Behavioral Health Resource Directories – 2013 version
A directory of specialized providers in Western Pennysylvania who offer behavioral health and counseling services to persons who are Deaf, DeafBlind or Hard of Hearing.
Topic of Interest
In this section we will offer a series of articles related to information about behavioral health, physical health or access to health related or social services. Our aim is to focus on subjects which we hope are timely and of interest to our viewers. If you have general themes that you think would be of interest to others, or if you wish to contribute to our website, please contact us.
Why see your primary care doctor
What is a primary care doctor? What are the benefits of having a relationship with one doctor?
Services for Pennsylvanians who are DeafBlind
Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh (BVRS) is a nonprofit agency that provides services for individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or who have other disabilities. We offer services in low vision, personal adjustment to blindness training, computer access technology, employment support services, employment opportunities project, community transition program, employment transition program, senior transition … Read more
Let's talk about Equal Access
Discrimination is illegal in Pennsylvania. Get the facts about equal opportunity from the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.
Contraception/Preventing Pregnancy
Healthbridges website offers information about self advocacy and tips for empowerment in the health care setting. Learn more about birth control options as a way of taking control of your health and your future from Christine Gannon who is from the Sexuality Program for the Deaf at Planned Parenthood in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Accessible Health Care at UPMC
If you will be a patient at a UPMC facility you may need an accommodation (including interpreters or specific assistive technology). Also, learn what to do if your request is ignored or not accepted by the health care team in the segment below.
Relay Communication Services
Relay services allow persons who are hearing to communicate with persons who are Deaf, DeafBlind or Hard of hearing very easily. Both the 711 and Video Relay Service are extremely user friendly!!
Dysfluency and Interpreters
The word dysfluency refers to an individual’s lack of fluency in their preferred language. Psychiatric reasons or neurological reasons are causes of dysfluency within the hearing population. Among persons who are Deaf, there are even more possible reasons for language processing problems. Robyn Dean from the Rochester Deaf Wellness Center presents more information on this topic.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI), is a form of acquired brain injury, that can happen when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. TBI can result when the head suddenly and violently hits an object, or when an object goes through the skull and enters brain tissue. This can lead to permanent brain damage. Be careful about your brain. Learn more about how to prevent head injury!
Your eyes are valuable!
Persons who are Deaf or Hard of hearing rely very much on their eyes. It is important to schedule yearly checkups with an eye doctor to be sure that your eyes are healthy and to be sure that you know about any early signs of eye disease. An eye doctor can screen for early signs of changes in your eyes related to diabetes or high blood pressure. They can check for signs of glaucoma or retinitis pigmentosa that can lead to visual loss. Your eyes are important! Take good care of them!