - Nov 11, 2005

PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
Release Date: November 1, 2005
SIGNED VIDEO: www.c-s-d.org/Default.aspx?tabid=273

CSD of Texas to Expand Hard of Hearing Services

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – 1 November 2005 -The Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) has awarded a four-year contract to CSD’s San Antonio office to provide expanded services to area residents. The goal of the program is to reach out to the underserved hard of hearing, late deafened and oral deaf communities.

Carolyn Colley has been hired as hard of hearing specialist. She will coordinate the new program with out of CSD’s San Antonio office, located at 7400 Blanco Rd.

“Our start-up efforts are off to a good start,” said Benjamin Soukup, CSD chief executive officer. “(Colley) is energetic and has been active in the Texas hard of hearing community for the past 25 years.”

The major component of Colley’s and Cage’s work will consist of promoting awareness of services and resources unique to the hard of hearing community. This will include coordinating access to critical information and support, special equipment orientation and communication on hearing loss topics.

“DARS-DHHS is pleased to enter into this community partnership with CSD to serve consumer who are hard of hearing in Region 8,” said David Myers, DHHS director.

Region 8 is comprised of the following counties: Atacosa, Bandera, Bexar, Calhoun, Comal, DeWitt, Dimmit, Edwards, Frio, Gillespie, Goliad, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Jackson, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Kinney, La Salle, Lavaca, Maverick, Medina, Real, Uvalde, Val Verde, Victoria, Wilson and Zavala.

For more information on this program, contact Colley at (210) 349-3332 voice/TTY, (866) 349-3272 toll-free voice/TTY, (210) 349-3272 fax or via e-mail at ccolley@c-s-d.org.

About CSD – CSD is a private, nonprofit telecommunications and human services organization based in Sioux Falls, S.D. In its 30-year history, CSD has expanded its communication service offerings and currently manages over 20 call centers in the U.S. CSD offers telecommunications relay services, video relay services, equipment distribution programs and sign language interpreting services. Additionally, CSD provides human services through its National Programs at 15 locations in eight states. For more information, see www.c-s-d.org.

About DARS, DHHS – DARS, Division for Rehabilitative Services, Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) works in partnership with people who are deaf or hard of hearing to eliminate societal and communication barriers to improve equal access for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. DHHS advocates for people of all ages who are deaf or hard of hearing to enable them to express their freedoms, participate in society to their individual potential, and reduce their isolation regardless of location, socioeconomic status, or degree of disability. For more information, please visit http://www.dars.state.tx.us or contact DARS at dhhs@dars.state.tx.us, (512) 407-3250 Voice or (512) 407-3251 TTY.

SIGNED VIDEO: www.c-s-d.org/Default.aspx?tabid=273

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Contact: David Rosenbaum
CSD Community & Media Relations
CommMediaRel@c-s-d.org