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OHOA Overview Module 2025 Revisions

Published April 2025

NCDB recently updated the module “An Overview of Deafblindness and Instructional Strategies,” in the Open Hands, Open Access: Deafblind Intervener Learning Modules series. This involved updates to formatting, references, and content that had become outdated. These changes should not affect syllabi for those using the module for formal training.

This webpage describes the changes and when the new version will be available on NCDB’s website and in Moodle. 

Questions? Contact support@nationaldb.org.

What Hasn't Changed

  • Overall structure
  • Learning objectives
  • CEC competencies addressed
  • Most of the content

What's New

Overall

  • Minor changes to wording to be consistent with NCDB's current style guidelines
  • Revisions or additions to some slide presentations (details below)
  • Updated photos
  • Updated references
  • New “What is Deafblindness?” video in the “Introduction” section
  • Updated “Additional Resources”

Learning Activity 1

  • Updated the statistics in the slide presentation “Children Who Are Deafblind”
  • Changed the Usher Syndrome reading

Learning Activity 2

  • “Causes of Deafblindness (Etiologies)” slide presentation
    • Updated the child count statistics 
    • Revised and slightly expanded the information about Usher syndrome
  • Changed the document “List of Conditions, Syndromes, and Disorders” to “Deafblind Child Count Etiology Code List”
  • Made minor revisions to the assignment “Learn More About Your Student’s Etiology” and updated the linked sources used to complete the assignment

Learning Activity 3

  • “Strategies for Interacting and Communicating with Students” slide presentation
    • Revised and expanded the section on communication 
  • “Resources and Educational Personnel” slide presentation
    • Updated organization logos and information 
    • Revised and expanded the information on personnel
  • Clarified the instructions in the assignment “Think-Reflect-Pair and Share Activity”

Timing of Changes

NCDB Website Version

The updated version of this module will be available on the NCDB website on May 1, 2025. After this date, the previous version will no longer be available on the website.

Moodle Version

The updated version will be available in Moodle on May 1, 2025. 

The previous version will continue to be available for one year (to be deactivated May 1, 2026). We encourage everyone to use the new version as you start new cohorts. NCDB staff will discuss this with state deafblind projects and programs when they request module copies for new cohorts.