An Intervenor facilitates the interaction of the person who is deaf and blind (deafblind) with other people and the environment. The intervenor provides information about the environment and what is happening (using receptive language), assists the individual who is deafblind to communicate (using expressive language), provides or develops concepts where necessary, confirms actions, assists with life skills and most importantly, assists the individual to achieve as much independence as possible within their situation. The intervenor takes direction from the individual who is deafblind.
According to Intervenor Services*, common Qualifications for an Intervenor include:
- Completion of Intervenor for Deafblind Persons Diploma (some postings are open to other related education)
- 1 year of relevant experience (i.e. intervenor services, social services, developmental services, community services)
- Working knowledge of different communication methods (i.e. ASL, SEE, two hand manual, haptic communication, tactile maps, sensory cues, hand over hand, etc.)
- Flexible and able to adapt to a changing work environment and able to meet the physical demands of the work
- Current certification in First Aid/CPR
- Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Screening
- G Driver’s License with a Clean Driver’s Abstract
Job postings are not all the same. Hiring is done through Intervenor Service Partner Agencies, which you can find listed here: http://intervenorservices.com/index.php/resources. In the Kitchener-Waterloo area, connect with DeafBlind Ontario Services.
*The Intervenor Services Human Resources Strategy (ISHRS) is a voluntary multi-year human resource strategy as part of the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS). They aim to raise awareness of the professional career of an Intervenor, in order to improve the quality of Intervenor service delivery to adults who are deafblind in Ontario.
