About VADB

The Virginia Association of the DeafBlind, Inc. (VADB) is a statewide, nonprofit, charitable organization that is an advocacy group for deafblind Virginians.  The mission of the organization is to ensure that all individuals who are deafblind achieve their maximum potentials through increased independence, productivity, and integration into the community.

VADB strives to promote public awareness and understanding of the needs and challenges of those who are deafblind.  Our members participate in conferences and seminars, and they serve on State committees and advisory councils to help fight for causes of interest to deafblind people.

It is estimated that over 16,000 people in Virginia have a combined loss of vision and hearing.  While some individuals are totally blind and profoundly deaf, others may be low vision and hard of hearing.  The term “deafblind” is an umbrella term for a wide variety of combined hearing and vision losses.

Communication can be a big challenge for a person with hearing and vision loss.  Communication can be by a variety of methods.  Not all deafblind people communicate the same way.  Many require individual attention to ensure effective communication.  This may require a one-on-one interpreter, which is quite costly.  Some deafblind individuals can understand speech well enough to use an audio-loop.  Others may need close-vision interpreters, and some may need tactile or “hand-over-hand” interpreters.

In addition to the need for qualified interpreters, many deafblind individuals require the services of a Support Service Provider (SSP).  An SSP is a person who acts as a sighted guide using appropriate communication techniques.  The SSP must be able to convey visual information in an effective manner, as well as orient a deafblind individual to a new environment.

As VADB strives to educate the public about the challenges faced by deafblind people, we will continue to be active in our local areas.

Donations

News/Events

Support Service Providers Needed

In addition to the need for interpreters and technology, many people who are deafblind require the services of a Support Service Provider (SSP). An SSP is a person who acts as a sighted guide and uses appropriate communication techniques. The SSP must be able to convey visual and audio information in an effective manner, and help orient the individual who is deafblind to a new environment.

VADB is currently organizing an SSP program.

Upcoming Events

2013 VADB Annual Membership Meeting:

Date:      October 12, 2013

Place:     Dept. for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI), Library & Resource Center, 395 Azalea Ave., Richmond, VA 23227

Time:     10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Cost:      FREE (Lunch provided courtesy of VA Relay Outreach Services)

Speakers:

• Elizabeth Spiers (DBVI Deafblind Services Program Director): Progress of the Virginia SSP Workgroup
• Brandon Cox (Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind): The CLB SSP Program
• Clayton Bowen (Virginia Dept. for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing): iCanConnect - The National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program

There will be elections of all Board Members (President, VP, Treasurer, Secretary and Regional Representatives).  We will also elect a VADB Member to serve on the Virginia Relay Advisory Committee.

We will have an auction of donated items to raise $ for VADB - please come bid on some items.  Donated items are also welcome, as are monetary donations.

Submit requests for interpreters and Support Service Providers by Sept. 30, 2013.  Volunteers (SSPs, lunch helpers, auction helpers) are needed to help.  Also contact us if you need more information: vadbinc@gmail.com

2013 VADB Board Meeting:

Date:      October 12, 2013 (briefly after Annual Membership Meeting)

Past Events & Meeting Minutes

For past event listings and meeting postings...

2012 Annual Meeting Minutes

Contact Us

Please contact us at:  vadbinc@gmail.com