Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind Youths and Adults sits at 141 Middle Neck Road in Sands Point, NY, and it's been around since 1967, working as a nonprofit that focuses on supporting people who are deafblind, which means they have combined vision and hearing loss, and the center helps people live and work in their communities-there are about 51 to 200 staff members, and you'll find a lot of programs that have been shaped over the years to make things easier for folks of all ages, with on-campus residential services for those who need a place to stay while they get training, plus all sorts of community programs and regional offices spread out across the country, so there's support wherever people are living. The place is known for its adaptive technology and orientation and mobility training, and it's got a Technology, Research and Innovation Center right on site, plus a big Resource Center that lets people get online learning tools and useful publications whenever they need, and people even get help with things like employment, housing, and finding local resources in their home states, whether they're looking for a job or learning new skills to be more independent.
There's a lot that goes on to help folks adjust and thrive, including evaluation, short-term vocational training, assistive technology, communications and creative arts, independent living help, medical and mental health services, and programs for both youth and adults-staffers make sure to set up personalized plans for each person, so nobody gets a cookie-cutter approach, and youth services coordinators step in to support young people as they move toward work or more school. For those who can't come in person, virtual services and online training let them get help right in their own homes, and the regional network gives access to consultation, advocacy, training, and assessment across many different parts of the U.S., with special programs for DeafBlind Immersion Experiences and events like DeafBlind Awareness Week.
Educators and service providers can use the professional seminars and training run by the Professional Learning Department, and families get monthly opportunities to learn through community programs and online resources, plus technical assistance for state deafblind projects. The HKNC website has information on deafblindness itself and resources like the National Child Count, as well as news on national projects involving identification, referral, family engagement, and the transition from youth to adulthood, and there's a national registry for research and advocacy. The Community Services Program in the NY metro area supports independent living through support and training, and field services reach people through 12 regional offices focusing on everything from vocational training to advocacy and job placement, and the center makes sure to keep up partnerships across agencies to help people get what they need, whether that's help finding a job, understanding new technology, or learning to travel safely. Programs focus on practical help like adaptive tech training, audiology, low vision care, communication, mental health, creative arts, and all kinds of independent living support, so people with both hearing and vision loss get a better chance to work, study, and enjoy their lives, whether they're in New York or another state.
