[nfb-db] NFBMD 2013-04 SSP resolution

[Marsha Drenth]

Randy,
I would have to disagree, with you on the wording and the meaning behind it. 
As someone who has been in the NFB for most of my life, 35plus years, the NFB does not want assistance. They want nothing to do with assistance, it all about the independence, to the extreme. If you ask for help or in this case assistance, your looked down upon. I am not saying everyone does this, but many NFB people do. they take that NFB philosphy to the extreme. Its not something I agree with, as we all need help or assistance at some point in our life. But having to prove something to world, is not necessarily the right thing to do all of the time.. 

Just my opinion, 
Marsha drenth  
Sent with my IPhone 

> On Nov 11, 2013, at 9:21 PM, "Randy Pope" <randy.pope at aadb.org> wrote:
> 
> 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
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