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Deaf Blind Advisory Committee wins board support for SSP trainings and statewide role survey; VASP manual step deferred
Summary
The board endorsed Deaf Blind Advisory Committee proposals to fund three SSP/deafblind trainings and to pursue a statewide survey clarifying SSP and co‑navigator roles; a proposed change to include Vocational Access Service Provider language in the LRS manual will be pursued further with staff.
Dr. Megan Wimberly presented three proposals from the Deaf Blind Advisory Committee: LCD-funded trainings for Support Service Providers (SSPs) and deafblind consumers, incorporation of a Vocational Access Service Provider (VASP) model into the Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) manual, and a statewide survey to clarify the roles of SSPs versus co‑navigators and to gauge interest in protactile training.
Wimberly said the committee recommends three trainings: a deafblind-awareness course for SSPs and community members, self-advocacy training for deafblind consumers who use SSPs, and conflict-resolution workshops. "We feel like SSPs and deaf blind individuals need training," she said, and the committee proposed that LCD fund those trainings as a neutral party. Commissioner Ramos made and the board carried a motion to endorse the proposal; Broussard said LCD has funds and staff will research locations and cost estimates.
Wimberly also proposed adding VASP language into the LRS manual so that job-search activities would not draw from a deafblind consumer’s personal SSP hours; Wimberly said Melissa and Jana had previously discussed the change and that further steps would require reconvening staff to finalize language. Because the LRS representative was not present, the board agreed to follow up and reconvene that work.
Finally, the committee requested that LCD fund a statewide survey to collect data on definitions and roles of SSPs versus co‑navigators, interest in protactile training, and other program-service concerns. Commissioner Crosby and Commissioner Ramos supported moving forward; the motion to proceed with the survey carried by voice vote with no opposition recorded in the transcript.
