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!

Ongoing events

National Family Association for Deaf-Blind

BSBP Lean In! - Prep

  • January-May 2023
  • Lean In! Prep is a program that is developed and facilitated for people like you by people like you. Lean In! Prep Explorers will learn about different career options that are aligned with their interests and will have the opportunity to collectively run their own small business.
  • Learn more and register for this BSBP event!

BSBP VI Resources Series

Leader Dogs for the Blind Collaboration Events

  • November 30 - September 27; 3:00 PM EST
  • 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 share these events with others who could benefit from learning about additional resources. 
  • Register for Collaboration Events!

iCanConnect: The National DeafBlind Equipment Distribution Program

  • Sending an email or chatting on the phone can be challenging for people with both significant vision and hearing loss. iCanConnect is a national program that provides free equipment and training to help people stay connected with friends, family, and the world.
  • iCanConnect provides equipment including smartphones, tablets, computers, screen readers, braille equipment, and software to people with significant combined vision and hearing loss who meet federal income and disability guidelines.
  • Apply for iCanConnect now!
  • Complete the iCanConnect MI Consumer application! 

Birth to Three Year Parent to Parent Support Group

  • State Liaisons with the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation will be 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.
  • Meetings will take place on the third Saturday of every month at 6:00 PM PT, 7:00 MT, 8:00 CT, 9:00 ET, beginning November 19, 2022. A Zoom link will be sent out monthly to registered participants. Click below to register.
  • Register for this CHARGE Syndrome Foundation support group!

Protactile Language Interpreting Pilot Cohort - Applications Open!

  • The Protactile Language Interpreting National Education Program is charged with preparing interpreters working with DeafBlind individuals in Protactile language. Training is provided by DeafBlind educators.
  • For those interpreters who work regularly in communities with greater concentrations of DeafBlind individuals, PLI is launching a Pilot cohort in 2023. This is a small cohort of 12-18 participants to maintain small mentor-to-student ratios and cohort experiences.
  • Each cohort is a community of practice, sharing their newly-applied learnings, skills, knowledge and resources with each other and their instructors and mentors.
  • View the 2023 PLI Pilot Cohort Application!

Michigan Department of Education - Low Incidence Outreach (MDE-LIO) LIVE Webinar Series
September 13, 2022 - June 6, 2023 from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT
The Michigan Department of Education - Low Incidence Outreach (MDE-LIO) will once again offer LIVE with LIO webinars for the 2022-2023 school year. The webinars will continue to cover important topics of interest to individuals supporting students who are Blind/Visually Impaired (BVI).

Sensing Connections: Grief Support for Families of Children with Deaf-Blindness
Wednesday Evenings at 8:30 ET for 90 minutes (starting September 7, 2022)
Sensing Connections: Grief Support for Families of Children with Deaf-Blindness are web-based, peer-to-peer meetings that allow parents who have lost a child an opportunity to process their grief and learn coping strategies that have helped others. Interested parents are asked to commit to the entire 5-month series (10 total meetings). Enrollment is free. If you are interested in joining this group, please email Molly Black.

California DeafBlind Services Support Video Calls

      Bureau of Services for Blind Persons Training Center (BSBPTC) Virtual Tours
      Tours are available upon request. Tours are routinely scheduled Monday through Friday between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm (ET). The tour usually takes half an hour. The BSBPTC is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It is a residential training institute that assists persons who are legally blind increase their marketable skills through onsite technical training programs. Due to current restrictions, tours are limited to virtual hours. Visit their website to learn more about BSBPTC virtual tours!

      National Center on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB): Assistance in Creating Training Series
      The National Center on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB) is currently working on the first module of Teaching Children Who Are Deafblind: Professional Development for Educators to help enhance competency and skills. For use in the module, the NCDB is looking for videos of educators, children, and family members to help illustrate the strategies and skills involved when working with deafblind children. Anyone who contributes photos or videos selected for use will receive an Amazon gift card or mailed check in the following amounts: $50 per video, $15 per photograph.

      Michigan Hands & Voices Membership
      Anyone can become a member of Michigan Hands & Voices for $25 a year! Membership renews the next November 1; if you start a membership after March, renewal is November 1 of the following year. Benefits of a Michigan Hands & Voices membership include more than 40 events yearly, members-only events, The Communicator in your mailbox, legislative representation, and access to national parent network! They offer scholarships to aid in purchasing memberships are available as well!

