[nfb-db] NFBMD 2013-04 SSP resolution

[Janice Toothman]

    Hi Everyone,
I will paste the Maryland State SSP Resolution for 2013 as Passed Below:

Regarding the creation of a statewide Support Service Providers Program 
for deaf-blind people

WHEREAS, Deaf-blind people rely on Support Service Providers (SSPs) to 
facilitate communications, and to provide environmental and situational 
information so that they can participate in all aspects of community 
life, thereby reducing reliance on family members and friends for these 
tasks; and

WHEREAS, the SSPs are not responsible for providing personal care or 
serving as interpreters as required by law at legal and medical 
appointments, i.e., SSPs must serve only as facilitators, not decision 
makers; and

WHEREAS, Maryland currently has a few regional programs that supply SSPs 
to deaf-blind residents who live in certain designated localities, 
leaving many deaf-blind individuals with no assistance; and

WHEREAS, these regional programs vary in the quality and extent of 
services available; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of the Maryland Department of Disabilities is to 
coordinate services and to advance the rights and interests of people 
with disabilities so they may fully participate in their communities; and

WHEREAS, the Maryland Department of Disabilities is the right agency in 
Maryland state government to create a statewide Support Service 
Providers Program; and

WHEREAS, service programs are most successful when the consumers who use 
the service play an integral part in the planning and development of the 
program: NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED, by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, in 
Convention assembled this tenth day of November, 2013, in the city of 
Ocean City, Maryland, that this organization strongly urge the Maryland 
State Department of Disabilities to create a plan with input from 
stakeholders that leads to the enactment of a statewide Support Service 
Providers Program so that all deaf-blind Maryland citizens may fully 
participate in all aspects of community life; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization strongly encourage the 
Maryland Department of Disabilities to immediately begin planning for 
this program so that it can be included in the Governor's 2016 budget.

Sincerely,
Janice
Secretary
Deaf-Blind Division/NFB
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