Tennessee Organization of the Deaf-Blind, Inc.
Programs
Description
Our organization is Activity Oriented. We strongly feel that individuals who are deaf-blind have the right to participate in activities of their choice where they can go where and when they want to go and can communicate with others in the group. This is insured by having every individual matched with an SSP, with whom he can communicate. The SSP then assists him/her to communicate with others in the group. The SSPs also function as ?sighted guides? to their deaf-blind individual. The activities have included sailing; craft making days; the Helen Keller Festival in Alabama (where we sell crafts we have made); weekends in the Smoky Mountains, at Cades Cove, Pigeon Forge, Dollywood; Gatlinburg and Dollywood at Christmas; AADB conventions in Baltimore, San Diego and Ohio; a Shaker Village in Kentucky; and Gallaudet University. Our activities usually have from 10 to 20 deaf-blind participants and their SSPs. These activities also give the public an opportunity for awareness.
Program Areas Served
None
Our organization is Activity Oriented. We strongly feel that individuals who are deaf-blind have the right to participate in activities of their choice where they can go where and when they want to go and can communicate with others in the group. This is insured by having every individual matched with an SSP, with whom he can communicate. The SSP then assists him/her to communicate with others in the group. The SSPs also function as ?sighted guides? to their deaf-blind individual. The activities have included sailing; craft making days; the Helen Keller Festival in Alabama (where we sell crafts we have made); weekends in the Smoky Mountains, at Cades Cove, Pigeon Forge, Dollywood; Gatlinburg and Dollywood at Christmas; AADB conventions in Baltimore, San Diego and Ohio; a Shaker Village in Kentucky; and Gallaudet University. Our activities usually have from 10 to 20 deaf-blind participants and their SSPs. These activities also give the public an opportunity for awareness.
Program Areas Served
None
Budget
$30,000.00
Description
Retreats, or camps as the Deaf-blind prefer to call them are wonderful ways to combat isolation by being able to get away into an environment very condusive to learning new skills while having fun and relaxation. In all the Deaf-blind camps, all the campers have their own SSP (Service Support Provider) and have the ability to make choices about what they want to do. Those who are tactile, have 2 SSPs. Our camp usually has 30 to 40 campers and 50 to 60 SSPS. Campers pay $300 per person and staff and SSPs are volunteers. Campers are matched with SSPs with whom they can communicate. Activities include physical activities like swimming, zip line or giant swings; workshops to learn important information and /or new skills; fun activities like golf, line or ballroom dancing, 'tactile carnival'(developed by a man who is deaf-blind) and woodworking or arts and crafts... and, of course, roasting marshmallows over an open fire.The benificiaries of this program are everyone involved.
Program Areas Served
None
$30,000.00
Description
Retreats, or camps as the Deaf-blind prefer to call them are wonderful ways to combat isolation by being able to get away into an environment very condusive to learning new skills while having fun and relaxation. In all the Deaf-blind camps, all the campers have their own SSP (Service Support Provider) and have the ability to make choices about what they want to do. Those who are tactile, have 2 SSPs. Our camp usually has 30 to 40 campers and 50 to 60 SSPS. Campers pay $300 per person and staff and SSPs are volunteers. Campers are matched with SSPs with whom they can communicate. Activities include physical activities like swimming, zip line or giant swings; workshops to learn important information and /or new skills; fun activities like golf, line or ballroom dancing, 'tactile carnival'(developed by a man who is deaf-blind) and woodworking or arts and crafts... and, of course, roasting marshmallows over an open fire.The benificiaries of this program are everyone involved.
Program Areas Served
None
Budget
$500.00
Description
Statewide Meetings include a time for socialization, a potluck lunch, and a business meeting which is primarily an interactive, planning meeting. This meeting is always interpreted by two qualified (usually certified) platform interpreters, and several "relay" interpreters who copy the platform interpreters in order to provide tactile and "close" interpreting to individuals. Oral interpreting is provided to individuals with hearing aids and cochlear implants. The purpose of these meetings is for socialization, but also to ensure a consumer-driven plan for activities, including fundraising. These meetings, as all of our activities, provide a non-threatening hands-on experience for interpreting students who provide relay interpreting as well as being SSPs(Suport Services Providers). The benificiaries of this program are the 10 to 20 deaf-blind individuals, the SSPs, interpreters, and the students.
