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November 10, 2005

CSD Teams Up With Deaf Seniors of America

From: CSD - Nov 10, 2005

PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
Release Date: October 19, 2005
SIGNED VIDEO: www.c-s-d.org/Default.aspx?tabid=272

CSD Teams Up With Deaf Seniors of America
Goal is to Provide Better Deaf Senior Citizen Services

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – 19 October 2005 – Members of Deaf Seniors of America (DSA) voted to collaborate with CSD, a national nonprofit organization, to provide increased services to seniors who are deaf and hard of hearing. The decision came during DSA’s 8th biennial conference in San Francisco, Calif. on Aug. 31 through Sept. 5.

“The decision for DSA and CSD to work together represents an investment to enhance our efforts and maximize our available resources,” said Bob D. Cook, DSA president.

The collaboration will make it possible for DSA and CSD to capitalize on each organization’s strengths in locating funds for programming targeted at deaf and hard of hearing senior citizens on local, state and national levels. These projects could include outreach, education and wellness programming.

“Deaf senior citizens have shaped today’s Deaf America,” said Benjamin Soukup, CSD chief executive officer. “By providing services and activities that meet their unique and particular needs, we are recognizing and honoring their important contributions to the community.”

CSD currently provides deaf senior citizen services in San Antonio, Texas; Sioux Falls, S.D. and Frederick, Md. The programs provide support in reducing isolation through education on coping skills, providing transportation and independent living services, and by offering recreational activities and skills training.

Over 2,200 people registered for the DSA conference. In addition to sponsoring the conference, CSD staff participated in and presented workshops, including “Volunteerism in Retirement,” “Giving Back to the Community” and “Philanthropy.” Staff also demonstrated CSD’s video relay service, CSDVRS, and shared other information on CSD’s programs and services.

For more information about CSD’s services or collaboration with DSA, contact Lori Breslow, chief program officer for CSD’s National Programs division, at (800) 642-6410 (Voice) or (866) 273-3323 (TTY).

About DSA – Deaf Seniors of America (DSA) is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 membership organization that was established after its first conference in 1992. The mission of Deaf Seniors of America is to improve the quality of life for senior citizens who are deaf by: (1) providing seminars dealing with issues impacting their well-being and safety; (2) conducting awareness projects or activities among decision makers, providers of services and the general public regarding their unique needs; and (3) acquainting those senior citizens with national, state and local resources that will contribute to their positive image and fuller participation in the mainstream society. For more information, please visit http://deafseniors.org/.

About CSD – CSD (also known as Communication Service for the Deaf) is a private, nonprofit telecommunications and human services organization. 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, in addition to providing human services at 15 locations in eight states.

SIGNED VIDEO: www.c-s-d.org/Default.aspx?tabid=272

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