USH Ambassador for Illinois

Heather Clark

Text Transcript of Heather's video:

Image description: White woman with medium, straight brown hair, and a blue shirt smiles at camera. She is standing in a room with beige curtains behind her. :

Transcript: Hi! My name is Heather Clark and I'm from Illinois. I have Usher syndrome type 1 and I'm Deaf. I grew up in Illinois and have been here my whole life. Now, I'm a stay-at-home mom with my 2 children. I worked for 9 years. I graduated with a bachelor's degree. Now I'm interested in helping other people who have Usher syndrome or who have a child with Usher syndrome, whether they need resources or contact information, I'm here to help you. I'm here to help build community. I'm willing to volunteer at local events and I'm here if you need other information.

Contact Heather at: ambassador.il@usher-syndrome.org

Resources for Illinois

  • This free and confidential registry, maintained by the Usher Syndrome Coalition, is the only registry exclusively for individuals of every age with any type of Usher syndrome, worldwide. By registering, you become part of a growing global community. The registry is our most powerful tool to connect the community, learn about the community, and support research.

  • Camp Lions of Illinois for Blind and Deaf Youth offers eligible youth a week of fun, challenging activities and an opportunity to make new friends with peers of similar abilities. Our mission is for the overall growth of the individual camper in self-confidence, knowledge, independence, leadership, and creativity through a recreational experience geared to individual abilities, from the beginning camper to the returning veteran. Campers enjoy swimming, canoeing, team sports, archery, fishing, horseback riding, cookouts, crafts, artwork and nature programs. Every session offers new opportunities to explore new skills. All for free!

  • Providing Communication Access; Hearing and Assistive Technologies; and Support Services for Persons who are Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing.
    Contact Jason Weiland: email JWeiland@anixter.org
    Videophone (312) 957-4865 (Videophone/Voice).

  • Program and services for youth and adults with combined vision and hearing loss.

  • Provides free telecommunication evaluation, equipment, and training to children and adults with significant vision and hearing loss who qualify. iCanConnect is a national program authorized under the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program.

  • ICRE Wood is a Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) option for individuals who are visually impaired. Over the years they have developed specialty services for individuals with deafblindness. It is located in Chicago, and offers daytime/commuter or residential programs so people from the entire state can be served.

  • A national volunteer organization created to empower the voices of families of individuals who are deaf-blind and to advocate for their unique needs.

  • Project Reach provides technical assistance, information, and training to address the early intervention, special education, related services, and transitional services needs of children with DeafBlindness and enhance state capacity to improve services and outcomes for children and their families.