NCBVI

What are some modes of communicating with individuals who are Deaf-Blind?

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One-on-one communication (remember signing space – close to your face, perhaps back up).
Tracking- bringing hands into my signing space.
Tactile communication (two different ways: one hand and two handed).
Print on palm or POP.
Finger spelling- Different methods (Bird method- looks like birds pecking at seeds: Side method or back method- hand over hand).
Braille.
Cell markers on the palm of the hand in Braille. (Some people prefer this).
Tellatouch- used like a TTY with Braille output.
Morse Code.

How can I go about getting an Interpreter?

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The Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (NCDHH) licenses sign language interpreters statewide to ensure quality communication access for all Nebraskans.

How can I contact and use the Nebraska Relay Service (NRS)?

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The Nebraska Relay Service allows deaf and hard of hearing people who use a TTY to communicate with hearing telephone users. The NRS communication assistant (CA) or operator relays the information between the two parties. The CA will say what the TTY caller types and types what the hearing caller says. All states now offer statewide telephone relay services. In Nebraska, TTY callers may dial 1-800-833-7352 (TTY) or hearing callers may dial 1-800-833-0920 (VOICE).

Who is considered “Deaf-Blind?”

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An “individual who is deaf-blind” means any individual having auditory and visual impairments, the combination of which cause extreme difficulty in attaining independence in daily life activities, achieving psychosocial adjustment, or obtaining vocational objectives.

If you believe that you, a relative, or a friend might be eligible for services through the Nebraska Individuals with Deaf-Blindness Project, contact the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired office nearest you.

What kind of jobs can blind and low vision people do?

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People who are blind and visually impaired work in almost every career field imaginable. There are blind teachers, lawyers, engineers, biologists, chefs, university professors, retail workers, mechanics, custodians, childcare workers, and small business owners. Other people who are blind and low vision choose to be stay-at-home parents or active homemakers. Regardless of your career or independent living goals, NCBVI can equip you to reach them.

Can blind and visually impaired people raise children?

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Yes, absolutely! Millions of blind and low vision people across the United States care for children as parents, grandparents, foster parents, and legal guardians. In some families, both parents are blind or visually impaired. In other families, one parent is blind and the other is sighted. Some blind parents are single or divorced. Some older blind adults have custody of their grandchildren or foster children. Regardless of age, blind and low vision people can learn the skills to safely and confidently care for children. Many NCBVI staff members are blind parents themselves.

Does NCBVI offer financial assistance to blind and low vision college students?

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NCBVI does offer financial assistance for college, university, technical, and vocational school students who need education or training in order to reach their employment goals. This may include assistance with tuition, fees, books, technology, and reader services. In order to qualify for financial assistance, students will need to contact our vocational rehabilitation program. They will be assigned a vocational rehabilitation counselor who will discuss the client’s career goals in order to determine what education and training NCBVI can provide.

Does NCBVI pay for eyeglasses?

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NCBVI does not provide eyeglasses. However, your local chapter of the Lions Club may offer financial assistance for eye care and eyeglasses for preventable blindness. The Lions Club also takes donations of old eyeglasses. Contact your local Lions Club for details.

Which cell phone is most accessible to people who are blind and low vision?

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As of this writing, Apple's iOS, which runs on its iPads, iPhones, and iPods has the most robust accessibility features for people who are blind or low vision. iOS includes a built-in screen reader called VoiceOver which reads screen contents aloud and allows a person to interact with the phone through gestures on the touch screen. VoiceOver works with all of the apps and functions that come with the device and also with a majority of the apps that can be downloaded from the Apple AppStore. iOS devices also offer a built-in screen magnification program called Zooms.

What kind of computer is best, PC or Mac?

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Both PC's and Macs have screen access software for reading on-screen content and also screen magnification software for enlarging screen contents. As of June, 2020, 77.7% of workplaces utilize Windows-based PCs. Therefore, most vocational experts recommend that high school and college students learn to operate Windows. However, a growing number of businesses, especially tech companies, are beginning to use Macs, Linux, and other operating systems. The system you choose should depend on your prior experience, what you intend to use the computer to accomplish, and where you will be using it.