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SD Deaf Services - DRS

Mentoring Services

The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) sponsors mentoring services in order to promote certification and to support advancing of interpreting to the highest level an interpreter can achieve in order to assure quality interpreting services for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing. DRS administers and provides mentoring services through contracts with provider agencies and freelance mentors that provide services to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Mentors must be a Level V (Master of Interpreting) certified interpreter or an individual who is deaf and follow essential functions of a mentor. State office will approve Level IV (Advanced) interpreters on a case-by-case basis when mentoring is requested in a remote location where a Level V interpreter is not readily available. DRS maintains a list of mentors for availability to candidates seeking mentoring.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

Telecommunications relay services provide full telephone accessibility to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled. Specially trained Communication Assistants (CAs) complete all calls and stay on-line to relay messages either electronically over a Teletypewriter (TTY) or verbally to hearing parties.

The service, known as Relay South Dakota is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with no restrictions on the length or number of calls placed.

For more information on TRS contact a customer service representative at 1-800-642-6410.

Telecommunication Equipment Distribution Program (TEDP)

The purpose of the Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program is to provide accessible telephone services for individuals who are Deaf, Deaf-Blind, severe hearing loss, or Speech-Impaired. This is accomplished through a combination of both the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) and Equipment Distribution Program (EDP). Special equipment is available - at no cost - to enhance telephone communication. (See the listing for equipment and special options; there will be a nominal charge for special options.)

A TEDP brochure is available in PDF format (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) online at:
http://www.c-s-d.org/pdfs/tedp_sd.pdf

To be eligible for equipment:

Individuals must meet all of the following eligibility requirements before any equipment or services are provided. An individual must:

·      Be deaf, deaf/blind, severe hearing loss or have a severe speech impairment; This can be determined by a completed "Certificate of Hearing/Speech/Visual Impairment" form or other medical documentation supporting the impairment. A severe hearing loss will be considered when the hearing loss is 30dB average in the frequencies <500, 1000 and 2000> or greater in the better ear; and

·      Be a state resident; and

·      Have phone service in the home.

Telecommunication Adaptive Devices (TAD) Program

Telecommunication adaptive devices provides telecommunication device such as fully voice activated phone, main street emergency messenger telephone, picture dialing phone, large button phones and other equipment which may be need to communication through the phone lines.

To Be Eligible:

Any South Dakota resident who has a disability who is not eligible for TEDP (see above) that prevents them from using a telephone or answering a telephone in a timely manner and have phone service in his/her home.

To apply contact the communication service in your area. Go to http://www.state.sd.us/dhs/drs/IL/county-il.htm for a listing.

Recreational and Social Services

Recreational and social services are provided every week. These services include educational programs that will promote the individuals' health, economic and social aspects of their life, and socialization opportunities and enhance communication through ASL which enable the individual to participate more actively in their cultural setting.

Interpreter Certification

DRS Certifies Interpreters.

Sources:

http://www.state.sd.us/dhs/drs/deafserv/deaf.htm

http://www.state.sd.us/dhs/drs/deafserv/tad_edp.htm

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Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)

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