Program Established: July 2001 through strong consumer advocacy seeking assistance through the Legislature
Funding Sources: DSVBI is allocated $325,000 each fiscal year by the state of Utah
Eligibility: adults out of the public school system; consumers must be able to independently make choices and give directions to SSPs; visually impaired at 20/70 or less in the best eye with correction, or progressive vision loss at 20/50 or less in the best eye, or field loss of 20 degrees or less in the best eye or legally blind 20/200 or less and Pure Tone Average (PTA) of 50 or worse in the best ear.
Number of Individuals Served: approximately 95; DeafBlind individuals receive 10 hours per week for a variety of activities to assist them with their vocational rehabilitation case, independent living goals, and inclusion in the community. Each DeafBlind client is allocated up to 40 miles per week of mileage for the SSP to drive. If the client and SSP use a state-provided vehicle, there is no mileage limit.
Preferred Terminology: SSP
Certification/Endorsement: The training is not tied to certification/endorsement at this time.
Types of Service Requests: shopping, reading mail, paying bills, legislative participation, looking for jobs/filling out job applications, personal activities (attending a child's school activity, scrapbooking, gardening, skiing, going to the bank, going to doctor appointments), navigating public transportation, religious activities, meetings, writing email messages or letter correspondence, exercising, socialization, keeping up to date with local and national news, searching the Internet, using social media, navigating smartphones and other assistive technology. Involvement in the community is encouraged. No personal medical or self-care services are provided (e.g., help with blood testing for diabetics, bathing), however, help getting to an appointment and during an appointment at a facility providing those services is allowed (i.e. doctor’s appointment). Each client is allocated up to 10 hours per week of SSP services.
Training Requirements: provided at hire and throughout the year. Required state employee training such as State of Utah safe driving and sexual harassment prevention training must be completed before an SSP may begin working with consumers and are required again at two-year intervals. Background checks are required before hire.
Program Coordination: full-time with additional secretarial support provided by DSBVI
Transportation: SSPs can provide transportation, drive clients’ cars or schedule and use a state-provided vehicle. (Transportation is only for the client)
SSP Pay Rate: The pay rate is one rate for all. $19.78/hour. Since it is a part time job, it is not a contractor rate. This is the base rate and starting rate for new hires. SSPs who work over 500 hours in a year are eligible for merit pay increases depending on the state budget. Each SSP being a part time employee is limited to a max of 29 hours per week of work.
Mileage: the SSP is paid mileage of up to 40 miles per week per client at the state reimbursement rate, for 2024 is 62 cents a mile. Mileage starts the same time the hourly pay starts- which is usually at the clients home as the starting place then mileage is tracked and paid for driving the client to the places they want to go to and have the SSP of course guide them at the destination.
Other: Consumers are allowed to identify their own SSPs through natural resources or are recruited from the community. SSP's are all encouraged to work with at least 2 consumers. The 10 weekly hours cannot be carried over from week to week. Consumers are responsible for entrance fees and parking fees to activities. SSPs are not volunteers, they become state employees and therefore cannot already be employed full-time by the state of Utah. SSP positions are at-will, paid hourly at the approved rate determined by the State of Utah HR department, have no benefits (annual and sick leave) and SSPs drive their own vehicles and must show proof of auto insurance. SSPs are reimbursed mileage at the State-approved rate when using their personal cars for transportation within mileage limits set by the agency each year. There is no cost to the DeafBlind client to receive the SSP service. Both Deaf and hearing SSPs are employed to meet the diverse client needs.