FAMILY CENTER ON DEAFNESS

The program office operates from its primary site at 6886 102^nd Avenue, Pinellas Park, FL each weekday that the facility on the property where it is housed is open.  Staff members work from alternate locations when Cross Bayou Elementary is closed and remain accessible by telephone, text message and email. 

FCD’s primary service sites are accessible to public transportation, within walking distance of a main bus line.  The program often arranges transportation between sites for students and provides rides for field trips, community service projects, and special events.  The same is true for parents who are unable to ride by bus or taxi at night with children to attend parenting activities.  Staff and volunteers transport teens and youth to and from FCD events when it is the determining factor in their participation and assist in arranging car pools for participants too young to travel alone on public transportation.

The FCD does comply with all requirements set forth in the ADA.  All program activities occur in facilities accessible to individuals with disabilities.  Communication devices such as videophones and TTYs are available to clients on site, with text messaging or videophones available for use by employees.  Sign and foreign language interpreters are used for staff and participants whenever needed.  Major forms and written correspondences to non-English speaking families are often presented in translated format.

Although no licenses or permits are required to operate its programs, the FCD has been granted membership since 2005 in the Florida Deaf Service Center Association.  This demonstrates the program’s unique ability to meet recognized professional standards for serving individuals with hearing losses and their families.