The Virginia Deaf-Blind Project
Project Description:
The Virginia Project for Children and Young Adults Who Are Deaf-Blind (VDBP) is requesting funding under the program, Technical Assistance and Dissemination To Improve Services and Results for Children With Disabilities, State Technical Assistance Projects To Improve Services and Results for Children Who Are Deaf-Blind (CFDA 84.326T).
VDBP maintains a registry of individuals who are deaf-blind ages birth to 22 years. Currently the registry indicates there are at least 163 living in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with approximately 28.2% living rural areas. As a result of the types, intensities, and combinations of vision and hearing loss, and because almost 90% of the children who are identified as deaf-blind have additional disabilities, they comprise one of the most heterogeneous groups who receive services through early intervention and special education programs.
This proposal aims to increase the use evidence-based practices to improve academic, functional, social, and post-school outcomes for children who are deaf-blind through collaborative efforts with local, regional, state, and national agencies and organizations including school divisions, parent and consumer organizations, the Virginia Department of Education, and other OSEP-funded TA&D projects. VDBPs work will: increase the number of instructional team members who effectively provide individualized supports to individuals who are deaf-blind; improve capacity at the local, regional, and statewide levels to augment service delivery to children who are deaf-blind and their families; and increase knowledge of deaf-blindness and the subsequent early identification of children with deaf-blindness. These outcomes will be achieved through validated technical assistance activities, expanding a professional development model to include innovative distance-learning opportunities for professionals, paraprofessionals and family members, participation on committees and task-forces with policy makers, and disseminating useful and relevant materials through different media formats provided by other technical assistance and dissemination projects.
Keyword(s):
deafblind, sensory impairments, tech. asst., inclusion, vision, hearing
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Quality Assurance, Education & Early Intervention, Health-Related Activities, Other - Assistive Technology, Other - Leadership
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Empowerment Zone, Rural/Remote, Urban, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
