Program Established: SSP services established in 2023
Funding Sources: State biennial operating budget through Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities.
Eligibility: The pilot program will serve a maximum of 10 adults with severe combined vision and hearing loss who can receive up to 16 hours/month who are not eligible for services through another provider. The SSP program is just one of many services provided by Columbus Speech & Hearing.
Number of Individuals Served: maximum of 10 Ohioans
Preferred Terminology: SSP/CN
Certification/Endorsement: None at this time
Types of Service Requests: grocery shopping, trips to the bank, eating out at restaurants, reading mail, making telephone calls, searching the web at the library, recreation, with some folks getting really creative such as using an SSP to watch sporting events on television or playing table games. Each consumer develops a routine and requests SSP support to achieve it.
Training Requirements: The agency provides informal training to new SSPs in sighted guide work and some ASL (for those consumers who sign), additional training is provided as needed.
Program Coordination: 5-10 hours a week
Transportation: SSPs do provide transportation.
SSP/CN Pay Rate: The scale of pay is between $15 - $20/hour and the program is working to increase the lower end of the scale.
Other: n/a
Columbus Speech & Hearing SSP – Franklin County Senior Options (FCSO)
Program Established: SSP services established in 2001
Funding Sources: Senior Options is Franklin County’s tax-levy program for senior citizens. Funds support several programs that serve older adults including Meals-on-Wheels, hearing aids, transportation, and minor home improvements.
Eligibility: for adults 60 years and older who meet income guidelines through the tax-levy program and can receive between 10 - 15 hours/month. The SSP program is just one of many services provided by Columbus Speech & Hearing.
Number of Individuals Served: 2–6
Preferred Terminology: SSP
Certification/Endorsement: None at this time
Types of Service Requests: grocery shopping, trips to the bank, eating out at restaurants, reading mail, making telephone calls, searching the web at the library, recreation, with some folks getting really creative such as using an SSP to watch sporting events on television or playing table games. Each consumer develops a routine and requests SSP support to achieve it.
Training Requirements: The coordinator provides informal training to new SSPs in sighted guide and some ASL (for those consumers who sign), additional training is provided as needed.
Program Coordination: 5-10 hours a week
Transportation: SSPs do provide transportation.
SSP Pay Rate: The scale of pay is between $15 - $20/hour and the program is working to increase the lower end of the scale.