HISTORY:
The Community Outreach Program for the Deaf is a non-profit organization, which has been serving the needs of people in Southern Arizona who are deaf or hard of hearing since 1973. C.O.P.D. is an agency of Southwest Community Services under Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona, COPD provides services to all those in need regardless of age, gender, race, religion, or income. C.O.P.D. is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities and licensed by the Department of Health and Division of Developmental Disabilities..

SERVICES:

Programs provided through C.O.P.D. include:

* Interpreting
* Rural Services (Referral Only)
* DeafBlind Services: SSP Services
* Employment Services: Job training, career counseling, job placement.
* Hearing Aid Services
* Counseling
* Resource Development
* Advocacy
* Living Support
* Technical Devices Information
* Hearing Aid Bank

FUNDING:

C.O.P.D. programs are funded by a variety of sources including Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ACDHH), Arizona Department of Economic Security, Vocational Rehabilitation, Division of Developmental Disabilities, United Way, Pima County Community Services, National Institute of Severely Handicapped, United States Department of Education, City of Tucson, the State of Arizona, DES, WIA, and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson Bishop's Appeal.

ELIGIBILITY:

In general, any person with a hearing loss may use C.O.P.D. 's services. We will help you identify your individual needs. If we cannot provide direct assistance, we will work to find someone who can.
C.O.P.D. is your resource for assistance.

COUNSELING SERVICES:

C.O.P.D. services include arranging counseling to help clients deal with a wide range of needs. Counseling includes a careful process of listening to and working with clients to help determine solutions to problems which arise in work and personal life.
All counseling sessions are in the strictest of confidence and designed to help clients deal effectively with issues or problems of importance. These issues, for Deaf and hard of hearing persons, often include: difficulties of communication with the hearing world, within a family or marriage; job-related problems; difficulties with relationships; or any other issues which clients find stressful or about which they feel a need to talk in confidence. COPD has both male and female counselors and can provide these services at other locations. Please call.

RURAL PROGRAMS:

C.O.P.D. operates a statewide Rural Outreach Program on a referral base, and this program provides personal counseling, case management, advocacy, interpreting, and vocational assistance to Deaf and hard of hearing individuals who reside outside the Phoenix or Tucson metropolitan areas.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES:

COPD provides support to persons who are hard of hearing with equipment and device training.
COPD also offers a Hearing Aid Bank uses aids that have been reconditioned so that they match clients' hearing needs. C.O.P.D. arranges for the required testing and fitting for hearing aids and assists in adjustment for the new user. COPD, Tucson Hearing Society and the University of Arizona work together to provide a hearing aid at reduced cost.

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

For clients in need of a job, C.O.P.D. provides a wide range of services and options including training and job placement, career counseling, supported employment, on-the-job training and follow up as well as assistance with interviewing and resume writing skills. All placements are based on the individual's desires and necessary supports are provided at the job site. C.O.P.D. provides guidance and counseling through job skills and aptitude testing to clientele. COPD provides job site support, job skill matehing and in-service on hiring a Deaf person, and communication strategies to the employer.

DEAF-BLIND SERVICES:

C.O.P.D. offers an array of services to include consultation, training, and assessments statewide as well as specific services in conjunction with already existing services within C.O.P.D. COPD offers SSP support for the DeafBlind person though a voucher program and provides SSP training to the community.

INTERPRETING:

An Interpreter is a trained professional who is fluent in both English and American Sign Language (ASL) and who is able to accurately and effectively convey a complete conversation, interpretering what is being said by all parties involved. Anyone may request an interpreter. Whether you are hearing, Deaf, or hard of hearing, you may request an interpreter to assist in communications, where ASL is the principal language of one of the individuals involved.

Interpreter: services are appropriate for:

* Medical care (routine or emergency)
* Legal matters (consultations or court appearances)
* Job interviews / training
* Counseling
* Access to social services
* Access to government resources
* Personal business (banking, etc.)

Providing access to community resources and information to Deaf and DeafBlind individuals by translating between spoken language and American Sign Language. Available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week. For scheduled events, it is best to request interpreter services at least five days in advance of the time needed, if possible. For emergency situations interpreters can be reached 24 hours a day, every day.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires public agencies and certain public accommodations (such as physicians, lawyers, libraries, day care centers, and hotels) to provide aids, including interpreters. Businesses, public agencies and non-profit organizations may call for fee information.
C.O.P.D. provides only interpreters whose qualifications are documented by state rating or national certification. COPD also offers video interpreting to business and consumers. Please call to determine how your might use service.

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