Hearing, Speech & Vision Specialist
The Hearing, Speech & Vision Specialist advocates for individuals who have communication access needs, and does educational presentations for DHHS staff, contracted providers, clients, as well community groups in New Hampshire.
Many individuals experience hearing loss, vision loss, and/or speech challenges. The passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act has led to the evolution of devices and services for individuals to have equal access to communication. In addition to advocacy, the DHHS Vision, Speech, and Vision Specialist offers presentations and assistance on topics that include Hearing Loss, Communication Access Services, Hearing and Vision sensitivity exercises, review of Hearing Assistive Technology (HAT), Telephonic Devices, Relay Services, and Communication Access apps.
In Person or Remote Individualized sessions are available to review Hearing Assistive technological devices with the objective of determining what technology and services may best fit one’s individual needs. Some devices are available for short -term loans.
iPad with text to speech apps for Speech Access are available for demonstration. The iPads are available for short-term loans to enable individuals, with speech challenges, to try the apps for a period of time to determine if the use of the apps are conducive to their respective needs.
Hearing Access Information and Resources
- Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
- NH Vocational Rehabilitation Offices and Services
- GNMH Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
- Association of Late Deafened Adults Seacoast NH Chapter
- Contact the chapter at aldaseacoastnh@gmail.com
- New Hampshire Association of the Deaf
- Hands and Voices, NH Chapter
- Hearing Loss Association of America
- NH Telecommunications Equipment Assistance Program
The Hearing, Speech and Vision Specialist is a contracted partner with the University of New Hampshire ATin NH project. The partnership allows for Assistive technology device loans and reuse activities, with many of the devices being supplemented by the AtinNH Program. Funding for assistive technology device demonstrations, loans and reuse are provided, in part, under grant 2001NHATSG02 from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) through Assistive Technology in New Hampshire (ATinNH).
Speech Access Apps
- Text to voice apps available in the Apple and Android app stores
- Flipwriter
- ClaroCom Pro
- Verbally
Vision Access Information and Resources
- NH Department of Education
- Future In Sight, Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
- Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- New Hampshire State Library Talking Book Services