Family Resource Group
Blind Visually Impaired Edition October 2021
As School Continues
Erin Campion
Family Resource Group Editor
Register for the November Sound Visual Phonics© Series
This course starts November 9, 2021. Register to learn a new strategy to help your child read and write! Sessions are Tuesday nights from 7:00-9:00 PM.
Reminder: HELIX Conference (Nov 8-10) Registration closes soon!
High Expectations for Students with Low Incidence Disabilities
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 who are deaf/hard of hearing, deaf-blind, and blind or visually impaired.
There are scholarships available for family members. Scholarship application deadline is October 25, 2021.
New Resource Guide for Families of Children who are D/HH Plus from Hands & Voices™
“Connecting Families of Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Plus (DHH Plus) with Resources and Support” was developed by the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Parent to Parent Committee, for families who have children who are DHH Plus, because "we know that supporting our child’s ability to reach their individual potential is at the heart of the issue in the journey of raising a child who is DHH Plus." Knowing that approximately 35-40% (Gallaudet Research Institute, 2011) of children who are DHH also have additional/other needs, the combined effect of hearing loss with additional needs presents a unique and complex challenge to professionals and parents.
The purpose of this guide is to ensure that:
- Your family knows how, where, and why to access expertise, resources and information for your child who is DHH Plus.
- To share information about the benefits and availability of connections to other families and adults who are DHH Plus, so you know you are not alone.
- To assert your right to have high expectations for your child.
Return to School Roadmap
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) released a Q&A entitled the Return to School Roadmap: Development and Implementation of Individualized Education Programs in the Least Restrictive Environment under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
This second in a series of Q&As builds on the August 24 press release and demonstrates the Department’s continued commitment to support States to ensure they have the information necessary to carry out these important requirements and to make good use of the additional American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to ensure the full implementation of IDEA requirements.
BookShare
Bookshare is the world’s largest online library of accessible e-books for people with print disabilities. Members can download books and publications in a variety of accessible formats. Bookshare is FREE for qualified U.S. students of any age and schools through an award from OSEP (Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education).
Parents can learn more about registering their child from the Individuals: Sign Up and Get Started page. For more information: What Does It Cost? | Bookshare
The Clerc Center Online Community
Funding Your Assistive Technology: A Guide to Funding Resources in Pennsylvania
The long-awaited second edition of our book, Funding Your Assistive Technology: A Guide to Funding Resources in Pennsylvania, will be published this fall!
The new guide will include a thorough list of 60 possible assistive technology funding resources available for Pennsylvanians that have been individually researched and contacted by our staff.
In addition, the guide includes a re-write of Chapter 4: Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Programs. The new chapter provides updated and comprehensive information you won't find anywhere else about acquiring assistive technology through Pennsylvania's waiver programs.
Who's in Charge of CHARGE? Series starts October 27, 2021
The Programs of the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf are excited to host a four-part speaker series by Dr. Tim Hartshorne, a professor of psychology and specialized in school psychology, at Central Michigan University. Dr. Hartshorne is driven and motivated by his son with CHARGE born in 1989.
Register for the event now! Zoom link information will be emailed to all registrants. Contact Mr. Donald Mazreku at dmazreku@wpsd.org for any questions.
Event Series Information:
"Who's in Charge of CHARGE"
Date: October 27, 2021 7:00pm to 8:00pm Registration Form Link
"Developing Partnerships Between Families and Professionals"
Date: December 15, 2021 7:00pm to 8:00pm
"Gaining an Understanding of Behavior as Communication"
Date: February 2, 2022 7:00pm to 8:00pm
"Working Toward an Adult Life"
Date: March 3, 2022 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Hello from the Deafblind International YOUTH Network!
DbI Youth Network has recently launched Friends in Touch, a worldwide correspondence group for Deafblind youth aged 14-28: https://www.deafblindinternational.org/
We are encouraging all Deafblind youth to participate - whatever communication style, needs, and language. Correspondence can include email, Braille letters, object writing, videos and more. The program is inclusive of all communication styles, from pre-symbolic to formal. Complete the following form to participate in the letter exchange program: https://bit.ly/3Bdlnog
Email Amanda Crayton activeaccessedu@gmail.com or Simon Allison simon.allison@sense.org.uk for more information.
The Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN)
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.
Website: www.pattan.net
Location: 333 Technology Drive, Malvern, PA, USA
Facebook: facebook.com/pattanupdates
Twitter: @pattanupdates