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A

ALABAMA

Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind

PO Box 698 Talladega, AL 35161

Sybil Garrett, Coordinator of DeafBlind Programs

256-223-4008 cell/text; 256-203-0231 videophone

Garrett.sybil@aidb.org

Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind

Service Area: Statewide

Program Established: 10/01/2018

Funding Sources: State Appropriation

Eligibility: Dual Sensory Loss (vision and hearing)

Number of Individuals Served: 105 individuals annually, approximately 8 individuals per week 

Preferred Terminology: SSP/CN

Certification/Endorsement: Training is provided but no certification or CEUs are available

Types of Service Requests: SSP/CN support to and from medical appointments, surgical procedures, pharmacy (after medical or surgical appointment), therapy (short-term), major public transportation (bus, train, and airport); social service agencies, AIDB functions/classes, community activities/classes, consumer organization conferences/workshops.

Training Requirements: Providers are trained by staff who hold certifications as SSPs and/or in the area of DeafBlindness. Training for providers is online and in-person.  Consumer training is currently being developed.

Program Coordination: Full-Time

Transportation:  SSPs and CNs are able to provide transportation for consumers using a vehicle from the agency motor pool or using their personal vehicle (reimbursed mileage).

SSP Pay Rate:  SSPs/CNs are paid at $25.00/hour including mileage reimbursement. 

Other: n/a


ARIZONA

Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona (CCS) – Deaf Services Dept

268 W Adams Street, Tucson, AZ 85705

Krystal Wright, Associate Director of Deaf Services

480-349-2464 voice; 480-428-0397 videophone

Krystalw@ccs-soaz.org

Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona

Service Area: ARIZONA Statewide, predominantly in Phoenix and Tucson

Program Established: 1990s

Funding Sources: As of February 2026, $350,000 appropriated annually from the Arizona State Legislature for SSP services shared between Catholic Community Services and Vancro. CCS has secured county and community foundation grants to augment services in the past.

Eligibility: Arizona residents who are over 18 years old and meet the definition of “DeafBlind” as defined by state statute (ARS 36-1941).

Number of Individuals Serviced: Approximately 40 DB individuals are registered with the program and 25-30 clients regularly use SSP services monthly.

Preferred Terminology: SSP but defer to the participant for their preferred terminology

Certification/Endorsement: require a SLPI (Sign Language Proficiency Interview) test within 90 days of being hired to provide that communication access.

Types of Service Requests: As of February 2026, average SSP usage per client per month is 15 to 30 hours. SSP services outside of the home include grocery shopping, medical appointments, and community events and inside the home include assistance with reading mail, identifying items, etc.

Training Requirements:  SSPs must complete SSP training and mentoring by the state contractor as approved by the Arizona Commission for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing.

Program Coordination: full-time position

Transportation: yes, SSPs use agency vehicles, rental vehicles or public transportation.  SSPs cannot use their own vehicles. 

SSP Pay Rate: SSPs have different levels depending on experience. The pay rate range is $16 – 23/hour

Other: The goal of this program is to provide individuals who are DeafBlind with access to SSP services that empower them to lead self-determined lives. Our services are designed to enhance their quality of life while fostering greater independence.

 

Vancro Integrated Interpreting Services (VIIS)

Satellite Office: PO Box 1273 Middletown Springs VT 05757 

Main Office: 4370 Fort Apache Rd #300, Las Vegas NV 89147

Cory Brunner, Vice President and Mark Lucero-Muniz - Program Support and Meagan Gorsuch - Outreach, Training and Education and Larry Daniel - Scheduling 

802-275-0104 videophone; 802-275.4704 and 802-236-8409 Main Landline;  

802-275-1014 DeafBlind Services Main Number -Voice/Text

cory.brunner@vancro.com and larry.daniel@vancro.com and general inquiries to: deafblindservices@vancro.com

Vancro Integrated Interpreting Services   

Service Area: Arizona Statewide 

Program Established: October 2025

Funding Sources: from the Arizona legislature for SSP services via ACDHH 

Eligibility: Arizona residents who are over 18 years old and meet the definition of “DeafBlind” as defined by the organization.

Number of Individuals Served: TBD

Preferred Terminology: SSP

Certification/Endorsement: Yes, CEUs are available

Types of Service Requests: To run errands, attend events, attend appointments, read mail, assist with in-house tasks like setting up computers access and online shopping.  

Training Requirements: 2-day training 

Program Coordination: part-time

Transportation: SSPs are allowed to drive; public transportation. 

SSP Pay Rate: The program pays $20.00/hour portal to portal.  


ARKANSAS

Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS) 

5401 S University Ave, Little Rock, AR 72209

Cheryl Seymore, Rehabilitation Area Manager for Services f/t Deaf & Hard of Hearing

501-686-2800 voice

Cheryl.Seymore@arkansas.gov

Arkansas Rehabilitation Services  

Service Area: Central Arkansas

Program Established: The DeafBlind Program was established in 1989 through a grant.  It became a part of ARS in 1991.  The agency began providing SSP services in 1997.

Funding Sources: Arkansas Rehabilitation Services funds the program which pays for SSPs who work on contract with the state program.

Eligibility: allowed up to 10 hours/week; have an SSP plan with consumer goals identified.  Primary goals are socialization, independent living, and access to the community.

Number of Individuals Served: 30 individuals

Preferred Terminology: SSP

Certification/Endorsement: The program does not have an SSP certification but does occasionally offer CEUs

Types of Service Requests: reading mail, shopping, errands (drug store), exercise classes, monthly social group, and occasionally weddings or funerals.

Training Requirements: Many of the SSPs attend classes at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, interpreting program; SSP workshops are also provided with collaboration with UALR interpreting instructors and local consumers; an annual training/workshop is provided to allow SSPs to brush up on their skills.  Anyone interested in becoming an SSP must first provide 100 volunteer hours working as an SSP before they are eligible to be paid. They must also maintain yearly CEU requirements.

Program Coordination: SSPs are contacted directly by the consumer to schedule their appointments. The ARS SSP program is run by its full time staff interpreters. Processing payments for working SSP’s is only one of their many responsibilities. 

Transportation: SSPs do provide transportation but it is only for the purpose of getting to the place they will provide SSP services; they do not provide transportation services alone.  When transportation is the only need, options recommended include public transportation, local Deaf Uber drivers, or contact family, friends or someone willing to volunteer. 

SSP Pay Rate: the rate of pay is between $15.00 and $38.00 per hour based on experience, interpreter credentials, and licensing.

Other: Arkansas has developed a SSP guidelines document