The Center On Deafness

SIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES WILL RESUME ON JULY 13, 2021

IN PERSON CLASSES HAVE RESUMED FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL CHILDREN. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL REMAIN VIRTUAL AT THIS TIME.

Welcome

Center on Deafness, a not-for-profit Illinois corporation, began serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community over thirty years ago. Our mission is to serve children and adults who have hearing impairments with additional disabilities, such as mental illness or developmental disabilities. We are one of a few organizations in the country that serves the deaf and hard of hearing population who have additional disabilities. Since it's inception, the Center has had as its purpose, the treatment and rehabilitation of clients who may return to the community or be integrated into the community with assistance. Residential services for adults are located in the community, residing in apartments, townhouses and/or homes to create a less restrictive and more normal environment. Experienced staff, trained in the area of deafness and fluent in the use of sign language, provide treatment, life skills training, and vocational and social skills training to clients. Certified and licensed social workers and/or counselors, nurse, vocational and educational staff are part of the team that provides service to our clients.

The Center on Deafness is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education and certified by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO), the Illinois Department of Human Services and is an Illinois Licensed Medicaid Provider. The Center is also approved by various other states within the United States to serve clients.

Over the many years that the Center on Deafness has been in operation, hundreds of adults and students have been served and returned to the community and regular school programs. Numerous adult clients have been moved from state hospital programs and with support live in the community and have secured employment. The Center has established itself as a unique facility for the deaf and hard of hearing population with the ability to design and implement individualized programs to meet the specific needs of this very challenged population.

Centerview Therapeutic School is dedicated to serving students under 21 years of age, who are deaf and/or hard of hearing, in a supportive and highly structured academic environment. Students are given the opportunity to participate in individual therapy, as well as group sessions.

The Center provides Vocational Services for adults and operates a Sheltered Workshop. The goal of the Sheltered Workshop is to provide opportunities for clients to be personally productive and develop vocational skills and improve self-esteem. Several of our workshop's clients have secured employment in the community.

Our residential program provides a home-like environment for adults. Residences are integrated in the community, apartment, and townhouse settings. Staff provide training in independent living skills and social interaction. The adult residences include Community Living Arrangements (CILA) for adults with developmental disabilities and supervised living for those adults who have mental illness. All residences are open 365 days a year.

Sign Language Classes bridge the communication gap between the deaf community and the hearing community. Classes range from Beginners Level through Intermediate and Advanced. Family classes and instruction for children are provided in the summer.

Our Mission

The Center on Deafness is dedicated to serving children and adults who are deaf or hearing impaired with accompanying developmental delay and/or mental illness to reach their highest potential by providing educational, vocational, mental health, and residential services in therapeutic, community-based environments.

Our Values