Community Education
Information, recommendations, community education, and solutions are offered to private and public agencies, professional organizations, businesses, and individuals. Topics include Hearing Loss Sensitivity, Effective Communication, Assistive Technology, Overview of New Mexico Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Telecommunication Equipment Distribution Program. All presentations are provided at no cost.
For more information or to schedule a presentation, contact our Community Education Specialist, Roger Robb, at Roger.Robb@cdhh.nm.gov.
Presentations available are listed below, and custom training is offered when requested.
911/First responders Training
The 911 Training is designed for 911/First responders to be more “Deaf-friendly” and understand the kind of equipment and technology Deaf or Hard of Hearing people use to communicate and function in a hearing world.
Participants will:
- Understand what is appropriate or inappropriate when communicating with a Deaf person.
- Hear anecdotes from a Deaf presenter.
- Understand what type of equipment is available.
- Learn what apps are available to download.
Americans with Disabilities Act Overview
The Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted in 1990. The law protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination. The training is designed to briefly explain the four titles of the ADA and provide examples of reasonable and unreasonable accommodations.
Participants will:
- Understand ADA of 1990
- Understand ADA Definitions
- Identify Reasonable Accommodations
- Identify ADA Titles
- Identify a resource for further information
ADA Title II: State & Local Government
The Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted in 1990. Title II of the ADA applies to all public entities. Public entities include all state and local government services and programs as well as transportation. The training is designed to provide specific information to public entities regarding their requirements, how individuals with hearing loss are covered and the agency responsible for consumer complaints.
Participants will:
- Identify public entities
- Understand public entity requirements
- Understand program access requirements
- Identify effective communication requirements
ADA Title III: Public Accomodations
The Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted in 1990. Title III of the ADA applies to public accommodations where the public receives services such as medical, legal (firms), stage/movie theaters, etc. The training is designed to provide specific information regarding their requirements, how individuals with hearing loss are covered.
Participants will:
- Identify public entities and requirements
- Understand program access requirements
- Identify effective communication requirements
Deaf Self-Advocacy Training
The Deaf Self-Advocacy Training is devoted to teaching Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind individuals to self-advocate for effective interpreting services. The content of the curriculum includes concepts of self-esteem and self-determination, the law, ethics of working with interpreters, video relay interpreting, preparing for self-advocacy, and how to effectively tap resources. There are 7 modules in the training.
- Module 1 – Advocating for Yourself and Others
- Module 2 – Self-Esteem & Self Determination
- Module 3 – Working with Interpreters
- Module 4 – Ethics of Working with Interpreters
- Module 5 – Interpreting Services Using Video Technology
- Module 6 – Preparing for Self-Advocacy
- Module 7 – Utilizing Resources for Action
Effective Communication
Our objective is help participants become more effective communicators when interacting with an individual who has hearing loss. We also want to educate and empower individuals with hearing loss to effectively share their communication styles.
Participants will:
- Understand the varying degrees of hearing loss
- Identify common communication barriers
- Identify who you can effectively communicate with
- Identify assistive equipment for telephone use
- Identify resources and services available for day to day
Emergency Preparedness
Most of us are not well prepared to handle a disaster. This training provides tools to help you be better prepared in case a disaster strikes.
Participants will learn:
- About different types of disasters
- What we can do to prepare ourselves in advance
- What we need to do afterwards
Hearing Loss Awareness
When an individual has hearing loss they are not given a manual that explains how to adapt. In turn those without hearing loss are not given a manual on how to work with individuals who have hearing loss. Our objective is to help participants understand the causes, types and degrees of hearing loss. We want to educate those with and without hearing loss about the effects of hearing loss and provide participants with a real life experience when they take an unfair hearing test.
Participants will:
- Understand the basics of hearing loss
- Identify common signs of hearing loss
- Understand and utilize People First Language
- Identify barriers faced by individuals with hearing loss
Hearing Loss Sensitivity
Our objective is to help participants become culturally sensitive when it comes to working with people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Late Deafened.
Participants will:
- Understand the basics of Deaf culture
- Learn tips for effectively communicating with people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
- Learn what technologies are available for people with hearing loss
New Mexico Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Overview
The New Mexico Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing is a dynamic resource for individuals with hearing loss. Our agency strives to provide innovative programs and services.
The training is designed to give an in-depth look at the programs and services we offer.
The information will enhance the participants understanding of the resources available for individuals with hearing loss.
Participants will:
- Identify NMCDHH locations
- Understand what population NMCDHH is equipped to serve
- Identify NMCDHH as resource for you, your family, friends and clients