In this issue:

  • Concentration in Deaf-Blindness
  • Scholarship Opportunity
  • South Dakota Conferences
  • National Opportunities

I hope you all had a lovely 4th of July holiday and were able to get some time together with family and loved ones.

Please enjoy this bonus summer issue of the Deaf-Blind newsletter featuring upcoming trainings and a scholarship opportunity for certified educators in SD working with a child(ren) with deaf-blindness!


Brandy
"For there is always light,
if only we're brave enough to see it,
if only we're brave enough to be it."
- Amanda Gorman
Concentration in Deaf-Blindness &
High Intensity Support Needs
To register for either course, CLICK HERE.
Join us this Fall 2021 for An Introduction to Deaf-Blindness or Assessment and Instructional Planning.

These courses were developed in collaboration with the National Center on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB) and are aligned with Council for Exceptional Children competencies for educators. Educators and Related Service Providers can join.

Each course will be 15-weeks long and require approximately 3 hours of online work per week. Synchronous online meetings will also be scheduled throughout the semester.
Scholarship Opportunity
The South Dakota Deaf-Blind Project has an
exciting new opportunity for educators and related service providers!
Do you...
  • work with a student with deaf-blindness?
  • need continuing education hours and/or graduate credits for your license?
  • like attending classes at *NO COST?

Applications for up to four $200 scholarships are now being accepted for the Concentration in Deaf-Blindness graduate courses for the Fall of 2021.

Course 1: An Introduction to Deaf-Blindness (Fall 2021)
Course 2: Communication Strategies (Spring 2022)
Course 3: Assessment and Instructional Planning (Fall 2021)
Course 4: Life Planning for Success (Spring 2022)
Complete this
before August 1st.

We will select four individuals from South Dakota to receive our stipend award!

*3 USD Graduate Credits available for an additional $120
South Dakota Conferences
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. 
We Want Your Nominations

On Sept. 29 during the conference, we will be hosting a luncheon and award ceremony where we will be recognizing award winners and sharing their stories! Please see all the award links below and nominate today!

COVID Hero Award: https://bit.ly/3dvRRzY
2021 Exceptional Employee Award: https://bit.ly/366W4WC
2021 Exceptional Employer Award: https://bit.ly/3hlzC1p
2021 Outstanding Family Award: https://bit.ly/3y7ENss
2021 Distinguished Service Award: https://bit.ly/3wkIvOe



We are collecting stories of those who have been positively impacted through the Center for Disabilities. Whether you are a parent, family member, professional, self-advocate or student, please click here to share your story, or reach out to Kendra Gottsleben at Kendra.Gottsleben@usd.edu.

We are really excited to celebrate our 50th anniversary by sharing this milestone by featuring you stories!! Send them in!! #SDCFD50
We would love to have you, your friends and family members join us in celebrating 50 years of serving South Dakota at our upcoming Center for Disabilities’ Run, Walk, & Roll! We are hosting our race at Cherry Rock Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This race is open to people of all ages and abilities.

As part of the event, there will be inflatables, family yoga, kid activities, and breakfast available for purchase. All entries receive a race shirt and swag bag.

To register, CLICK HERE.
National Opportunities






The Idaho Project for Children and Youth With Deaf-Blindness is offering a 2 day training in Literacy for Complex Learners!

Flyer and Registration
available here!

The Montana Deaf-Blind Project just opened up a wonderful training!
This is a great opportunity to get foundational information on Interveners!

Flyer & Registration available here!

The Maryland Deaf-Blind Project presents a 5 part series on Cortical Visual Impairment. You don't want to miss this one!

Flyer and Registration available 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
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