SHHH In the States
Florida
Simply put, Florida is a large state. So large,
in fact, that if arranged to lie in a straight line, its coastline would extend
1,800 miles. Our Chapters span the entire state, stretching from southeast in the
Miami and Ft. Lauderdale areas to northwest Panhandle City of Pensacola. The
warmth of the Florida sun and coastline has given rise to both our population
centers and state SHHH Chapters, with South Florida hosting 11 of Florida’s 15
chapters. We are home to active SHHH communities on both the east and west
coasts, in small towns such as Delray Beach, Port Charlotte and Sarasota, to
the larger cities of Tampa, West Palm Beach and Orlando. No matter the size,
outstanding SHHH “volunteers” can be found everywhere you look.
Our members are hard at work both in their local communities and throughout the
state. In fact, hot is a word that not only describes Florida in the summer,
but also the recent activity of the Florida State Association, or FLASHHH. Since
our inception in 1991, FLASHHH has been actively involved in our efforts to
make life better for all Floridians who cannot hear well. From our successful
effort in 1996 to host the 11th International SHHH Convention in Orlando to our
ongoing work with other state organizations to create a Florida Council for
Deaf and Hard of Hearing, FLASHHH continues to show the way.
Since 1995, FLASHHH has generously given of its limited resources to create
opportunities for state members to annually attend the SHHH National Convention.
To date, eight (8) deserving recipients of the Mildred Savell Scholarship have
received roughly $7,000 for convention travel, lodging and registration, as a
reward for their contributions on both the state and local levels. Our members
continue to serve the state on the Telecommunication Access System Act (TASA)
Advisory Board (Kathy Borzell - Tampa), the SHHH National Board (Joan
Haber - Sarasota) and the Americans with Disabilities Working Group (Joan
Haber - Sarasota)(Carlos Monserrate - Tallahassee). FLASHHH members attend and
partake in meetings with the Florida Independent Living Council and the Board
of Hearing Aid Specialist as well as the Florida Council for Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Florida Chapters
Pensacola
The Pensacola SHHH chapter is Florida’s most Northern chapter. The
chapter’s first SHHH meeting was held October 1991. The January meeting this
year marked Founder's Day with the attendance of three founders, Jayne McRae,
Louise Cotton and Kit Spiesberger. Jayne came all the way from Kentucky to
attend the meeting. Pensacola’s president, Barbara Wass is proud to say that after
a request years back to the recently deceased State Coordinator/ FLASHHH Board
member, Harry McCollum, National SHHH decided to have Sunday morning worship
services at the annual conventions. Harry is slated to be SHHH’ s first Saint.
Tallahassee
Big Bend SHHH plays an important role being in the heart of Florida's state
capital. James Forstall, Executive Director
of FTRI, is President, and Andree Nuzzo is Secretary-Treasurer. Former
FLASHHH board member Carlos Monserrate remains active as Past President.
Membership continues to grow as people come from diverse places such as
Thomasville, Georgia and Panacea, Florida.
Gainesville
Nestled in the college town of the University of Florida, the Gainesville
SHHH often rumbles with the leadership of former FLASHHH board member Lynn
Rousseau. Lynn is often writing letters to newspapers to promote large
gatherings to view captioned movies in her small town. Not to mention,
Gainesville SHHH was recent host of a Sam Trychin workshop on Living with
Hearing Loss.
Orlando HEARS
Central Florida has a diverse community of talented and motivated
individuals. Home to three FLASHHH board members, the Orlando HEARS chapter is
clearly no exception to the trend. Board member Alan Brown is one of the
founders of FLASHHH. Merv Daniels is a FLASHHH trustee as well as
project director of the Hearing Loss Workshop. Orlando HEARS member Jim Diaz is
FLASHHH President. Larry Kavanaugh has produced many fine editions of the NewFLASHHH.
It’s no wonder Orlando HEARS thrives on social gatherings and captioned movies.
Sarasota
Sarasota is well known for beautiful sunsets and art. Sarasota is also home
to some very outstanding SHHH chapter members. Lorraine Gautreau (past
president of Bradenton SHHH), Joan Haber, and chapter President Frank Stocco
are all recipients of the Florida SHHH State awarded Mildred Savell
Scholarship. Furthermore, both Flo Innes and Joan Haber serve on the FLASHHH
board. Most unique, Joan Haber is our very own National SHHH Board member.
