Hearing and Vision
To see an alphabetical list of all our resources click here
American Sign Language Classes
Did you know that you can take sign language classes on line? Check out this link from Gallaudet University https://www.gallaudet.edu/asl-connect
You can even start with basic ASL for Free https://www.gallaudet.edu/asl-connect/asl-for-free/asl-by-topic
Or you can subscribe to their Youtube account to stay updated with upcoming ASL vocabulary videos!
American Society for Deaf Children
Has lots of useful information, resources and more options for sign langauge classes and even provides them for free to their members. https://deafchildren.org/
Connections Beyond Sight and Sound (CBSS)
Is a project designed to meet the unique needs of children and youth with both vision and hearing impairments.
• CBSS serves any parent, family member, or care provider of a child with dual sensory impairment age birth through 21 who lives in Maryland or DC, or any school personnel involved in providing service to such a child.
• CBSS plans activities and provides technical assistance and training based on student, family and service provider needs.
http://marylanddb.org/ Tel: 301-405-0482
Maryland Centers for Independent Living
Centers for Independent Living teach skills of independence, advocacy training and offer technology resources. Each Center provides a mix of services dependent on community needs. Please check for the center that works with your county and contact them for more information.
- For Anne Arundel & Howard Counties:
Accessible Resources for Independence, Inc.
Katie Collins-Ihrke, Executive Director
Email: kihrke@arinow.org
1406-B Crain Hwy South, Suite 206
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
Phone: 443-713-3914
Fax: 443-713-3909
https://arinow.org/
https://www.facebook.com/AccessibleResourcesforIndependence/ - For Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, Worchester Counties:
Bay Area Center for Independent Living (BACIL)
Katherine Jones – Executive Director
Email: kjones@bayareacil.org
31516 Winterplace Parkway, Suite 100
Salisbury, MD 21804
Phone: 443-260-0822
Fax: 443-260-0833
http://bayareacil.org/
https://www.facebook.com/BayAreaCIL/ - For Montgomery & Prince George’s Counties:
Independence Now, Inc.
Sarah Sorensen, Executive Director
Email:ssorensen@innow.org
12301 Old Columbia Pike, Suite 101
Silver Spring, MD 20904
Phone: 240-898-2183
Fax: 301-625-9777
https://www.innow.org/
https://www.facebook.com/InNowOrg/?rf=161719140522454 - For Allegany, Garrett & Washington Counties:
Resources for Independence, Inc.
Lori Magruder, Executive Director
Email: lmagruder@rficil.org
735 East Oldtown Rd
Cumberland, MD 21502
Phone: 301-784-1774
Fax: 301-784-1776
https://rficil.org/
https://www.facebook.com/Resources-for-Independence-inc-211242995554679/ - For Calvert, Charles & St. Mary’s Counties:
Southern Maryland Center for Independent Living
Lidiya Belyovska, Executive Director
Email:LBelyovaska@smcil.org
38588 Brett Way, Suite 1
Mechanicsville, MD 20659
Fax: 301-884-6099
Phone: 301-884-4498
https://www.smcil.org/
https://www.facebook.com/SMCIL-1666139436962807/ - For Carroll & Frederick Counties
The Freedom Center, Inc.
550 Highland St., Suite 150
Frederick, MD 21701
Phone: 301-846-7811
Fax: 301-846-9070
https://thefreedomcenter-md.org/
https://www.facebook.com/The-Freedom-Center-390196474380232/ - For Baltimore City, Baltimore & Harford Counties:
The Image Center of Maryland
Michael Bullis, Executive Director
Email:mbullis@imagemd.org
300 East. Joppa Road, Suite 312
Towson Maryland 21286
Phone: 410-982-6311
Fax: 410-372-4037
https://imagemd.org/
https://www.facebook.com/theimagecenter/
Maryland Relay
If you, or a loved one, have difficulty using a standard telephone, Maryland Relay makes it easy to place and received calls. Maryland Relay services are available free. You are responsible for paying your monthly telephone bill to your chosen service provider. Long distance rates may apply.
Get the telecommunications equipment needed to independently make and receive phone calls. The Maryland Accessible Telecommunications (MAT) program, a service of Maryland Relay, offers a wide variety of solutions and tools – from amplified phones to Braille TTY’s – to support day-to-day communications. The MAT program has a solution for virtually anyone who has difficulty using a standard telephone – they can even custom-create a solution for you.
Please visit https://doit.maryland.gov/mdrelay/Pages/default.aspx for more info or call 800-552-7724 or 410-767-6960
Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (MD-LBPD)
Provides free library services for people who are unable to read standard print because of a visual, physical, or reading disability. MD-LBPD offers books and magazines the way you want them: in braille or audio formats, mailed to your door for free, or instantly downloadable. Their talking-book players feature large buttons, braille letters beside the controls, a sleep timer, and built-in audio instructions. The BARD Mobile app allows users to quickly and easily download audiobooks directly to iOS and Android devices. To receive an application for service, call 410-230-2443,
email reference.desk@maryland.gov, or visit our website at https://www.marylandlibraries.org/Pages/Maryland-Library-for-the-Blind-and-Print-Disabled.aspx
Maryland Technology Assistance Program (MDTAP)
The Maryland Technology Assistance Program (MDTAP) is a program run by the Maryland Department of Disabilities. Their mission is to enhance the lives of all Marylanders with disabilities, older Marylanders, and their families by helping support access to assistive technology (AT) devices through AT demonstrations, device loans, trainings, and financing. https://mdod.maryland.gov/mdtap/Pages/MDTAP-Home.aspx
U.S Currency Reader Program
Blind and visually impaired citizens and legal residents are eligible to receive a currency reader at no cost. The iBill works in Vibration, Tone or Speech mode. To learn more and print out application click here: https://www.bep.gov/maprogrambackground.html