Centre for DeafBlind Persons
Address:
The Karten CTEC Centre
Helen Keller House,
13 Yad Lebanim Ave.,
Tel Aviv
Israel
Mailing address: P.O.B. 9259, Tel Aviv 61092 Israel
Centre Head:
Mr. Chaim Fuchs, Executive Director
Elias Kabakov, Professional Director
Phone number:
+972-3-631-6361
Email:
Website:
Host organisation name:
Beth David Institute – Center for Deaf-Blind Persons
Date centre established:
September 2007
Focus of Centre:
• Assessment of each individual’s unique needs and abilities, and of the adaptive equipment necessary to match those needs and to enable each individual to reach their full potential.
• Training in the use of equipment and software – with an emphasis on life skills and independence.
• Individual programs for the development of alternative communication methods and skills.
• Preparation for, referral to, and assistance in integrating into the workforce.
• Resources for professionals in the field, focusing on providing them with the opportunity to learn about current technology and its potential benefits for deaf-blind people.
• Services for students in the periphery.
Access to all of the programs, services and activities of the Center for Deaf-Blind Persons.
The Clients
Our clients are deaf-blind, meaning that they have a combination of visual and hearing impairments. The leading cause of deaf-blindness in Israel is Usher Syndrome, a genetic condition involving both deafness (from birth) and the progressive loss of vision throughout life.
The students typically take a course of study which is composed of 33 classes. Each client studies at their own pace, so while one might finish in a few months others could take a year.
The Technology
Teaching Computer Stations and portable units for use both in and out of the Center, Braille displays, CCTV’s and special keyboards for deaf or hard of hearing people who are visually impaired.
Assistive Technology
Assistive technology includes software such as Zoomtext, which enlarges the text displayed on the computer monitor, and Oovoo, which interfaces with an internet camera so that clients can communicate by sign language over the internet. Another program, which we recently began to offer, is the graphics program Photoshop. Four or five students with residual vision, who have mastered the programs we teach, asked to go on and learn a more complex program. They still have sufficient residual vision to be employed using Photoshop or to simply enjoy using the program in their leisure time. Several of them specifically requested Photoshop, and as we fortunately have a teacher who knows it well enough to teach we purchased a few licenses.
Staffing
The staff members, all of whom are part time, include: 9 teachers, a Centre coordinator, a secretary, a Social Worker and our Professional Director.
Opening hours:
At least four hours a day, most days of the week.
Services on offer to the network
We would be happy to provide a tour of our facilities to representatives from other Centres. We are also happy to share our professional experience and programs with other Centres.
Partnership
We cooperate with all relevant organizations to combine resources for the benefit of the deaf-blind population of Israel. However, because of their dual disability, which is one of the most difficult disabilities known in the professional world, deaf-blind people can only minimally benefit directly from services offered by organizations for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, or from those for blind or visually impaired people. The Center for Deaf-Blind Persons is the only organization in Israel that specifically serves the unique needs of this population, which is both hearing and visually impaired.
Any other information
The Center’s focus is on using and adapting modern technology to help these individuals reach their full potential in all spheres of life. We aim to improve their quality of life, decrease their dependence on state subsidies and assistance from their families and communities, and increase their independence through adaptive computer technology. This in turn helps them to communicate and increases their access to information, social contact and education. They can then benefit, as well, from various aspects of life that hearing-sighted people take for granted.
External professional Evaluation
2009
The Director of the Ministry of Welfare decided in 2009 to choose one program in each field that the Ministry works in and to conduct an in depth examination of that program. Our Karten CTEC was singled out for this honor and we were proud to participate in the evaluation, which was conducted by the Ministry of Welfare together with a non governmental partner. They constructed a questionnaire, met with our staff numerous times and were very impressed by the services we provide.
Ministry of Welfare Evaluation of CDB Karten Center
2008
As part of our continued efforts to improve our programs and services, in 2008 we hired an external, professional evaluator to examine the Karten CTEC Centre and to interview the students and staff. For this task we chose The Trump Institute for Continuing Education in Developmental Disabilities which is based in Beit Issie Shapira. The Trump Institute is one of the most respected organizations in this field in Israel. Dr. Hozmi, director of The Trump Institute, personally conducted the evaluation. We are proud to report that the results of his evaluation were highly positive.
Hozmi evaluation of CDB Karten Center
Host organisation
Beth David Institute
www.cdb.org.il