Deaf and Hard of Hearing Access Specialist (Houston)
Job Category: Admin Mgt & Support
Requisition Number: DEAFA008110
Job Details
Description
Summary
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Access Specialist is responsible for promoting equal access and equal opportunity for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing and late-deafened in Texas. This includes advocating for and teaching self-advocacy skills for effective communication, consulting and training on culturally competent service provision and communication access and referring clients to other community resources.
The Access Specialist must utilize a client-centered approach to provide advocacy services, empower clients to advocate for themselves, and provide information to enable clients to make informed decisions on actions to take. The Access Specialist must also provide training and serve as a resource for information to the service providers in public and private on accessibility issues, available resources such as sign language interpreters and captioning services, and culturally-competent services for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Access Specialist plays a vital role in ensuring that persons who are deaf or hard of hearing have equal access and opportunity in all aspects of life.
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Access Specialist will be a contractor with the Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services under the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. More information about the ODHHS and the Access Specialist program can be found on this website: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/disability/deaf-hard-hearing/stap-services.
Sorenson’s Resource Specialist Project is funded by the Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services under the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
Company Summary
Our Mission…Harnessing the power of language, we connect diverse people and enrich the human experience.
Our Vision…To provide global language services that expand opportunities, nurture belonging, and empower the world to connect beyond words.
As one of the world’s leading language services providers, Sorenson combines patented technology with human-centric solutions. We strive to increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility for underrepresented people through communication solutions for all: call captioning and video relay services, over-video and in-person sign language and spoken language interpreting, translation, real-time captioning, and post-production language services.
Sorenson’s impact vision and plan extends to supporting employment opportunities for diverse employees, customers, and communities. As a minority-owned company, we are committed to expanding opportunities for underserved communities while promoting an inclusive workplace for our own employees.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Be responsible for receiving requests, managing, and providing support needs of the deaf, hard-of-hearing, and late-deafened population in an assigned region
Manage caseload independently in assigned region, prioritizing requests to ensure adequate services are provided
Ability to communicate effectively in a conversational mode utilizing various forms of manual communication including ASL and PSE
Provide outreach and support services as needed/appropriate
Serve as a resource for information to the general public to raise awareness of hearing loss and available hearing loss resources to be shared
Provide individualized client services to the the target population in the assigned region
Provided trainings in group settings to service providers, businesses, family members, and clients
Have knowledge of and ability to address the unique communication needs and issues of persons who are hard of hearing, late-deafened or deaf
Have knowledge about basic audiological concepts and how loss of hearing affects access to language and basic information as related to age of onset, severity, and type of loss
Have a knowledge base of state, local and federal services available, including eligibility requirements for each
Have a knowledge base of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ADA Amendment Act, Fair Housing Act, Communications and Video Accessibility Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and Sections 501, 504, and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
Have knowledge or experience in interviewing techniques to determine service or independent living needs of individuals
Develop partnerships with state and local service provider agencies, federal agencies, law enforcement agencies, courts, school systems, institutions of higher education, private businesses, service organizations and more to facilitate equal access to provide outreach and support services
Follow-up on service referrals to provide assistance as needed and to ensure delivery of services
Provide appropriate training to service providers to enhance the provisions of existing services to the target population in the assigned region
Develop training materials for target population
Provide trainings to clients in a one-on-one setting or group settings to carry out the goals of the program
Receive and process incoming videophone calls requesting assistance
Maintain accurate records of activities performed
Submit reports on a weekly basis to supervisor
Submit reports on a monthly basis to supervisor
Perform other duties as assigned
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Required
Be able to communicate effectively in conversational mode utilizing various forms of manual communication including American Sign Language (ASL) (not required but preferred)
Ability to multitask efficiently and effectively
Have excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
Have knowledge and ability to address the unique communication needs and issues of persons with hearing loss (deaf, hard of hearing or late-deafened)
Have a knowledge base of local/state resources and services available to persons with hearing loss
Knowledge or experience in interviewing techniques to determine the service or communication access of individuals
Have public speaking experience
Education
Have an AAS degree or better in a human services area or related field and four years of proven knowledge and experience serving people with deafness or hearing loss.
Other General Requirements
Physical Demands
Ability to sit/stand for a long period of time
Dexterity of hands/fingers to operate a computer mouse, keyboard, tools, and other computer components
Regular and predictable attendance required
Positive attitude, team player, good interpersonal communication skills, and able to work across company departments
This position has access to highly confidential and sensitive information related to employees and customers of Sorenson Communications. It is essential the applicant possesses the requisite integrity to main the information in the strictest confidence.
Ability to independently travel in assigned region.
Valid driver’s license, access to personal vehicle, and vehicle insurance required
Knowledge and/or fluency of American Sign Language is preferred, not required
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Sorenson Communications is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer.
Sorenson’s Resource Specialist Project is funded by the Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services under the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
Qualifications
Behaviors
Preferred
Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity
Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
Enthusiastic: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest
Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking
Motivations
Preferred
Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization
Flexibility: Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals
Peer Recognition: Inspired to perform well by the praise of coworkers
Work-Life Balance: Inspired to perform well by having ample time to pursue work and interests outside of work
Self-Starter: Inspired to perform without outside help
Goal Completion: Inspired to perform well by the completion of tasks
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)