1. Home

South Dakota UCEDD Provides National Deaf-Blind Training for Educators

Monday, January 11, 2021

Through a collaboration with the National Center on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB) and the Center for Disabilities Deaf-Blind Program, an online 4-course training series has been developed titled, Concentration in Deaf-Blindness and High Intensity Support Needs. This series provides an incredible foundation in deaf-blindness, training in communication strategies, assessment and instructional planning and life planning for educators working with students with deaf-blindness and/or students who have high intensity support needs.

These courses are geared towards educational professionals including special education teachers, teachers of the visually impaired, teachers of the deaf/hard of hearing, occupational therapists, orientation and mobility specialists, administrators, physical therapists, and interpreters. Parent participation is also encouraged for enhanced understanding of the impact of deaf-blindness and to strengthen their role as advocates. Participants can take the courses for continuing education hours or graduate level university credit through the University of South Dakota. Fall of 2020 was the first successful semester of offering two courses and two more courses will begin this spring.

Infographic showing participation in and reviews of the deaf-blind courses offered by the University of South Dakota's Center for Disabilities. Map: A map depicts that participants come from 12 states and England. Quote: There is a quote from a speech language pathologist describing how the course has helped them. 100% of survey takers agreed that “This training is likely to result in better outcomes for persons with disabilities.”                        

  Infographic showing participation in and reviews of the deaf-blind courses offered by the University of South Dakota's Center for Disabilities. Bar chart: A bar chart showing the job titles of course participants, most were Teachers of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing. Quotes: There is a quote from a parent describing how the course has helped them.