Team Sarasota has shown its colors with remarkable accomplishments. In
particular, the Sarasota SHHH chapter is a three time participant in the
National Day of Hearing Screening each year setting record numbers of screenings.
Tampa
The Tampa SHHH chapter is home to FLASHHH board member Kathy Borzell. An
article appeared in the Tampa Tribune on Friday, February 23, 2003 reporting
that many deaf and hard of hearing Tampa Bay Buccaneer fans were disappointed
that the much anticipated DVD covering the BUCS championship season was not
captioned. As the result of the article Tampa SHHH Group member Kathy Borzell
has been in contact with Warner Home Video to try to resolve the problem. Just
one example of Kathy’s strong determination and will to make a difference in
the lives of others.
Suncoast Chapter
The Suncoast Chapter is located in Gulfport, Florida just South of Tampa.
Newly elected Chapter President Pat Allman reports Suncoast has 28 members.
March is a very busy month for Suncoast. Members will be handing out
information about SHHH at Senior Center health fair. Also on the schedule is a
chapter social outing. Suncoast has made a very special individual, Jerry
Conner, an honorary member. Jerry is treasured for the establishment of the
Pinellas County Deaf Service Center. A talented leader, Jerry also established
The Summit, the name given to the team of agencies and organizations that
carved out the draft bill for the Florida Commission on Deafness.
Boca Raton
Anita Morse, President of Boca Raton SHHH Chapter is Florida’s attendee of
the 2004 SHHH Leadership Training in Bethesda. Founded more than 12 years ago
by Geri Young, the chapter has grown to 54 paid members. Their monthly
newsletter reaches over 90 people.
NaplesEars
According to the 2000 Federal census Naples is the second fastest growing
metropolis in the USA. President Betty Brewster is seeing to it her chapter is
growing just as fast. NaplesEars is among the first chapters in Florida to
obtain nonprofit status under the umbrella of National SHHH. Captioning is a
definite in all meetings. Activity of the chapter is high. NaplesEars is
providing the Collier County Sheriff Department with info on hard of hearing’.
The expectation is they will support a requested program for hard of hearing’
automobile window decals. Program Chairperson, Jane Motrinec, has recently
become a board member of FLASHHH.
Charlotte Ears Tri-County
The Charlotte Ears Tri-County SHHH, founded in 1988, is another Florida star.
For several years the Charlotte Ears Tri-County chapter has honored local
members whose service to Charlotte Ears SHHH is extraordinarily impressive.
Charlotte Ears has a beautiful mahogany Memory Box that contains a visual
history conveyed in both print and in pictures of chapter events and
accomplishments. On the box lid is an attractive metal plate bearing the
recipient's name and the date of the award. This box is given to the honoree to
enjoy and keep for several months after which it is returned to the Chapter to
pass on to another exemplary Charlotte Ears member.
Two of Charlotte Ears chapter members are on the FLASHHH Board, Joan Andrews
and Frank Corica. The Charlotte chapter participates in the annual 'Young at
Heart Senior Fun Fest', providing SHHH handouts, verbal information,
demonstration of ALDs, and distribution of hearing aid batteries (courtesy of
National SHHH). The Charlotte Ears Tri-County members represent hard of hearing
people on the Communities for a Lifetime, a program of the Florida Department
of Elder Affairs (FDEA). The goal: to allow elders to maintain their dignity,
security, and independence via community services and environmental
improvements. Through a grant, with the cooperation of FLASHHH, Joan Andrews,
winner of the 1996 SHHH Keystone Award, purchased ALDs, alerting devices and
SHHH publications for a monthly demo at the Port Charlotte Community Center
staffed by Charlotte ears members. Charlotte’s accomplishments go on in on.
Charlotte informs SHHH members in Florida, through newsletter articles, about a
Lion's Club new program to assist low income HOH people in acquiring a HA. A
Venice, Fl. audiologist who was president of the Lion's Club at the time,
initiated the program. The Lion's program is now nation wide. Charlotte Ears
Chapter member Frank Corica represented SHHH National in a two day Symposium
titled VREAL (Virtual Reality Education for Assisted Learning) A project to
explore a way of learning for deaf and HOH children and adults. It was joint
program of the US Department of Education, University of Central Florida and
the National Center for Simulation.
