Service connects UA students with disabled citizens

The Community Outreach Program for the Deaf began in June 1997 to "help people get and keep their jobs," said Liisa Winter, volunteer program specialist for COPD.

Though COPD was founded to work with the deaf, people with all disabilities benefit, she said.

"We work with people with disabilities, hearing impairments or sometimes a physical disability - all different kinds of people who can slip through the cracks because they don't have long-term funding available from traditional sources," Winter said.

She said COPD matches disabled community members with a partner who goes to work with them and acts as a mediator.

"Our people troubleshoot and problem solve," Winter said.

Tom Irwin, a history senior, said he has enjoyed his work as a mediator with COPD though the relationships can be uncomfortable at first.

"In the beginning, it was kind of awkward because not everyone is receptive to help," Irwin said. "But once they see that it really helps the communication begins to move more smoothly."

Since last June, COPD has worked with about 24 clients. Some clients come to COPD with problems that can be solved almost immediately. Others need continual support from a mediator.

"The problems aren't always about communication, they could be something like rearranging the worksite for someone with cerebral palsy or explaining issues to co-workers," Winter said.

Many times people with disabilities run out of funding sources and cannot afford to hire someone to act as a sign language interpreter or help them through day-to-day tasks, she said.

A grant from the Arizona Vocational Rehabilitation Services Administration is funding the program so anyone with a disability can get the help they need to retain a job, Winter said.

She said volunteers work through every facet of the job with the client, from filling out the application to working with a new boss.

"I wanted to become involved with COPD because it was a chance to interact with the deaf community and better my signing skills," Irwin said.

After a three-month training period, Irwin was matched up with a partner and ready to go to work four to five hours a week.

"For volunteerism there's usually two sides: you want to do it and you want something in return - a feel-good feeling," Irwin said. "Now that I've discovered volunteerism I would suggest that everybody get involved with some type of volunteer service."

Irwin urged anyone to get involved with COPD. Sign language skills are not necessary because not all of the clients are deaf.

"We're just here for the deaf community and to support other people on the job who have disabilities," he said. "This support is so critical so they can maintain their independence."