WHAT IS A SUPPORT SERVICE PROVIDER (SSP)?

ITP 119: Support Service Provider Training

Seattle Central Community CollegeBrenda Aron

Support Service Providers

Works with Deaf-Blind Individuals by:Providing guidingVisual informationEnvironmental informationLight interpreting

Responsibilities and Roles

SSPs provide:Sighted guidingVisual and environmental

information AND

Share their empowermentUnderstand how to use their

boundariesRespects Deaf-Blind’s needs/culture

What do Deaf-Blind People Want?

What do any person want?To gain independenceTo make their own decisionsTo know as much as they can

before they make their decision

Deaf-Blind:To gain independenceTo make informed decisions

When do Deaf-Blind Use SSPs?

Daily Errands: Shopping Post Office Bank Dry Cleaners Laundromat Read Letters Pay Bills Walk Dog Etc

Cardinal Rules for SSPs Maintain confidentiality Respect Deaf-Blind’s Privacy and

Rights Not take over or do for Deaf-Blind

Individuals Maintain neutrality Communicate effectively/negotiate Empower Deaf-Blind people Provide details and have Deaf-Blind

persons aware of available choices to make independent decisions

Skills:

Communication Guiding Techniques Visual/Environmental

Information

Common Communication Methods Used by DB Persons

Close/Tunnel Vision Tracking Tactile

ASL PSE Speech/Sign

Developmentally Disabled -Minimal Language Skills (MLS) Gestures Pictures Objects

Experience Loss of Sight

Please blindfold yourself Walk around the classroom Do not leave the room Do it for about 5 minutes