Service Area: an 8 county region in Central California
Program Established: The DeafBlind Services program was established in May, 2000, which includes the DeafBlind Support Group (DBSG). This group continues to meet the second Wednesday of each month.
Funding Sources: The services provided specifically to the DeafBlind community include case management, SSP services, SSP training, and DBSG monthly socials. The DeafBlind Services Program received a one-year, non-renewable grant from the Department of Rehabilitation in 2005 to provide paid SSP services. The SSP program is currently operating on a volunteer basis. SSPs are recruited from several sources: the Interpreter Training Program at California State University Fresno, Certified Deaf Interpreters, Community Interpreters, ASL students, and family members of those who are DeafBlind. Tools used for recruitment include the DHHSC’s DeafBee on the website, DHHSC’s social media platforms, class presentations at the local colleges/universities, word-of-mouth, and annual workshops.
Eligibility: There are no set criteria but those receiving services. Those who provide SSP services are required to participate in SSP trainings.
Number of Individuals Served: average 5-10 individuals per month
Preferred Terminology: SSP or CoNavigator
Certification/Endorsement: Certificates of completion are provided after SSP/Co-Navigator trainings.
Types of Service Requests: Transportation, shopping, reading mail, making phone calls, exercising, travel out-of-town to DeafBlind events, computer assistance, independent living assistance, and assistance at recreational and social events.
Training Requirements: Training is provided for all people interested in working with the DeafBlind community including interpreters, ASL students, interpreting students, and family members. Training occurs in a workshop format and topics include causes of DeafBlindness, safe guiding, etiquette, communication techniques and DeafBlind protocol.
Program Coordination: The program is currently overseen by the Services Personnel Director of DHHSC. The agency constantly searches for grant and fundraising opportunities in order to secure funds for services and activities related to the DeafBlind Services Program.
Transportation: SSPs can drive DeafBlind clients in their own vehicles but they must first sign a waiver with DHHSC.
SSP/CN Pay Rate: Program uses volunteers
Other: Additional documentation is currently being developed to enhance services for the community. Interpreting services for DeafBlind individuals can be scheduled with Interpreting Services of Central California, a division of DHHSC – interpreting@dhhsc.org. Additionally, our agency has two Client Services Specialists who work with the DeafBlind: Angelica Medina-Boersma at angelicamb@dhhsc.org and Joshua Blanco at joshuab@dhhsc.org
DeafBlind Access
323 W. Second St., San Dimas, CA 91773
Dorene Holm, President/Director of Client Services
Service Area: the counties of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, & Orange
Funding Sources: We are currently unfunded, relying on individual donations. We are a non-profit 501(c)3 organization and we are currently searching for a grant writer.
Eligibility: Must be Deaf or Hard of Hearing AND Blind or low-vision, 18 years and older
Number of Individuals Served: 26
Preferred Terminology: Use both SSP and CN
Certification/Endorsement: No certification is offered at this time
Types of Service Requests: It’s entirely up to the consumer, and includes shopping, hair appointments, doctor visits (CN only, no interpreting services provided) family events, parties, read and sorting mail and recipes, food labeling, Deaf social events, etc.
Training Requirements: SSP/CNs are either graduates from the College of the Canyons’ SSP/CN program or have received training through other organizations or the community. Many of our SSP/CNs have worked in the DeafBlind community for many years and we allow for them to waive the formal training requirement with proof of competency as evidenced by the support of DeafBlind individuals as well as an assessment of their skills.
Program Coordination: This is a new program and consist of four individuals who work part-time to bring these services to the DeafBlind community.
Transportation: We try to have the SSP/CN meet consumers at the destination, but there are situations like doctor visits and grocery shopping where the consumer needs a ride. Thus, some SSP/CoNavigators use their vehicles to drive, others use public transport or meet DeafBlind at the location.
Pay Rate: The program relies on volunteers.
Other: We work closely with the DeafBlind community to provide a variety of social events and SSP/CN Services as needed. Currently each consumer receives 10 hours per month. As we continue to seek funding for these critical services, we have a network of hearing and deaf SSP/CNs who volunteer their time to work with DeafBlind Access.
Mind Your Language, Inc. (MYL)
811 Wilshire Boulevard, 9th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Service Area: Greater Los Angeles and neighboring cities
Program Established: January 2017
Funding Sources: California Department of Rehabilitation 80%, Private donations 20%
Eligibility: Participants must be clients of the California Department of Rehabilitation. Otherwise, we would need additional time to provide funding. However, we are not known for turning down consumers.
Number of Individuals Served: Over 30
Preferred Terminology: CoNavigator
Certification/Endorsement: MYL doesn’t provide CEUs or certification. We would provide a “DeafBlind CoNavigator Training” certificate of completion if individuals attend one of our workshops in its entirety.
Types of Service Requests: Medical appointments, job interviews, errands related to employment, emergencies; and other activities require pre-approval
Training Requirements: Sixty percent of our CoNavigators/SSPs have been trained by DeafBlind instructors. If the CN has no formal training, a set of references from previous customers is required. We are happy to adapt to the consumer’s level of training and would suggest any training we would see fitting.
SSPs/CoNavigators require three sets of references from DB consumers. We are happy to adapt to the consumer's level of training and would suggest any training we would see fitting.
Program Coordination: Part Time
Transportation: It depends on the funding source. Most likely it would be covered by state funding or donations. If the DeafBlind consumer has an issue with the CN providing transportation, the CN can meet the client at a predefined destination.
SSP/CN Pay Rate: The CN/SSP Rates are $50/hour. Mileage is also charged at the current federal rate. We only pay travel time if the provider has to drive over 30 minutes to arrive at the initial place of service, $30/hour.
Other: Mind Your Language has been hosting local DeafBlind Interpreting workshops annually. We are planning to also host virtual CN training in 2024.