New Publications

Providing and Receiving Support Services : Comprehensive Training for Deaf-Blind Persons and Their Support Service Providers

This curriculum is designed to be used to train support service providers (SSPs) and to train deaf-blind people to work with SSPs.  It consists of three modules containing lessons for SSPs and two modules containing lessons for deaf-blind persons. The curriculum is available for a free download from the Seattle Deaf-Blind Service Center: http://seattledbsc.org/visualweb/SSPCurriculum.html.

New NCDB Publication - Authentic Assessment

NCDB announces a new addition to the Practice Perspectives series.  Authentic Assessment describes a comprehensive approach to assessment which emphasizes gathering information about children in their everyday environments during normal activities. It is adapted from a manual called Assessing Communication and Learning in Young Children Who Are Deafblind or Who Have Multiple Disabilities.  It is available from the NCDB website.  Print copies are also available and can be requested either by phone (800) 438-9376 or email: info@ncdb.org.  Large print and Spanish versions are currently in production and will be available from the website by Aug 1st.

Child-Guided Strategies: The van Dijk Approach to Assessment (New Guidebook and DVD)

2010-0127
Child-Guided Strategies : The van Dijk Approach to Assessment --Nelson, Catherine; van Dijk, Jan; Oster, Teresa; McDonnell, Andrea. Louisville, KY: American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. (2009) This guidebook describes the assessment of children who are deaf-blind using an approach developed by Dr. Jan van Dijk. Assessment techniques and general intervention strategies are provided for the following eight characteristics: behavioral state (state of arousal or alertness), orienting response (direction of attention to a stimulus), learning channels (sensory avenues children use to take in information), approach-withdrawal (what a child likes and dislikes), memory (processes that involve habituation, anticipation, and routine learning), social interactions, communication, and problem-solving. Videoclips of two children (ages 7 and 25 months) demonstrating the concepts described in the book are provided on a DVD. The book also describes how to write a summary of assessment findings and includes a sample assessment of an 18-year-old with multiple disabilities. Appendices contain parent interview questions, observation worksheets, and an assessment summary form.  The forms are also provided on a CD. Publisher's web site: www.aph.org.

New Book: Environmental Description for Visually and Dual Sensory Impaired People

2010-0082
Environmental Description for Visually and Dual Sensory Impaired People--Lahtinen, Riitta; Palmer, Russ; Lahtinen, Merja. A1 Management UK. (2010) Environmental description enables sensory impaired people to perceive spontaneous qualitative information in real time, through everyday life experiences. This book presents different techniques to provide environmental description of experiences ranging from life activities to artistic interpretations.  It focuses on both the describer’s and receiver’s perspectives and gives practical examples and exercises for professionals who work with visually and dual sensory impaired people.  It includes ideas for getting started, practical tips for various categories of  descriptions, and examples that illustrate describing the environment in real-life situations for different individuals.  The book is intended for a wide range of visually and dual sensory impaired people of various ages, as well as their family members and friends and provides a basic educational study book for professionals wishing to supplement their knowledge of how to apply different techniques including audio description for museums and art exhibitions.  Available from the Ear Foundation in the UK (www.earfoundation.org.uk/shop).

How We See It

How We See It is a guide that provides a good foundation for understanding low vision in children. Topics include an understanding of vision, different categories of vision loss and how it may affect functioning.

It also provides very practical information about preparing children for low vision examinations along with common environmental adaptations. It is a valuable resource for aspiring teachers, personnel preparation programs in special education and for parents.

Learn more ...

Deafblindness: Educational Service Guidelines now online!

Deafblindness: Educational Service Guidelines, first published in 2008, is now available for free online at www.perkins.org/resources/educational-publications/deafblindness-educational-service-guidelines.  The guidelines offer state and local education agencies a framework from which meaningful, appropriate programming for students who are deafblind can be developed.  They identify the knowledge and skills educators need to assist their students who are deafblind reach their full potential and become successful, contributing members of our society. Bound copies of the guidelines can still be purchased from the Perkins store (www.perkins.org or 617-972-7308).

View Grant Performance Reporting Webinar Recording 3/01/2010

Find the recording of the webinar, power point and other documents here. 

2008 National Child Count Available

The 2008 Child Count is now available from the NCDB Website

Communication Matrix for Parents and Professionals

Communication Matrix for Parents and Professionals --Rowland, Charity. Portland, OR: Design to Learn Projects, Oregon Health & Science University. (2009) This online assessment tool is free and available to anyone. It is designed to pinpoint exactly how an individual is communicating and to provide a framework for determining logical communication goals. The "Communication Matrix" was first published in print in 1990 and revised in 1996 and 2004. It was originally designed primarily for speech-language pathologists and educators to use to document the expressive communication skills of children who have severe or multiple disabilities, including children with sensory, motor, and cognitive impairments. A newer version, designed to be more user-friendly, was developed for parents in 2004. A 26-page manual providing background information about the "Communication Matrix" and describing its use is also available online (http://www.communicationmatrix.org/CommunicationMatrixHandbookCR.pdf). The print versions for professionals and are parents are still available for purchase from the publisher, Design to Learn Projects. Available on the web: http://www.communicationmatrix.org/ Publisher's web site: http://www.ohsu.edu/oidd/d2l/index.html.

I wish I had...Wisdom from parents of children who are deaf-blind

In NCDB's newest product, parents from across the country share their thoughts and experiences with regard to their family and their child who is deaf-blind.  Read the complete document here

AIM : Assessment Intervention Matrix

Wolf-Schein, Enid G.; Schein, Jerome D. Coconut Creek, Florida: Three Bridge Publishers. (2009) The Assessment Intervention Matrix (AIM) is a curriculum used to teach individuals with significant communication or sensory impairments (including those with severe auditory and visual problems or autism) to develop communication and daily-living skills in realistic, meaningful contexts, at school and at home. It is designed to bridge the gap between assessment and intervention through a process of continuous assessment, structured, intensive intervention, and reassessment, and can be tailored to the needs of pupils with a wide variety of abilities and deficits. AIM is divided into 2 parts addressing 7 skill areas. Part I: drinking, eating, dressing, and toileting. Part 2: personal care, housekeeping, and food preparation. This CD-ROM contains an updated version of AIM, which was previously released in 1995 and 2002. The CD contains separate pdf files of the AIM sections and their associated assessment and curriculum forms. Cost: $34.95 (includes priority mailing). Available from Three Bridge Publishers, 1703 Andros Isle Suite J-2, Coconut Creek, FL 33066. Phone: 954-978-1368. Fax: 954-968-3970. E-mail: scheinej@aol.com.

Assessing Communication and Learning in Young Children who are Deafblind or Who Have Multiple Disabilities
Assessing Communication and Learning in Young Children Who Are Deafblind or Who Have Multiple Disabilities. Charity Rowland (Ed). Portland, OR: Oregon Health & Science University, 2009. This 59-page guide is designed to help professionals conduct meaningful assessments of young children who are deafblind and have additional impairments. Parents may also find it helpful.  The emphasis is on assessing communication as the foundation for learning. Copies are available from DB-LINK, (800) 438-9376) or email request to info@nationaldb.org. Available on the web: http://www.ohsu.edu/oidd/d2l/com_pro/db_assess_ab.cfm.