DeafBlind Events

Learn more about upcoming events for deafblind individuals and their families. Want to be notified about upcoming DB Central events? Join our contact list!

December 2023

BSBP VI Resources Series

This monthly series is designed to educate families and student supports about a variety of subjects affecting BVI students. This program will provide information from industry experts on a variety of relevant topics, introduce caregivers to useful community resources, and connect students/families to career explorations tools and potential work experiences.

Birth to Three Year Parent to Parent Support Group

State Liaisons with the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation are hosting a virtual support group for families with children aged birth - 3 years. We recognize that this group goes through so much in the first 3 years of life and it can often feel isolating or overwhelming. We want to offer a safe place where families can get together to connect, share, ask questions, and get support from other families.

REGISTRATION DUE: Providing Meaningful Sex Education Instruction for Students with Visual Impairments

Join Pat Love, MDE-LIO education consultant, Dr. Gaylen Kapperman, and Dr. Stacy Kelly as they offer meaningful ways to support sex education instruction for students who are Blind/Visually Impaired (BVI). This online workshop will be held January 12th, 2024. Registration closes December 20th, 2023.

January 2024

Adaptive Recreation Expo

  • Thursday, Jan. 11
  • 5:30-8 p.m.
  • Kentwood Activities Center
  • 355 48th Street, SE Kentwood, MI 49548

We hope to provide an environment where individuals with disabilities and their families or caregivers can find resources, equipment, and programs available to them. This will also be a great opportunity for agencies to connect with students, potential volunteers or interns, and other organizations.

Spread the word! Share our Facebook event and flyer so people know to join us.

BSBP VI Resources Series

This monthly series is designed to educate families and student supports about a variety of subjects affecting BVI students. This program will provide information from industry experts on a variety of relevant topics, introduce caregivers to useful community resources, and connect students/families to career explorations tools and potential work experiences.

Providing Meaningful Sex Education Instruction for Students with Visual Impairments

Join Pat Love, MDE-LIO education consultant, Dr. Gaylen Kapperman, and Dr. Stacy Kelly as they offer meaningful ways to support sex education for students who are Blind/Visually Impaired (BVI). Topics will include: addressing missed incidental learning among students who are BVI, related to health education; state policies, laws, consent forms, and procedures; what is and is not true about sex education for students who are BVI; how sex educations models and tactile materials can help students gain a better understanding of what's being taught; and what to do about sex education videos shown in the general education classroom.

Teaching Strategies for Learners with Deafblindness (Part 1)

Presented by Chris Montgomery, this 3-part series will focus on teaching strategies for learners with deafblindness. The first session, "Interaction, Communication, and Formal Language with Students who are Congenitally DeafBlind," will focus on gaining an understanding of the tactile learner's perspective and the five steps of interaction.

Birth to Three Year Parent to Parent Support Group

State Liaisons with the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation are hosting a virtual support group for families with children aged birth - 3 years. We recognize that this group goes through so much in the first 3 years of life and it can often feel isolating or overwhelming. We want to offer a safe place where families can get together to connect, share, ask questions, and get support from other families.

Teaching Strategies for Learners with Deafblindness (Part 2)

Presented by Chris Montgomery, this 3-part series will focus on teaching strategies for learners with deafblindness. The second session, "Developing Functional Routines for Student (and Teacher) Learning," will focus on gaining a conceptual understanding of functional routines that are language-rich and meaningful for their students as a concrete teaching tool.

36th National NRCP Virtual Conference

  • Thursday, January 25th - Saturday, January 27th
  • Register by January 18th
  • Register here!

The 36th National NRCP Conference for Paraeducators, Related Service Providers, and Interveners will be held virtually January 25th-January 27th, with an optional leadership meeting on January 24th. The conference sessions will be divided into five key strands focusing on resources, administrators, paraeducator roles, high-leverage practices, and inclusion. 

Teaching Strategies for Learners with Deafblindness (Part 3)

Presented by Chris Montgomery, this 3-part series will focus on teaching strategies for learners with deafblindness. The third session, "Designing Calendars as a Holistic System for Communication, Literacy, and Concept Development in the Classroom and Home," will focus on gaining an understanding of the importance of developing a calendar system as a tool for literacy, using calendars as part of a dynamic interactive communication model. and apply these tools to help teams develop meaningful calendar systems for the classroom and home. 

Leader Dogs for the Blind Collaboration Events

Leader Dogs for the Blind Collaboration Events spotlight organizations within the blindness and low vision field that have resources that may be helpful to you. Please feel free to share these events with others who could benefit from learning about additional resources.

February 2024

BSBP VI Resources Series

This monthly series is designed to educate families and student supports about a variety of subjects affecting BVI students. This program will provide information from industry experts on a variety of relevant topics, introduce caregivers to useful community resources, and connect students/families to career explorations tools and potential work experiences.

Annual Michigan Transition Services Conference

  • Wednesday, February 21st - Friday, February 23rd
  • Lansing Center
  • 333 E Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI 48933

This conference brings together partners with a focus on assisting students with disabilities to transition to employment and adult life. The focus this year is providing information, resources, and support to those who assist young adults with disabilities in planning to achieve their transition goals. More information can be found here!

Leader Dogs for the Blind Collaboration Events

Leader Dogs for the Blind Collaboration Events spotlight organizations within the blindness and low vision field that have resources that may be helpful to you. Please feel free to share these events with others who could benefit from learning about additional resources.

Calendar

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Website: U.S. Office of Special Education Programs IDEAs That Work