ASL Services for HRA and DHS Clients

Access to HRA and DHS Services for Clients Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

How can I contact HRA or DHS by video phone?

New Yorkers who are deaf or hard of hearing and use American Sign Language to communicate can now reach the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA) and Department of Homeless Services (DHS) through our new ASL Direct video phone number, based at Infoline:

Video phone number: 347-474–4231

Video phone calls are available Monday-Friday, 8 AM- 4 PM, excluding holidays.

Other ways to contact HRA or DHS by phone

Office of Constituent Services (OCS) can be reached by calling the DSS OneNumber at 718-557-1399. They can be reached Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm, excluding holidays.

Office of the Ombudsman can be reached by calling 800-994-6494. They can be reached Monday – Friday, 9am - 5pm, excluding holidays.

How can I access services in an HRA or DHS location?

If you are deaf or hard of hearing and use sign language to communicate, you are entitled to access sign language interpretation services for DSS programs and services. Your options for obtaining interpreter services will vary depending on location. With the ASL Options Card, you can let our staff know which available option works best for you! For more information about the ASL Options Card, please watch the video below.

CommuniCard Pilot  

The CommuniCard is a visual tool designed to support communication with shelter residents who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or who do not speak English. This tool does not replace any form of interpretation. It is meant to help shelter residents communicate about basic needs quickly. Currently in a pilot phase at intake locations, it will soon be available across all shelters overseen by DSS/HRA/DHS. See the video below to find more information about how to use the card.

View the CommuniCard here.

We are testing the Communicard this fall to get feedback. We will have the Communicard in your language when the final version is ready.

نختبر بطاقة Communicard هذا الخريف للحصول على الملاحظات. ستتاح بطاقة Communicard بلغتك عند إتمام النسخة النهائية.

Për të marrë reagime, ne po testojmë këtë vjeshtë Communicard. Kur të jetë gati versioni përfundimtar, ne do ta bëjmë Communicard në gjuhën tuaj.

Nous sommes en cours de test de la carte Communicard cet automne afin d’obtenir des commentaires. Nous proposerons la carte Communicard dans votre langue une fois la version finale prête.

Nou ap teste Communicard sezon otòn sa a pou nou jwenn fidbak. Nou pral gen Communicard nan lang ou lè vèsyon final la pare.

Stiamo testando la Communicard quest’autunno per raccogliere dei feedback. Avremo la Communicard nella sua lingua quando sarà pronta la versione finale.

이번 가을에 Communicard 테스트를 진행하여 피드백을 수집할 예정입니다. 최종 버전이 준비되면 귀하의 언어로 된 Communicard를 제공해 드리겠습니다.

Tej jesieni testujemy kartę Communicard, aby uzyskać informacje zwrotne. Będziemy mieć kartę Communicard w Twoim języku, gdy ostateczna wersja będzie gotowa.

Этой осенью мы тестируем Communicard и собираем обратную связь. Мы выпустим Communicard на вашем языке, когда будет готова окончательная версия.

Estamos probando la Communicard este otoño para recibir comentarios. Tendremos la Communicard en su idioma cuando esté lista la versión final.

我们今年秋季将对 Communicard 进行测试以收集反馈意见。最终版本完成后，我们将提供您惯用语言 的 Communicard。

我們今年秋季將對 Communicard 進行測試以收集回饋意見。最終版本完成後，我們將提供您慣用語言 的 Communicard。

ہم اس موسم خزاں میں فیڈ بیک حاصل کرنے کے لیے ‏Communicard‏ کی جانچ کر رہے ہیں۔ حتمی ورژن تیار ہونے پر ہم آپ کی زبان میں ‏Communicard‏ دستیاب کرائے گے۔

מיר פרובירן די Communicard די הערבסט צו באקומען פידבעק. מיר וועלן האבן די Communicard אין אייער שפראך ווען די ענדגילטיגע ווערסיע וועט זיין גרייט.