Proposal Presented for the Master Plan For Aging (#128)
Disclaimer
Throughout the MPA process, more than 100 proposals were developed thanks in particular to thousands of hours of work by external stakeholders and members of the public. These proposals and the MPA Council commentary are being submitted to the Governor and shared with policymakers and the public to inform policymaking. These proposals represent a starting point for discussion. Further discussion is necessary between relevant state agencies and stakeholders to both refine these proposals and assess which may be appropriate to adopt and implement.
Summary
Multi-level approach to improving communication access for Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing New Yorkers who are receiving direct care and/or residing in assisted living facilities, nursing homes, or memory care facilities.
Justification
Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing New Yorkers are frequently and severely isolated from peers, staff, and family members by lack of access to effective communication (American Sign Language interpretation, live transcripts, hearing technology, tactile sign language etc). New York has Tanya Towers in NYC for OMH-specific Deaf, DeafBlind people and HCR recently built a Deaf-focused housing complex in Rochester. The Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities have called for more housing in this model to serve their population and to improve communication access across the state with training and “how-to” materials provided.
Full Proposal
The inability to obtain effective communication isolates Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing people from those around them. Isolation causes significant health deterioration in people and makes for a miserable experience for many. Other states have developed Deaf and DeafBlind specific wings of nursing homes in order to facilitate peer to peer communication and centralize staff who are able to communicate to these community members either through their own skills, proficient usage of Video Relay Interpreting (VRI), live transcription, and/or other effective communication approaches. The residents of Tanya Towers in NYC and the Deaf-focused housing complex in Rochester have shown improved health outcomes and there is more demand than there are spaces within these places. The Office of the Chief Disability Officer and the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Office can create effective communication guides. NYSOFA can coordinate with these offices to provide resources and training to elder care facilities on how to effectively communicate with Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing New Yorkers. HCR and NYSOFA can work to build and modify homes to be more accessible to Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing people.
MPA Council Commentary
This proposal contains near-term and long-term components. NYSOFA, the Office of the Chief Disability Officer,the Deaf, DeafBlind and Heard of Hearing Office, and DOH could coordinate to develop and distribute resources and training materials. Any funding needed to develop and distribute training materials or to directly support the building and modification of homes would be evaluated in the context of the annual budget process and subject to the availability of resources.