2017 National Webinar: Perceived Needs of Teachers of Students who are Deafblind: Implications for Training Programs
Recorded March 8, 2017
Oftentimes, professionals working with students who are deaf-blind face challenges for which they may not be prepared. The challenge of teaching students with deaf-blindness is exacerbated by the unique needs of this population and the skills required to address these needs. A review of the literature indicates that not many teacher preparation programs address this population.
This webinar reported on a study to identify the training needs of educators of students who are deaf-blind. A survey instrument that included a combination of forced-choice items, 4-point Likert rating items, and open-ended questions was developed by the presenters and emailed to state and national listservs for teachers of the deaf and teachers of the visually impaired. Participants were asked to answer questions that identify educational practices and needs when teaching students who are deaf-blind. In this presentation, results of this study will be shared along with strategies educators could use to better serve the needs of students with deaf-blindness and their families.
This webinar is apart of a larger series called NCDB Professional Development Webinar Series: Research in Deaf-Blindness.
Webinar Resources
Recording and Transcript
Associated Files
Presentation Slides
Presenter Information
Dr. Silvia Correa-Torres is an Associate Professor at the University of Northern Colorado. She is originally from Puerto Rico, where she received her undergraduate degree in special education and provided services to individuals with visual impairments, including those with additional disabilities and deafblindness. Dr. Correa-Torres has been working in the field of blindness and deafblindness for over 20 years, has taught in a variety of settings and cultures, and presented at international conferences around the world. Her research interests include: communication issues among students with deafblindness, personnel preparation, needs of students with visual impairment who are from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds; orientation and mobility; services for individuals with disabilities at the international level; and inclusion.
Dr. Sandy Bowen is a Professor at the University of Northern Colorado. Her area of emphasis is in the education of students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Dr. Bowen has worked with infants, children, and youth who are deaf/hard of hearing in Utah, Texas, Arizona, and Colorado for 23 years. She has a Ph.D. in Language, Literacy, and Culture from the University of Arizona, a Master's degree in Deaf Education, and a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Her research interests include: Hispanic deaf/hard of hearing students and their families, multicultural issues in deafness early intervention, teacher preparation, literacy development, early intervention, co-enrolled classrooms, and deafblindness.