Our Mission: BDHHS is committed to increasing public awareness about hearing loss and promoting interaction between deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing individuals.

Description:
BDHHS provides advocacy and interpreting services for deaf and hard of hearing members of the community, and promotes interaction between those individuals and the hearing community. Awareness of protecting hearing is another important aspect. Free hearing screenings are available.

BDHHS also provides: an assistive devices demonstration center, Deaf and Hard of Hearing awareness programs, low income hearing aid assistance, hearing screenings, information and referrals, a monthly newsletter, personal assistance, sign language classes, public/private education, social activities, educational programs, a Deaf and Hard of Hearing related library, a connection for counseling services, hearing aid repair (drop-off). Plus, we are a used hearing aid drop-off location.

BDHHS has affiliations with National Association for the Deaf (NAD), Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), and Self Help for the Hard of Hearing (SHHH).

History:
In 1964, Mrs. Margaret Danowski learned that her six-year old daughter had hearing loss. This knowledge had a tremendous emotional impact upon her and her husband, mixed with self-blame, self-pity, and the realization that this was really happening to their child, and not to someone else's child. Berks Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services had its start, thanks to Mrs. Danowski and local Audiologist Dr. Grabowski, at a meeting held in March 1967, for parents of (or professionals working with) children with speech and hearing problems.

In May 1968, the organization was incorporated as a Non-Profit Agency, known as The Berks County Association for the Hearing Impaired, Inc., later to be known as Berks Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services. The group's first project was to open a pre-school for Deaf children. This occurred in September 1968, at the First Presbyterian Church in Reading, PA. The agency has grown over the years, and now has six full time and three part time employees, and has fully expanded services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing members of the community.

Contact people:

Cindy Capwell, Executive Secretary, (610) 685-4520, (email) Kandy Reyes, Executive Director, (610) 685-4520, (email)

Address:

2045 Centre Avenue Reading, PA 19605 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.bdhhs.org

Directions:

On RT 61, across from FirstEnergy Statium

Miscellaneous Information

Youth Volunteer Opportunities
	Yes