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Deafblind Resources

An individual who is Deafblind is a person who experiences a dual sensory loss affecting both his or her vision and hearing. The degree of vision and hear loss will vary person to person.

Support service provider

A support service provider (SSP) is any adult who knows sign language and has been trained to work with Deafblind adults. An SSP could be hearing, Deaf or hard of hearing. An SSP is trained to be a sighted guide and knows how to relay visual information to his or her client. An SSP can take on a number of different roles including assisting with daily activities and providing access to the environment and community participation.

An SSP is NOT an interpreter and is not required to hold state or national certification.

Deafblind resources

Below is a partial listing of Deafblind resources. If you know of a link that should be included, please contact the Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH).

Contact information

Below is a partial listing of known contact people related to the Deafblind services.

Adrian Klenz, Executive Director, Center for Deaf-Blind Persons
aklenz@deaf-blind.org
414-481-7477

Jolene Gruber, WDBTAP Grant Coordinator (birth to 21 years old)
Jolene.Gruber@wesp-dhh.wi.gov
608-356-0091

Jen Gettelman, WDBTAP Deafblind Consultant (birth to 21 years old)
Jennifer.Gettelman@wesp-dhh.wi.gov
262-749-6601

Christine Croyle, Ed.D., CCC-SLP, Program Director, Ohio Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness
Christine_Croyle@ocali.org
614-401-2804

John Filek, Regional Services Coordinator, Hellen Keller National Center 
jfilek@helenkeller.org
 612-428-3194

Matthew Priebe, Adult Community Services Manager, DeafBlind Services Minnesota
priebem@dbsm.org
612-843-3426

Kim Johnson, Children, Youth and Family Services Manager, DeafBlind Services Minnesota
kjohnson@dbsm.org
612-843-3401

Glossary

 
Last revised April 10, 2024