SE Chapter # 1
Based near the Ft. Lauderdale / Miami area, SE Chapter #1 is Florida’s
first SHHH chapter. Alice Wiengart, winner of the year 2000 Mildred Savell
Scholarship is happy to report the SE Chapter #1 will be meeting in new
quarters. The September opening will be the upscale Northwest Regional Library
3151 University Dr. Coral Springs, Fl.
Delray Chapter
Over a hundred members large, the Delray chapter has many active members. Merry Rubenstein, winner of the 2001 Mildred Savell Scholarship, teaches speech reading classes.
Other Chapters
See listing on flashhh website for a complete listing of SHHH Chapters.
FLASHHH
Early in 1991, SHHH-Brevard bestowed a donation to the then Florida SHHH
state coordinator Bob Dempsey for the purpose of starting an SHHH Florida state
association. SHHH Florida, Inc. was born a.k.a. FLASHHH. Shortly thereafter,
FLASHHH was the host of the very successful 1996 11th International SHHH Convention
in Orlando. The FLASHHH board consists of 13 very talented SHHH members. All
are involved in very grand projects.
Collaboration with State and Local Government Agencies
Early on, Florida granted FLASHHH a permanent seat on the Telecommunication
Access System Act (TASA) Advisory Board. A direct channel to those who have the
power to improve the Florida relay system, Kathy Borzell of the Tampa SHHH group
holds the current SHHH seat on the TASA board. Members across
the state now have a means to convey concerns and wishes directly to TASA.
FLASHHH representation does not stop there. National board member Joan Harber
of the Sarasota SHHH chapter and Carlos Monserrate of the Big Bend Tallahassee
SHHH chapter are standing representatives for the governor select Americans
with Disabilities Working Group. ADAWG is Governor Jeb Bush’s personal team of
representatives of the ADA community. FLASHHH members also partake in meetings
with the Florida Independent Living Council and the Board of Hearing Aid
Specialist.
Mildred Savell Scholarship
In 1995 FLASHHH established the Mildred Savell Scholarship in memory of
Mildred Savell, co-founder of Charlotte Ears Tri-County SHHH. To be given each
year, FLASHHH awards the scholarship at the SHHH National Convention to an
outstanding SHHH member whose leadership has made a significant improvement in
advancing recognition of SHHH and has improved the lives of hard of hearing people
in that leader's community.
Those recognized at the time of this writing are:
1995-Lorraine Gautreau, Manatee SHHH
1996-June Stimson, Okaloosa SHHH
1997-Eva Winterbottom, Lakeland SHHH
1998-Joan Camezon, Sarasota SHHH
1999-Bertie Kirshbaum-Moser, Delray SHHH
2000-Alice Weingart, SE #1 SHHH
2001-Merry Rubinstein, Delray SHHH
2002-Frank Stocco, Sarasota SHHH
2003-Lynn Rouseau, Gainsville SHHH
Hearing Loss Workshop
More recently, FLASHHH has been testing the waters on an educational pilot
project. The six week workshop produced by the Rehabilitation Research and
Training Center of Persons who are Hard of Hearing or Late Deafened (RRTC) is
an interactive curriculum on A to Z of hearing loss and coping strategies. The
target audience is a small group of hard of hearing people and their family
members. Instructor guidelines for the course are straightforward. An
experienced hard of hearing individual who wishes to lead a small group will
find the course easy to follow and teach. FLASHHH Trustee Merv Daniels
of the Orlando HEARS SHHH Chapter along with his wife Bev, recipient of the
1999 SHHH Family Involvement Award, have successfully instructed workshops in
the Orlando area. The experience has been very positive.
Commission on Deafness
FLASHHH leadership played a major role in writing a bill to establish the
Florida Council on Deaf and Hard of Hearing in 2003. In November 1998, FLASHHH began a
nationwide research effort to compile criteria on how various states provide
services for their hard of hearing’, late deafened, and deaf residents. The
goal: A Florida Commission to provide such services to Florida residents. Two
years later FLASHHH joined a coalition of like minded Florida organizations and
Service providers. Together FLASHHH wrote the Recommendations document. That same
document went to the Florida House and Senate as a bill to be voted upon in
Legislative session. With the team effort of many agencies and associations in
Florida, the proposed commission is now signed (2004) by Governor Jeb Bush.
