SEATTLE

            DEAF-BLIND

                     SERVICE CENTER

SERVICES

What services does DBSC provide?

• Information and Referral
• Community Newsletter
• Conference Room Rental
• Advocacy and Case Management
• Support Service Provider (SSP) Program
• Communication Facilitator (CF) and Video Communication Program
• Deaf-Blind to Deaf-Blind Classes
• Senior Citizens Services
• Professional-to-Professional Services
• National SSP Pilot Project

DBSC’s goals:

• Increase awareness about the Deaf- Blind Community
• Eliminate Deaf-Blind isolation through SSPs and other services.
• Act as a model and resource for other agencies and persons interested in improving and promoting access for Deaf-Blind people.
• Offer various tools for Deaf-Blind people to participate fully in society.

Who DBSC serves:

• Deaf-Blind people
• Residents of Washington State.
• Those who will benefit from our services.

Brief Summary of DBSC’s programs:

• Support Service Providers (SSPs)

DBSC trains SSPs and coordinates SSP services. SSPs are sighted guides and providers of visual and environmental information. This allows Deaf-Blind people to participate more fully in society.

• Communication Facilitators (CF)

A CF is a skilled signer who copies sign language from the screen of a videophone, providing access for Deaf-Blind people to the Video Relay Service, as well as other signers.

• Advocacy and Case Management

DBSC assists Deaf-Blind people in a variety of problem solving situations such as housing, transportation, system change, interpreter rights and employment issues.

• Educational Opportunities for Deaf-Blind People

DBSC provides classes to learn Braille, and other useful skills, these classes are tailored to the Deaf-Blind persons needs. DBSC encourages leadership among Deaf-Blind people.

• Outreach and Public Services

DBSC provides Braille services, offers workshops to educate landlords, employers, healthcare providers, schools and others about technologies used for accommodating Deaf-Blind people, resources for learning sign language, and resources for learning about Deaf-Blind culture and communication norms.