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Independence through Senseability

If 95% of what we learn comes from our eyes and ears, imagine what it must be like to be deafblind.

Programs

 

 

A New Approach:

Service Model and Program Module
When DeafBlind Ontario Services set out on a journey in June of 2005, it had one clear objective in mind: to raise the bar on life planning by placing Residents at the centre of its service.  A simple goal one may assume since individually- tailored planning has been a mainstay of the agency since its inception in April 1989.  But nothing could be further from the truth!

This lofty project, funded by The Ontario Trillium Foundation, has come around full-circle and involved the coordinated effort of countless staff, volunteers and community resources that share information, sat on committees, participated in pilots and put in extended hours, well beyond “normal” requirements, to see this project to fruition.  Beyond that, the agency also put in place a full-time position not only for the development of the project, but also to supervise the implementation, and provide follow-up, support and guidance to the Intervenors that were executing this service model.

A New Service Model:
Why the new model? We wanted a service model that was flexible enough to meet the needs of our Residents as they aged, or when their needs or desires changed. More importantly, we wanted to reflect the Residents’ wishes, as much as possible, in the individually-tailored programs we develop. This will be facilitated through “Focusing on the Fundamentals”.

Raising the bar on our service delivery by “Focusing on the Fundamentals” means our programs will further open the possibilities to:

Imagination – A Person-Centred Approach to programming encourages Residents to dream and imagine possibilities.


Intervention – Trained Intervenors will support the Residents to make it happen!


Independence – Imagination and intervention together encourage Residents to reach their fullest potential as they move toward greater independence.


To ensure a Person-Centered Approach to goal-setting – which means that the Resident’s preference, desires and strengths are the main focus – a Multi-Disciplinary Program Team is now involved in the process. This team meets every 18 months and is comprised of a number of people and groups that are linked to each Resident, including: family and friends, advocates, community and vocational resources, physical and occupational therapists, medical specialists and DeafBlind Ontario Services service.  The input from this meeting will lead to the development of the Resident Program Plans (goals).

Ideally, the Resident is supported and encouraged to participate in this meeting; however, if this is not possible, the team works together to represent him or her. We have also introduced a new role where a Regional Resident Services Coordinator is responsible for the case management of the Residents.  This position is instrumental in the coordinating, development and monitoring of the Resident Program Plans along with the input of Intervenors and the Regional Operations Manager.


The Program Module:
The module is a resource and guide for DeafBlind Ontario Services staff, including Intervenors who work directly with Residents. There are three components to the module: Click here for Program Module poster

The Future Looks Bright:
By building upon the concept of individually tailored programming, through the facilitation of the new DeafBlind Ontario Services Service Model, we are confident that we will provide the highest level of service to our Residents and, further, reinforce the Agency’s mission, vision and values.

We are passionate that people who are deafblind should be given every opportunity to reach their full potential, and we hold this belief at the core of everything we do. We also believe that every deafblind person is unique and so are their needs, goals and desires.

 

DeafBlind Ontario Services gratefully acknowledges the support of The Ontario Trillium Foundation for the funding of this venture.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Ministry of Culture, receives annually $100 million of government funding generated through Ontario's charity casino initiative.

 

REACHing Potential

Support that reaches deafblind individuals across the entire province

The REACH program provides specialized expertise and support for congenitally deafblind adults at their current residences, such as nursing homes foster homes, group homes, special care facilities and individuals living at home.

Because the needs of a person with deafblindness are so diverse and unique, each REACH program is tailored to empower the individual to control their life goals.  The REACH team consults with families, care givers, Intervenors and other professionals in order to develop a customized plan that meets the needs of each deafblind adult in their own environment.  The costs to deliver the program are based on the services provided.

The REACH program is supported by DeafBlind Ontario Service’s TOUCH training program and Total Communication Curriculum (TCC) – proven training methods that have been designed specifically for congenitally deafblind adults and their support team.   TOUCH provides ongoing training to increase knowledge about deafblindness, intervention and ethical practices, while TCC teaches Intervenors about their role as a communication partner.

A cornerstone of the REACH program is mentoring, so that advice, knowledge and experience can be shared amongst the deafblind individual and their support team.  Conducted by phone, e-communication and face-to-face meetings, this two-way learning and coaching experience ensures that the REACH team and Intervenors provide enhanced communication support to the deafblind individual. 

For more information on how to help individuals who are deafblind REACH their full potential, contact the REACH Community Resource Facilitator with DeafBlind Ontario Services at 519-410-2602 or crfreach@deafblindontario.com.