The Family Resource Group
August 31, 2023 Deaf-Blind Edition
Welcome Back!!
We hope you had a wonderful summer and found the time to rest, relax, and prepare for the 2023-24 school year! We are all looking forward to exciting things for this coming school year. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at any time. To be sure that you continue to receive all future updates, or information, directly to your email address, sign up on the Family Resource Group mailing list.
Erin Campion
Family Resource Group Editor
Resource Guide for Supporting Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Individuals
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is excited to announce the third annual publication of the Resource Guide for Supporting Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Individuals
The purpose of this guide is to offer resources in one central location for those who support or care for someone who is Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind and receives supports from ODP. The Guide provides some of the most frequently accessed resources to assist in addressing the unique needs of these populations, such as information about American Sign Language (ASL) courses, home modifications, assistive technology, a foundational organizations directory, and so much more!
Development of this guide included input from individuals within the Deaf, DeafBlind, hard of hearing, and hearing communities and will be revised annually by ODP’s Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Advisory Committee. This Guide will be available in the near future on MyODP.org under Training > Special Populations > Deaf Services
For questions, email RA-ODPDeafServices@pa.gov
Free Prerecorded ASL Classes
The Oklahoma School for the Deaf is excited to resume their FREE Prerecorded ASL I and II online for this fall semester. The pre-recorded classes will begin on September 11. You can go at your own pace until December 31, 2023 to complete. Register here. Registration will close on September 28, 2023 Check out the FAQs for information on classes.
Want to know more about inclusion?
Inclusion and Back to School
PEAL's Executive Director Mary Hartley and Director of Individual Assistance Cindy Duch talked to WTAE-TV Pittsburgh about the PEAL Center and Inclusion on WTAE Listens, "A focus on special education as students head back to school."
Strategies to Ensure an Inclusive Placement
Join renown speakers Dr. Julie Causton and Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak for either or both of their upcoming webinars with the PEAL Center:
Strategies to Ensure an Inclusive Placement for Your Child. Ideal for Families
September 14th 12:00pm
Strategies for Creating Inclusive Classrooms for ALL Students. Ideal for Educators & Administrators
September 19th 3:30pm
Fatigue Study
"Listening-related fatigue is a feeling of tiredness caused by straining to listen and understand. We are interested in understanding how hearing aids and cochlear implants influence listening-related fatigue."
UPCOMING EVENTS:
AGBELL LEAP PROGRAMS
"We are recruiting tweens and teens for OUR LAST OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN IN AG BELL’S LEAP PROGRAMMING OF 2023. Do you know a tween/teenager who would love to be with other tweens and teens at LEAP for Middle School or LEAP for High School? It’s free and easy to access virtually!" www.agbellleap.com
LEAP for Middle School Session Dates:
Saturday, September 23, 2023 | 12:30-3:00 pm EST
Sunday, October 1, 2023 | 12:30-3:00 pm EST
Applications due by Sept 21 or 29
LEAP for High School Session Dates:
Two-Day Session: October 20-21, 2023 |
Friday, 7pm-9:30 pm EST;
Saturday, 1-4:30 pm EST
Applications due by Oct 9
Family Advocacy Training and Education
Begins: October 5, 2023 Where: Zoom from the place of your choice
"Want to get involved in advocacy? Tired of your child or loved one not receiving services? Not sure where to get started? The National Family Association for DeafBlind (NFADB) would like to invite you and/or your organization to join us in our 3rd Session of Family Advocacy Training and Education (FATE). We would love to have family organizations and/or family leaders that support individuals who are DeafBlind join us."
Each family leader must complete the individual application by September 10, 2023
Hearing Loss Expo Oct 10 & 11, 2023
Pennsylvania's Hearing Loss Expo is the place to be! Plan on visiting this one-of-a-kind expo. There is no other place to see technology in action, learn about services and attend informative sessions. Everything is about people who are deaf, DeafBlind or hard of hearing. Stay tuned for more info! www.dli.pa.gov/odhh 717.783.4912V/TTY 717.831.1928/484.866.9929 VP
For Families: Exploring Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
October 24th, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
This presentation with TechOWL will cover an overview of different types of available AAC systems and devices. Participants will learn how AAC can be implemented in the school setting and considerations for the IEP. This presentation will cover the steps of the AAC evaluation and funding process.
Learning objectives for this presentation are:
Understand AAC and the different types of AAC that are available.
Learn how AAC is implemented in the school setting and considerations for the IEP.
Learn about funding sources for AAC.
Understand the components of the evaluation process
PaPBS Network and MTSS Implementers' Forum:
Nov 1-3, 2023
Join in person at the Hershey Lodge & Convention Center or virtually to look at steps and supports that can help your child improve academic, behavior, and social-emotional outcomes with this joint conference. There are many things that can help students learn, focus, and participate in the classroom, come hear from experts and network with others.
HELIX: High Expectations for Low Incidence Disabilities
Nov 15-17, 2023 for DHH, BVI, & DB
Join us to celebrate high expectations for students with low incidence disabilities and to support school staff and families who are working hard to make those expectations a reality in our current school environments. This annual statewide conference offers an opportunity to learn and engage with presenters who are recognized in the field, as well as colleagues from across the state, highlighting effective instructional strategies and interventions designed specifically for students with low incidence disabilities.
The 2023 HELIX Conference will be offered in a hybrid format - in person at the Lancaster Convention Center or online through Zoom. Each time slot will offer sessions from our PaTTAN Initiatives of Assistive Technology and AAC, Blind-Visual Impairment, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind, Significant Cognitive Disabilities, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Families to the MAX Statewide Parent Network.
The mission of the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) is to support the efforts and initiatives of the Bureau of Special Education, and to build the capacity of local educational agencies to serve students who receive special education services.