[nfb-db] NFBMD 2013-04 SSP resolution

[Randy Pope]

Thank Janice for posting the SSP resolution, Janice

Not meaning to be critical but facilitators is not really the word I would
use in describing the roles of the SSPs.  To facilitate in this content
implied that the SSPs has some control in conveying the communication,
vision and guiding information.  Instead I would use assistance or to assist
which mean that the DB person has full control of the information.  I think
this kind of thinking would aligned with the NFB thinking of being
self-independent.

See the difference?

Randy

From: nfb-db [mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Janice Toothman
Sent: Monday, November 11, 2013 6:54 PM
To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List; Burnell Brown; Arlene Naulty; Joe
Naulty; janice.toothman at verizon.net; Matthew Pettit; Marcus Simmons; Tracie
Inman; Cathy Miller
Subject: [nfb-db] NFBMD 2013-04 SSP resolution

 

   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 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfb-db_nfbnet.org/attachments/20131111/d310739e/attachment.html>