The Florida legislature now has provisions for "The Florida Coordinating Council
For Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The first land mark meeting was Sept 20 and 21, 2004.
The role of the council is two fold. The first objective is to provide
technical assistance, advocacy and education to both legislation and the
hearing impaired. A one stop hearing loss resource does not exist in Florida.
The council will be setup to provide such a one-stop resource. The second
objective of the council will be to provide policy of
licensure and accreditation. Many services in Florida are unregulated. For
example, not all interpreters are qualified to provide ASL in a medical
setting. With regulation, more consistent quality services will be available.
State of Florida : A Snapshot
2003 Demographics
Total Population of State:
Florida is the fourth largest state in the Nation. Population in the 1990’s
reached 15,982,378 people. The 1990 federal census listed Florida as having 27
urban areas. The largest was the Miami/Hialeah area, with 1,914,860 residents.
The areas of Tampa/St.Petersburg/Clearwater followed with a population of
1,708,710; Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood/Pompano Beach, with 1,238,134; and
Orlando, with 887,116.
Number of people under 18 and over 65:
Florida is the only state with substantial numbers of residents in four
generations, those under 20, under 40, under 60, and over 60. The 2000 Census
placed the number of Florida’s population under the age of 18 (3.7 million) at
22.8%. People’ 65 years old and older are at 17.6%.
Total number of people with hearing loss in state:
(Ages 3 or Older)- Year 2000
General Population 15,982,378
Hearing Impaired 1,374,496
Hard of Hearing 1,296,175
Deaf 78,312
Telecommunications Access
FTRI
Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. (FTRI) is a statewide not-for-profit
organization that administers the Specialized Telecommunications Equipment
Distribution Program for citizens of Florida who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing,
Deaf/Blind and Speech Impaired. The Florida Legislature passed the Telecommunications
Access System Act (TASA) in 1991. The intent of TASA (F.S. 427) is to provide
access terminals required for basic telecommunications services for hearing
impaired, speech impaired and dual sensory impaired persons, in the most
cost-effective way. In response to TASA, the Florida Public Service Commission
(FPSC) directed local exchange telephone companies to form a not-for-profit
corporation to fulfill the TASA requirements. FTRI registered with the Florida
Department of State as a not-for-profit corporation, effective June 13, 1991,
and is a 501(c) (3) corporation. TASA mandates that the FTRI equipment
distribution program and the Florida Relay be funded by a monthly surcharge
billed to all telephone customers in Florida. The specialized telephone equipment
and ring signaling devices provided through this program are loaned to all
qualified permanent residents of Florida for as long as they need it, at no
charge.
FTRI provides specialized telephones and ring
signaling devices, at no charge, to qualifying residents of Florida who are
Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf/Blind or Speech Impaired. For more information
about the Equipment Distribution Program, call FTRI customer service at
1-800-222-3448 (V) or 1-888-447-5620 (TTY)
Or, visit the FTRI web site at www.ftri.org
To request Outreach presentations or printed
materials for FTRI Equipment Distribution Program and Florida Relay, call FTRI
at
1-888-292-1950, ext. 232.
Florida Relay
Florida Relay is the communications link for people who are Deaf, Hard of
Hearing, Deaf/Blind, or Speech Impaired. Through the Florida Relay, people who
use specialized telephone equipment can communicate with people who use
standard telephone equipment.
To call Florida Relay, dial 7-1-1, or use the toll free numbers
1-800-955-8771 (TTY) 1-800-955-8770 (Voice) 1-800-955-3771 (ASCII)
1-877-955-8260 (VCO-Direct) 1-800-955-5334 (STS) 1-877-955-8773 (Spanish)
1-877-955-8707 (French Cr)
Thousands of Floridians depend upon Florida Relay every day to make both
personal and business phone calls. Here are examples of how the specialized
telephone equipment and services work.
· Text Telephone (TTY)
Allows a person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf/blind, or speech impaired to
communicate with anyone by phone.
· Voice Carry-Over (VCO)
A Hard-of-Hearing person can speak directly to a hearing person. When the
hearing person responds, the Operator (OPR) types back what is said. The person
who is hard of hearing then reads the text messages on the VCO screen (or TTY).
· Two-Line VCO
Allows customers with two phone lines and/or a computer to use one line for
speaking directly to a hearing person while the other line is used to receive
the hearing person’s typed responses.
