Community Center for the Deaf (CCD)

The Mission of the CCD is to serve as an "independent provider of supportive services, and as an advocate for Deaf rights enabling the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to have full access to opportunities for self-filling lives." The CCD  provides interpreting, C-Print, case management, job coaching, and advocacy services for deaf and hard of hearing individuals.  The Center also promotes the use of American Sign Language by offering sign language classes. The Community Center for the deaf sells and services Assistive Listening Devices for deaf and hard of hearing individuals.

Geographically, the Youngstown CCD provides services in eastern Ohio,   serving the following counties; Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana, Jefferson, Belmont, Guernsey, Noble, Monroe and parts of Washington counties.

The CCD is also a member of the Alliance of Community Centers for the Deaf www.oaccd.org a 501 c 3 organization that provides administrative support, funding, deaf leadership training and coordination of Alliance activities with other deaf initiatives in the State of Ohio.

Services

TTY (Teletypewriter for the Deaf)
Alarm Clock Flasher/Vibrator
Doorbell Flashers
Baby Cry Alert
Vibrator Pager and System
Video Phones

If you would like more information on our Assistive Listening Devices please.  Contact Vera Witkowski  vwitkowski@yohsc.com,  Becky Somnitz  bsomnitz@yohsc.com or Josiah Murphy jmurphy@yohsc.com

Job coaching and job placement are services the CCD provides in cooperation with the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation. The CCD provides job coaches to assist the deaf and their employers to assimilate into new employment opportunities. The job coach can work with the deaf employee/employer for up to six (6) months. The goal is to achieve a successful and long-term employment placement. The job placement specialist will assist the deaf in finding suitable employment.

Community resources are available on a variety of topics related to deafness. The CCD library is open to the public and includes magazines, books, videos and other items for the deaf and hard of hearing to review.

Interpreting Services are provided for area hospitals, doctors, courts, police, employers, and human service providers as well as for private family functions. Interpreters are provided at no charge for funeral services. The Youngstown/Steubenville CCD is the largest provider of interpreting services in Eastern Ohio. Emergency interpreting services are available 24 hours a day. The CCD always attempts to assign interpreters who are qualified and have appropriate credentials or professional experience. Our interpreters are required to follow a strict code of ethics, which demands, among other professional standards, confidentiality of all assignment information.

To schedule an interpreter please fill out and email the Interpreter Request Form. Please read Scheduling an Interpreter if you have never requested an interpreter.

Emergency Interpreting Services

In Youngstown to request an interpreter for an emergency situation from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm call 330-726-8391
To request an interpreter for an emergency situation from 5:00 pm. until 8:00 am. call Help Hotline at 330-747-2696

In Steubenville to request an interpreter for an emergency situation from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm call 740-282-5391
To request an interpreter for an emergency situation from 5:00 pm. until 8:00 am. call Help Hotline at 330-747-2696

Scheduling an Interpreter

1. The Youngstown/Steubenville CCD supports and actively promotes consumer-informed choice in the assignment of interpreting services. When making a request for an interpreter, you may request a preferred interpreter. We make every reasonable effort to call and confirm each request.
   
   
   
2. It is the Policy of the CCD that the requesting organization is responsible for payment of interpreting services. We do not charge a Deaf person for interpreting services. The federal government allows individuals and organizations to take a business related expense for interpreting services payments.
   
   
3. Listed are the steps for scheduling an interpreter:
   

   1. The Deaf person first needs to request the services of an interpreter from the requesting organization and/or service provider. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), once a Deaf person requests an interpreter, it is the responsibility of the requesting organization and/or service provider to arrange and provide an interpreter. Deaf clients and/or patients are not to make the arrangements for interpreting services.
      
      
   2. An authorized representative from the requesting organization and/or service provider then calls or emails the CCD to arrange for the interpreting services. If a call is made, member of the CCD staff will ask for pertinent information such as date, time and location of the interpreting assignment, along with the name of the Deaf person needing the service. In order to guarantee interpreting services, all requests need to be made one week prior to the requested service date. If an interpreting request is made less than a week prior to the requested service date, a reasonable attempts will be made to arrange for an interpreter, but an interpreter may not be secured.
      
      
   3. If it is the first time an organization has requested an interpreter, a copy of the request form will be faxed to the organization for signing. Signing of the interpreter request acknowledges that the requesting organization is aware of the fee for the interpreting services. When the signed interpreter request form is faxed back to the CCD, interpreting services will be arranged.
      
      
   4. Once the request for interpreting services has been made, an interpreter will be assigned and sent to the location where the services needed. Unless requested and/ or a scheduling problem occurs, no call will be made back to the requesting organization and/or service provider.