Resources for DeafBlindness

Tools and resources from outside sources do not constitute an endorsement from the NC Department of Public Instruction Office of Exceptional Children, but are potential tools for teams to consider.

Project Partners

 

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction - Office of Exceptional Children Links to an external site.

NC DPI, in conjunction with both project partners below, directs grant activities such as the annual child count (census), educator support activities, educational training for families, and collaboration with other state DeafBlind Projects. 

 

East Carolina University Teacher Support Program for Learners with DeafBlindness Links to an external site.

The East Carolina University Teacher Support Program for Learners with DeafBlindness offers services for teachers, administrators, and other professionals who work with students on the North Carolina DeafBlind census.

 

Exceptional Children's Assistance Center Links to an external site.

The Exceptional Children's Assistance Center, specifically the DeafBlind Family Engagement Coordinator, provides support and resources to families with children with DeafBlindness. 

 

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction - Visual Impairment / Blindness Resource Hub

 

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National Resources

 

National Center on DeafBlindness Links to an external site.

NCDB’s primary mission is to support state DeafBlind Projects as they assist educators, agencies, and organizations to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to help children with DeafBlindness learn, access the general education curriculum, and successfully transition to adult life. National Initiatives include: Interveners and Qualified Personnel, Family Engagement, Early Identification and Intervention, and Transition. NCDB supports state DB projects and offers webinars throughout the year.

 

Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind Youths and Adults Links to an external site.

Authorized by an Act of Congress in 1967, HKNC is the only organization of its kind—providing training and resources exclusively to people age 16 and over who have combined vision and hearing loss.

Helen Keller National Center - Regional Representatives Links to an external site.

Helen Keller National Center - Youth Service Coordinators Links to an external site.

 

Helen Keller National Registry Links to an external site.

The Helen Keller National Registry is used to collect data on the number of persons who are DeafBlind or have combined hearing and vision loss in each state across the country. The census information supports the development of programs, research, and grants. 

Reach out to our local Regional Services Coordinator in the Southeast for more information and prepare for your child's transition into adult services. Southeast B – Helen Keller Services Links to an external site.

 

National Family Association for Deaf-Blind Links to an external site.

The National Family Association for Deaf-Blind (NFADB) is the largest national nonprofit organization empowering families with individuals who are Deaf-Blind.

 

Deafblind International Links to an external site.

Deafblind International (DBI) is a worldwide association promoting services for individuals who are DeafBlind. 

 

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Schools

Perkins School for the Blind Links to an external site.

Perkins has a strong program serving children who are DeafBlind. Online, Perkins offers educational training opportunities, webinars, and additional resources such as Paths to Literacy, a collaboration between Perkins and TSBVI, This site offers great suggestions to build literacy with students who are DB and/or have significant disabilities by using objects and experience books.

 

Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Links to an external site.

TSBVI has a strong background of providing services to students with DeafBlindness. TSBVI offers a great website and professional development.

 

 

Etiology Specific Resources

 

CHARGE Syndrome Foundation Links to an external site.

The CHARGE Syndrome Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that is governed by a Board of volunteers composed of up to 12 members. The primary goals of the Foundation Links to an external site. include: growing outreach and support programs; increasing knowledge base; promoting awareness Links to an external site.; building networks and partnerships; and investing in leading-edge research Links to an external site..

 

Usher Syndrome Coalition Links to an external site.

The Usher Syndrome Coalition’s mission is to raise awareness and accelerate research for the most common genetic cause of combined deafness and blindness. The Coalition also provides information and support to individuals and families affected by Usher Syndrome.

 

National Center on DeafBlindness - Usher Syndrome Links to an external site.

A new NCDB product on Usher Syndrome, authored by Nancy O’Donnell, Outreach Director at the Usher Syndrome Coalition, is now available on the NCDB website. Factsheets are also included with information specifically designed for educators, healthcare professionals, and families.

 

Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities and Dual Sensory Loss Links to an external site.

This report—the result of a collaboration between the National Center on DeafBlindness (NCDB) and Accessible Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Systems (ATLAS)—fills a profound gap in our knowledge of school-age students who are DeafBlind and have significant cognitive disabilities.

 

 

Additional Resources and Training

 

Open Hands, Open Access (OHOA) DeafBlind Intervener Learning Modules Links to an external site.

The Open Hands, Open Access (OHOA): Deaf-Blind Intervener Learning Modules are a national resource designed to increase awareness, knowledge, and skills related to intervention for students (ages 3 through 21) who are deaf-blind and being served in educational settings.

The modules, created by a diverse group of experts in the field of deaf-blindness, were designed to be used as part of comprehensive intervener training programs offered by qualified agencies or institutions. The content is aligned with Council for Exceptional Children standards that outline knowledge and skill competencies for interveners. On their own the modules do not serve as an intervener training program.

 

The Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness Links to an external site.

The Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness increases access, communication, and equity for learners who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired. We do this by connecting resources and providing training for professionals and fostering relationships to equip communities to support families and learners where they are, with what they need, when they need it to learn, grow, and live their best lives.

 

Module: DeafBlindness for Early Intervention Service Providers Links to an external site.

This course offers Early Intervention providers with content that focuses on (1) the identification of infants and toddlers with combined vision and hearing loss (DeafBlindness), (2) key instructional strategies, and (3) developmental domains. The selection of resources was guided by the Council of Exceptional Children’s Division for Early Childhood (DEC) Recommended Practices Links to an external site.. This course takes 1 hour to complete.

 

Literacy for Children with Combined Hearing and Vision Loss Links to an external site.

This site is for individuals interested in beginning or enhancing literacy instruction for children with combined vision and hearing loss. Its content is also designed to improve literacy instruction for children with multiple disabilities and other complex learning challenges.