SSP DEAF - BLIND SUCCESS

1. Presented by: Dorothy Walt, Helen Keller National Center Molly Rimer, Helen Keller National Center Jamie Pope, American Association for the Deaf-Blind SSP + DEAF - BLIND =SUCCESS!

2. Workshop topics Brief introduction to deaf-blindness Role of an SSP in the life of a deaf-blind person Positive impacts that an SSP can have on the employment of a deaf-blind person Resources

3. Definition of deaf-blindness as written in the helen keller act Vision Central vision loss of 20/200 or less in the better eye with corrective lenses Peripheral vision of no greater than 20 degrees Progressive vision loss Hearing Chronic hearing loss so severe that most speech can�t be understood without amplification Progressive hearing loss

4. Definition of deaf-blindness helen keller act (cont�d) Combination causes extreme difficulty in: Attaining independence in daily life activities Achieving psychosocial adjustment Obtaining a vocation Functional and performance assessments Used for those with cognitive and behavioral constraints

5. Definition of Deaf-Blind: Combination of hearing and vision loss of any varying degrees that affects a person�s ability to: Communicate Get environmental information Participate in the community Obtain and keep a job Maintain independence

6. Diversity of Deaf-blind people From the Deaf community ASL, Usher 1, Deaf culture From the Blind community Spoken language, multiple etiologies, Braille readers, mobility skills With low vision and are hard-of-hearing Spoken language, Usher 2, and multiple etiologies, many seniors With multiple challenges Alternative communication systems, usually born deaf-blind, may live in a group home

7. How does vision and hearing loss affect a person? Communication Independence (traveling, living alone) Psychosocial adjustment (esp. related to identity) Technology EMPLOYMENT!

8. Support Service Providers: Are the �eyes and ears� for deaf-blind people, allowing them equal access to the community where they live and work.

9. ssps assist with visual information What�s happening around them How the room is set up, who is there, what they are doing, their mood Reading a menu Product information when shopping: size, color, shape, price, and options available

10. ssps assist by providing human guide To and from a meeting place To and from the restroom Through a lunch line To and from special events At recreational activities To and from work

11. sspS assist with communication Connect with people Basic, informal interpreting i.e. social interactions Make phone calls, read and respond to mail and emails

12. ssps assist with Transportation Rides to job interviews, conferences, workshops, errands, recreation, doctor�s appointments, shopping Important in rural areas where public transportation is limited Communicate with bus drivers, ticket agent Navigate subway system, catch the right bus

13. SSPs assist with everyday life Food/clothes shopping Basic banking Watching sporting event Participating in extra- curricular activities Connect with families Vacations Church, temple, synagogue, etc Access to systems (rehab., medical, education, and social security)

14. It is not appropriate for ssps to: Be a personal care attendant Run errands without the deaf-blind person Teaching Formal interpreting (unless already a certified interpreter) Ask personal questions Make decisions for the deaf-blindperson Give opinion if not asked

15. Ssps assist with pre-Employment Transportation and human guide to various appointments: VR counselor Medical evaluations Vocational assessments Classes/training on vocational and job search skills Read letter and print materials, fill out forms associated with these appointments

16. Ssps assist with job search activities Read job announcements on the web and newspaper Visual information on resumes, applications, cover letters, and thank you letters Interview preparation: clothes shopping, dry cleaners, haircut, nice paper for resume Informational and job interviews

17. Ssps assist with maintaining jobs Connect with co-workers Read memos, files, reports Provide transportation tomeetings and other locations Human guide to meetings Assist through a lunch line (or assist with food shopping to bring lunch to work)

18. Meet Bapin SSPs give deaf-blind individuals an empowered feeling SSPs assist with transportation (hotels, training facilities, etc.), networking, and accessing communities SSPs provide technological assistance Without an SSP, it would be difficult to investigate and research new technologies

19. Meet Ashley Mental health and substance abuse therapist with Usher Syndrome Type I Interpreters used for meetings, training SSPs provide transportation for my community and outreach work Rely on coworkers, interpreters or SSPs to provide communication assistance with clients

20. Additional success stories Entrepreneur, Usher SSP for communicating with clients, transportation and assistance with telephone conversations Teacher, Braille, computer, ILS and tactile sign SSP for training support and transportation Teacher, Language, Usher SSP for monitoring student behavior ASL instructor, Usher 1 SSP to provide visual/environmental information regarding student communication and relaying visual communication tactually

21. Recent efforts Nationwide SSP program Formal training at AADB symposium SSP Task Force with HKNC New Jersey California Collaboration with Seattle�s DBSC SSP Task Force with AADB

22. Resources American Association for the Deaf-Blind Email: AADB-info@aadb.org Website: www.aadb.org Helen Keller National Center - Regional Office Email: hkncinfo@hknc.org Website: www.hknc.org National SSP Pilot Project Deaf-Blind Service Center Email: info@seattledbsc.org Website: www.seattledbsc.org SSP Curriculum: http://www.seattledbsc.org/SSPCurriculum.html

23. �While they were saying among themselves it cannot be done, it was done.�- Helen Keller