Looking for additional training opportunities? Check out the East Carolina University Modules Addressing Special Education and Teacher Education (MAST). These modules focus on important topics in special education courses and professional development for teachers. There is even a section geared toward teaching learners with DeafBlindness. All topic areas have been formatted in brief modules which … Read more
With summertime upon us, we can enjoy so many wonderful experiences that occur during the season. I love the sound of lawnmowers and the smell of freshly cut lawns. I love the feel of the dirt as I plant flowers except, of course when meeting up with fire ants that have invaded the flower … Read more
“What do I consider a teacher should be? One who breathes life into knowledge so that it takes new form in progress and civilization.” – Helen Keller in a speech to the National Education Association, 1938 Anne Sullivan was a great example of what it’s like to be an extraordinary teacher. She didn’t have information … Read more
Being an Intervener is an often challenging, yet always rewarding and fulfilling experience. I’ve worked 1:1 with my current learner for 4 years, and I’ve been a Nationally Certified Deafblind Intervener for about 1 year. My journey toward certification was a long one, to say the least. I juggled full-time (and part-time) employment, a full-time … Read more
We all have thoughts, opinions, and feelings but consider if you were not able to share them with others. Imagine the frustration! When you feel understood, it increases your confidence in communicating with others. You are more willing to share and reach out when you feel validated and recognized. The personal passport is a very … Read more
Parents of children with combined vision and hearing loss have to spend a lot of time explaining their children to new caregivers and teachers as well as to those in the medical field. They have to explain what their child’s likes and dislikes are, what they can eat and how they communicate etc. over … Read more
Colleen Hickey is a dedicated teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing at Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. Colleen earned a dual certificate for early childhood education and deaf education from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. She successfully completed the DeafBlind graduate certificate program through ECU last year. She has been working with an ECU Teacher Support … Read more
What is everyone’s favorite topic of discussion? Ourselves! We learn from talking about our experiences and sharing our perspectives with others. Creating experience books about a student’s likes and dislikes is a perfect example of that! These books provide high-interest topics and opportunities for communication and socialization. Check out the following book idea based on … Read more
My name is Billy Pickens and I am a twenty-five-year-old college graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor’s degree in mass media and a minor in journalism. I have been a part of the DeafBlind community for my entire life as I was born with a genetic condition called … Read more
Many parents and professionals are not familiar with ways to help youth with disabilities successfully transition from school to the workforce. Pre-employment activities are a way to help all students with a disability reach their employment goals. Pre-employment transition services can be provided to students ages 14-21 who would like to work on achieving their employment … Read more