The Centre for Deaf Blind Persons in Israel was founded in 1989
to serve approximately 800 persons with deaf-blindness who live throughout
the country.A large part of this population has Usher Syndrome. Today we
offer a wide and varied spectrum of services.
Israel is a country of new immigrants and our special "Ulpan" programs
to teach the Hebrew language both using Israeli Sign Language and in the
written language is offered to newcomers from different parts of the world.
The program is based in a cultural context to help in their assimilation.
In addition, we offer a Learning Centre that contains various computer
adaptations and the teaching of independent living skills both for the
deaf-blind and deaf-visually-impaired clients.There is an active social
club which is attended by deaf blind persons from all over the country.
A committee of deaf-blind persons is elected by the deaf-blind club members
annually. in the weekly club meeting, we provide door to door transportation
to those who are unable to come on their own. The activities at the club
include various types of workshops (ceramics, judo, dance), presentations
of various sorts, sports equipment, activities like sea sailing with specially
trained guides, and more. At least once a year, the social club arranges
a trip for 34 days to a different part of the country.
The club members are very interested in travelling abroad and we are
presently investigating this possibility.
A new development this past year has been the creation of support groups
One group is composed of young deaf-blind adults and another of parents
of deaf-blind youth. In addition, a counsellors and clinical social workers
are available when the need arises. There are various people who are involved
with the Centre for Deaf-Blind Persons, both as staff members and as volunteers
to help provide employment and study opportunities, interpreter services
and volunteer help at home. The permanent staff consists of: The founder
and director of the centre: Elias Kabakov,3 social workers, 3 teachers,volunteers,
students
The Centre for Deaf-Blind Persons is open daily year round. It is closed
for a period of two weeks at the end of August.