In this issue:

  • Meet Amy Scepaniak!
  • Upcoming SD Events

Welcome back to all of the wonderful educators working with our students! I hope you had a restful summer.

Please take a moment to meet and welcome our new DB Project Coordinator, Amy Scepaniak.

Brandy
New Deaf-Blind Project Coordinator
Amy Scepaniak
We are excited to announce the appointment of Amy Scepaniak as our new South Dakota Deaf-Blind Project Coordinator!

Ms. Scepaniak most recently served as a Low Vision Specialist, Orientation & Mobility Instructor, and Outreach Vision Consultant for the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Aberdeen, SD. She also serves as an Adjunct Instructor at Northern State University, teaching courses in Special Education Visual Impairment Specialization in Aberdeen, SD.

With over 27 years in the field, Ms. Scepaniak is a Certified Low Vision Therapist and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals and is one of only two that hold an Endorsement in Cortical Vision Impairment in South Dakota. She holds an M.S. in Low Vision Rehabilitation from Salus University (Pennsylvania College of Optometry), Certification in Orientation and Mobility from the University of Northern Colorado, and a B.S. in Special Education from Northern State University.

Amy begin her appointment on August 2, 2021

You can reach her at
605.228.8742
South Dakota Events
Register today!
Join us from Sept. 28-30, 2021 at the Ramkota Hotel in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The theme of this year's conference is Discovering Possibilities and will focus on developing partnerships to improve the wellbeing of individuals with developmental disabilities in South Dakota. This is a joint effort across multiple agencies throughout South Dakota.


Featured Topics and Speakers

Behavior Analysis Beyond Autism
Ryan Groeneweg

Moving from Friend to Sweetheart in the Age of Technology
Katherine McLaughlin

Trauma-Informed Coping Skills - Caring for Yourself and Others
Michele Johnson and Rashel Olesen

Working Well with Your Local Police Department
David Whalen and First Responders

Let's Talk Right!
Katrina Mulloy and John Hamilton

Opioid and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Resources
Katrina Division of Behavioral Health Staff

ABLE Accounts
Rhonda Erickson

Oyate ' Circle Update and Partnership Development
Jim Warne and Wayne Weston


Scholarships are available for people with disabilities and their family.
See the application form for scholarships here.

 For more information visit our website and follow us on social media. 
Autism Family Support Group
We welcome parents, caregivers, family and friends of loved ones with autism to join us for our monthly ASD support group! For one evening each month, we get together to share ideas in a welcoming environment where guests are invited to discuss experiences, ask questions, learn about resources within the community, and build a network of care and support. Parents, caregivers and family members of individuals of all ages on the autism spectrum are welcome!

Join us on Wednesdays from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. CST.

Sept. 22 / Oct. 27 / Nov. 17/ Jan. 26 / Feb. 23 / Mar. 30 / Apr. 27 / May 25
**Childcare will be provided, please sign up for childcare one week prior to the meeting date. There are a limited number of childcare spots due to the availability of childcare volunteers.


To Register, CLICK HERE
South Dakota Deaf-Blind Project
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. 
Looking for resources on sensory disabilities?
Check out our newly released
Image of a smiling woman with blond curly hair past her shoulders. She is wearing dark glasses and a red floral shirt.
Amy J Scepaniak, M.S., COMS®/CLVT®
Deaf-Blind Program Coordinator
605-228-8742

Brandy Sebera, M.S. Spec. Ed.
Deaf-Blind Program Instructor
Brandy.Sebera@usd.edu
(605) 357-1437
South Dakota Deaf-Blind Project| Visit our website!
SD Deaf-Blind Program Grant #H326T180053