American Association of the Deaf-Blind

A New Beginning

 

Support Service Providers (SSPs)
An Introduction

Last Update:
Monday, March 26, 2012

Email this page
Support Service Providers (SSP) are
the eyes and ears for deaf-blind people.

Introduction

Support Service Providers (SSPs) are specially trained professionals who enable people who have combined vision and hearing losses to access their environments and make informed decisions. SSPs provide them with visual and environmental information, sighted guide services, and communication accessibility.

For more information about the SSPs' purpose, roles and responsibilities, you can check out the following pages:

AADB's Research

AADB conducted a needs assessment in 2006 and a survey of SSP programs in both 2009 and 2012. Both offer more evidence of the deaf-blind community's needs for support services providers. During the 2003 and 2006 AADB conferences, deaf-blind members said that SSP services is their number one priority.

Also, the state of North Carolina conducted a needs assessment in 1998 of deaf-blind residents. They also said that SSP service is their top need.

Please visit the following pages to view the:

Deaf-Blind People's Testimonials and Stories

You can also review deaf-blind people's testimonials and stories of their experiences and frustrations of not having SSPs. These stories also tell how SSPs will help them make their lives much easier to manage. Please check out one story about one such deaf-blind person:

Other Related Stories

Currently AADB is collecting stories and videos from deaf-blind individuals who want to say why they need SSPs and how the SSPs make a difference in their lives. If you or someone you know would like to share their:

These people are deaf-blind. They have a deep interest in supporting SSP services nationwide.

Want to help?

There are many ways that you can help AADB support SSP Services across the nation. You can:

  • Call your representatives in Congress to support the SSP Language that will recognize SSPs as a needed service,
  • Be a volunteer for our national conferences and events
  • Make a donation to support our advocacy and program for SSP services

Want to Give?

Making a donation is easy to do! There are several options you can do:

  • Give online through our secured website
  • Call AADB to make your donation:
    • 301-495-4403 Voice;
    • 301-495-4402 TTY or
    • 301-563-9107 Videophone
    • 301-495-4404 Fax
  • Mail your donation to:
    • American Association of the Deaf-Blind
      PO Box 2831
      Kensington, MD 20891

When giving to AADB, we accept:

  • Credit Card:
    Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover
  • Payment through PayPal
  • Check Money Orders

Thank you for thinking about the deaf-blind community and their needs for SSP services. For more information please feel free to contact the AADB office.

Reduce the Isolation

Enable Support Service Providers (SSPs) to be the eyes and ears of deaf-blind people.

Donate Now!

For more information, please visit our SSP page or contact the AADB Office.