Professional Development

Touch Matters: Communication Strategies with DeafBlind Individuals

When: April 1 & 2, 2023. 9:00 a.m.-5p.m.

Registration: REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR TOUCH MATTERS! 

Touch Matters Registration

No Cost!!

RID and ACVREP credits available!

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

Touch Matters Event Flyer

Join us for a two-day workshop to learn Haptics and PT with instructors Ashley Benton and Taylor Ofori. Co­sponsored by Vancro Integrated Interpreting Services and the Missouri Deaf-Blind Technical Assistance Project.

Contact:

Natasha Baebler

DeafBlind Project Corrdinator
314-633-1587
Natasha.Baebler@msb.dese.mo.gov

 

VIISA Course II: Serving Preschoolers with Vision Impairments/Blindness in Center-Based Settings

Dates: Session 1 -November 2-4, 2022; Session 2 - April 19-21, 2023

Registration: VIISA Registration

Location: Missouri School for the Blind
3815 Magnolia Avenue
Saint Louis, MO 63110
For more information: See VIISA Announcement 22-23
The purpose of this course is for participants to gain and develop skills in understanding the unique needs of preschoolers who are blind or visually impaired in a center-based setting. The focus will be on working with these children in the preschool setting, as well as in collaboration with the family and other members of the service delivery team. Transition from the preschool to the elementary school setting will also be addressed. Participants will gain knowledge and skills in observation, assessment, the IEP process, intervention techniques, use of appropriate methods, curricula and materials in teaching skills in all developmental domains, developing the use of all senses, meeting the child's needs in the group setting, socialization, school readiness, early literacy, and orientation and mobility.

Contact:

Mandy Clayton

Deaf-Blind School Support Specialist

314-633-1553

Mandy.Clayton@msb.dese.mo.gov

Hand In Hand: Understanding Deafblindness

Dates and Location: 
Session 1 – September 20 & 21, 2023, Virtually on Zoom
Session 2 – October 4 & 5, 2023, In Person at Missouri School for the Blind, St. Louis MO

Registration: Coming Soon
This course provides instructional strategies and practices specific to the education of students with combined vision and hearing loss. The course is taught by specialists in the field of Deafblindness and contains two parts. Part One is held virtually and 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. Part Two dives deep into the communication needs of learners with deafblindness and the specific application of material from part one for the individual students being served by participants. Follow up coaching, and mentoring is available from training faculty 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. This may be teachers (general or special ed.), the learner’s caregivers, paraprofessionals, related service providers, or post-secondary students intending to work with learners with combined vision and hearing loss.
For More Information Contact:
Natasha Baebler
DeafBlind Project Coordinator
314-633-1587
Natasha.Baebler@msb.dese.mo.gov

INSITE: In-Home Sensory Intervention Training and Education

When: June 26-30, 2023, 8:00a.m.-4:00p.m.

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

A curriculum model of home intervention for infants, toddlers, and preschool aged children who have a visual impairment and may have other multiple disabilities, including deaf-blind.  The INSITE model and training is for Parent Advisors for MoSPIN (Statewide Parent Involvement Network) home visits.  This curriculum includes the following areas: communication, hearing, vision, cognition, motor impairments, and developmental resources.

You Could Be A PA!

Contact:

Melissa Moore

MoSPIN Coordinator/Lead Parent Advisor

314-663-1591

Melissa.Moore@msb.dese.mo.gov

Open Hands Open Access Training


The program, Open Hands Open Access (OHOA) is an online, work at your own pace training program that offers modules designed to increase knowledge and encourage the use of best practices for supporting children with combined vision and hearing loss. OHOA/ Deaf-Blind Intervener Learning Modules are a national resource designed to increase awareness, knowledge, and skills related to intervention for students (ages 3 through 21) who are deaf-blind and being served in educational settings. If you are currently working with a student with dual sensory loss, you may be eligible for a stipend for every successful completion of modules and monthly consultation from our Deaf-Blind Project staff.
For more information, see https://www.nationaldb.org/products/modules/ohoa/

To register: OHOA Registration

For more information, contact:

Natasha Baebler
DeafBlind Project Coordinator
314-633-1587
Natasha.Baebler@msb.dese.mo.gov

 

Unified English Braille Code

To find more information on Unified English Braille Code, please visit the BANA UEB webpage.

 

Coursework Leading to Certification as Teacher of the Visually Impaired

TVI and OM programs breakdown

Training and Certification (undergraduate and graduate)

 

Considering a degree program?

The following college and university programs have successfully completed the accreditation process and have earned the distinction of “AER Accredited.” Each of these personnel preparation programs has demonstrated adherence to high quality standards that lead to a valuable academic experience; and the competencies needed for employment and certifications.

 

Training for a Rewarding Career - Generous Student Financial Assistance 

Teaching Children or Adults who are Blind or Visually Impaired, Providing Orientation and Mobility Services for Those Individuals, and/or Specializing in Assistive Technology for Individuals who are Blind or Visually Impaired  

Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, Illinois) offers a nationally regarded program at the graduate level for individuals who wish to join a rewarding career in teaching children or adults who are blind or visually impaired as a teacher of students with visual impairments, orientation and mobility instructor, assistive technology specialist for children with visual impairments, or a vision rehabilitation therapist for adults who are visually impaired. There is an overwhelming need for professionals who specialize in instruction for people who are visually impaired. As a consequence, there are many job opportunities in all regions of the United States. Individuals who choose this career path can anticipate having no difficulty obtaining life-long employment with great job security! In addition to numerous job opportunities, good pay, and excellent job security, individuals who choose this career path experience a sense of fulfillment not commonly found in other careers. These professionals play a significant role in the lives of children who are visually impaired, adults who are visually impaired, and their families. 

Generous student financial assistance is available. We will pay all in-state or out-of-state tuition, all fees, health insurance, and a stipend of $9,500 per calendar year for qualified individuals who wish to come to Northern Illinois University to enroll in the Visual Disabilities Graduate Program. 
  
For more information, go to the following YouTube link: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUfWnBbNZMg 
Please note there was a raise in the living stipend since the filming of this video clip and the living stipend is $9,500 per calendar year. 

And, the following webpage: 
https://www.cedu.niu.edu/seed/graduate-programs/masters-visual-disabilities.shtml 

Interested individuals can contact the Project Director, Stacy Kelly, at the following e-mail: 
skelly@niu.edu 

 

Lighthouse for the Blind-St. Louis Tuition Reimbursement Program

The Tuition Reimbursement Program was developed for individuals who are specializing in the field of service to persons who are blind or legally blind. This program is for college students in their senior year in an undergraduate program, OR a graduate student OR a paraprofessional that is currently employed and working in the field.

So you want to be a TVI/OM?

 

AER Accredited Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Programs

 

AER Accredited Vision Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) Programs

 

AER Accredited Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) Programs

 

Deafblindness Programs