SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY SERVICES COPD-New Mexico

The Community Outreach Program for the Deaf (COPD) of New Mexico was established in 1994 as an outreach effort of COPD’s program in Tucson AZ.  Through a federal grant, COPD began providing direct services for Deaf and hard of hearing persons and has grown over the years with community and state partnerships.

Programs/Services:

Case Management: COPD–NM’s program provides a person with a hearing loss a connection to resources by assisting persons with a hearing loss with financial, tax, legal, and housing issues. COPD-NM provides the tools to support persons in maximizing their independence, through education, information, and specific skill attainment for persons needing this service.

Vocational Services: COPD-NM offers job training and job placement services to persons with a hearing loss. With funding from Vocational Rehabilitation, COPD-NM works to identify career goals and provide the necessary training and support for the individual to become successful in the employment area.

Communication Access: COPD-NM provides access to services throughout the state of New Mexico with a pool of certified interpreters matched to provide the specific communication mode.  COPD-NM provides interpreters for a variety of situations, including medical appointments, job interviews and personal services.  COPD-NM maintains an after hours emergency interpreter referral service in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

Services for DeafBlind persons: COPD-NM has begun a new program in 2008 to support persons who have lost both their vision and hearing.

 Community Services: COPD-NM stays connected with its hearing loss communities by supporting the Deaf Culture Center of Albuquerque, a facility that offers workshops, training, community meetings and sign language classes.  This facility is operated by community volunteers, offering workshops to seniors, adult basic education, computer classes and other classes that the community may be interested in obtaining.

Additional Information can be obtained at www.copdnm.org

Contact Information: Lin Marksbury, Agency Director, 505-255-7636