Staff in the Deaf Services Department at AIM provide services to the deaf and hard of hearing communities in education, advocacy, rights under the Americans With Disabilities Act, and information and referral. They work to develop communication policies and procedures for agencies and organizations; offer workshops on deaf culture to diverse groups and organizations; provide training on technical assistive equipment; provide assistance in applying for low cost or no cost purchases of equipment; and act as a resource and support for parents of deaf and hard of hearing children for education options, sign language instruction, advocacy, information and referral.
Also provided is peer counseling, a current list of local qualified interpreters and referral services, information on how to contract with an interpreter, and information and training on TTY text telephone and Relay Service usage.
A loan closet library at the AIM Elmira satellite office in the Deaf Services Department includes books on American Sign Language, coping with hearing loss, deaf culture, education, interpreting, legal rights, and parent resources. Also for loan are video tapes for children and adults in American Sign Language and Deaf Culture as well as deaf newspapers and newsletters and children's books.
Short term loans of assistive equipment including door knockers and alarm clocks, phone flashers, closed caption decoders, text telephones and ADA Guest Room Kits are available.
For information on hiring an American Sign Language Interpreter or to attend a Deaf Support Group, please contact David Bailey at dbailey@aimcil.com, phone 607-733-3718 or call Kelley Crocker at kcrocker@aimcil.com, TTY 607-733-7764 or New York Relay 711.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Deaf Services
Who can attend the Deaf Support Group meetings?
Anyone deaf or hearing impaired is welcome to attend.
There will be a voice and sign
language interpreter present and no-one will be left out.
Can AIM Deaf Services find me a job?
No. You will be referred to VESID.
(click here to visit the VESID page).
Can AIM fix my video phone?
Generally, no. You need to contact the company who owns the video phone. You can
come to the Deaf Services office at 650 Baldwin Street in the City of Elmira,
by appointment (call TTY 607-733-7764) and use AIM's video phone. You can also
contact us by email:
dbailey@aimcil.com
kcrocker@aimcil.com
emorseman@aimcil.com
Sometimes I don't the understand letters I get in the mail.
Can AIM help me explain what it means in the letter.
Yes. Contact us for an appointment.
Will AIM staff show up for me in court or at a school CSE
meeting or any other meeting?
Yes. AIM staff will come with you as your advocate. You, as an adult or as a parent,
still have the power to make decisions.
Can AIM help pay my rent or bills?
No. We do not give out money.
To find out more about AIM's services and programs for the deaf and hard of hearing and/or to schedule an appointment, meeting or presentation, please TTY the Deaf Services Staff at 607/733-7764, or use New York Relay, by dialing 711.
Click here to access our Deaf Directory
