Bill > A05020

This bill establishes a co-navigation services program for individuals who are deaf-blind, aimed at helping them navigate their environment and make informed decisions. The program requires social services districts to provide specialized support services through trained "co-navigators" who can assist deaf-blind individuals with visual and environmental information, sighted guide services, and communication in the person's preferred mode. Co-navigators will be reimbursed using a tiered wage scale based on their training and fluency in communication modes specific to deaf-blind individuals, such as tactile sign language, protactile language, and auditory amplification techniques. The bill explicitly excludes co-navigators from performing personal care, errands, decision-making, or formal interpretation services. Social services districts must monitor service quality, develop additional funding sources, and provide technical assistance for training both co-navigators and deaf-blind individuals. The commissioner of social services may also establish an advisory committee that includes deaf-blind persons and other stakeholders to help develop and improve the program. The goal is to create an efficient program that maximizes support for deaf-blind individuals while ensuring high-quality, specialized assistance.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5020