Disability Services of the Southwest (DSSW) is seeking a Deaf Blind Multiple Disabilities (DBMD) Intervener Services to help support our growing Webberville, Texas southeast of Austin, Texas branch office!

We work hard to make sure our clients are receiving the highest quality of care and we strive to be the bridge that empowers their independence! Our employees are the key to accomplishing this mission!

When you join DSSW, you join a team of compassionate and dedicated staff who know that they are making a difference in the lives of the clients we serve.

Our services include personal attendant services, nursing and therapies, as well as assistance in home modification, adaptive aids, job coaching and supported employment.

DBMD Intervener Services: are responsible for making sights, sounds, and activities accessible to the client. Learns the specific communication system of the client. This system is an individualized combination of expressive and receptive communication forms that may include: sign language, speech, tangible symbols, gestures, non-verbal cues, actions, and behaviors. Serves as a facilitator to involve the person who is deaf-blind with multiple disabilities in community services and activities.

Tasks:

• One to one contact with clients to provide communication and information from the environment. This information would otherwise be available through vision and hearing.
• Forming a relationship with the client that includes recognizing, understanding, and honoring communication attempts of the client.
• Periodic development and preparation of activities for the client.
• Forming a working alliance with the family, neighbors, employers, and professionals with whom the client has contact.
• Writing a plan for intervention with the family and project staff and working from that written plan.
• Transporting clients to gain access to community services and resources required by plan of care.
• Instructing and supporting in all skills related to community access; and Interpersonal communication including use of sign language, speech, tangible communication symbols, gestures, calendars, and augmentative communication devices.
• Complies with the Policies and Procedures of the Agency.
• All other duties, as assigned.

Experience and Education:

• Is at least 18 years of age.
• Is not the spouse of the individual to whom the intervener is assigned.
• Holds a high school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate.
• Has a minimum of two years of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Has the ability to proficiently communicate in the functional language of the individual to whom the intervener is assigned.
• A valid driver’s license and current auto liability coverage.
• CPR and First Aid certified.

Projected Schedule:

• Hours: 25 hours
• Plan: 5-day plan
• Schedule: Monday-Friday: 3:00pm-8:00pm