CAP (Community Access Program)

CHS London is a member of the Community Access Program (CAP). We have two computers and 1 printer that the public can use for internet access, word processing, etc.

The CAP computers are available:

CONNECT Counselling Service

Providing Mental Health and Wellness services to deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing consumers, their families and friends.

• Direct Service – support, education, advocacy and counselling
• Outreach to consumers and community service providers through workshops, presentations, displays and community meetings
• Consultation and Partnerships with Mainstream and Specialized Service Providers

Employment Services

Specialized Employment Resources serving Deaf, Deafened and Hard of Hearing Consumers, as well as providing support to employers.

• Career Planning
• Employment Literacy
• Resume Services
• Assistance in completing forms
• Interview Skills
• Back to Work Plan
• Job Placement
• Job Maintenance and Advocacy
• Finding the Hidden Job Market
• Communication and Devices Education
• Referral and Information Services

General Support Services

Providing services to support deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people 16 years and older.

• Special Assistance
• Short-Term Intervention
• Case Management
• Supportive Counselling
• Restoration
• Referral Service

Hearing Care Counselling Program

Assisting people 55 years and older to stay connected with:

• Favourite activities
• Family and friends by improving communication
• Personal safety at home or residence by ensuring independence

How do we help?

We conduct home visits to provide supportive counselling and information related to coping with hearing loss – managing difficult situations, use, care and maintenance of hearing aids and understanding your hearing loss.

We provide education and training to consumers, family members, caregivers and the general public.

We demonstrate and recommend communication/safety alerting devices.

Hearing Help Classes

For people with acquired hearing loss 55 years of age and older, their families and caregivers.

Hearing Help Classes provide the opportunity to learn valuable skills. You will broaden your knowledge of communication and develop new coping skills that will enable you to deal successfully with the challenges of living with a hearing loss. Classes are offered throughout the year over a period of eight weeks.

Level 1: Help for Hearing Aid Users

• Introduction to Speechreading
• Information on Hearing Loss
• Hearing Aid Use
• Technical Information on Devices
• Communication Strategies

Level 2: Coping with Hearing Loss

• Coping in Difficult Listening Situations
• Problem Solving
• Assertiveness
• Stress Management
• Speechreading Practice

Ontario Interpreting Services (OIS)

Ontario Interpreting Services (OIS) provides American Sign Language - English Language Interpreting services to Deaf and hearing individuals. Interpreting services are provided for essential services such as legal, medical, counseling, mental health, employment and business related matters.

OIS Interpreters are required to have professional training and pass a competency test. They adhere to a professional code of conduct and ethics that ensures accuracy, confidentiality and impartiality.

Interpreting services can be requested through email at oislondon@chs.ca or by contacting our office (http://www.chs.ca/offices/london/contactus.html).  Please include the location, date, time and expected duration of appointment, names of those attending, and a brief description of the appointment.

OIS After-Hours Emergency Interpreter Services

This service provides one central access point for obtaining sign language interpreter services for health and mental health emergencies.

TTY: 1-866-831-4657

Telephone: 1-866-256-5142

Email: OIS@answerplus.ca

• Call one of these toll-free numbers if you or one of your family members is experiencing a health, mental health or child welfare emergency and need a sign language interpreter.
• This service is provided weeknights between 5pm and 9am and 24 hours a day on weekends and holidays.
• Call for an interpreter if you are going to the hospital,  after-hours clinic or a crisis centre.
• Call for an interpreter if CAS has come to your home.
• A Customer Service Representative (CSR) will answer your call. The CSR will ask you for some information about the nature of your emergency and then contact the interpreter. If an interpreter is available he or she will meet you within an hour.

We cannot guarantee that interpreters will be available in every region across the province but we will do our best to respond to your needs.
This service is provided by the Ontario Interpreting Services Program of The Canadian Hearing Society and funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.

For more information about this program visit http://www.chs.ca/services/afterhour/afterhour.html

Sign Language Services

Teaching American Sign Language in group and one-on-one classes and training Deaf individuals to become sign language instructors.

• ASL Courses: Level 1, 2, 3
• Contact London Regional Office for more information

Teaching American Sign Language in group and one-on-one classes in partnership with Fanshawe College.

ASL Courses: Level 1, 2, 3

For more information contact Fanshawe College Continuing Education at:

Phone- 519-452-4444

Email- ce@fanshawec.ca

Web- www.fanshawec.ca/CE

Communication Devices Program

CHS London now has a fully operational Communication Device Showroom with many of our more popular devices on display. For more information or to book an appointment, please contact our Communication Device Specialist at TTY: 519-667-3323, or Ph.: 519 667-3325 or email at dvandaele@.chs.ca.

Selling a full range of assistive devices which promote better communication, access and enhanced independence including:

• TTYs/Amplified Phones
• Alerting/signalling devices
• FM systems
• Amplification systems

Special Projects

CHS London offers a variety of special projects. For more information on any of the projects listed below, please contact CHS.

• “Hear Together” Youth Conference
• Tinnitus Support Group
• Job Connection Workshop
• “Support and Advocacy Hear” (SAAH) Group