Community Development

The Community Development Program of The Bangor Interpreting Agency is a community education, Deaf awareness, and individual resource service. Our experienced facilitators are contactable in person, by TTY or phone, by web, email or fax:

  • To help individuals with communication issues resolve any immediate difficulties. If you are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or English is a struggle for you, we can help you make a phone call to your utility company, or talk with the repair shop for you, or make that doctor's appointment. We want to help you find the services in the community that can help you.
  • To solve problems in the workplace that may arise from misunderstandings, cultural differences, barriers, or breaks in communication. We often meet with employers and with you to help everyone find ways to get along, and to see each others viewpoints. We love helping employees and employers find ways to work together.
  • To help employers and service providers make lawful accommodations that enable the use and provision of services, ease transitions, and increase workplace flexibility.
  • To provide communication training to individuals and to others who need to be able to communicate with individuals who are Late-deafened, Hard of Hearing, Deaf or who use Visual-Gestural communication. This training can be provided one-on-one at our offices, or at any place of your choosing.

A spoonful of humor makes the message go down easier.

Frank Leahy

  • To provide one-on-one listening, referrals, training and help in navigating the often-times confusing realm of outside help and services available.
  • To provide outreach to underserved individuals, or groups of people, such as elderly people who are Deaf, or Hard of Hearing Teens, to name just two.
  • To assist in the development of opportunities and venues for creative expression, with people living with communication challenges.
  • To establish and facilitate ongoing support groups. These include but are not limited to Peer Support, Safety and Defense, Deaf Women, Deaf Teens, etc. Groups are created on an as-needed basis.
  • To inform and make referrals for adaptive equipment that can enhance workplace efficacy and efficiency, communication, and make the home more livable. Onsite visits to workplace or home might include the recommendation of and/or help installing of lighted doorbells, VCOs, TTYs, safety modifications for families with young children, lighted fire alarms, just to name a few examples of equipment available.