Community Support Services
The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf works to ensure that individuals who are d/Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard-of-hearing have access to programs, services, and resources to ensure full communication and access to public and private services in Louisiana. The Commission serves individuals who are d/Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing by providing quality programs and services in all regions of Louisiana, referrals to other state programs as needed, and support and resources for Louisiana families and providers.
Types of Services Available
- Hearing Aids: The Commission works with local professional providers to distribute hearing aids at no cost to individuals aged 50 and above who meet certain hearing levels and income requirements.
- Interpreting and Real-Time Captioning Services: The Commission provides information, advocacy, guidance, and limited coordination of communication access services for anyone who is d/Deaf, DeafBlind, or hard of hearing. Under federal law, governments, businesses, and non-profits are required to provide these services upon request.
- Use the dropdowns below to determine which communication access service provider is available to assist you in your area.
- Support Service Providers for DeafBlind Individuals: The Commission provides, at no cost, one-on-one trained guides to work with individuals who are both deaf and blind (DeafBlind). These guides provide DeafBlind individuals (or the DeafBlind community) with access to information, community services, personal activities, and the environment.
- Telecommunications and Assistive Technology Equipment: The Commission provides modern telecommunications equipment (e.g., amplified telephones), assistive technology equipment (e.g., home alert systems), and vibrating alarm clocks at no cost for Louisiana residents who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing.
Services by Parish
and Region:
The Commission provides:
- Localized services through Regional Support Centers for the Deaf, which offer:
- Advocacy for the needs and rights of d/Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing people
- Individualized assessments to identify areas of need and support.
- Support and information for d/Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing individuals, families, businesses, industries, and other sectors on effective communication
- Telecommunications and assistive technology equipment, hearing aids, and referrals to state programs
- Communication access services through local providers
- sign language interpreting
- real-time captioning
- A statewide Support Service Provider program for DeafBlind individuals. Services include:
- One-on-one trained guides for daily activities
- Training for DeafBlind individuals new to the support service provider program
- Individualized needs assessments and goal development.
- Access to local support groups
Region 1: Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard
Lighthouse Louisiana: Regional Support Center for the Deaf
Services provided:
- Advocacy
- Assessment
- Support and information
- Telecommunications and assistive technology equipment
- Hearing aids
- Referral to state programs
Contact information:
123 State Street, New Orleans, LA 70118
Phone: 504-899-4501 | 225-529-2749
Toll-Free: 888-792-0163
Louisiana Association of the Deaf dba Deaf Focus – Communication Access
Services provided:
- Sign language interpreting
- Real-time captioning
Contact information:
3112 Valley Creek Drive, Suite E, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
VP: 225-341-6406
Affiliated Blind of Louisiana – Support Service Provider Program for DeafBlind
Services provided:
- One-on-one trained guides for daily activities
- Training for DeafBlind individuals new to the support service provider program
- Individualized needs assessments and goal development.
- Access to local support groups
Contact information:
409 W. St. Mary Boulevard, Lafayette, LA 70506
Phone: 337-234-6492 | VP: 337-446-4648
For commercial sign language interpreting needs, visit the Deaf Focus website at lad1908.org
Region 2: Ascension, East & West Baton Rouge, East & West Feliciana, Iberville, Pointe Coupee
Services provided:
- Advocacy
- Assessment
- Support and information
- Telecommunications and assistive technology equipment
- Hearing aids
- Referral to state programs
- Communication access services
- Sign language interpreting
- Real-time captioning
Contact information:
3112 Valley Creek Drive, Suite E, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: 225-319-5586 | VP: 225-341-6406
Affiliated Blind of Louisiana – Support Service Provider Program for DeafBlind
Services provided:
- One-on-one trained guides for daily activities
- Training for DeafBlind individuals new to the support service provider program
- Individualized needs assessments and goal development
- Access to local support groups
Contact information:
409 W. St. Mary Boulevard, Lafayette, LA 70506
Phone: 337-234-6492 | VP: 337-446-4648
For commercial sign language interpreting needs, visit the Deaf Focus website at lad1908.org.
Region 3: Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, Terrebonne
Services provided:
- Advocacy
- Assessment
- Support and information
- Telecommunications and assistive technology equipment
- Hearing aids
- Referral to state programs
- Communication access services
- Sign language interpreting
- Real-time captioning
Contact information:
3112 Valley Creek Drive, Suite E, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: 225-319-5586 | VP: 225-341-6406
Affiliated Blind of Louisiana – Support Service Provider Program for DeafBlind
Services provided:
- One-on-one trained guides for daily activities
- Training for DeafBlind individuals new to the support service provider program
- Individualized needs assessments and goal development.
- Access to local support groups
Contact information:
409 W. St. Mary Boulevard, Lafayette, LA 70506
Phone: 337-234-6492 | VP: 337-446-4648
For commercial sign language interpreting needs, visit the Deaf Focus website at lad1908.org.
Region 4: Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, Vermilion
Services provided:
- Advocacy
- Assessment
- Support and information
- Telecommunications and assistive technology equipment
- Hearing aids
- Referral to state programs
- Support service providers for DeafBlind individuals
- One-on-one trained guides for daily activities
- Training for DeafBlind individuals new to the support service provider program
- Individualized needs assessments and goal development.
- Access to local support groups
Contact information:
409 W. St. Mary Boulevard, Lafayette, LA 70506
Phone: 337-234-6492 | VP: 337-446-4648
Louisiana Association of the Deaf dba Deaf Focus – Communication Access
Services provided:
- Sign language interpreting
- Real-time captioning
Contact information:
3112 Valley Creek Drive, Suite E, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: 225-319-5586 | VP: 225-341-6406
For commercial sign language interpreting needs, visit the Affiliated Blind of Louisiana website at affiliatedblind.org.
Region 5: Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis
Southwest Louisiana Independent Living Center – Regional Support Center for the Deaf
Services provided:
- Advocacy
- Assessment
- Support and information
- Telecommunications and assistive technology equipment
- Hearing aids
- Referral to state programs
Contact information:
4320 Lake Street, Lake Charles, LA 70605
Phone: 337-477-7194
Toll-Free: 833-600-5766 | VP: 337-214-0223
Louisiana Association of the Deaf dba Deaf Focus – Communication Access
Services provided:
- Sign language interpreting
- Real-time captioning
Contact information:
3112 Valley Creek Drive, Suite E, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: 225-319-5586 | VP: 225-341-6406
Affiliated Blind of Louisiana – Support Service Provider Program for DeafBlind
Services provided:
- One-on-one trained guides for daily activities
- Training for DeafBlind individuals new to the support service provider program
- Individualized needs assessments and goal development.
- Access to local support groups
Contact information:
409 W. St. Mary Boulevard, Lafayette, LA 70506
Phone: 337-234-6492 | VP: 337-446-4648
For commercial sign language interpreting needs, visit the Southwest Independent Living Center website at slic-la.org.
Regions 6: Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, La Salle, Rapides, Vernon, Winn
Services provided:
- Advocacy
- Assessment
- Support and information
- Telecommunications and assistive technology equipment
- Hearing aids
- Referral to state programs
- Communication access services
- Sign language interpreting
- Real-time captioning
Contact information:
601 Jordan Street, Shreveport, LA 71101
Phone: 318-425-7781 | Toll-Free | VP: 318-217-4110
Affiliated Blind of Louisiana – Support Service Provider Program for DeafBlind
Services provided:
- One-on-one trained guides for daily activities
- Training for DeafBlind individuals new to the support service provider program
- Individualized needs assessments and goal development.
- Access to local support groups
Contact information:
409 W. St. Mary Boulevard, Lafayette, LA 70506
Phone: 337-234-6492 | VP: 337-446-4648
For commercial sign language interpreting needs, visit the Deaf Action Center website at deafactioncenter.org.
Region 7: Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, De Soto, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, Webster
Services provided:
- Advocacy
- Assessment
- Support and information
- Telecommunications and assistive technology equipment
- Hearing aids
- Referral to state programs
- Communication access services
- Sign language interpreting
- Real-time captioning
Contact information:
601 Jordan Street, Shreveport, LA 71101
Phone: 318-425-7781 | Toll-Free | VP: 318-217-4110
Affiliated Blind of Louisiana – Support Service Provider Program for DeafBlind
Services provided:
- One-on-one trained guides for daily activities
- Training for DeafBlind individuals new to the support service provider program
- Individualized needs assessments and goal development.
- Access to local support groups
Contact information:
409 W. St. Mary Boulevard, Lafayette, LA 70506
Phone: 337-234-6492 | VP: 337-446-4648
For commercial sign language interpreting needs, visit the Deaf Action Center website at deafactioncenter.org.
Region 8: Caldwell, East & West Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union
Services provided:
- Advocacy
- Assessment
- Support and information
- Telecommunications and assistive technology equipment
- Hearing aids
- Referral to state programs
- Communication access services
- Sign language interpreting
- Real-time captioning
Contact information:
601 Jordan Street, Shreveport, LA 71101
Phone: 318-425-7781 | Toll-Free | VP: 318-217-4110
Affiliated Blind of Louisiana – Support Service Provider Program for DeafBlind
Services provided:
- One-on-one trained guides for daily activities
- Training for DeafBlind individuals new to the support service provider program
- Individualized needs assessments and goal development.
- Access to local support groups
Contact information:
409 W. St. Mary Boulevard, Lafayette, LA 70506
Phone: 337-234-6492 | VP: 337-446-4648
For commercial sign language interpreting needs, visit the Deaf Action Center website at deafactioncenter.org.
Region 9: Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Washington
Lighthouse Louisiana – Regional Support Center for the Deaf
Services provided:
- Advocacy
- Assessment
- Support and information
- Telecommunications and assistive technology equipment
- Hearing aids
- Referral to state programs
Contact information:
123 State Street, New Orleans, LA 70118
Phone: 504-899-4501 | VP: 225-529-2749
Toll-Free: 888-792-0163
Louisiana Association of the Deaf dba Deaf Focus – Communication Access
Services provided:
- Sign language interpreting
- Real-time captioning
Contact information:
3112 Valley Creek Drive, Suite E, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: 225-319-5586 | VP: 225-341-6406
Affiliated Blind of Louisiana – Support Service Provider Program for DeafBlind
Services provided:
- One-on-one trained guides for daily activities
- Training for new program users
- Assessments for plans unique to each client’s needs and goals
- Access to local support groups
Contact information:
409 W. St. Mary Boulevard, Lafayette, LA 70506
Phone: 337-234-6492 | VP: 337-446-4648
Community Engagement Opportunities
Advocacy
Your best advocate is you! The Commission’s supports your advocacy efforts by ensuring community awareness around barriers, policy needs, and system-level accountability affecting individuals who are d/Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing. To learn more or for assistance related to the needs and rights of Louisiana individuals who are d/Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing, contact the Regional Support Center in your area or the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf Board of Commissioners.
Outreach and Training
- Deaf Sensitivity Training: Are you interested in enhancing your or your staff’s awareness and understanding of Deaf culture, communication, and accessibility for people who are d/Deaf, DeafBlind, or hard of hearing? The Deaf Sensitivity Training is a no-cost training developed by the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf designed for professionals, educators, service providers, and anyone interested in learning more about Deaf culture, communication, and accessibility. During the training, we go beyond viewing deafness as a medical condition to explore the rich cultural and linguistic aspects of being Deaf. This training can be scheduled based on your needs.
- Telecommunications and Assistive Technology: Are you curious about what technology exists that reduces barriers in everyday life for individuals who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing? The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf provides presentations, information, and training about the available telecommunications and assistive technology provided through our program. This is available to organizations, educational institutes, and other interested groups who would like hands-on learning about the assistive technology available for individuals who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing.
- Public Health and Community Resource Fairs: Would you like for the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf to provide information about our programs and services to your local constituents? We are available to join local health fairs and other community events to present or provide a table to share resources available to individuals who are d/Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing and their families.
- Accessibility Information or Training: Are you a state-government entity and want to ensure your public events are accessible to individuals in Louisiana who are d/Deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing? We can assist you while planning these events. The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf believes effective outreach, supported by well-trained personnel, builds essential public trust and ensures that taxpayer-funded initiatives achieve their intended impact. Without proactive outreach and proper staff training, those who are most in need often miss out on critical resources and government programs due to language barriers or general program complexity.