MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM FOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENCIES

Even though travel budgets are highly restricted and resources for professionals who serve clients in rural areas are scarce, counselors still need professional development opportunities, continuing education and support to provide the highest level of service to their clients with hearing loss

Hard of hearing consumers represent a high percentage of severely disabled consumers who can have successful employment outcomes with the use of hearing aids and assistive technology. However, hearing aids and assistive technology change at a rapid pace and knowledge of these products is critical in providing quality services.   

Becky Morris has dedicated her 15+ year career to sharing the technical knowledge to help counselors stay abreast of assistive listening devices. She has invested several years and thousands of dollars finding the right vehicle to create a dynamic living platform that will serve vocational rehabilitation counselors. The Learning Center will provide vital resources to help overcome some of these most difficult challenges facing rehabilitation today.  

The Learning Center Targets Challenges Facing State Coordinators (SCD/DB/HH/LD)

These essential functions are described in the Model State Plan for Vocational Rehabilitation Services to Persons who are Deaf, Deaf-Blind, Hard of Hearing, or Late Deafened 2008 and have guided the development of the features of the new Learning Center.

• Be responsible for providing technical assistance, resources, information, referral, and support to the staff serving consumers with hearing loss.

• Be responsible for developing and coordinating in-service training across all staff levels within the agency.

• Be responsible for regularly scheduled information exchange meetings of staff serving consumers with hearing loss

The Model State Plan also states "The competencies to effectively serve the varied consumers with hearing loss are beyond the essential core competencies for most vocational rehabilitation counselors and staff."

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

BENEFIT #1:  Improved Employment Outcomes

'On the Job with Hearing Loss' -- Becky wrote the book. Over 20 states have purchased as a resource to their counselors and that employers use. This guide is especially effective to identify functional limitations of the hearing loss and communication demands of the job while discussing tried and proven strategies and solutions to overcome barriers and provide job success.

Membership offers unlimited print/copyright access to the occupational reports for counselors to print for employers and consumers at no cost. This is a never before offered resource with recommendations for accommodations by occupation that can directly impact successful outcomes.

Counselor's Corner Forum leverages the experience of a network of seasoned professionals who can share advice and support for pressing issues that need quick resolution. Now every counselor has the opportunity to share with peers, not just the lucky few who are approved for travel. This forum alone is instrumental in building 'community' and will be an invaluable resource, especially for counselors unfamiliar with hearing loss issues.

Communication Assessment Case Studies will include sample cases culled from over 1000 assessments, performed in the past 5 years.

BENEFIT #2: Improved Technical Assistance Resources   

ALD Product Toolbox - Immediate - When You Need It - articles, forms and worksheets on all the products available. Quick Start Guides can be printed out for counselors to use with consumers. The contents of the Beyond Hearing Aids Resource Guide are included here.

Direct VR Access to the BeyondHearingAids.com website - to a private VR area that includes 100's of manufacturer user manuals, technical specs, captioned product fideos and audio segments. The VR section of the website includes display of special VR pricing to eliminate the need to look up price list information. 

BENEFIT #3: Improve Core Competencies 

Technical Training is needed to develop the necessary competencies to effectively serve this population. Training modules for CRCs will guide each counselor through the same laser-focused technical training that Becky Morris has presented in-person. Each counselor can start the training at any time.

Online technical training can reduce or eliminate regional training and travel costs. It also overcomes the training challenges SCDs face with staff turnover and new employees.

BENEFIT #4 Networking/Resource Sharing Opportunities

Becky 'n Friends Blog featuring guest authors who are leaders in the field of vocational rehabilitation and audiology who will entertain and share thought-provoking ideas on topics they feel passionate about. Topics will include ALDs (of course), psycho-social issues, working with hearing loss and other topics of interest to our community.

Counselor's Corner Forum will not only improve employment outcomes by providing a forum that leverages the experience of seasoned professionals, it will build community among counselors.

Counselor Success! Case Studies will include counselor submitted articles that celebrate successful outcomes. Helps to focus on the positive, gain peer recognition, build community and spark creativity for reapplication of successful strategies.

BENEFIT #5 National Resource Center Gateway to Resources

National Resource Center will be a depository of training materials, forms and best practices from SCDs who wish to share information they have developed with the wider community. This gateway will build resources nationwide and could be invaluable for new SCDs and counselors.

BENEFIT #6: Flexible Online Resource with Built-in Capacity for Change

Flexibility is perhaps the greatest benefit of all. Becky has demonstrated her responsiveness to SCDs and counselors in the materials, workshops and products she provides. This Learning Center is built on a platform that can accommodate updates. Becky will be able to address any issues that SCDs feel would benefit their staff whether that means adding training modules or adding shared resources.       

Individual VR membership (One Year) - $300  

You can register one person online with a credit card payment by Clicking Here.

If you want to use a purchase order to register a group of people:

Click here to download the registration form.

Fax the form with your purchase order attached to Beyond Hearing Aids at 1-859-342-4979 OR

Mail the form with your purchase order or check enclosed made payable to:

Beyond Hearing Aids

463 Erlanger Rd., Ste 1

Erlanger, KY 41018