Born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, Helen Keller was the first deaf-blind individual in history to receive a degree. Author of several books and articles, her life was characterized by great accomplishment and admiration. In May 1952, Helen Keller became the first and only world renowned deaf-blind person to visit Israel. A political activist until the end of her life, she serves as a symbol of success for deafblind and disabled communities, and the Center for Deaf-Blind Persons in Israel is happy to announce that she has paved the way for Jelica Nuccio, the first deaf-blind person of iconic status to visit Israel since. Jelica Nuccio of Seattle Washington, Project Director of the National Support Service Provider Pilot Project, will arrive in Israel in order to participate in a conference, the first of its kind in Israel, on May 9-10, 2010 in Tel Aviv, entitled “Building Bridges.”
Helen Keller traveled with a companion for most of her life, which was necessary due to the lack of a disabled-friendly environment. However, with advancements in technology and society, Jelica has been afforded many opportunities and is completely independent, married and living in Seattle, Washington. Jelica has Usher Syndrome, the leading cause of deaf-blindness, whereas Helen Keller became deaf-blind early in life after contracting an illness that was probably meningitis or scarlet fever. However, both women were pivotal well beyond the deaf-blind communities from whence they came, and the Center for Deaf-Blind Persons in Israel hopes to learn from Jelica’s experiences, as she serves as an unequivocal role model for deaf-blind people in Israel, who by and large want to lead independent lives.
Jelica will present a workshop on how to support children and young adults with Usher Syndrome (I, II and III), which is a genetic disorder that is the leading cause of deaf-blindness. Because Usher Syndrome is characterized by deafness and progressive vision loss, many young adults don’t know they will lose their vision at some point in their lives, making emotional and rehabilitative support paramount. Therefore, the Center for Deaf-Blind Persons will present a brief overview of its Role Model Program, whereby we identify and relate to youth with Usher Syndrome by helping them to understand and accept their reality through relatable mentors that also have Usher.
Theresa authored a book entitled Guidelines: Practical Tips for Working and Socializing with Deaf-Blind People, which she will discuss during the session. The Center for Deaf-Blind Persons hopes to learn from her vast professional experience in order to augment the Role Model Program here in Israel. Chaim Fuchs, Executive Director of the Center for Deaf-Blind Persons hopes Jelica and Theresa’s visit will “raise awareness of deaf-blindness in Israel and aid our professional staff in implementing related programs for deaf-blind youth.”
In addition to the conference sponsors (The Perkins School for the Blind and Keren Or: Jerusalem Center for Multi-handicapped Blind Children), the following organizations and ministries will be participating: The Center for Deaf-Blind Persons in Israel; Eliya: The Israel Association for the Advancement of Blind & Visually Impaired Children; Nalagaat; The Ministry of Welfare and The Ministry of Education. The conference will be an excellent opportunity for civil society professionals to present work in their respective fields.
The conference will be held at the "Yafe Lee" Conference Center, Ganei Yehoshua, HaYarkon Park, Tel Aviv, on May 9th and 10th. Please contact -"International" 08-6655766 to confirm arrival or send email to inbar.rina@gmail.com
The Beth David Institute’s Center for Deaf-Blind Persons hopes to help Israel’s estimated 1200 deaf-blind population in Israel to lead full and independent lives. Although we have come very far since 1952, we hope that Jelica’s visit will leave us with a message of hope for the future and new ideas for servicing the deaf-blind community in Israel.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
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