There are a range of state supports available to deaf or hard of hearing people - here is just a brief run-through:
1.There are
grants available to employers in order to make the workplace more accessible to deaf and hard of hearing staff - this could extend to Voice synthesisers for computers or amplifiers for telephones, for example. :
2. FAS also provides a
job interview interpreter grant to prospective employees, to provide interpreter services - useful if you are going for interviews, etc. .
3. [broken link removed]. More information on this is available on the Revenue Commissioners website.
4. [broken link removed]:
Loop counter systems are also installed in a number of tax offices and social welfare offices to assist deaf and hard of hearing clients. Again, more information is available on the Revenue website and on the DSFA site. DSFA have an e-mail address for welfare enquiries (
info@welfare.ie).
I believe that STEP (scheme to give deaf people cost equality when using text telephone) is a scheme you might be interested in. It gives a rebate of up to 70% of the cost of phone calls on your bill if you use a text phone. Details are available from National Association for Deaf People (01) 872 3800 (e-mail:
nad@iol.ie)
The
Citizens Information Call Centre operate a text phone service, a video phone service, a Live Advisor service and an e-mail for deaf and hard of hearing people. This service providing confidential information in on all manner of your rights and entitlements - here are the contact details:
[broken link removed].
Video Phone Service: you can e-mail (
information@comhairle.ie) to book an appointment by videophone with an ISL interpreter and ask questions about your rights and entitlements.
Mobile Texting Service: again a texting service you can submit questions to. Contact details available from the Citziens Information Phone Service as above.
E-mail service: this is available to anyone who wishes to submit a question about your rights/entitlements to the CAll Centre. Trained staff will respond. (
info@comhairle.ie)
In addition, I notice the [broken link removed], details here.
When you referred in your original post to 'state benefits' I presume you are in fact referring to Department of Social and Family Affairs payments. There are no specific benefits payable to deaf or hard of hearing people on the basis that you are deaf or hard of hearing - except where your hearing loss has been caused as a result of an occupational injury.
It is possible to contact the Oasis website through a number of ways (by using the 'Ask a Question' feature, accessible on each document page, through the right-hand menu bar), or by using the
feedback@oasis.gov.ie address on the Contact us Page. I have always received a response when I have used these features.
If you have any other questions on this issue, please do not hestiate to PM me or indeed to post again.
CMCR.