The Center for Deaf-Blind Persons

The Beth David Institute was established by Dr. Jacob Landman in 1976 for the purpose of providing comprehensive educational related and rehabilitation services for specified populations in Israel. In 1980 it established a residential home and hostel for developmentally disabled women, and in 1989 it established the Center for Deaf-Blind Persons to serve the estimated 1000 persons who have the dual disability of deaf-blindness in Israel. Because of their dual disability, deaf-blind people can rarely benefit from services offered by organizations for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, and or/by services offered to the blind and visually impaired, and the Center for Deaf-Blind Persons specifically serves these unique needs of this population. Therefore, the Center focuses on providing this population with a variety of rehabilitation services. Over the past 15 years, the Center has successfully initiated, developed and provided rehabilitation services and social programs for deaf-blind people. The Center's staff strives to allow the deaf-blind clients to learn to live independently in as many situations as possible. The deaf-blind community that attends our center weekly from all over the country is actively involved in initiating activities, and for this purpose annually elects a committee of three deaf-blind persons. This committee decides on various activities for the deaf-blind community throughout the year, and when necessary works with the staff of the Center to carry out these activities. Our ongoing programs include: A Learning Center where deaf-blind individuals study essential skills for independent living; and to which we plan to add a unit on leadership, especially for women. A Social Recreational Club which provides a welcoming place for deaf-blind individuals to study essential skills for independent living, and which we hope to expand to provide a social atmosphere for deaf-blind persons. An Early Identification Program which identifies children of all ages with deaf-blindness so that the rehabilitation process can be made simpler later in life. An Ulpan for Deaf-Blind New Immigrants which provides a place for deaf-blind people to learn the Hebrew language using both Israeli Sign Language, Braille and Hebrew script. A Psycho-Drama Workshop which enables deaf-blind participants to express themselves in various ways in a unique therapeutic setting, and which has proven to be a breakthrough in this field for deaf-blind people. One of our newer programs is the Role Model Program for Children with Usher Syndrome: To Cope and to Overcome, in which we first identify both children and potential young role models with Usher Syndrome (congenital deafness and progressive blindness) throughout the country and then train the role models and through them achieve our goal of educating the chidren and preparing them for independent lives. Our objective is to provide these children with the information and the skills they need to become functional and independent adults. Achieving this, through early and appropriate intervention, benefits not only the deaf-blind community, but also Israeli society as a whole, which, instead of supporting these children when they become adults, gains valuable members who can and will contribute to society. Learning to function also helps prevent these children from sinking into a deep depression about their progressive blindness, and aids them in accepting the rehabilitation process, such as the possibility of using a cane or reading braille if necessary in the future. Another of our newest projects is Woman With Deaf-Blindness: Strengthening their ability to cope through independence and empowerment. Deaf-blind women must cope with both the problems and issues raised by deafness and blindness, the stress of being working mothers in today's society - and the unique problems and issues raised by the combination of the two. They share many questions, concerns, and fears. In response to their needs and by their request, we designed and initiated a structured program of organized self help groups. The participants identify with and support each other during this challenging phase of life, and learn ways to cope as hard-of-hearing woman with continuous vision loss, working part time, raising young children and maintaining a household. The women are encouraged and assisted, as they learn to take an actively participate in decision-making and leadership in all spheres of their life. As they learn to be independent and to better function in their daily life they learn, too, that they are capable not only of managing, but also of leading and inspiring others. We began with a group of hearing impaired, blind Jewish women and plan to expand the program to include a two additional types of groups. One is a group of women olim (new immigrants), who face the additional problem of integrating into Israeli society - but without access to most of the sources of assistance that most new olim receive. The other is a special group for women who are deaf-blind and who use tactile signing as their primary means of communication, and who need a personal interpreter for each woman. Our highly professional and dedicated staff is composed of eight part time rehabilitation professionals and educators from the fields of deafness and blindness and approximately 40 volunteers. Six of them have over a decade of experience in working with deaf-blind people, including youth and students. Our organization is recognized by the relevant government authorities and we cooperate with all other organizations to combine resources for the benefit of the deaf-blind population of Israel. Donations are very much appreciated and may be received in the following ways: US Dollar tax exempt donations may be received by sending a check to: PEF Israel Endowment Funds, Inc. 317 Madison Avenue, Suite 607 New York NY 10017 USA Please make checks payable to PEF Israel Endowment Funds, Inc. and add a note that the contribution for the Beth David Institute Center for Deaf-Blind Persons. Minimum contribution through PEF is $25. By regular mail, dollar and NIS shekel contributions may be sent by check to: The Center for Deaf-Blind Persons POB 9259 Tel Aviv 61092 ISRAEL All donations may be transferred to: First International Bank, PAGI Bank #52, Jerusalem Branch #185 Account #: 409 357 340 * For credit card donations, please call 052-763-2552. * All shekel donations are recognized by the clause 46 of the Israeli tax authorities.