Great Plains Region
Our Service Area
The Great Plains Region encompasses the following states:
Iowa
Kansas
Missouri
Nebraska
What We Do
Our regional offices bring HKNC resources to you. Your regional representative knows all about the programs and services that are available to DeafBlind individuals, their families and service providers in your state and beyond, and can help you find and access the ones that are right for you.
Whether you’re interested in learning about support services near your home, would like to take advantage of the technology available through the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) or want to explore the possibility of training at our national headquarters, your regional rep is your link to all that HKNC has to offer ─ consultation, advocacy, assessment, training, referrals and more.
Regional Representative
Beth Jordan has served as the HKNC Great Plains representative since 1992 serving the states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. She supervises the regional administrative assistant and the Iowa DeafBlind Specialist.
Beth compiles and maintains the national listing of SSP programs in the United State and is an author of the recently released (2021) SSP White Paper: Deafblind People and Support Service Providers in the 21st Century.
Additionally, Beth co-coordinates the Iowa Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program also called iCanConnect and can help facilitate the application process for anyone eligible in the four-state region. She also is the co-editor of the CONNECT! HKNC’s electronic newsletter.
Beth earned a Master’s of Education degree in rehabilitation counseling and independent living with an emphasis on deafness from the University of Arkansas graduating with honors. She is a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC).
Contact Information
Beth Jordan (Regional Representative)Email: bjordan@helenkeller.org
Michele McClain (Administrative Assistant)Email: mmcclain@helenkeller.org
450 E. Park Street
Olathe, KS 66061
Voice: 913-677-4562 | Fax: 516-580-4504
VP: 913-227-4282
Local Events
Are you interested in getting involved in the DeafBlind community in the Great Plains Region? Your regional representative can provide information about social gatherings, conferences, listservs and more. Check this space for announcements about upcoming events or contact your regional representative to request email notifications.
Local Resources
You need answers about what’s out there for you, and HKNC has them.
Ask your regional reprensentative about:
- The National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program
- Local services and referrals
- On-site assessment, consultation and training
- Making connections with other individuals and families within the deaf-blind community
- Technical assistance and in-service training
- Plans for youth transitioning from educational programs to post-educational services
- Educational materials and presentations about the capabilities and preferences of people with combined vision and hearing loss
If the services you need are not available in your area, you might want to consider exploring HKNC headquarters in New York as an option for assessment and training. Check out our FAQs and contact your regional rep for more information.