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June 2023 Newsletter

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DeafBlind Awareness Week is

June 25^th-July 1^st

What is DeafBlind Awareness Week?

DeafBlind Awareness Week 2023

DeafBlind Awareness Week is an annual event that takes place during the last week of June: June 25th to July 1st. This coincides with the birthday of Helen Keller on June 27, 1880. This national advocacy campaign has been held each year since 1984 when the then-President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation in recognition of this special week. The purpose of DeafBlind Awareness Week is to raise public awareness about individuals who have combined hearing and vision loss. Today, there are 2.4 million people who are DeafBlind in the United States.

The awareness week aims to promote a better understanding of the challenges faced by DeafBlind individuals and to celebrate their unique abilities and contributions to society. During this week, various organizations and advocates host events and activities to increase public awareness and promote inclusivity and accessibility for DeafBlind individuals.

In 2023, we will celebrate DeafBlind Awareness Week from June 25th to July 1st. This year’s campaign celebrates the strengths and contributions of members of the DeafBlind community at work. Helen Keller National Center provides employment services and can connect job seekers to employers. OFFICE ROCKSTARS CAN BE DEAFBLIND!

Click here to learn more

DBLNJ, DB CAN NJ AND NFBNJ INVITE YOU TO JOIN THE FUN!

DEAFBLIND AWARENESS WEEK CELEBRATION PICNIC

DATE: Saturday, June 17, 2023

TIME: 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

PLACE:

Cheesequake State Park

300 Gordon Road, Matawan, NJ 07747

(Spring Hill area – covered seating)

FOOD: Boxed lunches served at 1:30 p.m.

COST: Free for DBLNJ members; $10 per person for non-members

REGISTRATION: https://tinyurl.com/DBAwarenessCelebration

REGISTRATION

DEADLINE: June 9, 2023

NOTE: We are limited to the first 100 people to register.

QUESTIONS: TEXT or EMAIL Marci 732-690-2837 mrf6015@gmail.com

New Jersey’s DeafBlind Awareness Week Proclamation will be read!

New Jersey Taste of Technology for DeafBlind

Saturday, June 24^th, 2023

10:00 AM- 3:00 PM

Joseph Kohn Training Center

For more information, contact Lori Timney at

lori.timney@t-mobile.com

USHthis Summer Youth Camp Experience

Ava's Voice will be hosting the second USHthis Summer Youth Camp Experience during Deaf-Blind Awareness Week in their home state of New Jersey. It was piloted in NY in 2019 and then in the United Kingdom in 2022. Ava's Voice is committed to connecting USHearts around the world by connecting peers, mentors, and role models in this one of a kind experience for the Usher syndrome community.

June 18^th-23^rd, 2023

Click here for more information

Family Scholarship Program:

Families with Children Ages birth to 5

The Campaign for Language & Literacy Excellence (CLLE)

The CLLE scholarship program provides financial support for families in-need of assistance to learn ASL, attend conferences/ trainings/workshops/literacy events that are for families with deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind children with a focus on ASL, and for transportation expenses to TCNJ CSCD-related events.

Learn more about CLLE here

Apply for the Family Scholarship

Reminder:

Professional Development Opportunities

New Jersey Department of Education

Office of Special Education

The Summer Learning Institute

June-August 2023

What is the Summer Learning Institute?

The New Jersey Partnership for Student Success (NJPSS) is a statewide three-year effort focused on supporting students, families, and educators with the goal of realizing academic gains, increasing graduation rates, reducing chronic absenteeism and improving student well-being and mental health.

To support this initiative, the New Jersey Department of Education's (NJDOE) Office of Special Education will be hosting a summer learning institute through the Learning Resource Centers (LRC) to empower educators with the knowledge and support to meet the needs of our diverse learners.

What is offered as part of the Summer Learning Institute?

Professional Development

Providing educators, families and other stakeholders with the technical assistance, professional learning in evidence-based practices, and access to instructional materials and resources necessary for students with IEPs to achieve the goals established for all New Jersey students.

Office Hours

Special Education Specialists are available to provide real-time technical assistance to educators, families and district administrators. Visit the website to access the office hours schedule.

Expansion Techniques in American Sign Language (July 11th, 9AM-3:30PM)

Connecting the Dots with Cohesive Devices in American Sign Language (July 12th, 9AM-3:30PM)

Enhancing Age-Appropriate Transition Assessment with Person-Centered Approaches (July 17th, 9AM-12PM)

Universal Design for Learning (July 18th, 9-10:30AM)

The Collaborative Speech Language Pathologist (July 19th, 9AM-12PM)

Matching Students to Employment Sites to Improve Work-Based Learning Experience for Students with Disabilities (July 20th, 9AM-12PM)

Measurable Post-Secondary Goals for Students with Mental Health Needs (August 1st, 9AM-12PM)

Tips and Tricks for the Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing (August 10th, 9AM-12PM)

Utilizing the Inclusive Classroom Profile (ICP) in the Preschool Classroom, Virtual Only (August 10th, 9AM-12PM)

Best Practices for Speech and Language- Evaluations for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (August 15th, 9AM-12PM)

Educational Evaluations for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (August 17th, 9AM-12PM)

*Workshops listed are a preview of scheduled events. Visit NJDOE's Office of Special Education's link for full list of offerings

Click here for more information on The Summer Learning Institute

NJCDB Referral Process

Do you need support at home? Does your educational team need support? Do you have questions? Do you have a family that you think may benefit from our services?

NJCDB is happy to help!

Click here for more information about our referral process and requesting technical assistance.

NJCDB Social Media Groups

For Families

Join our NJCDB Family Facebook Group for updates and discussions for families.

Click here to join

For Professionals

Join our NJCDB Professionals Facebook Group for updates and discussions for educational professionals