April 2026
Note: Services listed do not imply endorsement by HKNC. The information listed is self-reported by the program. The terminology used in this document is unique to each program (for example the spelling of the word “DeafBlind” or use of the term SSP or CoNavigator). This program listing is provided for informational purposes only. These are the known programs in the United States. Several other states/metropolitan communities have active work groups investigating the possibility of establishing SSP or CN services.
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MAINEUniversity of Southern Maine Linguistics Department Science Building, 70 Falmouth St, DeafSpace Room #410, Portland, ME 04103 Regan Thibodeau, SSP Coordinator 207-780-4582 voice; 207-766-7098 videophone University of Southern Maine Linguistics Dept Service Area: Maine Statewide Program Established: Services began in 2010 under the Iris Network — Independence Without Fear (IWF). The University of Southern Maine assumed the program in 2019. Funding Sources: Currently the program is unfunded. IWF used to have some funding via the Iris Network. Some items like gas are sometimes billable to the State of Maine. Eligibility: People who identify as DeafBlind or having a dual sensory loss; who may use ASL or spoken English for communication. Number of Individuals Served: There are five individuals who occasionally use the program. Often in conjunction with larger events such as Deaf Culture Festival, ASL Live, Timberfest with the practicum, not yet ready, and supervised mentoring courses along with field experience opportunities. Preferred Terminology: SSP, CoNavigator, Access Provider – we allow the client to decide for themselves. Certification/Endorsement: Yes, RID CEUs are available. Types of Service Requests: The pandemic has reduced activity requests. The last two years, in the fall, there were requests to attend the Deaf Culture Festival with access to the ASL Live show. Prior to the pandemic, activities included travel, completing errands, appointments, attending events, etc. Training Requirements: Students are trained by Regan Thibodeau in SSP/CN roles and duties. Training hours are at least three hours and then a buddy system is used for the first couple of activities for safety and then the providers are able to work with consumers independently. Refreshers are offered as needed, historically twice a year, and students are strongly encouraged to attend other DeafBlind-related training and retreats. Program Coordination: Part-Time Transportation: Yes, often SSPs provide transportation if available. Other times, SSPs will meet the consumer at the location. SSP/CN Rate of Pay: Providers are volunteers. Sometimes the DeafBlind person offers food or gas money, and if going to event, will cover cost of event fee. Other: n/a | ||
MINNESOTADeafBlind Services Minnesota (DBSM) Adult Community Services (SSP, CN and Adult Intervener Programs) 3230 Spruce Street, Little Canada, MN 55117 Matthew Priebe, Adult Community Services Program Manager 612-843-3426 voice; 651-430-6008 videophone Sammie Porter, Deafblind Community Specialist 612-438-3440 videophone Service Area: Minnesota Statewide Program Established: 1986 (SSP Service established in 1996; CN service established in 2025) Funding Sources: Minnesota State Dept of Human Services–Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division Eligibility: Deafblind adults (age 22 or older, 18 if no longer covered by an IEP-Individualized Education Plan) must have a medically verifiable combined hearing loss and vision loss which interferes with individual’s ability to independently maintain their independence or access their community. The SSP and CoNavigator (CN) program provides an average of 20 hours a month to participants, may vary based on available funding and program size. The Adult Intervener program provides an average number of hours to participants consistent with the Children, Youth and Family Services (CYFS) Intervener program. All participants must demonstrate no other funding sources available for SSP, CN or Intervener supports. Number of Individuals Served: approximately 5o deafblind adults with the majority residing in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Approximately 10 deafblind adults receive DBSM services in greater, outstate Minnesota. Preferred Terminology: SSP, CN and Adult Intervener Certification/Endorsement: The program does not provide any certification or training CEUs at this time. Types of Service Requests: SSP and CN: grocery shopping, Post Office, reading mail, assisting with online work, errands of daily living, guiding or co-navigating to health appointments, community events access and communication assistance for community groups such as beading craft class. Adult Intervener: provide consistent Deafblind Intervener services to adults who benefit from assistance with: language or concept development; planning or initiating activities; socialization or strengthening peer networks; integrating into their home or community; personal autonomy and independence; and/or successful transition to adulthood. Training Requirements: DBSM employs staff with or without ASL skills. DBSM currently employs around 30 part-time, hourly SSP, CN and Adult Intervener staff—around 15% of staff are Deaf or hard-of-hearing. Staff receive paid training on the basics of deaf-blindness, including simulation activities, human