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The National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness |
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NCDB
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NCDB HIGHLIGHTS |
PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENTNCDB, working closely with OSEP, has begun implementation of a three-part distance technology professional development initiative. This initiative is designed to increase the knowledge and skills of NCDB and state deaf-blind project personnel in the selection and implementation of distance technologies for the delivery of technical assistance to service providers and families. The following activities are planned:
Over the long term it is expected that these activities will increase the effective use of distance technology to implement technical assistance and enhance, through increased collaboration with other national technical assistance projects, the delivery of a programmatic line of work centered on families. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCEIowa
New York The New York state deaf-blind project and NCDB will collaborate in an early identification initiative with Dr. Terry Rafalowski-Welch of the Strong Center in Rochester, NY. The goal of this project will be to design and conduct outreach to the medical community to better identify infants born with vision and hearing impairments. Targeted partners include Neonatal Intensive Care Units throughout NY State, developmental pediatricians, state pediatrician’s newsletter, conferences & interfacing with infant hearing screening. Nevada The Nevada Dual Sensory Impairment Project held its 18th annual parent conference in Reno in May, where 29 parents and 6 service providers participated in two full days of networking and learning. Sessions topics included assistive technology for families, legal planning, choosing toys, conflict resolution and interactive activities for children. Marlyn Minkin, a marriage and family therapist, opened the conference with families recognizing shared experiences and met with families throughout the conference. |
NEWS & EVENTS |
New Certificate Course in Deaf-BlindnessPennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) are offering a four course, 12 credit certificate in deaf-blindness, Educating Students with Severe and Sensory Impairments, Including Deafblindness. This certificate is appropriate for teachers, administrators, and others who are interested in increasing their proficiency in providing quality educational opportunities for school-age students with severe and sensory impairments, including deafblindness. For info and other details check the PSU webpage. Usher Syndrome Family ConferenceThe Coalition for Usher Syndrome Research is a family network designed to connect families with Usher Syndrome. They are sponsoring the second annual Usher Syndrome Family Conference in Seattle on July 9-10, 2010 at Seattle Children's Hospital. This day long event is designed to provide families with the latest information on Usher research and a chance to meet others with Usher Syndrome. Website: http://www.hearseehope.com/eventsFamilyConference.php State Deaf-Blind Projects at PDMState project directors, NCDB and the OSEP Portfolio group will meet together on Sunday, July 18th in Washington, DC. |
PRODUCTS & PUBLICATIONS |
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Barbara Miles in
Conversation In this new Perkins Webcast, Barbara Miles discusses her approach to engaging in conversations with students who are deafblind. Find it here. From REMARKABLE CONVERSATIONS "Natural Conversations with Persons who are Deafblind," an adaptation of Chapter 4 from the book, Remarkable Conversations: A guide to developing meaningful communication with children and young adults who are deafblind is available online. Download the .pdf here. New Resource from CADRE "Working Together" is a collection of resources designed to support effective collaboration between parents, schools, and early childhood programs. This on-line suite includes short videos, a study guide and other resources related to cooperative negotiation. Find it here For Families The NCDB Website has a new section of family stories and family voices. Visit us at http://www.nationaldb.org/FFStories.php 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 Photos Courtesy of Iowa State Deaf-Blind Project and participants in their “CHARGE Syndrome: Keys to Successful Education and Development Conference” held in April. |
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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. |
In April, Iowa's Deaf-Blind
Project, along with NCDB, sponsored a statewide conference, "CHARGE Syndrome:
Keys to Successful Education and Development”. The event combined a
presentation on CHARGE by David Brown from California Deaf-Blind Services, with
family support activities facilitated by Marlyn Minkin, a licensed mental
health counselor and family therapist from the Seattle. Both David and Marlyn
spent time in individual consults with families, answering questions,
celebrating successes, and addressing any concerns expressed by parents.
As part of NCDB's initiative to increase the use of distance technologies to
deliver technical assistance, David has agreed to conduct follow up via video
exchange and web conferencing with a local team who attended the
conference.