In this issue:
- National Deaf-Blind Child Count
- In the news
- Upcoming events
- Additional resources
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This month's newsletter is full of wonderful professional development opportunities! There's something for everyone.
Rose and Brandy
"Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better."
- Maya Angelou
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National Deaf-Blind Child Count |
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In the most recent NCDB Child Count Report, 10,627 students nationwide were eligible to receive deaf-blind project services and were being served through either Part C or Part B of IDEA. In South Dakota, there are 29 students.
Not all children on the National Child Count have an educational eligibility of deaf-blindness. Most children (40%) qualify for educational services under Multiple Disabilities. The great news is that these students can still qualify for services through the SD Deaf-Blind Project!
Quick topic pages:
We need your help in South Dakota!
If you work with a student who has a combined vision and hearing loss or if you are unsure if they would qualify, please complete the below referral form and email to Rose.moehring@usd.edu
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The Cogswell-Macy Act was reintroduced as bipartisan legislation that will strengthen the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to ensure that visual and hearing-impaired students receive the best education possible.
The Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act would improve services and educational opportunities for students who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired and deaf-blind. The legislation will also enhance reporting and evaluation measures for special education in each state, increase training for teachers and other special education professionals, and reaffirm the Department of Education’s mission and responsibility to ensure an accessible and quality education for all students.
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Cogswell-Macy Mobilization Rally
Recently the Cogswell Macy Act (CMA) Steering Committee held a virtual rally to provide information about the Act. You can view the recording here.
The National Family Association for the DeafBlind will be hosting another event:
Cogswell-Macy Act: A Family Focus
April 20, 2021
7:00 pm EST
For more information or to register to attend, visit their website at www.nfadb.org
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Upcoming Events & Opportunities |
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Concentration in Deaf-Blindness &
High Intensity Support Needs Series
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Join us this Summer 2021 for Communication Strategies or Life Planning for Success.
Both courses are aligned with Council for Exceptional Children Competencies.
If you have taken a few modules in the "Dakota Cohorts", this is a great opportunity to pick back up! You could jump into Communication Strategies and/or Life Planning for Success.
Check out the Flyer for more details
Space is limited!
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National Deaf-Blind Educator Network (NDBEN),
Community of Practice
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NCDB is recruiting certified educators who serve children who are deaf-blind to join our National Deaf-Blind Educator Network. This is an online community where professionals who serve students who are deaf-blind can exchange ideas and best practices, problem solve, and provide support to one another using a variety of learning, communication, and networking strategies.
To join, please complete this
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This 10-session online course is designed to provide introductory sign language vocabulary skills for families, professionals, and other community members. Participants will explore a variety of vocabulary that will promote clearer communication within the home, classroom, work or community environment.
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Presented by:
Dr. Lori Desautels, PhD
Assistant Professor, Butler University
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Educational Neuroscience:
Priming Our Youngest Brains for Learning & Well-Being!
May 7, 14, & 21
Live 8-9:30 CST via Zoom
Come join us for a three-session virtual training opportunity to learn more about the neuroscience behind healthy brain development in early childhood! We will delve into understanding how early trauma and adverse experiences affect student behaviors and engagement. We will also discuss and share strategies for how to prime our students brains for learning and well-being!
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PEERS For Adolescents Certified School-Based Social Skills Training
May 19-21
Live 10am-6:00pm CST via Zoom
The PEERS for Adolescents Certified School-Based Training Seminar is designed for educators and school-based professionals, mental health practitioners, medical professionals, speech and language pathologists, occupational, recreational, and behavioral therapists, researchers, and other professionals who work with youth with social challenges.
After completing this training, attendees will be listed as a "PEERS School Based Certified Provider."
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Friday, July 23rd & Saturday, July 24th
10 am - 3:30 pm CST
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The Ohio Center for Deafblind Education presents the following professional learning opportunities:
My Child, My Connection
I smell you! Do I know you?
Register:
You sustain me! I know that taste
Register:
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(Sponsored by the Southeast State Deaf-Blind Projects)
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This is an incredible opportunity to join leaders across the country as they cover a variety of topics in deaf-blindness!
When: now-June 10, 2021 on Tuesdays & Thursdays
All sessions will be from 2:30-4:00 pm EST
Here is a sneak peek at a few upcoming topics!
April 15: What is an Intervener?
April 20: A Brief Overview of the Informal Functional Hearing Evaluation (IFHE)
April 29: Family Perspectives: Transition to Adulthood
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April is CVI Literacy Awareness Month
Literacy looks different for students who have cortical visual impairment (CVI) and requires a different approach. Our goal is to raise awareness of the needs of children in each phase of CVI and to promote information and strategies to support teachers, families and others who work with these students.
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New Key Topic for Families:
Preparing for Transition to Preschool
Making the transition from early intervention (birth to 36 months) to preschool services can be a stressful and challenging time for families. Preparing for Transition to Preschool provides links to helpful resources for families to make the transition as smooth as possible. They’ll learn what to expect during the transition, including how services for their child will change and be implemented.
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Transition Services Liaison Project (TSLP) has developed this presentation that educators can use when developing employment trainings with their students.
There are several activities and videos in each section of this event and TSLP suggests that educators preview the different sections to determine how they will share with students. It may be presented in one or in multiple sessions.
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The Bridge School recently hosted a wonderful webinar series on CVI and its impact on children with severe physical and speech impairments who rely on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
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South Dakota Deaf-Blind Project |
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Wondering who can help in South Dakota? Every state in the nation has a Deaf-Blind Project and South Dakota’s is located at the Center for Disabilities. We are funded through the US Dept. of Education-Office of Special Education Programs. We provide technical assistance, training and resources for families and service providers of children (birth to 21) with varying levels of both hearing and vision loss. Even mild losses qualify due to neither primary sensory gathering channel is able to compensate for the loss in the other sense.
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Rose Moehring, M.A. Spec. Ed.
Certified Low Vision Therapist
Deaf-Blind Program Director
Rose.Moehring@usd.edu
(605) 357-1437
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Brandy Sebera, M.S. Spec. Ed.
Deaf-Blind Program Instructor
Brandy.Sebera@usd.edu
(605) 357-1437
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SD Deaf-Blind Program Grant #H326T180053 |
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