guide techniques, and the basics of Protactile communication. Adult Intervener staff receive additional training on Deafblind Intervention strategies and techniques. New hires are also trained to use the DBSM online time reporting system and work email. When possible, new staff are offered “on-the-job” training (mentoring) and they shadow an experienced SSP, CN or Adult Intervener before taking assignments. Transportation: Staff may drive clients into the community as part of their work together but cannot give rides only. SSP Pay Rate: SSP and CN staff starting pay is $20 per hour. Adult Intervener staff starting pay is commensurate with CYFS program Intervener starting pay rates. Experience working as an Intervener or having completed a formal Intervener training course is required to begin working as an Adult Intervener. SSPs, CNs and Adult Interveners also earn mileage reimbursement at the Minnesota DHS rate, for mileage driven while working with participants or driving long distances to meet participants. Other: the program was designed to provide support for Deafblind people to live as independently as possible. The SSP and CN model works well for self-directed, proficient-communicating Deafblind adults. DBSM’s Children, Youth and Family Services (CYFS) Program provides Deafblind Intervention in the home and community to Deafblind children and youth from birth to age 18, age 22 if still covered by an IEP-Individualized Education Plan. The intervener assists Deafblind children to develop age-appropriate independence, communication and social skills. The Children, Youth and Family Services Program Manager is Kim Johnson at 612-843-3401 voice; kjohnson@dbsm.org.
Minnesota Department of Human Services - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division funds the DeafBlind Consumer Directed Services Grant Program, administered by A New Direction, Inc. P.O. Box 128, St. Joseph, MN 56374 Christy Leach, Program Manager 612-272-5233 voice Deaf-Blind Consumer Directed Services (DBCDS) - A New Direction Service Area: Minnesota Statewide Program Established: 2002 Funding Sources: The DeafBlind Consumer Directed Services program is funded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services – Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division. The program’s purpose is to enable DeafBlind Minnesotans to access supports and services to live independently, interact with their families and communities, and develop knowledge and skills. Eligibility: Minnesotans of any age who have a medically verifiable hearing loss and vision loss that interferes with acquiring information or interacting in the environment. Number of Individuals Served: 36 annually Preferred Terminology: SSP, CoNavigator, Intervener – consumers determine which terminology best suits the service they need, then train their staff appropriately. Certification/Endorsement: not at this time Types of Service Requests: The program’s purpose is to provide funding for ongoing support services such as SSPs, CoNavigators, interpreters or transportation. (Note: this funding allows the consumer to determine which services they need.) Training Requirements: Each DeafBlind consumer decides what kind and how much training they want their SSP or other service provider to have. Program Coordination: full-time; coordinator oversees a related state grant program that provides training, equipment, and communication skills instruction to individuals who are DeafBlind. Transportation: SSPs are allowed to provide transportation. Pay Rate: As a consumer-directed program, each consumer is responsible for determining the appropriate rate of pay for their Access Provider. Rates of pay vary from $15.00 (typically for family members) to $30/hour for CN. It is up to each consumer to determine if they will pay their SSP/CN mileage reimbursement. Those who do pay mileage may not exceed the state reimbursement rate, but it can be less than that. On average, consumers who do reimburse for mileage pay between $0.55 -$0.60 cents/mile. Other: The program also allows individuals to purchase services or goods (training, equipment, technology, etc.) they need to remain independent, become more independent and integrated into their community. DeafBlind children and their families purchase goods and services to develop the child’s independence, communication skills, or ability to integrate into their family and community. Each program participant identifies outcomes they want to achieve and then designs a budget to purchase the goods and services they need to accomplish the outcomes. | ||
MISSOURIDEAF, Inc. 25 E. Frisco Ave, St Louis, MO 63119 314-350-4640 voice/text De Linda Brite, Director of Community Programs Service Area: Statewide Program Established: 2017 Funding Sources: State-legislated grant, managed through the MO Commission for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Eligibility: Must have hearing loss and vision loss of 20/200 or greater, or progressive vision loss Number of Participants Served: 77 Preferred Terminology: SSP Types of Service Requests: Any, as long as the participant has hours to use Training Requirements: Must complete training before using the program and pass background check. Certification/Endorsement: certification provided upon completion of training Program Coordination: Part-time Transportation: Yes, SSPs can provide transportation SSP/CN Pay Rate: Starting pay at $18 | ||