Services
Everything we build is Deaf-led and designed in ASL. Here is what we offer now, and what we are building.
Comprehensive Benefits Counseling Tool
This online and interactive tool will assist users to take charge of their benefits (free, self-service) and assist benefit planners to serve many more clients (premium, expand capacity).
The tool is separate from our one-on-one benefits counseling service, which launches in late 2026.
Benefits to Users
- Identify the federal/state benefits they qualify for (SSA, SNAP, Medicare/Medicaid, etc.)
- Figure out what they would likely receive from those programs
- Understand how to report and collect information
- Verify that agencies' information about them is accurate and how to fix mistakes
- Learn the rules and make decisions from reliable information
- Work without fear of losing their benefits
- Accessible in plain language in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language, designed for screen reader users
Benefits to Planners (WIPs/CWICs/AWICs)
- Access a continually updated tool to assist in effective advisement and guidance (confidence in keeping up with fast-changing regulations)
- Empower clients to collect their own information (reduce face-to-face time)
- Handle the more complex and non-routine cases (greater impact)
- Serve more clients (beat that long waitlist)
- Access imported information from clients' online accounts, structured in the BS&A format (ease of transfer)
This secure tool was designed and developed with input from domain experts and users. ORBC anticipates launching this online tool no later than March 2027. Select additional states will be added later in the year.
Contact us to contribute as a domain expert or join the beta testing group.
Deaf Interpreter Training
A Deaf-led immersion intensive for Deaf interpreters, designed and led by a Certified Deaf Interpreter.
What makes it different: participants train in a sustained, fully ASL environment — the kind of immersion no classroom-only program offers.
Who it's for. Deaf interpreters building toward certification, and working interpreters seeking advanced Deaf-interpreting skill.
Funding. For eligible Deaf candidates, this training may be fundable through your state vocational rehabilitation agency as a vocational training service. Hearing interpreters attend on a self-pay basis.
Express interest or ask a question →
Benefits Counseling — available late 2026
Work-incentives counseling for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people who receive SSDI or SSI and are navigating work, earnings, and how their benefits interact. Delivered by a Deaf practitioner, in ASL.
This service launches in late 2026.
Looking for a self-service option? See our Comprehensive Benefits Counseling Tool, available by March 2027.
Contact us to be notified when it opens →
ASL-First Educational Technology
Professional training materials — in development. We are developing video-based, ASL-first professional-development materials for interpreters and the Deaf-services workforce. Built by Deaf practitioners. Captioned to standard. Designed for self-paced and cohort use.
Interpreting assessment tools — now piloting. We are piloting AI-assisted tools that give interpreters structured, criterion-based feedback on their ASL↔English interpreting. These tools are in active pilot.
Contact us to follow this work or join a pilot →
For agencies, schools, and employers
Open Ridge also partners with vocational rehabilitation agencies, schools, and employers on registered apprenticeship sponsorship and employer-of-record support for Deaf and hard-of-hearing workers.