Eligibility: adults 18 and older who are deafblind and can provide leadership, direction and decision-making regarding services/activities
Number of Individuals Served: approximately 25 annually
Preferred Terminology: Access Provider
Certification/Endorsement: No CEUs or certification provided at this time
Types of Service Requests: Educational, recreational, training, community service/education, social and shopping programs sponsored by DB CAN NJ
Training Requirements – Access Providers: Each candidate is evaluated as to their knowledge and experience. Individual, online and small group trainings are provided by DB CAN NJ as needed. Content categories include roles/responsibilities of the provider and deafblind person, deafblind community and culture, communication, human guide, environmental information, skills of touch, confidentiality/ethics and boundaries. All candidates undergo a 1:1 training in community settings and functional evaluation by deafblind trainers. All must sign an agreement regarding the provision and use of services.
Training Requirements – Deafblind: 1:1 training content includes roles/responsibilities of the provider and deafblind person; sharing preferences for communication, information access and guiding; confidentiality/ethics and boundaries. All must sign an agreement regarding the provision and use of services.
Transportation: On their own time, Access Providers may drive deafblind people ONLY (not their partners, family or friends) to/from our activities; they are not paid during the driving time. In addition to walking, APs may ride with deafblind people on ride services such as Uber and Lyft, taxis, paratransit and any mode of public transportation.
Other: DB CAN NJ is a nonprofit that prides itself on being responsive to the needs of the entire deafblind community, not just deafblind people, but also interpreters, APs/SSPs, VR counselors, organizations, social workers, job coaches, family, friends – everyone who cares about and believes in this vibrant community. Our services are separate from SSPNJ, and eligible consumers can use the services of both programs. APs are independent contractors; deafblind people select their AP from our approved list.
Support Service Providers of New Jersey (SSPNJ) The College of New Jersey, School of Education
https://njcscd.tcnj.edu/support-service-providers-of-new-jersey/ Service Area: New Jersey Statewide Program Established: April, 2010 Funding Sources: NJ Department of Human Services, Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired Eligibility: must be a client of the NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired with a vocational rehabilitation or independent living goal Number of Individuals Served: 101
Number of SSPs: 43
Preferred Terminology: SSPs Certification/Endorsement: A certificate of completion is provided to all SSPs who complete the SSP-NJ training program.
Types of Service Requests: Our Approved Activities list includes the following categories: post-secondary education/training, employment, health/well-being, household management, community integration.
Training Requirements: SSPs must satisfactorily complete our 3-module, 10-hour training program as well as three probationary assignments; deaf-blind individuals must complete individualized training program Program Coordination: Full-time position Transportation: SSPs are not able to provide transportation. However, SSPs can support consumers utilizing public transportation. The consumers is responsible for arranging their transportation but they can opt to have the SSP meet them at home and accompany them using public transportation.
SSP Pay Rate: SSPs are paid varying rates: $20/hour - training period – first 5 assignments completed successfully; $27.50/hour - assignments for consumers who
communicate and require support orally/aurally; $30/hour – assignments for consumers who communicate and require support using visual ASL; $32.50/hour – assignments for consumers who communicate and require support using tactile ASL.
Other: DeafBlind individuals have 16 hours of services/month. These services are provided at no charge.