            March events

                BSBP Growing Through Career Conversations

                • March 23; 9:30 AM - 1:45 PM EST
                • Located at Macomb Intermediate School District
                • The purpose of this event is to introduce students to life enhancing skills: social skills (and why they are important) in a digital realm as well as in person, when to disclose that you have a vision impairment, and understanding job accommodations.
                • Students will have an opportunity to engage with professionals who have a vision impairment and learn how they have navigated their career with a visual impairment.
                • Learn more and register for this event!

                American Printing House Insights Art Contest

                • March 31, 2023: Deadline to Submit Your Work
                • Do you, your children, or your students have artwork you would like to submit for the 2023 InSights Art competition? The deadline is March 31, 2023, which is quickly approaching! 
                • You can send your artwork physically through the mail to 1839 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206, with attention to the InSights Art Team or digitally to insights@aph.org
                • Learn more about this APH event and submit your work!

                April

                Michigan Family to Family Health Information Center: 2023 Navigating Healthcare Webinar

                • April 5, 2023; 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT
                • This one hour interactive webinar will cover the basics about the Michigan Medicaid Children's Waiver Program. 
                • Join us for a discussion that will include an overview of the waiver, how it works, how to apply, and what services may be covered. 
                • Learn more and register for this Michigan Family to Family event!

                The Camp Abilities Story - The Association for Education and Rehabilitation

                • April 10, 2023; 7:00 PM EDT
                • In 1996 Lauren Lieberman, then an assistant professor at SUNY Brockport, started a small educational sports camp for children with visual impairments called Camp Abilities with 27 children. In 2000 she expanded to Palmer, Alaska. Today there are Camp Abilities programs in over 20 locations in the US and in 10 countries.
                • Come to this talk and hear the remarkable story of this epic journey to help children with visual impairments and their families around the globe.
                • Learn more and apply for this session!

                BSBP Growing Through Career Conversations

                • April 13; 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM EST
                • The purpose of this event is to introduce students to life enhancing skills: social skills (and why they are important) in a digital realm as well as in person, when to disclose that you have a vision impairment, and understanding job accommodations.
                • Students will have an opportunity to engage with professionals who have a vision impairment and learn how they have navigated their career with a visual impairment.
                • Learn more and register for this event!

                MDE-LIO It's All About the Money In-Person Workshop

                • April 15; 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
                • Join the Michigan Department of Education – Low Incidence Outreach (MDE-LIO) and the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) for a series of virtual financial literacy workshops. During four online sessions, students will learn about budgeting, banking, financing postsecondary education, credit scores, and identity theft. 
                • During two in-person sessions, students will play "Life Unplugged" to practice budgeting skills and budgeting for a vacation. Each student may bring an adult family member who will have the opportunity to attend special breakouts during the in-person sessions.
                • Learn more and register for this MDE-LIO event!

                Michigan Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired Conference 2023

                MDE-LIO Family Nature Club : Earth Exploration

                • April 29 - April 30, 2023
                • Camp Tuhsmeheta
                • Learn about the earth while enjoying the natural beauty of Camp Tuhsmeheta (Camp T)! Families will engage in activities that will help them understand the planet we call home. They will even enjoy a visit from John Ball Zoo’s traveling wildlife exhibit.
                • Learn more and register for this MDE-LIO event!

                May events

                DB Central Presents "The Impact of Deafblindness: A Learning Module for Teachers"

                • May 1-2, 2023; 4:30-5:30 PM or 8:00-9:00 PM EDT
                • Complete learning exercises and an assignment to reflect on how content applies to a student who is deafblind.
                • Teachers, Teacher Consultants, Orientation & Mobility Specialists, and other professionals who currently have a student registered with DB Central in their classroom/on their caseload should consider this module.
                • View the The Impact of Deafblindness - A Learning Module for Teachers flyer!
                • Register for this DB Central event!

                2023 Michigan Division for Early Childhood Conference

                • May 5, 2023; 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
                • We are excited to open registration for the Michigan DEC Annual Conference! This event will be in-person at Central Michigan University on May 5th, 2023. Lunch is provided. 
                • Take a few minutes to look at the many choices offered through three breakout sessions and for learning with others. Our keynote speaker this year is Dr. Carla Shalaby who will be sharing perspective from her book "Troublemakers: Lessons in Freedom from Young Children at School."
                • Learn more and apply for the Michigan DEC Conference!

                Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind Family Garden Day

                • May 6, 2023; 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM EDT
                • Learn how easy it is to grow your own food, even if you can’t see! Take home a rolling, self-watering garden box planted with your choice of vegetables, herbs, and/or flowers!
                • Help us plant the OUB Camp Garden!
                • Learn more and register for this OUB event!

                BSBP iCAN

                • May 12-14
                • Located in Traverse City
                • This program is an action-packed three-day weekend filled with networking, community engagement opportunities, skill building and more. Participants will arrive on Friday afternoon and complete the program by Sunday afternoon.
                • Target Population:  Current BSBP clients that are 16 years or older, High School Juniors and Seniors, or Transition Program students. Please note: event in East Lansing is for current college students only.
                • Learn more and register for this BSBP event!

                BSBP Growing Through Career Conversations

                • May 18; 9:30 AM - 1:45 PM EST
                • Located in State of Michigan Library
                • The purpose of this event is to introduce students to life enhancing skills: social skills (and why they are important) in a digital realm as well as in person, when to disclose that you have a vision impairment, and understanding job accommodations.
                • Students will have an opportunity to engage with professionals who have a vision impairment and learn how they have navigated their career with a visual impairment.
                • Learn more and register for this event!

                Michigan Sports Education Senior Camp

                • May 18-21, 2023
                •  Senior Camp is a series of clinics designed to teach middle and senior high school students intermediate athletic skills.
                • Senior Camp activities will likely include track and field, swimming, wrestling, goalball, tandem cycling, spinning, 5-a-side soccer, and judo. Athletes who attend these camps have the unique opportunity to interact with others who have the same challenges in physical education as they do.
                • Learn more and apply for sports camp!

                MDE-LIO Camp T Excursion: Detroit's DNR Outdoor Adventure Center

                • May 20, 2023; 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT
                • Camp Tuhsmeheta will host an outreach program at Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Adventure Center (OAC). Located on Detroit’s riverfront in the historic Globe Building, the OAC will give families a taste of Michigan’s great outdoors in the heart of the city. 
                • Come and experience exciting outdoor adventures with hands-on activities, exhibits, simulators, and more.
                • Learn more and register for this MDE-LIO event!

                Michigan State Games

                • May 20-21, 2023
                • Michigan State Games offers an opportunity for students to compete as individuals and on teams.

                Michigan Sports Education Junior Camp

                • May 22-23, 2023
                • Junior Camp is a series of clinics designed to teach younger students fundamental athletic skills. 
                • Typical Junior Camp activities include introductory running, throwing, jumping, kicking, swimming, gymnastics, wrestling, judo, and goalball. Athletes who attend these camps have the unique opportunity to interact with others who have the same challenges in physical education as they do.

                Leader Dogs for the Blind Free O & M Professional Seminar - In Person

                • May 31 - June 1, 2023
                • Join us to learn more about specialized O&M techniques, GPS, guide dogs and how you can help your clients become guide dog ready. Get hands-on experience with orientation aids, DeafBlind simulations, guide dog practice and more.
                • Time will be provided for Q&A, group discussion, networking, and several added activities to enhance your learning experience.
                • Learn more and register for this Leader Dogs for the Blind event!

                June events

                MDE-LIO It's All About the Money In-Person Workshop

                • June 2; 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
                • Join the Michigan Department of Education – Low Incidence Outreach (MDE-LIO) and the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) for a series of virtual financial literacy workshops. During four online sessions, students will learn about budgeting, banking, financing postsecondary education, credit scores, and identity theft. 
                • During two in-person sessions, students will play "Life Unplugged" to practice budgeting skills and budgeting for a vacation. Each student may bring an adult family member who will have the opportunity to attend special breakouts during the in-person sessions.
                • Learn more and register for this MDE-LIO event!

                Leader Dogs for the Blind Youth Orientation & Mobility Program

                • June 11-17
                • Youth O&M is provided to 16- and 17-year-olds along with education for a supporter (i.e., family member) to learn more about blindness, the skills their loved one uses and how to help in O&M goals. Participants in this program stay in a local hotel and participate in our traditional training environments. All travel, meals and hotel expenses are covered by Leader Dog. This program is one weeklong and will occur June 11-17, July 16-22, and August 6-11.
                • Learn more and apply for this Leader Dogs Program!

                Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind Cooking and Serving Camp

                • June 18-23, 2023
                • OUB camper’s favorite activity – cooking! American Food, this time! And a service project to give back to the community.
                • Campers age 10-19 years old are welcome.
                • Visit the OUB website to learn more!

