Pennsylvania Support Service Providers to People Who are Deaf-Blind Participate in Training

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Labor & Industry's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services, and the Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, in conjunction with the Statewide Independent Living Council and the Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania, recently conducted a three-day training session for Support Service Providers (SSPs) at the Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania in Camp Hill.

The three day-long sessions included training on the basics of deaf-blindness, cultural aspects of people who are deaf-blind, communication strategies and the roles and responsibilities of an SSP. The sessions also provided trainees with practice on human guiding using stairs, elevators and escalators with volunteers who are deaf-blind.

SSPs' services promote independence and enhance environmental cues, allowing individuals who are deaf-blind to make informed decisions. The final session on Saturday was held at the Capitol City Mall where trainees practiced human guiding throughout the mall using stairs, elevators and escalators with volunteers who are deaf-blind.

The SSPs program is the first statewide program of its kind for individuals who are deaf-blind. A State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) initiative, the program is funded by a pilot grant of federal and state dollars used to train and pay individuals to become qualified SSPs to work with Pennsylvanians who are deaf-blind, at least 18 years old and have completed high school. SSPs are independent contractors, interviewed and hired by individuals who are deaf-blind.

Participants who successfully completed the full training receive a Statement of Training Completion, are added to an approved SSP statewide registry and are eligible as independent contractors to provide services. An additional SSP training session is currently scheduled for March at the Center for Independent Living of Central PA in Camp Hill.

For more information on SSPs or the services they provide, please visit http://www.aadb.org/information/ssp/ssp.html.

For more information on OVR, BBVS or ODHH, visit http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/disability_services/10355.

Media contact:  
Sara Goulet, PA Department of Labor & Industry, 717-787-7530
Theo Braddy, Center for Independent Living of Central PA, 
717-731-1900, ext. 211 or cell, 717-395-8050.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry

Related Links

http://www.governor.state.pa.us

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