· VCO-Direct
This new VCO-Direct feature allows VCO calls to go to a group of agents
specially trained for VCO calls thus making VCO calls much easier and efficient
for the user.
· Hearing Carry-Over (HCO)
Speech Impaired users who can hear can listen directly to the person on the
other end of the line. The Speech Impaired user types in his or her message,
which is verbally read by the OPR to the caller.
· Speech-to-Speech (STS)
Allows speech impaired customers to have their calls processed by a trained
Relay OPR familiar with speech patterns. The OPR then makes the call and
repeats the words exactly.
· ASCII Split-Screen
Allows customers to call the relay from their personal computer, which will
display two split windows (horizontal or vertical). One window displays ASCII's
user's text and the other displays the OPR's text.
· Voice
Allows standard telephone users to make phone calls to people who are deaf,
hard of hearing, deaf/blind, or speech impaired.
· 800 / 900 Pay Per Call
Florida Relay provides a toll-free 900 number 900-230-6868, which connects
relay callers to any 900, or 800 Pay Per Call services. The caller is
responsible for direct billing.
· Florida Video Relay Service (FVRS)
Sign Language Interpreters via the Internet
http://www.flvrs.com
· Sprint Relay on Line
Relay Service via the Internet
http://www.sprintrelayonline.com
· CapTel system on Trial
Florida has been chosen to be a CapTel demonstration site.
http://www.ultratec.com/info/CapTel.html
Florida Relay Manager
Greg Gantt, Account Manager
Sprint
7702 Woodland Drive, Suite 250
Indianapolis, IN 46278
800-377-1101 TTY/Relay
803-876-9591 / FAX
Email:greg.gantt@mail.sprint.com
Florida Public Service Commission
The FPSC regulates Florida's utilities and is responsible for overseeing
TASA. If you have a problem or question with the relay service, you can call or
write the FPSC for assistance. To Call the FPSC, dial 1-800-342-3552
(Voice), menu only. TTY users must call through Florida Relay (7-1-1) and call
the 800 number mentioned above. Once the menu starts, ask the relay operator
(OPR) to press the number 2. Then wait for a person to answer your call to
start your conversation.
If writing, mail to
Florida Public Service Commission
Division of Consumer Affairs
2540 Shumard Oak Blvd.
Tallahassee, FL 32399
FAX number: 1-800-511-0809
FPSC home page: http://www.psc.state.fl.us
Independent Living Council
The Florida Independent Living Council (FILC)
is a statewide council established by federal mandate and Florida Statute. It
consists of 14 voting members, who are appointed by the governor. In compliance
with state law, a majority of the voting members are persons with disabilities.
Additional representatives are from Centers for Independent Living, Advocacy,
other consumer or independent living organizations and various state agencies
that are impacted by Title VII of The Rehabilitation Act. FILC's purpose is to
promote independent living opportunities for persons with disabilities
throughout the state of Florida. This includes the promotion of a direct
service philosophy that is consumer controlled and directed.
Contacts
http://flailc.org
Beth Shultz
Executive Director
filc@polaris.net
Independent Living Centers
There are 14 offices in Florida. For a listing
of offices contact the Florida Independent Living Council or go to http://flailc.org/docs/CIL%20List%207.23.02.doc
Agencies
Florida Department of Education
Hearing Impaired Educational Programs K-12
Lezlie Cline
Florida Education Center, Suite 654
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400
488-1106 ext. 68 v/tty, (850) 922-7088 fax
State Office: Vocational Rehabilitation - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
-
Cecil Bradley, Bradlec@vr.doe.state.fl.us,
VR Administrator
Carla Bryant, BryantC@vr.doe.state.fl.us,
Staff Assistant
2002 Old St. Augustine Road, Building A
Tallahassee, FL 32301-4862
850-488-4862 v
850-413-9629 tty
850-921-7217 fax
Statewide Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services Program
Postsecondary Education Consortium - Florida's State Outreach and Technical
Assistance Center (PEC - SOTAC)
Statewide Network on Transition-Deaf/HH Students in Florida - The PEC
(Post-secondary Education Consortium)-Florida Outreach Office serves those in
Florida working with students who are deaf or hard of hearing that are in
post-secondary educational settings or are in transition from secondary to
post-secondary education/work. Rebecca Herman, State Outreach Coordinator
HermanR@spjc.edu
http://www.pecfla.org
Deaf Service Center Association (DSCA)
Suncoast Deaf Service Center
2400 S.E. Midport Road, Suite 209
Port St. Lucie, FL 34952
E-mail address: dsctc@gate.net
(561) 335-5546 v, (561) 335-9966 tty, (561) 335-9733 fax
Contact: Richard J. Kottler, DSCA Secretary
Advocacy & Networking
State
Associations
AG Bell Florida
AG BELL FLORIDA, formerly FLORIDA ORAL, is a non-profit corporation. The
organization was founded in 1967 as a support group for families of hearing impaired
children and has grown to include hearing impaired adults, educators,
administrators, audiologists and other professionals.
