Missouri DeafBlind Technical Assistance Project

MSB DBTAP logo

The Missouri DeafBlind Project strives to improve services and results to youth who are deafblind and their families by strengthening collaborations among local, state and national teams, provide consultations and professional development. These efforts increase early identification and intervention, increase access to communication and the general education environments, facilitate family engagement, support successful transitions, and increase the number of highly-qualified personnel. Technical assistance, training and resources are available for families and service providers of individuals with vision and hearing differences (birth through 21 years of age).

 

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    Upcoming Events:

    Troutreach logo

    Troutreach: O-Fish-Ally Fun! Registration Closed-see you 2026!!

    This no cost event for our families of children with dual sensory loss begins July 29-31st at Troutlodge in Potosi Mo!

    Lodging and meals provided, all we want is for you to join us and have fun!

    Join us to connect and recharge at this retreat with other families like yours. Meet new friends, and soak in a lot of fun!

    Swimming! Paddleboarding! Campfire! Karaoke! Pines Peak! Alpine Tower!

    Hand In Hand: Understanding Deafblindness

    Registration Now Open!

    Register Here:Hand in Hand

    September 18-20, 2024

    October 2-4, 2024

    Location: Missouri School for the Blind
    3815 Magnolia Avenue
    Saint Louis, MO 63110

    This course provides instructional strategies and practices specific to the education of students with combined vision and hearing loss with or without additional disabilities. The course is taught by specialists in the field of DeafBlindness and contains two sessions. Session one, includes information on such topics as common causes of DeafBlindness, assessments specific to students with DeafBlindness, and instructional strategies shown to be most impactful for this population of learners. Session two, dives deep into the communication needs of learners with DeafBlindness and the specific application of materials from part one for the individual students being served by participants. Follow-up coaching and mentoring is available from MoDBTAP Project staff to deepen comfort levels with real-world application.


    The target audience for this course includes any members of the educational team serving a student with combined vision and hearing loss inclusive of those with multiple disabilities. We welcome all teachers (general or special ed.), the learner’s caregivers/parents, paraprofessionals, related service providers, or post-secondary students intending to work with learners with combined vision and hearing differences.

    Midwest Transition Institute 2025

    Stay tuned for details

    The Midwest Transition Institute returns Summer of 2025. More details coming soon!
    Who can participate? Any young adult who is DeafBlind, age 16 through 22. Candidates will be language users (with or without devices), able to engage in group activities for at least 30 minutes at a time, and able to stay overnight in a dorm-type setting.
    What is the purpose of the Institute? Young adults who are DeafBlind will make progress toward their self-identified transition priorities by completing sections of a transition portfolio, interacting with other young adults and DeafBlind adult mentors from across the Midwest, and learning transition skills related to their life plans in a fun environment. Parents and guardians will learn together about life after graduation and how to plan ahead.

    Contact MoDBTAP:

    Robert Blachowicz

    Robert.Blachowicz@msb.dese.mo.gov

    314-633-1587

     

    What is an Intervener?

    Knowing whether your child would benefit from the support of an intervener is a burning question for many families. Let’s start with the basics. An intervener is a person who works consistently one-to-one with an individual who is deafblind to help them gather information, develop and use communication skills, and establish relationships. The need for an intervener is typically determined during the development of a child or youth’s individualized education program (IEP). In school settings, they work under the supervision of a classroom teacher or other person responsible for implementing the IEP.

    For more info on Intervener Certification, see our Professional Development Listing here

    For Intervener training/OHOA through MoDBTAP, Contact:

    Dena Molen

    dena.molen@msb.dese.mo.gov

    314-633-1553

     

ASL Transliteration Videos

DeafBlindness Overview

FAQs MO DeafBlind Census

Parent Release of Information for the MO DeafBlind Census

Family Funding for MoDBTAP

Are you serving a student with deafblindness?

 

Family/Service Provider Resource Links

  • DeafBlind LiveBinder Resources

  • Family Funding Application

    • The Missouri DeafBlind Technical Assistance Project (MoDBTAP) is excited to offer financial support to families of children with deafblindness. MoDBTAP will provide financial assistance for family members of infants, children and youth (ages birth through 21) who are deafblind to further their knowledge and understanding of their child’s disability and/or the programs and services that support their child, through the Family Involvement Fund. The financial assistance provided should be used to attend conferences and workshops (e.g. registration fees, lodging, travel), as well as to participate in online trainings and webinars or other agreed-upon opportunities.

  • Solicitud de Fondo de Familia