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Special Education/Low Incidence: Deaf-Blindness

Deaf Blindness

By Lori Johnson

Criteria        Resources        Links       Contact

 

Students who have a hearing or vision loss of any degree cannot access the same amount or quality of information without accommodation for their sensory losses.  When we know that 80-95% of information comes to us through our vision and hearing, it is logical that educational programming for students who are deafblind must take into consideration the unique learning needs of each child, with special attention to the input of information and consistent access to communication.

The SW/WC Service Cooperative has two educational audiologists, a consultant and teacher for Deaf/Hard of Hearing, and a consultant for Vision Impairment that provide:

  • A link between the Minnesota DeafBlind Project and local school districts.

  • Dissemination of information and resources related to DeafBlindness.

  • Vision and Hearing evaluations and educational assessments.

  • Support and assistance in educational programming.

  • Facilitation of professional development for staff and families working with students with deafblindness.

  • Collaboration and inservices with families, school personnel and community agencies.

  • Participation in statewide networks for early hearing detection intervention, Audiology, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Vision, and DeafBlind.

CRITERIA

DeafBlind
http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/arule/3525/1327.html

Deaf/Hard of Hearing
http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/arule/3525/1331.html

Vision  
http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/arule/3525/1345.html

Common syndromes associated with DeafBlindness include CHARGE Syndrome, Usher Syndrome, Marshall Syndrome, Stickler Syndrome, and Down Syndrome.  Children born prematurely may also be at risk for DeafBlindness.

RESOURCES

Minnesota DeafBlind Technical Assistance Project
4001 Stinson Blvd, Suite 210
Minneapolis, MN 55421
612-638-1525 or 1526 voice
612-706-0808 tty
1-800-848-4905
mndb@skypoint.com

DeafBlind Services Minnesota (DBMS)
726 Second Street NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 362-8454 Voice
(612) 362-8422 TTY
(612) 362-8437 Fax
info@dbsm.org
 

Minnesota State Services for the Blind (SSB)
2200 University Ave. Suite 240
St. Paul, Minnesota 55114-1840
Metro Twin Cities Area Voice: (651) 642-0500
Metro Area TTY: (651) 642-0506
Toll free in Minnesota: (800) 652-9000 (Voice and TTY)
http://www.mnssb.org/ and click for Children or for Youth

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division (DHHSD)
Department of Human Services (DHS)
444 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-3814
(651) 296-3980 Voice
(651) 297-1506 TTY
http://www.dhhsd.org

DB-LINK: National Information Clearinghouse On Children Who Are Deaf-Blind Teaching Research
Western Oregon University
345 N. Monmouth Ave.
Monmouth, OR 97361
(800) 438-9376
TTY: (800) 854-7013
Fax: (503) 838-8150
http://www.tr.wou.edu/dblink
dblink@tr.wou.edu

Lifetrack Resources, The Family Connection
709 University Avenue West
St. Paul, MN  55104
651-227-8471 voice
651-227-3779 tty
mail@lifetrackresources.org

                                   

LINKS 

Minnesota DeafBlind Technical Assistance Project

DeafBlind Services Minnesota (DBMS)

Lifetrack Resources, The Family Connection

DB Link - The National Clearinghouse on Children who are DeafBlind

DeafBlind Perspectives Magazine

The National Technical Assistance Consortium for Children and Young Adults Who Are Deaf-Blind

Blindness Resource Center: DeafBlind/Hearing Disability Resources

Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind Youth and Adults

CHARGE Syndrome Foundation, Inc.

Texas School for Blind and Visually Impaired

See Hear Newsletter

DeafBlind Info, Minnesota's Online Resource about Combined Hearing and Vision Loss

Perkins School for the Blind, Hilton/Perkins Program

A to Z DeafBlindness

A DeafBlindness Web Resource

        American Association of the Deaf-Blind (AADB)

CONTACT

Regional Contacts:

Jill Rohman
Consultant of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing
SW/WC Service Cooperatives
1420 East College Dr.
Marshall, MN  56258
Phone: 507/537-2289
Email: Jill.rohman@swsc.org

Richard Branting
Consultant for Vision Impairments
SW/WC Service Cooperatives
1420 East College Drive
Marshall, MN  56258
Phone: 507-537-2288
Email: Richard.branting@swsc.org

Ed VanDerHeiden
Educational Audiologist
SW/WC Service Cooperatives
1420 East College Dr.
Marshall, MN  56258
Phone: 507/537-2284
Email: ed.vanderheiden@swsc.org

Sharyce Baartman
Educational Audiologist
SW/WC Service Cooperatives
1420 East College Dr.
Marshall, MN  56258
Phone: 507/537-2283
Email: Sharyce.baartman@swsc.org

State Contact:

Cathy Lyle
State Consultant for DeafBlind Students
Minnesota DeafBlind Technical Assistance Project
4001 Stinson Blvd., Suite 210
Minneapolis, MN  55421
800-848-4905
Phone: 612-638-1525 or 1526 Voice
Phone: 612-706-0808 TTY
Fax: 612-706-0811 
Email: mndb@skypoint.com

        State DAPE Contact:

        Bruce Suneson
        DAPE Consultant
        Metro ECSU
        4001 Stinson Blvd. NE, Suite 304
        Minneapolis, MN  55421
        Phone: 612.638.1538
        Fax: 612.638.1548
        Email: bsuneson@ecsu.k12.mn.us

                                                         

 

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