http://www.agbellflorida.org/
Sandra Jackson, President, Sjackson@AGBellFlorida.org
League for the Hard of Hearing
The League for the Hard of Hearing provides hearing rehabilitation and
human services for people who are hard of hearing or deaf, and their families
Location is in the Fort Lauderdale area. Speech reading and sign language
courses are offered at the center. Their web site is also an excellent resource
on “noise.”
2800 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Suite 306, Oakland Park, FL 33311
954-731-7200 (Voice) · 954-731-7208 (TTY) · 954-485-6336
inf@lhh.org
http://www.lhh.org/
Florida Association of the Deaf (FAD)
Statewide Advocacy for consumers and club-affiliates, conferences, and
networking
Christopher Wagner - President
P.O Box 15556,
Spring Hill, FL 34604
Email: fadcentral.org
FAD Internet Web Site: http://www.fadcentral.org
Florida Late Deafened Adults Association (FL - ALDA)
People who are deafened later in life (after childhood) have their own
fast-growing, national organization. ALDA - Suncoast of Florida meets at the
Neighborhood Family Center of the Friends of the Deaf Service Center, NFC - 525
83rd Street North in Seminole, FL. For more information, contact Lois Maroney -
PJMLNM@aol.com or call the NFC at (727)
399-9983. ALDA's Regional Director for Florida is Mary Lou Mistretta -- e-mail
- mlmisty285@yahoo.com
Cochlear Implant Club International
http://www.cici.org
Florida Chapters of CICI
Tampa Bay Suncoast Chapter
Dot Walters, Chapter Leader
7215 Forestedge Court
New Port Richey, FL 34655
727-375-9518
WaltersFT@aol.com
Sarasota Chapter
Dennis Silver, Chapter Leader
Advocates for Better Hearing, Inc.
2075 Main St., Suite 2A
Sarasota, FL 34237
941-373-0084
DSilveresq@aol.com
State Organizations
ADA Working Group of Florida
The ADA Working Group of Florida is Governor Jeb Bush’s personal group of
representatives of the ADA community. Some notable outcomes of the ADA Working
Group are the ADA Clearinghouse and the “Ticket to Work” legislation. The
toll-free number, 1-877-ADA-4-YOU, will provide callers with information that
is currently available in the clearinghouse database.
State Independent Living Council
Beth Schultz
1018 Thomasville Road, Suite 100A
Tallahassee, FL 32303-6271
Email: filc@polaris.net
http://www.flailc.org
850-488-5624 - voice
850-488-5881 - fax
877-822-1993 - toll free
Public Services Commission
Beth Salak
2540 Shumard Oak Blvd.
Tallahassee, FL 32399- 8l53
Email: contact@psc.state.fl.us
http://www.floridapsc.com
Phone (850) 413-6408
Complaint Line - 1-800-342-3552
Toll Free Fax - 1-800-511-0809
Legislation Related To Hearing Loss
Assistive Technology Lemon Law
Florida Lemon Law does not have a provision for return policy on assistive
listening devices (ALD). Although Florida has an assistive technology warranty
legislation, the verbiage does not include ALDs. According to Dr. Terry Ward,
Executive Director for Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology
lobbing for ALDs did not win out. Assistive technology in the Florida
legislation (F.S. 427) is defined as “ ”Assistive technology devices"
means manual wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs, motorized scooters,
voice-synthesized computer modules, optical scanners, talking software, braille
printers, environmental control devices for use by a person with quadriplegia,
motor vehicle adaptive transportation aids, devices that enable persons with
severe speech disabilities to in effect speak, personal transfer systems, and
specialty beds, including a demonstrator, that a consumer purchases or accepts
transfer of in this state for use by a person with a disability.”
