Community Education

Community Outreach and Education enhances the understanding of: hearing related issues and the consequences for our community; the importance of appropriate communications strategies; and the availability of programs for persons affected by hearing loss.

People who are deaf, hard of hearing or late deafened, as well as members of their families, can receive consumer training through the Deaf and Hearing Connection. These sessions target issues not addressed by any other agency in the community. Sign language classes at the facility are also available to the general public at a nominal fee.

Community service providers such as health care resources, lawenforcement agencies, local businesses, and other social service organizations are able to receive sensitivity and awareness training as well as specialized presentations on a variety of topics related to deafness, advocacy and laws relating to the rights of consumers. It is the charge of this program to be a resource to the entire community on the need to identify and implement appropriate accommodations.

The entire DHCTB staff works to ensure that all members of the service population receive equal access to local, state and national resources. To this end, the DHCTB maintains a Community Resource Library specializing in books, videotapes and periodicals available for loan to any local individual or organization associated with deafness.

For additional information and course schedules contact the agency at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or 727-399-9983 (Voice).

Counseling

Mental Health Counseling makes it possible for clients to integrate into society and lead productive lives by: dispelling myths and irrational beliefs about hearing loss; creating realistic expectations regarding the impact of hearing loss on their lives and helping them develop appropriate coping skills; and assisting clients affected by depression, anxiety and isolation that can result from hearing loss.

Lois Maroney, LMHC at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it is a late-deafened, licensed mental health counselor who specializes in individuals and family members experiencing the impact of hearing loss. With Masters Degrees in both Education and Rehabilitation Counseling, she provides the skills needed to teach people how to better cope with their loss. Lois is nationally recognized in the late-deafened community through her work with the Association of Late-Deafened Adults (ALDA, Inc. President, 2004).

To schedule an appointment with Lois, email her at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Case Management

Case Management helps clients become self-sufficient by working with them to create an individualized action plan that enhances their ability to overcome setbacks and barriers to living independent and productive lives. This program also links eligible hard of hearing and deaf clients with the community services and programs that they need.

This program is supported in part by CCDA, Florida Department of Children and Families a grant from Pinellas County Social Action Funding. To be considered for this program, please contact Debi Dee-McLeod at 727-399-9983 (Voice), 727-498-5022 (VP) or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  to set up an appointment.

Community Activities

The Deaf and Hearing Connection provides a place for deaf and hard of hearing people to gather for social activities, business meetings and educational programs. Our community room is available to deafness related groups at no charge and for a nominal rental fee for other groups.