MAKING APPOINTMENTS

DeafLink is asking all deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers for help concerning appointments.

When you have an interpreter with you at your appointment — doesn’t matter if it is a doctor or work or any place — and you need to make another appointment in the future, have the scheduler call DeafLink for an interpreter BEFORE you leave!  Make it clear, with your interpreter’s presence, that you will not leave until they have made the call.  If they do call, then have the interpreter translate everything that is being said, to ensure that a reservation has been made.

Understand that the interpreter that you just had may not be the one chosen for the next appointment!  Hopefully, when the next one is being made, this interpreter does not assume that he or she is automatically doing the next appointment.  If you wish  to have the same interpreter from one appointment to the next, then you can inform the scheduler to make that request when they call DeafLink. 

Now, if you are at home and you are calling your doctor or someplace to make an appointment, BEFORE YOU HANG UP WITH THEM, make sure you ask this place to call DeafLink and request an interpreter.  Give them the name and number:  Jodie Pennell, Interpreter Scheduler, 260-441-0551.   The more advance notice given to Jodie, the more time she has to find an interpreter.  DeafLink understands emergencies — but we are talking about making appointments a week in advance, for example. 

A few days before your scheduled appointment, please call Jodie at the above number and see if an interpreter has been scheduled.  If “Yes”, then all is well.  If “No”, then Jodie will take all the necessary information from you, make the call to the place of appointment and remind them that an interpreter is required for the deaf consumer.  If the appointment place STILL refuses to provide an interpreter, “JJ” Johnston will be contacted to advocate for the deaf, the place of appointment will be notified ASAP, and the Department of Justice will be notified. 

SO...let’s work together and make sure that we inform our appointment places that we need an interpreter, and we need to be polite about it.  Don’t be rude.  Give them as much advance notice as possible.  Make sure you keep your interpreter WITH you when making your next appointment.

VOLUNTEER FOR LBD!

LBD has no deaf volunteers for the various services they offer to the public.  Below is a list that maybe you can help out with.  If you have other ways not listed below that you can help them with—please contact Mark Williams at 260-441-0551 (V/TTY) or 260-441-0550 (VP).

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR:

DRIVERS:  Transport consumers to LBD for scheduled support group activities on the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Thursday of every month, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

FACILITIES MAINTENANCE COORDINATOR:  Help maintain LBD’s building/property by initiating routine maintenance activities or needed repairs to help keep our facility at an optimal level of appearance and function.

OFFICE WORKERS:  Assist with office functions such as typing, mailing, filing, data entry, and answering the phone (not a switchboard).

PARENT ADVOCATE:  Work with the Youth Services Coordinator to assist parents and their children with educational advocacy at school case conferences.

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND FOLLOW-UP COORDINATOR:  Help with quality control to make sure services to our consumers are being provided by making follow-up calls.

READERS:  Record printed material by using an LBD-provided tape recorder and audiocassette tapes.  This can be done at a readers’ home.

VISION SCREENERS:  Vision screen children ages 4-5, between September and May, during the weekdays.  Training for this program is provided by an optometrist.

HELP IS JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY!

The following article is from Pat Howard, Information and Referral Coordinator with LBD (League for the Blind & Disabled):

“Recently I had the opportunity to learn more about the 911 system and how it works in Allen County, Indiana.  Did you know…

...that if you use a TTY, it will come up on their computer screen as a TTY call?  However, you will need to provide information if you are unable to hear or speak, or have other disabilities/issues that the dispatcher should know to share with the responding agency.

...that leaving the phone off the hook does not trigger an emergency call?  However, it could happen if you accidentally hit your speed dial button assigned for 911. 

...that if your land line phone has been disconnected, leaving the phone off the cradle will not go through to 911?

...that if your cell phone service has been disconnected, you can still reach 911?  (Please note TTY users, this will not currently come up on the screen as a TTY user.)

...that if you call 911 for a medical reason, and live in the city, that you will get a TRAA (Three Rivers Ambulance Authority) ambulance?  Depending on the medical problem, you may also get the Fire Department.  However, if you live in the outlying county area, an appropriate Fire Department ambulance will be dispatched.  The Fire Department will then send a Basic Life Support ambulance and usually a fire truck will respond as well.  NOTE:  All medical calls are transferred to TRAA to see if a paramedic unit is needed.  

...that when you first call 911 you are speaking with a Dispatcher who will gather the necessary information, who then alerts a second Dispatcher to contact the responding agency (fire or police)?

HOW TO CALL 911

From the moment you dial 911, your emergency response has begun.  Giving the Dispatcher the correct information, MOST IMPORTANTLY YOUR LOCATION, will enable emergency workers to respond in a timely manner.  Remember:  while one Dispatcher is communicating with you, gathering information, another Dispatcher is putting the call out on the radio to emergency personnel.  DO NOT BECOME UPSET that it is taking too long or that they are asking too many questions – keep in mind that these questions are necessary in order to provide the best course of action for your situation. 

REMAIN CALM

     If speaking, speak slowly and clearly while explaining the type of emergency you are reporting.  If typing information via a TTY, provide complete, thorough information explaining the type of emergency you are reporting.

PAY ATTENTION

     The Dispatcher will ask you questions concerning the type of emergency you are reporting.  Pay attention to the questions you are asked and provide the information needed because that is information needed that helps provide the best course of action for the situation you are reporting.  If the individual involved in the emergency is deaf or unable to speak – you need to let the Dispatcher know that.

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS

     The answers you provide will be relayed to the responding emergency personnel. 

FOLLOW

     Any instructions given to you by the 911 Dispatcher, UNLESS doing so would put yourself or others in danger. 

STAY ON THE LINE

     While the Dispatcher processes the call, you may need to provide additional information or to receive instruction from the Dispatcher. 

911 EMERGENCY

The Fort Wayne 911 Center provides service to the entire city and at times receives calls for agencies outside the city limits.  Due to the high volume of calls the center receives, it is important that only necessary calls be made on the 911 emergency line so emergency resources can be delivered in an efficient and timely manner.

WHEN TO CALL 911

·         Any crime or complaint that is in progress or has just occurred (last 15 minutes).  This should be a situation where there is a personal injury, property damage, or a conflict has or could occur.

·         A situation that starts out minor (such as a property damage accident) but then escalates and turns potentially dangerous (participants of accident start arguing, or you find out there are injuries).

·         Any time you feel that life or property is in danger due to police, fire, or medical emergency.

DO NOT CALL 911

·         For phone numbers, directions, or other general information.  These types of calls may be directed to the Police Desk, 427-1222.  This is a 24-hour service and is connected to a TTY.

·         If you discover your vehicle or property has been damaged in the past and you do not know who did it.  This report can be taken over the phone through Tele-Service,  427-1340.

This information was provided by the City of Fort Wayne Communications Department.

NOTE:  You can also click on the link below and download a copy to print off and keep by your phone: