Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities Program: Promoting communication and independence
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The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) has a program that helps people who are deaf and blind with multiple disabilities become more communicative and independent.
The Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD) Program Includes:
- DBMD Medicaid Waiver program — community services to eligible adults who have deaf-blindness, with a third disability such as mental retardation or a related condition. This program is an alternative to institutional care.
- Family training — annual family conference for parents. Respite provided for caregivers of people who have deaf-blindness and their siblings during the conference.
- Outdoor camping experience — specialized summer camp with skills training and communication supports for people who have deaf-blindness.
DBMD Medicaid Waiver Eligibility
To be eligible, an individual must:
- Be age 18 or older.
- Meet financial criteria.
- Have a condition that meets the definition of deaf-blindness with at least one additional disability. For example, a person would meet the definition of deaf-blindness with multiple disabilities if he or she
- cannot understand speech, even with a hearing aid;
- has less than 20/200 vision in the better eye, with correction, or a severe visual field defect; and
- has at least one other disability that impairs independent functioning.
Residential Support Options in the DBMD Medicaid Waiver
People can receive waiver services in
- their own home
- their parent’s or guardian’s home or
- an assisted living facility, or shared apartment setting.
DBMD Medicaid Waiver Services
- Habilitation — help with learning daily living skills such as meal preparation, shopping, personal care, recreation and housekeeping.
- Intervenor — a facilitator who involves the person in community activities by assisting with communication and providing information about the environment.
- Chore provider — help with home maintenance.
- Assisted living facility — 24-hour support in small licensed group homes (four to six people), which includes habilitation, chore services and transportation.
- 24-hour residential habilitation — 24-hour support in a shared apartment (three or fewer people), which includes habilitation (staff work in shifts), chore services and transportation.
- Case management — assistance with obtaining an eligibility determination, development of individual service plan, and service monitoring.
- Specialist services — physical, occupational and speech therapy; orientation and mobility; dietary; nursing; and behavior communication assistance.
- Respite care — relief for a person's primary caregiver.
- Adaptive aids and medical supplies — equipment or supplies that assist in independent functioning or health care.
- Minor home modifications — structural alterations to a home to improve safety and accessibility for the individual.
- Prescription medications (if not eligible to receive prescriptions through Medicare.)
- Consumer directed services — for respite, residential habilitation, and intervenor services for persons living in their own or family home.
- Transition assistance services — helps people leave a nursing facility and establish services in the DBMD Medicaid Waiver program.
DBMD Medicaid Waiver Enrollment Process
The names of individuals interested in receiving services are placed on an interest list. Individuals registered on the interest list are offered enrollment in the DBMD Medicaid Waiver on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on the availability of funds.
To request DBMD Medicaid Waiver services
Contact DADS at 1-877-438-5658 and ask for a DBMD Medicaid Waiver Interest List form. The completed form may be faxed to 512-438-3549 or mailed to:
Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services
Mail Code W-351
P.O. Box 149030
Austin, TX 78714-9030
To request Family Training or Outdoor Camping Experience services
To request Family Training or Outdoor Camping Experience services or for more information about the DBMD Medicaid Waiver program contact the DBMD Program Consultant at :
Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services
Mail Code W-521
P.O. Box 149030
Austin, TX 78714-9030
Call 512-438-2622 or 1-877-438-5658 or visit www.dads.state.tx.us.
In administering its programs, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services does not discriminate, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, political belief, or religion.
6P038 DADS Media Services • January 2007 • Publication 159
Updated: March 10, 2011