Assistance Project

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 loss (birth through 21 years of age).

Events:

Troutreach: O-Fish-Ally Fun! Registration now open!

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!

Click this for Troutreach 2024 Registration

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! Karoake! Pines Peak! Alpine Tower!

Like the MSB Outreach Facebook Page for information about events and more!

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.

Are You Serving A Student with Dual Sensory Loss or DeafBlindness?
What is DeafBlindness?
Technical Assistance Request Form
Which Infants and Toddlers Might Qualify for the National DeafBlind Child Count?

Ashley Bement presenting to a large crowd at the Touch Matters workshop. Shown with a Haptics provider and TASL interpreter.

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 Intervener training/OHOA through MoDBTAP, Contact:

Dena Molen

dena.molen@msb.dese.mo.gov

314-633-1553

A group of men and women sit on the stairs in a interior stairwell, holding up a colorful scarf with pics and badges from Deaf-Blind projects across North America.