Transcript Support Services for Deaf

Support Services for
Deaf-Blind in N.C.
Ashley Benton, LCSW, MSW
Deaf-Blind Services Specialist
Raleigh Regional Center
Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
DSDHH has 7 Regional Centers
All 100 counties are served.
DSDHH Positions
• Home Office Staff –Raleigh
• Regional Center Staff
• Regional Manager
• Deaf Services Specialist
• Interpreting Services Specialist
• Hard of Hearing Services Specialist
• Community Accessibility Consultant
• Telecommunications Consultant
• Office Assistant
• Deaf-Blind Services Specialist
Programs
• Services:
• We Provide:
– Deaf Support
– Advocacy
– Deaf Blind Support
– Consultation
– Hard of Hearing Support
– Information/Referrals
– Interpreting Support
– Communication Support
– Equipment Distribution
– Emergency Preparedness
– Relay Services
– Technical Assistance
– Communication Access
– Outreach
– Assistive Devices
– Resource Library
Deaf-Blind Self Advocacy Training
Equipment Distribution Services (EDS)
• You can choose one
hearing aid OR one
telephone device
• PLUS one alerting
device
National Deaf-Blind Equipment
Distribution Program (NDBEDP)
• It was established by the Federal
Communications Commission
(FCC) to comply with the 21st
Century Video and
Communications Accessibility Act
• DSDHH administers this program
in N.C. through a partnership with
DSB.
• Main purpose: DISTANCE
COMMUNICATION
• Income-based and must be DeafBlind
www.icanconnect.org
Other Services
• Division of Public Instruction (DPI): NC DeafBlind Project and Family Specialists
• Division of Services for the Blind (DSB)– Five Deaf-Blind Specialists
– Rehabilitation Center for the Blind
• Helen Keller National Center (HKNC)
– Southeast Reginal Rep. Marilyn Trader
• N.C. Deaf Blind Associates (NCDBA)
– Camp Dogwood Deaf-Blind Weekend
– Annual Conference
Support Service Providers are used
all over the world.
• Origin of Support
Service Provider term:
American Association of
the Deaf-Blind (AADB)
• SSPs work with
independent,
autonomous adults who
can direct their own
lives and make
independent decisions.
Support Service Providers (SSPs)
• Provides support that enhances the individual’s
independence
• Has received specific training in deaf-blindness
• Assists in a variety of settings, provides
transportation to and from events, assists with
communication, sighted guiding, etc.
• Keeps all information confidential
• Is usually a volunteer
• Can provide opinion when asked
Roles of an SSP
• Provide visual information.
1. Printed material
2. Action in the environment
3. Description of objects
• Human Guiding
• Transportation
• Facilitating communication in the
community based on DB person’s needs.
SSP services in NC
• DHHS DB Employees
– Driver/SSP Vendor List
(DSSPVL), contracted
and paid for services
• NCDBA Volunteer
Database
– Deaf-Blind individual
request
– Deaf-Blind events
Interveners
• Usually work with children
• Sometimes work with Deaf-Blind adults with
other disabilities
• Facilitates learning and skill development
• Teaching and doing with the individual
• Interprets, sighted guide, facilitator…
• Educates and shares info with the family and
teachers
Intervener services in NC
• In the schools, intervener or support staff
placed with a Deaf-Blind child
– Requires full assessment and must be on the IEP
• DD Services
– CAP/1:1 worker
Deaf-Blind Interpreting
• Incorporate visual
information as well as
auditory information
• May need to do sighted
guiding
• Special consideration to
clothing, background,
lighting
• Need to avoid heavy
perfume, lotion, jewelry
Haptic Communication
Training
• DSDHH/HKNC SSP Training Series, even years
• DSDHH/HKNC SSP Orientation: pre Camp and
Conference
• DSDHH Deaf-Blind Interpreting Training Series
• DSDHH/HKNC Empowerment Through Touch
(Haptics)
Sources
• http://www.aadb.org/information/ssp/white_paper_ssp.html
American Association of the Deaf-Blind: SSP White Paper
• Morgan, S. (2001).
What's my role? A comparison of the responsibilities of
interpreters, interveners, and support service providers. DeafBlind Perspectives 9 (1).
• http://deafblindinterpreting.org/wpcontent/uploads/2013/12/Deaf-Blind_SPP1.pdf Registry of
Interpreters for the Deaf: Standard Practice Paper: Interpreting
for Individuals who are Deaf-Blind
Questions/Answers
Need more information?
Please contact me at:
[email protected]
Phone: 919-741-4511