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The National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness |
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NCDB
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NCDB HIGHLIGHTS |
Technical AssistanceSouth Dakota NCDB is working with the state project and the South Dakota School for the Blind to provide training on the use of Learning Media Assessments for children with visual impairments and deaf-blindness. In addition, teams of two students with deaf-blindness will be selected to receive individual consultation and assessment. Strategies to promote literacy and develop curriculum that factors in sensory issues will be given precedence. New England States In response to the shortage of qualified personnel to work with students who are deaf-blind, the New England Consortium (ME, NH, CT, MA) and the Vermont Deaf-Blind project have formed a partnership to develop a network of Deaf-Blind Advisors across the five states. A small cadre of advisors (approximately 30) will be identified each year to receive intensive training on. Families Thirty family specialists gathered for the 2009 Family Specialist workshop in Portland, Oregon at the end of April. The training focused on developing relationships with families and effective TA and training strategies. Sally Prouty (MN) shared strategies for supporting families who are using the SPARKLE materials. Ruth Ann King (WV) gave a presentation on family learning weekends and shared activity ideas and funding strategies. Finally, Clara Berg (NY) did a lively presentation, with pictures and video included, of a group of Spanish speaking families that she has been working with in New York. National Child Count The Deaf-Blind Census reports are rolling in and we aim to have a draft report to share at the July Project Directors Meeting. Thank you all for your hard work and the conscientious efforts you have made to undertake this effort. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact Mark Schalock at (503) 838-8777 or schalom@wou.edu if you have questions. Literacy NCDB and the Louisiana Deaf-Blind Project are collaborating to provide technical assistance on the topics of Communication and Literacy to students from the Recovery School District in New Orleans who have low incidence disabilities, including deaf-blindness. The effort has involved seven students at five schools and the approximately twenty service providers who work with them. The Louisiana Dept of Education’s website for students with low incidence disabilities has posted NCDB’s Literacy Outcome and Performance Indicators in the Resources/Tools section. Check it and the Literacy tab for other great resources. |
NEWS & EVENTS |
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New Cochlear Implant Grant Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week 2009 International CHARGE Syndrome Conference July 2009 NAPVI's Families Connecting with Families International
Conference, July 2009 NCDB Webinar June 10, 2009 at 1 pm EST AER Journal |
PRODUCTS & PUBLICATIONS |
New Products Coming SoonFamily Product NCDB is working with families to share their lessons learned in a new NCDB product called, “I wish I had…” To date, over thirty family members from across the country and Puerto Rico have submitted their pearls of wisdom to share with other family members. Many of these stories, along with family photos, will be compiled into an eight-page document that will be disseminated in print and from the NCDB website. Coming in July!! Video Vignettes No one believes the saying “A picture is worth a thousand words” more strongly than Kathee Scoggin of Washington state. Kathee has been using videotaping for TA and training for many years. NCDB and the states in Area 1 are supporting Kathee to develop an online library of video modules that are easily accessible to families, service providers, caregivers and anyone else who wants to learn about effective practices for children who are deaf-blind. Watch over this next year as the video library grows. The video modules produced to date can be viewed online. E-News Subscription infoWould you like to receive the NCDB e-News? Send a blank message to; ncdb_e-news-subscribe-request@tr.wou.edu or contact Randy Klumph klumphr@wou.edu for assistance. NCDB e-News is also available online. Contact information Photo from the Southeast Regional Teen Retreat, courtesy of Mike Fagbemi. |
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Funded through award #H326T060002 by the U.S. Department of Education, OSERS, OSEP. The opinions and policies expressed by this publication do not necessarily reflect those of The Teaching Research Institute, or the U.S. Department of Education. |