Program Areas Served
None
$500.00
Description
Statewide Meetings include a time for socialization, a potluck lunch, and a business meeting which is primarily an interactive, planning meeting. This meeting is always interpreted by two qualified (usually certified) platform interpreters, and several "relay" interpreters who copy the platform interpreters in order to provide tactile and "close" interpreting to individuals. Oral interpreting is provided to individuals with hearing aids and cochlear implants. The purpose of these meetings is for socialization, but also to ensure a consumer-driven plan for activities, including fundraising. These meetings, as all of our activities, provide a non-threatening hands-on experience for interpreting students who provide relay interpreting as well as being SSPs(Suport Services Providers). The benificiaries of this program are the 10 to 20 deaf-blind individuals, the SSPs, interpreters, and the students.
Program Areas Served
None
Budget
$270.00
Description
The newsletter is important to keep deaf-blind individuals and interested parties across the state informed about about the activities of TODB as well as programs which might benifit deaf-blind persons, which are offered by other organizations or the state. We also let them know about happenings with AADB, or Helen Keller National Center, and about any new technology or training which might benifit them. The newsletter is free and is printed in large print or braille, and is mailed under the Free Matter for the Blind permit. We try to send it out at least 3 times a year. Benificiaries are the newsletter recipients as well as new participants in TODB activities.
Program Areas Served
None
$270.00
Description
The newsletter is important to keep deaf-blind individuals and interested parties across the state informed about about the activities of TODB as well as programs which might benifit deaf-blind persons, which are offered by other organizations or the state. We also let them know about happenings with AADB, or Helen Keller National Center, and about any new technology or training which might benifit them. The newsletter is free and is printed in large print or braille, and is mailed under the Free Matter for the Blind permit. We try to send it out at least 3 times a year. Benificiaries are the newsletter recipients as well as new participants in TODB activities.
Program Areas Served
None
Description
We have noted in each of the programs above the importance of SSPs (Support Service Providers). SSPs are not only important for camp and other TODB activities. They are also important for going to the doctor (not to replace interpreters), shopping, visiting friends and relatives, other activities of daily living, and reduction of isolation. Without SSPs, most deaf-blind individuals remain at home while family and friends do the above activities for the individual rather than including him or her. TODB is trying to develop a pool of trained SSPs across the state. Currently we are experiencing two major obstacles. We have lost 3 of 5 interpreting programs in the state. Many sign language classes have gone as well. Secondly, we need funding for the SSPs. One project in the state used to have a voucher program funded by a golf tournament. But even that program hardly paid for gas. Many states have programs funded by the state. We need help to advocate for that to happen.
Program Areas Served
None
We have noted in each of the programs above the importance of SSPs (Support Service Providers). SSPs are not only important for camp and other TODB activities. They are also important for going to the doctor (not to replace interpreters), shopping, visiting friends and relatives, other activities of daily living, and reduction of isolation. Without SSPs, most deaf-blind individuals remain at home while family and friends do the above activities for the individual rather than including him or her. TODB is trying to develop a pool of trained SSPs across the state. Currently we are experiencing two major obstacles. We have lost 3 of 5 interpreting programs in the state. Many sign language classes have gone as well. Secondly, we need funding for the SSPs. One project in the state used to have a voucher program funded by a golf tournament. But even that program hardly paid for gas. Many states have programs funded by the state. We need help to advocate for that to happen.
Program Areas Served
None
CEO/Executive Director/Board Comments
| Statewide Meetings: $2000.00 is the average yearly cost of interpreters for our statewide meetings and Board meetings. We really need funds in order for more individuals from across the state to participate. They do not drive, but gas is not the only expense. They must have someone bring them. Most find that family members are usually 'busy' so that they pay others, or at least pay for meals and snacks as well as gas. Participation in Camps: The cost of camp becomes greater every year. We have tried to keep the camp cost at $300 for the camper but they are also responsible for transportation to and from camp and for meals on field trips. We continue to charge SSPs $25. for dues (required by insurance), insurance, and tees. They are often giving up their vacation time to be SSPs and most of the time they pay their cost of transportation. In 2002 the total cost for camp ,for 30 campers, was $13,000. It is now $30,000- $39,000 depending on the number of SSPs that we can recruit and the activities. We are also having a major challenge of recruiting individuals to be SSPs. Two years ago we had 5 colleges in Tennessee with interpreting programs. Interpreting programs are a good source for SSPs because of the value of the experience that camp offers. Three of those programs have closed. The two remaining programs are in East Tennessee. We are encouraging campers to bring their own SSPs with whom they can communicate. The problem is that we will not be able to give them the amount of training we have in the past, mostly prior to camp. The good part is that they can learn from other SSPs and will hopefully be able to be an SSP for the individual in his/her hometown. Because the current interpreting programs are located in East Tennessee, we are looking for camp sites in East TN that have well lit paved walkways and is not too hilly for our elderly campers or those in wheelchairs. |
