Communication Barrier Mitigation Services for CE

Effective 5/1/2023, the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) will offer a Communication Barrier Mitigation rate for Customized Employment Services. The new Communication Barrier Mitigation CE services allows for services to be provided by a CE Certified Staff member who meet our fluency and cultural qualifications in ASL or Spanish.  This service eliminates the need for third party interpreters and will provide full access between an individual, their employer, and colleagues in the individual’s native language of American Sign Language (ASL) or Spanish.

DDS and ADS will jointly track provider staff qualifications for this service as a part of the CT Customized Employment Provider Staff Registry.  Provider staff will be required to submit their certifications/qualifications in conjunction with their CE Certification after applying to the registry in order to be qualified to provide communication barrier mitigation services for CE.  An ADS-DDS staff member will follow up requesting a copy of the staff’s CE Certificate and qualifications for communication barrier mitigation service.  Qualifications to provide this service are identical across agencies and are outlines below:

Qualifications for Direct Service Staff in ASL

To be determined as qualified, the Direct Service Staff must:

1. Pass the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) provided by Gallaudet University at a minimum of Level 3+;

• Reference link: https://gallaudet.edu/american-sign-language-proficiency-interview-aslpi/

  OR

1. Pass the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) provided by Rochester Institute of Technology at a minimum of Level Intermediate;

• Reference link: https://www.rit.edu/ntid/slpi/

  AND

1. Have experience and knowledge of Deaf Culture through intensive personal experience and/or completion of a Deaf Studies Program;

   AND

2. Be able to read and write in the English language.

Qualifications for Direct Service Staff in Spanish

To be determined as qualified, the Direct Service Staff must:

1. Pass the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Test in spoken Spanish at a minimum of Intermediate mid.

• Reference link: https://www.actfl.org/educator-resources/actfl-proficiency-guidelines/spanish
• Screening company reference link: https://testyourlanguage.com/spanish-level-test

  AND

1. Have experience and knowledge of Latino/Latina culture through intensive personal experience;

   AND

2. Be able to read and write in the English language

More information can be found in the DDS Operations Center Memo FY2023-22.