Deaf Blind Service Center

Programs: Communication: the support service provider (ssp) program is the cornerstone of dbsc. Ssps are trained, sighed guided, fluent in american sign language and providers of visual and environmental information so that deaf-blind people can do their banking, shop, pay bills and perform other essential errands independently. The ssps provides this visual and environmental information enabling the deaf-blind person to make informed choices and decisions and so they can participate in the mainstream community. Dbsc trains and matches ssps with deaf-blind individuals at no cost to the deaf-blind person. Dbsc is also contracted with office of deaf and hearing (odhh) and city of seattle. Number of people benefited: 80

advocacy services: at dbsc, we believe it is our responsibility to ensure deaf-blind individual have a voice at the community, state and federal government. For instance, being unable to secure a proper sign language interpreter, a quailed ssp, and/or accessing technology are only a few of many major barriers. There are many different types of advocacy that enable deaf-blind people to improve their ability to interact with society: self-advocacy and private policy advocacy. Number of people benefited: 81

communication: communication facilitator (cf) provides access to telephone communication through video relay service by use of tactile sign language to copy sign language from the tv screen to the db individual. Number of people benefited: 14

deaf-blind senior citizens gathering: monthly group meetings. Professional-to-professional services: volunteers providing transportation, guiding and visual/environmental information to deaf-blind people in business situations.