FAMILY SUPPORTS
Families represent the most critical system of support of a child who is deaf-blind. They are also an invaluable resource for others who are involved in supporting children with dual sensory impairments.
The video below shares some of the wisdom gained over time by parents of children and young adults who are deaf-blind. .To see the "I Wish I Had..." document in its entirety, go to: http://nationaldb.org/documents/Family/Iwish.pdf
CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW to view the video titled: I Wish I Had .....
http://animoto.com/play/oUBLwOubBX4D71jJL11zaA
Fact Sheets
The fact sheets available for download below have been kindly shared by other state deaf-blind projects across the country.
Parent Road Map: Your Guide to Raising A Child with Combined Hearing and Vision Losses (http://www.dbproject.mn.org/parentRoadMapManual.html). - A guide to raising a child with combined hearing and vision losses, created by the Minnesota Deaf-Blind Project.
Resources for Families
We have compiled a number of resources that have been designed for and by families. Please contact us if you are looking for something that we have not included. We are happy to try to connect you with a resource that will address your need.
A to Z Deafblindness
A website developed and maintained by James Gallagher, a person who is deaf-blind, posting information about deaf-blindness and the Deaf-Blind Manual Alphabet.
http://www.deafblind.com/
American Association of the Deaf-Blind (AADB)
Website for a national consumer advocacy organization that promotes better opportunities and services for people who are deaf-blind.
http://www.aadb.org/
American Printing House for the Blind - Cortical Visual Impairment
A compilation of resources and information about cortical visual impairment.
http://sun1.aph.org/cvi/
Center for Literacy and Disabilities: DeafBlind Demonstration Classroom Page
This website contains many valuable resources developed by staff of the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies at the University of North Carolina.
http://www.med.unc.edu/ahs/clds/projects/deaf-blind-model-classroom/the-literacy-communication-model-demonstration-classroom-project-for-students-with-deaf-blindness?searchterm=DeafBlind+Demonstration+Classroom
Charge Syndrome Foundation
An organization focused on providing information and support for individuals with CHARGE syndrome and their families.
http://www.chargesyndrome.org/
Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation
CdLS is a congenital syndrome with many disabilities including vision and hearing loss.
http://www.cdlsusa.org/
DB-LINK Information Services
An activity of the National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness, DB Link houses an extensive collection of information related to deaf-blindness. A team of information specialists are available to respond to direct requests for information, and an extensive collection of resources can be directly accessed on their website.
http://nationaldb.org/ISDefault.php
Deaf Linx
Deaf Linx is your resource for information on deafness, deaf culture, American Sign Langauge (ASL) and all other related topics. .
http://www.deaflinx.com/
Described and Captioned Media Program
This is a federally funded program that creates accessible (captioned an described) educational materials. These materials are available at no charge to teaches, parents, and others working in an educational capacity with K-12 students who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind.
http://www.dcmp.org
Design to Learn
Focused on the communicative needs of individuals who do not use typical forms of communication (i.e., speech), this website contains information about tangible symbols, presymbolic communication, and other strategies for individuals with significant disabilities, including deaf-blindness.
http://www.ohsu.edu/oidd/d2l/index.html
Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults (HKNC)
The Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults is the only national rehabilitation program that works exclusively with youth and adults who are deaf-blind. Authorized by an Act of Congress in 1967, the Center operates a residential and training facility at its headquarters in Sands Point, NY, and provides support services throughout the country through its system of field services.
http://www.hknc.org/
Hilton Perkins Program
The Hilton/Perkins Program at Perkins School for the Blind expands educational programs to children who are deaf-blind or blind with additional impairments in underserved communities worldwide thanks to the generous support and philanthropic leadership of the Hilton Foundation.
http://www.perkins.org/
National Coalition on Deafblindness
The National Coalition on Deafblindness was formed in 1987 in response to a need to provide feedback to legislators and policy makers regarding the ongoing needs of children who are deafblind and the reauthorization of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
http://www.dbcoalition.org/about.htm
National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB)
The National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness is a national technical assistance and information dissemination center for children and young adults who are deaf-blind. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).. DB-LINK, which is part of NCDB, is a federally funded information clearinghouse that identifies, coordinates, and disseminates (at no cost) information related to children and youth who are deaf-blind (ages 0 to 21 years).
http://nationaldb.org/about.php
National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI)
A national organization that enables parents to find information and resources for their children who are blind or visually impaired, including those with additional disabilities.
http://www.spedex.com/napvi/
National Family Association for the Deaf-Blind (NFADB)
The National Family Association for the Deaf-Blind (NFADB) is a non-profit, volunteer-based family association. Their philosophy is that individuals who are deaf-blind are valued members of society and are entitled to the same opportunities and choices as other members of the community. NFADB is the largest national network of families focusing on issues surrounding deaf-blindness.
National Family Association for the Deaf-Blind
141 Middle Neck Road
Sands Point, NY, USA 11050
800.255.0411
516.944.8900 (voice)
website: http://www.nfadb.org/
Project Salute
This website is a resource about tacile learning strategies. It contains valuable, practical strategies for use with students who learn through tactile channels.
http://projectsalute.net/
SKI-HI Institute
The Institute's primary purpose is to identify and respond to real needs of young children who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired, deafblind, multi-disabled, or who have any special needs.
http://www.skihi.org/home.html
Please explore the resources we have put together on this website. We encourage you to contact us if we can help you in any way.
Mtdeafblind@ruralinstitute.umt.edu
(406) 243-2348
