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Our Cause


The Facts:

One in every ten (28 million) Americans has some form of hearing

loss.  In 2010, as "baby boomers" reach retirement age, this number

will grow exponentially.  By 2030 the number will have DOUBLED. 

The prevalence of hearing loss increases with age, up to one in three

over the age of 65.  Most hearing loss develops over a period of 25 to

30 years. There are 544,120 people with hearing loss in the state of

Wisconsin alone.  There are 95,000 hearing aid users, a number which

does not even include those with profound hearing loss. Currently one

out of every ten people in Wisconsin has hearing loss, and as the

"baby boomers" age, the demand for special accommodations in

housing will increase dramatically.  To maintain the quality of housing

for this population, requires immediate action by organizations like the

Southeastern Wisconsin Deaf Senior Citizens(SWDSC).



The Mission:

The primary mission of Southeastern Wisconsin Deaf Senior Citizens,

Inc. (SWDSC) is to promote the social and educational well-being of

deaf, hard-of-hearing and deaf-blind citizens, and also to work for the

interests of these citizens in Southeastern Wisconsin.  SWDSC will

develop and administer affordable, barrier-free communications

housing for deaf, hard-of-hearing and deaf-blind senior citizens, and

will address, but not be limited to, the following concepts:

  • Working for the social and educational well-being of deaf seniors in Southeastern Wisconsin.

  • Recognizing the role of American Sign Language in managing housing for deaf seniors.

  • Creating environments free of communication barriers....eliminating isolation and providing life-enhancing services in ASL.

  • Respecting the dignity of each deaf person.


Our Successes:

On April 16, 2004, the Southeastern Wisconsin Deaf Senior Citizens

were pleased to announce the award of tax credits to provide for the

development and construction of 43 units of affordable housing for

deaf, hard-of-hearing and deaf-blind seniors.  The housing, completed

in September of 2005, is called Water Tower View, and is located at the

Woodland Ridge senior housing campus in Greenfield on the southwest

side of Milwaukee. The building is the first of its kind in the Midwest,

and is one of only a handful of buildings designed specifically for deaf,

hard-of-hearing and deaf-blind seniors. Water Tower View incorporated

design elements that enhance visual communications, and provides

socialization opportunities that seniors need.