Center is breaking barriers of silence

From: Chester Daily Local Online, PA - Dec 22, 2003

Tracy Behringer , Staff Writer

Since 1994, the Center on Hearing and Deafness in West Chester had been breaking down barriers of silence that limit the lives of the deaf and hearing impaired. As it enters 2004, the center hopes to expand its services in Chester County.

"Our vision for the next three years is to become more active, not only with the deaf, but with those who are hard of hearing. As the population ages, we are moving toward serving more senior citizens," said Bill Lockard, the executive director there.

The Center on Hearing and Deafness is one of more than two dozen local agencies to benefit from The Daily Local News Give-A-Christmas campaign. For 16 years, the campaign has raised $539,000 to help Chester County’s children, elderly, poor, sick and disadvantaged during the holiday season. Last year, Local News readers contributed almost $42,000.

Lockard said the Center on Hearing and Deafness will be using its Give-a-Christmas funding to help fulfill a great variety of needs, including alertive devices and rehabilitation programs.

"One of the biggest areas we will be funding is the work with seniors, especially seniors with lower incomes," Lockard said.

Volunteers from the center can go to homes and apartments to modify the living area for a hearing-impaired person. Among the devices they may install are ones that notify the hearing-impaired person when the phone or doorbell rings. They also use special equipment that vibrates or uses strobe lights to notify a hearing impaired person when the smoke alarm goes off. Many of the potentially life-saving devices are not that expensive, but may be out of the reach of someone on a limited income.

"Family members worry about hearing-impaired people living on their own. It helps ease their fears if they know ‘Mom’ will answer the phone when they call, or will be alerted in case of fire," Lockard said.

Lockard also noted a program collaboration between the center and six deaf church-based faith groups throughout the region, called the Faith in Action Program, which he hopes to expand. In addition, the center helps employers accommodate hearing-impaired employees and provides computer literacy and mental health case management.

Currently, the center serves people from Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery and Delaware counties, but Lockard said he believes the agency will pull back on the service area to offer more comprehensive programs in Chester County.

"I think that’s what organizations do. You grow, and then you need to pull back the reins to provide better service. Once we (put comprehensive programs in place) we’ll extend our services to a wider area, if possible," Lockard said.

The Center on Hearing and Deafness relies on private donations for more than 50 percent of its income. The number is significantly higher than what other nonprofits require from private donors. It also utilizes the services of a team of volunteers, many of whom are deaf or hearing impaired themselves.

The Daily Local News Give-A-Christmas campaign began on Thanksgiving and ends on Christmas. The donated money goes directly to agencies that apply for the funds. Last year 27 organizations representing a wide array of social services received and distributed donations. None of the money sent to The Daily Local News is kept for administrative costs.

Give-A-Christmas donations can be sent to Sharon Maletz, Give-A-Christmas Campaign, Daily Local News, 250 N. Bradford Ave., West Chester, PA 19382.

©Daily Local News 2003