The Community Outreach Program for the Deaf is a non-profit organization which has been serving the needs of people in Southern Arizona who are deaf or hard of hearing since 1973. C.O.P.D. is an agency under the Division of disabled persons of Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona, organized to provide services to all those in need regardless of age, gender, race, religion, or income. C.O.P.D. is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation facilities and licensed by the Department of Health and Division of
Developmental Disabilities.

                             Programs provided through C.O.P.D. include:

• Interpreting
• Rural Services Counseling
• Deaf/Blind Services Community Living
• Employment Services
• Hearing Aid Services

    C.O.P.D. programs are funded by a variety of sources including the Arizona Department of Economic Security; Vocational Rehabilitation, Division of Developmental Disabilities, United Way, Pima county Community Services Job Training Partnership Act, National Institute of Severely Handicapped, United States Department of Education, City ofTucson, the State of Arizona Title XX, and the Roman Catholic Diocese ofTucson Bishop's Appeal.

    In general, any person with a hearing loss may use C.O.P.D. 's services. We will help you identify your individual needs. If we cannot provide direct assistance, we will work to find someone who can.
C.O.P.D. is your resource for assistance.

    C.O.P.D. services include arranging counseling to help clients deal with a wide range of needs. Counseling includes a careful process of listening to and working with clients to help determine solutions to problems which arise in work and personal life.
    All counseling sessions are in the strictest of confidence and designed to help clients deal effectively with issues or problems of importance. These issues, for deaf and hard of hearing persons, often include: difficulties of communication with the hearing world, within a family or marriage; job-related problems; difficulties with relationships; or any other issues which clients find stressful or about which they feel a need to talk in confidence.

C.O.P.D. has a short-term residential program for deaf and hard of hearing people who need training in independent living skills. There are also long-term residential programs for individuals with other physical challenges.

C.O.P.D. operates a statewide Rural Outreach Program providing personal counseling, case management, advocacy, interpreting, and vocational assistance to deaf and hard of hearing individuals who reside outside the Phoenix or Tucson metropolitan areas. Services are available in Coconino, Yavapai, Navajo, Gila, Graham, Greenlee and Pinal Counties.

An Interpreter is a person who is fluent in both English and American Sign Language (ASL) and who is able to accurately and effectively convey a complete conversation, signing what it said by the hearing person and speaking out loud what is signed by the deaf person.
Anyone may request an interpreter. Whether you are hearing, deaf, or hard of hearing, you may request an interpreter to assist in communications, where ASL is the principal language of one of the individuals involved.

                                     Interpreter services are appropriate for:

• Medical care (routine or emergency)
• Legal matters (consultations or court appearances)
• Job interviews / training
• Counseling
• Access to social services
• Access to government resources
• Personal business (banking, etc.)

For scheduled events, it is best to request interpreter services at least five days in advance of the time needed, if possible. For emergency situations interpreters can be reached 24 hours a day, every day.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires public agencies and certain public accommodations (such as physicians, lawyers, libraries, day care centers, and hotels) to provide aids, including interpreters. Businesses, public agencies and non-profit organizations may call for fee information.
C.O.P.D. provides only interpreters whose qualifications are documented by state rating or national certification.

Based on your income, C.O.P.D. and the Tucson Hearing Society can work together to provide a needed hearing aid at a significantly reduced cost.
The Hearing Aid Bank uses aids that have been reconditioned so that they match clients' hearing needs. C.O.P.D. arranges for the required testing and fitting for hearing aids and assists in adjustment for the new user.

For clients in need of a job, C.O.P.D. provides a wide range of services and options including training and job placement, career counseling, supported employment, on-the-job training and follow up as well as assistance with interviewing and resume writing skills. All placements are based on the individual's desires and necessary supports are provided.
C.O.P.D. provides guidance and counseling through job skills and aptitude testing to clientele, and job site analysis, job matching and information on compliance with the ADA to employers.
C.O.P.D.'s employment services are available to all individuals with a disability.

C.O.P.D. offers an array of services to include consultation, training, and assessments statewide as well as specific services in conjunction with already existing services within C.O.P.D. such as vocational training and placement, counseling, and community living options.
C.O.P.D. is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for holidays. It is best to call for an appointment with one of our staff members, but walk-in requests for assistance will be accommodated as quickly as possible. Special hours for appointments, for clients with special needs, may be arranged in advance.