Deaf Independent Living Association, Inc. (DILA) offers  personalized residential support services to deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, who haven’t been successful or have never lived independently, to help them become as self-sufficient as possible out in the community.  We believe given the proper support, all deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals have the capability of living independently.  Residential support services are provided in an individual’s home or in one of our ten DIR houses located in Talbot, Wicomico or Worcester County. 

Deaf Independent Residences (DIR)

DILA manages Deaf Independent Residences (DIR) which operates specially designed, conveniently located houses  that were purchased through a Section 8/202 program offered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  Each house accommodates a maximum of three residents, grouped according to functional ability.  Occupants are responsible for all food and personal   expenses, and rent is based on HUD guidelines.  All houses feature special modifications to accommodate deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, including:

• TTYs (text telephone)
• Closed-captioned televisions
• Flashing light system to signal a fire alarm, ringing  telephone and doorbell. 
  
  

Mastering Independent Living Skills

DILA’s residential support services are highly individualized to accommodate each person’s requirements.  Each deaf or hard-of-hearing consumer has an annual individual plan team meeting to evaluate and update their past, present and future goals as well as required services so they may continue to strive for independent living.  Our specially trained Independent Living Advisors (ILAs), who are fluent in American Sign Language, visit the deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals regularly to provide assistance with the following skills:

• Money management (maintaining a budget, paying bills, banking)
• Household management (shopping, cleaning, cooking)
• Benefits management (Social Security, SSI, Medical Assistance)
• Developing functional reading, writing and basic math skills
• Communication skills (sign language, Video Relay and TTY training)
• Personal Management (scheduling appointments for doctors, dentists, and other healthcare providers)
• Social skills development
• Accessing community resources (SSA, Social Services, banks, businesses)
• Learning how to properly use the services of sign    language interpreters
• Training on health related issues
• Accessing counseling for mental health and addictions services
• Organizational skills
• Transportation
• And many other basic life skills and self help care