Engaging & Practical Cultural Competence and Ethics CE self-paced courses that help you gain the tools and resources to provide optimal care for those with vision and hearing loss.
We currently offer four different on-demand, OHA-Approved* options for cultural competence continuing education. Click the class name below to get access and start learning today.
2HR Ensuring Effective Communication with Clients Who are Hard of Hearing Course
6HR Providing Culturally Competent Health Care for Those Aging with Dual Sensory Impairment Course
*see below for additional approvals
As a healthcare professional, gaining continuing education that is experiential and accessible is important as you strive to give the best care and help you gain the tools and resources to achieve your goals.
Many positive comments have been captured in the course evaluations by nurses, counselors, psychologists, and others who say:
“I wish everybody had to take this course.”
“I really enjoyed the course, and it was thorough and clear.
“Great Course!”
“Course was better than expected, informative and enjoyable.”
“I learned so much.”
“I really enjoyed the course and the ability to do it at my own leisure.”
Cultural Competence CEU for nurses, pharmacists, therapists, physicians & healthcare providers. Learn strategies to understand and be understood when working with hard-of-hearing patients. Get your certificate after final quiz.
Come learn how to recognize when hearing or vision loss may be present, understand why common communication approaches may not be effective, and implement practical strategies that make your message kind, clear, and accessible
Interesting Articles
What a Legally Blind Person Can See — And What Healthcare Providers Need to Understand
A Nurse’s Practitioners Guide to Communicating with Older Patients
Culturally Competent Naturopathic Care: Supporting Patients with Hearing and Vision Loss
A Nurse’s Guide to Communicating with Patients Who Have Hearing or Vision Loss
Inclusive Physical Therapy: Best Practices for Treating Patients With Dual Sensory Impairments
Why Stress Management and Connection Are Essential for People with Vision and Hearing Loss
New Leader Dog, Olaf joins the team!
How Pharmacists Can Improve Medication Safety for Patients with Hearing and Vision Impairments
Cultural Competence Education for Social Workers CE NASW - OR , CRCC, OHA Approved
Free Cultural Competence Podcast on supporting clients with vision loss.
Blindness Bias and It's Cost - Insights for Mental Health Professionals
“Not being understood is a frustration for all of us. Just because hearing or vision loss is part of the equation does not mean miscommunication needs to be the norm.”
About the Instructor: Practical Training Rooted in Real-World Experience
Deb Marinos, MS, CRC, LPC, is a professional teacher and counselor passionate with over 30 years of experience working with her own and hundreds of other clients with hearing and/or vision loss. Courses are practical and hands-on with experiential learning strategies that help health care professionals, educators, and families better connect and navigate needs.
All on-demand courses deliver immediately usable skills in culturally competent, ethical care for those with vision and/or hearing loss.
Live courses are available for groups upon request. Contact deb@adaptabilityforlife.com
Statistics
If you are wondering how big this population of significant vision loss is?
The newest research is showing a striking number of 10% of all Americans over 40, and 23% of those over 85, have uncorrectable vision loss impacts. Though not all are "legally blind.” They may just have a diagnosis of going blind or significant difficulty seeing. The following link is to a research project by a cooperative agreement with the CDC's Vision Health Initiative (VHI), NORC at the University of Chicago is leading a 4-year effort to develop the national Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System (VEHSS): https://www.norc.org/Research/Projects/Pages/vision-and-eye-health-surveillance-system.aspx
About 100K in OR are listed "legally blind" by the 2010 Census (nfb). According to the Perkins School for the Blind, only 2%-8% use a white cane, and only 10% are dog guide team.
Resources
Title: Oregon Health Authority: Cultural Competence Continuing Education PDF
OHA provides a reference page of currently approved cultural competence CE Providers
Title: New Study Links Hearing Loss With Dementia in Older Adults
“This study refines what we’ve observed about the link between hearing loss and dementia, and builds support for public health action to improve hearing care access,”
Source: John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Do you know the signs? Come learn what you need to know to improve your outcomes and communication. There are many myths and misperceptions about sensory loss, especially hearing loss. For example, yelling will help. It does not. And yet, many adjustments will make your interactions smoother for all. Here is an article that talks about myths:
Title: Perceptions of hearing loss and hearing technology among the general public and healthcare providers
”Hearing and vision impairment are highly prevalent in ageing individuals and are significant public health concerns given their meaningful impacts on individuals and society. Yet, many cases of both visual and hearing impairment remain unidentified and thus, unaddressed.”
Source: PubMed Central (PMC), part of the NIH’s NCBI digital archive