Services in San Jose

If you are hard-of-hearing or have become deaf as an adult, DCARA can assist you:

Counseling on adjustment to hearing loss
Assistance with work related problems
Special sign language, coping skills, and career change classes
Information on and applications for special telephone and transportation discounts
Referrals to DCARA's employment and legal services, mental health professionals, and other appropriate services
Information on other support or self-help groups, recreational activities, and places with assistive listening systems
Information on specific types of hearing loss, ototoxic drugs, cochlear implants, and related issues

COPING SKILLS CLASSES

COPING WITH HEARING LOSS
- “When a Hearing Aid is Not Enough”
For Hard-of-Hearing and Deafened Adults
- Are you, or is someone you love, struggling with the frustrations of a hearing loss?
- Are you avoiding restaurants and parties because they are “too noisy,” or friends and relativs because they become annoyed when you do not hear?
Coping skills classes can make life easier. Learn how to reduce misunderstandings that cause embarrassment, anger, and stress between family members, co-workers, and friends.

WHO IS THE INSTRUCTOR?

Edna Shipley-Conner, DCARA's former Deafened Adult Coordinator, has been trained on the Coping Strategies for hard-of-hearing people developed by Gallaudet University and Self Help for Hard-of-Hearing People (SHHH). Shipley-Conner, who has a Master’s of Science Degree in counseling, became severely hearing impaired during adulthood and has developed the services and program for hard-of-hearing and deafened adults at DCARA. Ken Arcia, who also has a Master's of Science degree in Counseling, teaches the class with Edna. Ken is the new Coordinator for Hard of Hearing and Deafened Adult Services.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

This class is for those who are experiencing a recent loss and those who have been hard-of-hearing for a long time. This includes anyone who experiences frustration, anger, depression, or feels isolated because of a hearing loss. Family members, close friends, and co-workers are strongly encouraged to attend as well.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

Communication rules for hearing and hard-of-hearing people.

How to ask for what you need in a way that will better assure you of getting it.

How to improve interpersonal relationships that can be damaged by the stress of hearing loss.
How to plan ahead to manage difficult situations.
How to relax, hear better, and lessen the stress associated with hearing loss.
How to use listening and signaling devices and community resources.

WHERE DO CLASSES MEET?

Classes meet at DCARA's offices or other appropriate sites. The three series of classes focus on different aspects of coping with hearing loss. Each series is 12 hours. Classes have a minimum of 10 people and maximum of 14.

WILL I UNDERSTAND IF I HAVE PROBLEMS HEARING?

Assistive listening systems and visual recording is used so that all may understand. Sign language interpreters will be provided if requested.

SPECIAL SIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES

DCARA provides special sign language classes for hard-of-hearing and deafened adults, family members, close friends, and co-workers. Classes are offered from DCARA offices. Fees are on a sliding scale basis.

DCARA has developed a beginning class that teaches survival and directional signs, the manual alphabet (with an emphasis on finger-spelling names, cities, and streets), numbers, and common phrases, as well as important clues/signs. Conceptually Accurate Signed English (CASE) is the sign system taught. Simply, it is American Sign Language (ASL) signs in English order. People who will continue to use their voices can learn and use CASE. Later, if they wish, they can more easily learn American Sign Language at a college or university.