[White text on black background reads: Online Training and Resources. Under the text is the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division logo. Shawn Vriezen, a white man with a brown beard, is on the right side of the screen. He is wearing glasses and a dark gray button-down shirt and blazer.]
DHHSD offers a variety of resources for people with hearing loss, service providers, employers and mental health or medical professionals. Let’s take a quick look at some of the resources you will find on this website.
American Sign Language, or A S L, is a visual language that uses hand shape, arm and hand placement and motion, facial expressions and body movement to communicate important information and concepts. This shared language is the foundation of Deaf culture.
You will find ASL resources for adults and children, as well as a partial listing of local American Sign Language classes and online training, webinars, tutorials and videos.
The website explains how to obtain both sign language interpreter services and CART services. CART stands for Communications Access Real-Time Translation. You’ll also find tips for working with an interpreter and a partial list of ASL interpreter resources in the metro area and outstate Minnesota.
Today, technology can be used to access interpreting services anywhere there is a connection to the internet. Video Remote Interpreting, or VRI, connects a deaf individual with an interpreter via real-time video. This is particularly useful for doctor appointments and other situations where an on-site interpreter is not available. Video Relay Services, or VRS, allows you to connect with an interpreter through a video relay service. You can learn about these services in this section of the website.
The website also offers a library of documents on a range of deaf and hard of hearing topics. You will find brochures, fact sheets on important topics, forms, publications, DHHSD annual reports and forms and a quick reference to important terms
People who are deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing need to be ready for an emergency. The website provides resources to help you prepare for an emergency situation or natural disaster. You’ll also find a communication card that you can use to improve interactions with police and first responders.
DHHSD offers several free online training programs including communication tips for talking on the phone with people who are hard of hearing, personal stories and perspectives of Minnesotans who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing and late-deafened, communication access in healthcare settings, an introduction to combined vision and hearing loss, an introduction to working with people with hearing loss for mental health professionals, Support Service Provider training and a consumer guide to using Support Service Providers.
The Learning Center section of the website also provides links to videos and training resources for employers. The Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing also offers free online advocacy training and informational videos.
Select Contact Us on this website if you need additional information.
