Valley View Rally Update

COME RAIN OR SHINE

10:00 am, Saturday, March 31

Elwyn, PA

PROVISIONS COURTESY OF ELWYN

Tent or Covered Facility

Seats - Water - Snacks

Bathroom Facilities

ASL Communication Essential for Deaf and Deaf Blind Elderly

Lack of communication accessible environment is a form of elder abuse

Media, PA: Valley View, a residential facility operated by Elwyn Inc., serving deaf and deaf blind elderly for over 110 years may close over lack of proper licensing. For years, government departments and Elwyn have been unable to find a solution to permanently license this unique facility. Valley View is the only nursing/assistive living home in Pennsylvania that is fully accessible to those who use American Sign Language (ASL) with staff that sign and understand Deaf culture.

While an extension has been granted to find a solution, concern is high that residents will be dispersed into homes that serve the hearing community and will not have 24/7 communication access in ASL provided at Valley View. Imagine being in your senior years, with the challenges that aging bring and not being able to communicate your needs to your caregivers. Such isolation is not only serious mental abuse, but could also lead to physical abuse because the staff will not be able to interact appropriately with deaf and deaf blind residents to address their physical needs. The resulting isolation may reach the level of elder abuse.

Furthermore, a fully accessible facility saves millions in sign language interpreting costs. Four hours of interpreting services a day, a bare minimum to allow participation in activities and health matters, would amount to $80,000 per resident or over three million dollars annually for the 40 Valley View residents mainstreamed into hearing facilities.

The Pennsylvania Society for the Advancement of the Deaf (PSAD) members only recently learned of the serious issue with licensing which has gone on for 2 years and threat of closure on March 31. The Deaf Community is making their outrage known by contacting government officials and various media outlets, and joining a rally on March 31 at Valley View.

COME JOIN THE FIGHT-

Appeal to the Governor to grant a special dispensation for Valley View.

APPEAL TO THE GOVERNOR TO GRANT A SPECIAL DISPENSATION FOR VALLEY VIEW OR ANOTHER RESIDENCE WHICH RECOGNIZES THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF DEAF AND DEAF-BLIND, A POPULATION WHICH DOES NOT FIT INTO A CATEGORY AS DEFINED WITHIN VARIOUS LICENSURES. ELDERLY DEAF AND DEAF-BLIND PENNSYLVANIANS MUST BE ALLOWED TO LIVE OUT THE END OF THEIR DAYS WITH DIGNITY IN A COMMUNICATION ACCESSIBLE AND CULTURALLY AWARE ENVIRONMENT.

Date: March 31, 2012

Time: 10 AM

Rain or Shine at

 Valley View/Elwyn Inc. 

111 Elwyn Rd

Media, PA 19063