Support Services for Deaf-Blind in N.C.

Ashley Benton, LCSW, MSWDeaf-Blind Services Specialist

Raleigh Regional CenterDivision 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:

– Deaf Support

– Deaf Blind Support

– Hard of Hearing Support

– Interpreting Support

– Communication Support

– Equipment Distribution

– Emergency Preparedness

– Relay Services

• We Provide:

– Advocacy

– Consultation

– Information/Referrals

– 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 Deaf-Blind

www.icanconnect.org

Other Services• Division of Public Instruction (DPI): NC Deaf-Blind

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 material2. Action in the environment3. 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. Deaf-Blind Perspectives 9 (1).

•http://deafblindinterpreting.org/wp-content/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:

Ashley.Benton@dhhs.nc.govPhone: 919-741-4511