Deaf Supports • Residential Division

WCI's Deaf Division assists Individuals with developmental disabilities, who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind. We also address medical or mental health needs as well through WCI's Clinical Supports Team, Crisis Responding and arranging and coordinating treatment with Psychiatrists and therapists. We provide Residential, Employment, Community-Based Day Supports and Day Habilitation tailored to Individuals’ needs and circumstances (See Employment/Day Habilitation/Day Supports Division).

In the 1980s, we began serving four people with sensory challenges. This Division has grown tremendously. We now serve 39 people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Deaf-Blind. They live in 12 homes or apartments and 17 of them are involved in our Employment/Day Supports Program. Six others live in their own apartments with less than 24 hour support. Our mission is to promote the hiring of Deaf staff or staff who are trained in American Sign Language so that our Individuals have people who can both communicate and support them. We ensure that our Individuals and staff have access to technology (e.g., video phones, wireless systems, flashing light systems for the fire alarm, doorbell and telephone, vibrating alarms) that supports their independence. WCI educates its Individuals and staff in Deaf culture and provides a part-time Staff Interpreter as well as contracted interpreters through MCDHH for trainings and meetings.

Within Deaf Supports, Individuals have varying needs for support. One home where people are Deaf and Blind, they require a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio due to needing sighted guidance and physical assistance for most tasks and two overnight staff (one awake and one asleep), given their medical needs and needs for physical intervention to evacuate. At the other end of the spectrum, there are two Deaf women who have owned their condominium since 1994. At one point in time, these women received 24-hour staffing; however, over time as their independence and skills greatly increased, they were able to gradually decrease the amount of staff support. The remaining 11 apartments within Deaf Supports fall somewhere in between. Most of the Individuals live with one or two housemates and have at least a 1:2 or 1:3 staff to Individual ratios.

All Individuals in Deaf Supports continue to show determination in achieving their goals, similar to those in the 24 Hour Divisions.