                Careers Under Construction

                • June 25-28, 2023
                • Are you transitioning to college after high school? Then Careers Under Construction is a great program to attend to prepare for that transition.
                • The Careers Under Construction program will allow you to begin the planning process for transitioning to life after high school and identifying your degree options. Guided by career inventories students will gain an understanding of their strengths and personality preferences.
                • As you deeply explore and understand how your personal profile can relate to/prepare for your future success and align with careers you might be interested in. Additionally, students will have hands-on experience of life on campus, including staying in the dorms, exploring campus, dining in the café and experiencing student life. 
                • Learn more and register for this event!

                Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind Discovery Camp

                • June 25-30, 2023
                • Science week! May include trip to Calvin College Observatory, nature programs, and much more! Plus little science-y cooking projects! Also available as a day camp.
                • Campers age 7-14 years old are welcome. 
                • Visit the OUB website to learn more!

                Leader Dogs for the Blind Teen Summer Camp

                • June 25 - July 1, 2023
                • Teen Summer Camp applications are now open! Camp is an opportunity for teens who are 16 and 17 throughout the US and Canada to learn about leadership skills, accessible GPS technology, guide dogs and more!
                • This camp is completely free including room, board and airfare. Teen Summer Camp will take place June 25- July 1, 2023, the application deadline is Friday March 31, 2023.
                • Learn more and register for Teen Summer Camp!

                Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind Family Day

                • June 30, 2023
                • Free! Join us for this fun day of exploring fun activities that don’t need vision to participate fully. Crafts, cooking, music!
                • Families of all ages and sizes are welcome!
                • Visit the OUB website to learn more!

                July events

                Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind Bicycle Camp

                • July 2-4, 2023; 10:00 AM EDT
                • Day Camp option. Learn to ride a real bike from people who know how to help any child with disabilities learn to bike. Transportation may be available in the Grand Rapids area.
                • Campers age 7-19 years old are welcome.
                • Visit the OUB website to learn more!

                Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind Chicago Mini-Trip

                • July 5-7, 2023
                • Spend 2 nights in hotels in Chicago and practice big city transportation, including using the trains, the EL, taxi’s, Uber and Lyft, and ordering and paying for restaurant food, experiencing museums, and China Town.
                • A great time, and great experience with different cultures and supervised by staff members with experience in Chicago and certifications in Orientation and Mobility. Participation by director’s permission only.
                • Visit the OUB website to learn more!

                Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind Cooking and Jamming

                • July 9-14, 2023
                • Cooking and Music camp with multiple genres of music and multiple international cultures of food! A fun and exciting camp for all!
                • Campers age 7-14 years old are welcome.
                • Visit the OUB website to learn more!

                Earth Wind and Fire

                • July 10-12, 2023
                • This program is fun, informative, and interactive. Students will explore and experience careers in the field of earth science. With a focus on weather, wind and fire students will have a hands-on experience to understand emergency preparation for weather-related events.
                • Highlighting 3-D models and other demonstrations, including fire, rain and other types of emergencies that the public can experience, students will learn to prepare with a component and consideration to their vision. Additionally, students will learn about accessible weather apps and gain tools and strategies to prepare for weather.  
                • This program includes guest speakers that works within the earth science profession, Sky Zone outing with blizzard simulation and more engaging activities.
                • Learn more and register for this event!

                Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind Adventure Trip

                • July 14-18, 2023
                • Younger campers may be accepted under special circumstances.) - $150. We are working with Chicago Adventure Therapy again, but this time to do a rock climbing (on real rocks) and kayaking trip at Devil’s Lake State Park near Baraboo, Wisconsin, including an experience in the woods with Kate Trnka introducing us to 54 senses, and the Dane County Farmer’s Market.
                • A great trip with great people and great fun!
                • Campers age 12-19 years old are welcome. 
                • Visit the OUB website to learn more!

                Leader Dogs for the Blind Youth Orientation & Mobility Program

                • July 16-22
                • Youth O&M is provided to 16- and 17-year-olds along with education for a supporter (i.e., family member) to learn more about blindness, the skills their loved one uses and how to help in O&M goals. Participants in this program stay in a local hotel and participate in our traditional training environments. All travel, meals and hotel expenses are covered by Leader Dog. This program is one weeklong and will occur June 11-17, July 16-22, and August 6-11.
                • Learn more and apply for this Leader Dogs Program!

                Calendar

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