Hearing Aid Insurance Legislation (HAIL)
Florida does not have hearing aid insurance legislation.
Infant Hearing Screening Law
A state law, passed in year 2000, is in place that mandates newborn hearing
screening must be conducted of all new born infants in hospitals in this state.
Insurance policies, health maintenance organizations and Medicaid are under
mandate to pay for the service. Florida Law also mandates educational materials
be provided to family.
http://www.infanthearing.org/legislative/summary/florida.html
Special Hearing Aid Related Laws
· Florida legislation mandates Audiologist and Hearing
Aid Specialist must provide a 30-day return policy on hearing aids.
· Audiologist and Hearing Aid Specialist must inform the
purchaser of telecoil technology and make available information regarding
telecoils.
· The purchaser has the right to return the hearing aid
within 60 days with physician note.
· It is unlawful for any person to sell or distribute
hearing aids through the mail to the consumer.
Audiologist Licensure
An audiologist must have completed a Masters degree in speech-language
pathology.
Must have 9 months professional employment.
Must pass board exam.
Must have 300 supervised clinic hours.
Must maintain up to 60 hours biennially of continuing education credits as a
condition for licensure renewal.
Hearing Aid Dealer Licensure
A hearing aid specialist must have a 6-month training program.
Must pass Board prescribed exam.
Financial Coverage for hearing Aids/Cochlear Implants
Medicare for Elderly
No provisions.
Vocational Rehabilitation for Adults
State Office: Bureau of Budget, Policy and Planning, Policy and Planning Unit,
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services - Vocational Rehabilitation
Cecil Bradley, Bradlec@vr.doe.state.fl.us,
VR Administrator
Carla Bryant, BryantC@vr.doe.state.fl.us,
Staff Assistant
2002 Old St. Augustine Road, Building A
Tallahassee, FL 32301-4862
850-488-4862 v
850-413-9629 tty
850-921-7217 fax
Statewide Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services Program
Local Funding for Children by Organizations
Various Florida organizations offer financial assistance. See web site http://www.cms-kids.com/IHFinAssistance.htm for
an excellent collection of resources. Local Service Clubs such as Lion’s,
Rotary, Kiwanis, and Sertoma frequently are open to considering providing funds
or matching funds to support hearing aids and services for children residing in
their communities. Contact people for these clubs can often be found in your
local telephone book.
The Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation of Florida (SSHF) has been providing
financial support in Pinellas County and the surrounding area for many years
and has a keen interest in assisting financially-needy families with infants
that have been referred from newborn hearing screening programs. It is feasible
that this financial support may reach beyond the Pinellas area.
Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of FL, Inc.
5640 Main Street
New Port Richey, FL 34652
Contact: Craig McCart / Tammy Rostel
Phone: 727-848-5371
Fax: 727-534-5419
Website: www.sertomahearsay.com
Email: mccart@allkids.org
Todler Early Intervention Program
Children under 36 months (3years) of age may qualify for Federal and State assistance under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This early intervention program is further detailed in the http://www.infanthearing.org/earlyintervention/index.html website.
Medicaid for Adults and Children
Eligibility Requirements
Individuals 65 & over, disabled, blind, children under 21, SSI
recipients, low income children & families referred by Department of Human
Services.
Services Available
Note: As of July 1, Florida’s Medicaid program will no longer fund hearing aids and eyeglasses.
Previous to July 1, 2003: Adult services may include diagnostic
testing, hearing aids, hearing aid fitting & dispensing. Repairs &
accessories may be included. Children are covered under EPSDT and may be
eligible for cochlear implant.
Restrictions
Limited to one per prescription every 3 years, some prior authorization
required, no repairs until manufacturer's warranty has expired, no routine
maintenance, batteries, cord or wire replacements, or cleanings. Medical need
documentation required.
Tuition Waver
None
Assistive Technology Low Interest Financing Programs
Yes, the minimum amount you can
borrow is $500.00 and the maximum amount is $20,000. Depending on your credit
and the amount you borrow you will have between two and six years to repay your
loan.
Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology, Inc.
Low Interest Loan Program
Attn: Dave Howell
325 John Knox Road, Bldg B
Tallahassee, FL 32303
Toll Free: 1-888-788-9216
Local Phone: 850-487-3278
Website: http://www.faast.org/financing_program.htm