A Co-Navigator (CN) or Support Service Provider (SSP) has been trained to work 1-on-1 in the community with adults who are DeafBlind to provide visual and auditory information about the environment, provide a sighted guide, and facilitate communication for consumer-directed activities (e.g., shopping; writing checks to pay bills; and assisting to, during, and from meetings/conferences and vacations). The CN can be Deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing. Not all DeafBlind people use sign language, but most do. Even a hard of hearing DeafBlind person who does not use sign language may want to talk with someone who does using a CN or an interpreter. A CN does not make decisions for the DeafBlind individual.
At this time, CN services are currently only available through Medicaid. If you are Oregon Medicaid eligible, you can sign in to see if you are qualified for Medicaid Homecare Workers service.
Sign up for Medicaid Homecare Workers Services
Please visit https://or-hcc.org/ or meet with a representative at your local Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) office to learn more about how to sign up for Medicaid Homecare Workers services.
APD office locator: https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/offices/pages/seniors-disabilities.aspx
Become a Medicaid Homecare Workers Provider
Are you interested in becoming a Homecare Workers to serve the DeafBlind community? Please contact Oregon’s Home Care Commission (HCC). HCC is looking for individuals to contract to provide Homecare Workers services. If you are interested in working with HCC, please visit: https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/seniors-disabilities/hcc/Pages/index.aspx .
Learn more about our Communication Facilitator (CF) services
Communication Facilitators (CFs) provide DeafBlind Oregonians, who communicate using American Sign Language through tactile or close vision methods, with access to make and receive video to video and Video Relay Service calls. To learn more, please visit: https://bridgesoregon.org/cf/.
More resources are available here.