For Release: IMMEDIATE
Date: May 8, 2006

DSDHH Greensboro Regional Center committed to ensuring services for Forsyth County

RALEIGH: The North Carolina Division of Service for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing’s (DSDHH) Greensboro Regional Center, as a result of the announcement from the United Way of Forsyth County and the Winston Salem Enrichment Center, is working to assist in filling the gap in services to Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind Forsyth County residents. The closing of the Forsyth Center for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing will result in an increased need within Forsyth County and DSDHH is committed to meeting that need.

“The mission of the division is to serve individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind, their families and the communities in North Carolina by enabling them to achieve equal access, effective communication and a better quality of life,” said DSDHH Director Jan Withers. “We are working to ensure that the citizens of Forsyth County continue to receive the services they need to accomplish this.”

The DSDHH Greensboro Regional Center has been in existence since 1996 serving consumers and agencies in a ten-county region. This region includes: Alamance, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry and Yadkin Counties. The regional center has worked with many consumers and agencies in the Forsyth area and will continue to do so. As an integral part of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, DSDHH’s regional centers are open to customers and their families, professionals, and individuals seeking information or assistance.

At this time the Greensboro Regional Center has a staff of three which includes two direct service providers. The center has received approval for two additional direct service positions. The addition of staff in Greensboro will enable us to serve the increased needs of Forsyth County. Once the two new positions are filled, the needs of the community will be assessed and services will be provided appropriately.

“DSDHH is currently working with other state agencies in the Winston Salem area to establish a location where the Greensboro regional office staff can be located on a regular basis,” said Withers. “The staff will continue to be available, as it always has been, for consumer appointments in the Forsyth /Winston Salem area.”

The DSDHH Greensboro Regional Center is located at 122 North Elm Street, Suite 900 in Greensboro, and can be contacted Toll Free Voice/TTY at (888) 467-3413 or Voice/TTY at (336) 273-9692.

Established in 1977 as the North Carolina Council for the Hearing Impaired, the North Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing has developed into a statewide network of programs providing a wide variety of services to Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind people.

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