DBSC 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
• Senior Citizens Services
• Professional-to-Professional Services

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 Persons

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.