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trainings, workshops, professional development 

Outreach provides educational teams, early intervention teams, agencies, and schools trainings specific to working with students with visual impairments, blindness, and dual sensory impairments of vision and hearing. All trainings are no cost. We can provide virtual and in person trainings. Trainings can be for an hour up to several days of immersive training.  

Here are some of the topics that we can present to your team:

  •  Blindness Basics-Everything Your Team Needs to Know about Vision Impairments (VI) from basic understanding of vision and it’s impact to procuring products, assessments, and assistive technologies
  •  Screenings for Visually Impaired (VI)/Red Flags
  • DeafBlind 101 (very inclusive of Multiple Impairments (MI)/Other Health Impaired (OHI)
  • Cortical Vision Impairment (strategies, what is CVI, CVI and AAC)
  •  Calendars and Routines for Increased Communication
  •  Emergent Literacy for students with Extra Support Needs/Severe Needs
  •  Haptics
  •  O&M for the Student with Multiple/Sensory Impairments
  • Expanded Core Curriculum for the Visually Impaired/Blind/DeafBlind (VI/B/DB)
  • Working with Families/ Keeping the Family Involved
  • Practices in Early Intervention
  • PT/OT/Vision Connection
  • Use of Touch for Children with Visual Impairments

Presentations are taught by Certified Teachers of the Visually Impaired, Certified DeafBlind staff, Certified teachers, and highly-qualified personnel. WE got you!  

For More Information, Contact:

  • Jane Herder
    314-633-1582
  • No Cost
  • Virtual or In Person
  • Available: anywhere in Missouri

hand in hand Training

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.

For More Information, Contact:

  • Ashley Foley
    314-633-1587
  • No cost
  • Fall 2026. Details coming soon!
  • At Missouri School Blind, St. Louis MO

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/ DeafBlind 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 deafblind 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 DeafBlind Project staff.

Stipends provided if approved!

For More Information, Contact:

  • Dena Molen
    314-633-1553
  • Virtual trainings, virtual coaching

Early interventionists and moSPIN parent advisor training
INSITE: In-Home Sensory Intervention Training and Education

  • July 20-24, 2026
  • Missouri School for the Blind
    3815 Magnolia Avenue
    Saint Louis, MO 63110
  • Molly Lawhorn
    314-633-1591
  • No Cost

If you work with students birth through age 5 with a sensory impairment (vision or vision and hearing impairment), then join us for our INSITE training.  INISTE is a curriculum model for home intervention for infants, toddlers, and preschool aged children who have a visual impairment and may have other multiple disabilities, including DeafBlind. The INSITE model and training is for our Parent Advisors for MoSPIN (Statewide Parent Involvement Network) home visits AND for early intervenionsists. The curriculum addresses: communication, hearing, vision, cognition, motor impairments, and developmental resources.

Intervener Certification

In the United States, state deafblind projects and university certificate programs are the primary sources of intervener training. Coaching and supervision, in addition to coursework, are essential. MoDBTAP is your source for intervener training. For intervener training and for certification, contact dena.molen@msb.dese.mo.gov. MoDBTAP can provide tuition assistance to support your certification. (However, you must be working with a student with deafblindness!)

Considering Becoming An Intervener?

Coursework Leading to Certification as a TVI and O&M

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.

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.