DeafBlind Programs
Our DeafBlind programs help individuals gain equitable access to information in their environment and everyday life.
- Community Interveners provide ongoing communication and access support to help build connections and understanding for DeafBlind children and DeafBlind adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
- Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Specialists teach safe and independent travel skills.
- Support Service Providers (SSPs) assist with communication and environmental information during community activities for DeafBlind adults.
Contact Email
Community Intervener Program
Community Interveners work one on one with DeafBlind infants, children, and youth, and with DeafBlind adults who have additional intellectual or developmental disabilities. They provide consistent support with communication, social activities, and community involvement.
Eligible DeafBlind individuals can receive up to 14 hours of Community Intervener Program support each month.
Who qualifies for this program?
Children under 22 years old with a documented combined vision and hearing loss, and Colorado residency.
Adults over 21 with a documented combined vision and hearing loss, and Colorado residency, who have a documented intellectual or developmental disability.
What is a Community Intervener?
A community intervener is a professional who:
- Has specialized skills and training to support the empowerment, social skill development, communication skill development, and concept development of DeafBlind children, youth, and adults with additional intellectual or developmental disabilities.
- Works consistently one to one with a DeafBlind individual on goals set by the individual or their family members and support team
Become a Community Intervener
Community Interveners do WITH, not for!
Community interveners do:
- Share visual and/or auditory information that might be missing or incomplete
- Support the individual in developing a communication system that is accessible to them
- Promote community integration and participation
- Grow a trusting relationship and promote social and emotional well-being
Community Interveners do not:
- Respite care
- Medical care or nursing
- Housekeeping or cleaning
- Chores or errands
Community Interveners can provide access in many areas, including but not limited to:
- Home
- Recreation center
- Religious services
- Community events
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Family outings
Community Intervener Program Advisory Group
Interested in sharing your thoughts and helping shape the future of the Community Intervener Program? Contact us here to join the CIP Advisory Group.
Program Contact:
Email: dbp.cddhhdb@state.co.us
Phone: 720-457-3679
Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Program
The Colorado Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind (CDDHHDB) Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Program supports DeafBlind people in learning how to travel safely and independently.
- Orientation means knowing where you are and understanding your surroundings.
- Mobility means being able to move safely and efficiently from one place to another.
The goal of the program is to support DeafBlind people’s independence and confidence while traveling.
Role, Responsibilities and Code of Ethics of O&M Specialists
O&M specialists work with DeafBlind people to support them in learning to travel safely and independently. They do this by:
- Providing assessments to understand what skills the person might need to develop.
- Creating a travel training plan.
- Teaching basic travel skills, like using a white cane, traveling with a guide dog, or moving safely in familiar areas.
- Educating people on people to learn how to use buses, trains, and other community transportation
O&M specialists believe that being able to move independently is vital for a person’s growth and independence. They are committed to helping each person reach their full potential.
O&M specialists agree to follow a professional Code of Ethics. CDDHHDB uses the Code of Ethics from the book Foundations of Orientation and Mobility, Third Edition, Appendix A: “Code of Ethics for Orientation and Mobility Specialists.”
Qualifications of O&M specialists
O&M specialists must:
O&M specialists must also keep their certification active by completing continuing education classes.
How to Request Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Training
Support Service Provider (SSP) Program
The Support Service Provider (SSP) program provides up to 24 hours of support to eligible DeafBlind consumers. A trained SSP can support in many ways, including access to visual, situational, and environmental information, transportation and human guidance/orientation to surroundings, and facilitating communication with others. SSPs are trained to ensure the DeafBlind consumer is empowered to make their own decisions. They can communicate however consumers are most comfortable (spoken English, ASL, tactile sign language, or another method).
Support Service Provider (SSP) Program Guidelines
Service Provider Lookup
Use the spreadsheet to find a DeafBlind Programs provider that fits your needs
Become a DeafBlind Programs Vendor
Please see our Vendor page for the most up-to-date information on becoming a vender for DeafBlind Programs.
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