DeafBlind Events
List of upcoming events
Saturday Mornings with NRCP
2nd Saturday of each month (August 2025 - July 2026)
2-hour Webinar
$25 per webinar/ $125 for six webinars/$250 for all 12 webinars
Webinars designed for paraeducators and their teams to learn more about roles and responsibilities, behavior, instructional strategies, teamwork, and much more! Find more information and registration information by clicking button below!
REGISTER FOR SATURDAY MORNINGS WITH NRCP
Complex Care & Medically Fragile Webinar Series
3rd Wednesday of each month (November 2025 - May 2026)
1.5-hour Webinar
Free to attend
The New York DeafBlind Collaborative (NYDBC) will be offering a webinar series facilitated by expert leaders in the field related to individuals with complex care needs/medical fragility. Each webinar will feature a specific topic, including topics such as: Overview of Medicaid; Overview of Special Education: Supports & Services; Caring for the Caregiver; Whole Child, Whole Family; Supporting the Sibling; Know Your Rights: Special Education Law.
2026 Utah Deafblind Institute
Every Wednesday, January 7 - March 11
4 - 5:30 PM (MST)
Virtual via Zoom
Deafblind Institute is a series of basic deafblind strategy topics for school teams, related services providers, families, or any individual interested in learning practical strategies for working with individuals with deafblindness, especially those with additional disabilities. Participants have the flexibility to attend only the classes they are interested in. Please contact Jamie Carter at Jamiec@usdb.org with any additional questions.
Spring Unified English Braille Class
Every Tuesday, March 3 - June 16
5 - 7 PM
$200 for school personnel supporting students in Michigan who are blind/low vision (BLV)/$100 for college students in Michigan studying BLV-related professions and adult family members of students in Michigan who are BLV
This instructor-led class is for school personnel or family members who have little or no experience with braille. In the class, participants will visually learn how to read and write braille. They will also gain knowledge to effectively support students who use braille. This class requires participants to spend time in and out of class learning braille; they will also demonstrate their knowledge by submitting assignments each week. A certificate of completion will be issued by the Michigan Department of Education.
Learn about:
- the alphabet
- punctuation and contractions
- typeforms
- Nemeth Braille Code for Mathematics
Leader Dogs for the Blind: Teen Orientation & Mobility (O&M)
One week of individualized instruction
2026 Dates: June 7-13, July 12-18, August 2-8
Free for students who are blind or low vision and have completed at least one year of high school
Teen O&M is a one-week program for teens who have completed at least one year of high school. It provides personal instruction in independent travel and white cane skills, plus education and support for a parent or family member who attends with the teen to help them achieve their O&M goals. Because training is active and hands-on, participants should be able to walk for 30 minutes at a time, multiple times per day. Cost is free, including public transportation, private rooms on the Leader Dog campus, and meals for both the teen and the adult supporter.
February 2026
Mealtimes Matter: Sensitive Approaches for Supporting Your Child's Unique Mealtime Journey
2/4 7 - 9 PM
Virtual via Zoom
Join Marsha Dunn Klein, pediatric occupational therapist and feeding specialist as she presents a webinar on responsive feeding and her Get Permission Approach, where parents will learn how to compassionately support their child's individual cues and needs during mealtimes. Discover practical strategies to foster trust, connection, and emotional attunement while honoring your child's unique temperament and developmental stage. This session empowers caregivers to build a loving foundation for lifelong healthy eating and self-awareness.
Application DUE for MI Hands & Voices Board
2/18
One open board seat for an adult who is Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing
Michigan Hands & Voices is seeking a passionate individual to join the Board of Directors and help shape a future where all children who are Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing thrive. There is currently one open board seat for an adult who is Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing. Board members play a vital role in guiding the Hands & Voices mission, strengthening family support, and amplifying community voices across Michigan. If you care about advocacy, inclusion, and making a meaningful impact, you are encouraged to apply.
SouthEast DeafBlind Collaborative Webinar Series: Literacy for Little Learners: Building Reading Skills for Complex Children
2/19 2:30 - 4 PM EST
Virtual via Zoom
How do you define literacy and engage children in reading activities when their access may be limited? This webinar will address assessment, learning media, and strategies to support pre-literacy skills for students with complex medical and communication needs. Participants will learn what defines a complex learner, how to address sensory needs through assessment and structured routines, and how to monitor progress. Presented by Krista-Leigh Olsen and Mary Robbins. ASL interpreters will be provided. Attendance is free. Recording will be available at a later date.
Parents Parenting for Change - Parent Leadership in State Government
2/24 - 2/26, 9 AM - 12:30 PM
Free for parents to attend
Parents Partnering for Change is three 1/2 days of introductory leadership training for parents. Parents learn how to be leaders and active participants. Training topics include how to tell your family story; what it means to be a parent leader; understanding communication styles; how an advisory board works; making meetings effective; and conflict management. Any parents (biological, kinship, adoptive, foster, and/or caregiver) who has a child age birth to 18 who has received public services or is eligible to receive public services in Michigan can attend the training. Registration is accepted on a first come - first serve basis.
Mobility Matters Conference 2026
2/26 8:30 AM - 3 PM (PST)
Early Bird pricing ends 1/15; final registration closes 2/23
Mobility Matters 2026 is a virtual conference exploring the connection between navigation and community. This event brings together leaders and experts from a variety of fields with a central focus on inclusion and accessibility for people who are blind, have low vision, or are DeafBlind as well as those with other disabilities.
DHH Early Childhood Workshop
2/26 9 - 11 AM
$100/participant
This session builds skills in visual communication and ASL basics to ensure language access for children ages 0-5 at home and in the classroom. Participants will learn how to create visually rich, multimodal communication environments, and apply ASL strategies in ways that empower families and strengthen professional practice. Designed for early childhood providers, interventionists, and family coaches.
Camp Connections: Summer Adventures for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Youth
2/26 8 - 9:30 PM
Virtual via Zoom
Join Michigan Hands & Voices as they plan for summer! In this program, representatives from local and national programs will be providing information regarding different summer camp/program offerings. Guests include Camp Chris Williams; Deafblind Central; Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services Kids Kamp; Equest, and many more!
March 2026
BSBP Training Center Virtual Meet and Greet
3/5 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Virtual via Zoom
Join BSBP for an engaging and informative virtual meet & greet via Microsoft Teams! This event is designed to help families connect with the dedicated Training Center staff and explore the programs offered for students throughout the summer, ensuring that families feel confident and at ease when sending their children to the center for training.
EOT&TA: Stress and the Growing Brain
3/10 11:30 AM - 1 PM
$15 fee to participate
During this interactive virtual session, participants will explore factors that influence brain development, the impact of stress on the growing brain, and five strategies for supporting healthy development. This session is based on modules from the Zero to Three Growing Brain Curriculum and will be facilitated by Dr. Jennifer Champagne, a certified Growing Brain Trainer. SCECHs and SW CEUs will be available.
Helen Keller's Story & My Life Experience
3/19 6 - 7:30 PM, Michigan School for the Deaf
$5 per person
Michigan DeafBlind Advocacy (MDBA) invites you to a special performance of Helen Keller's Story & My Life Experience. All proceeds will benefit the MSD DeafBlind Fund. Don't miss out on this special performance! Any questions? Please contact Debi McNally at dmcnally@michdeaf.org.
April 2026
Trivia Night & Silent Auction
April 18, 5 PM
$50 per individual, $360 for a table of 8 (ages 18+)
Join Michigan Hands & Voices on April 18th at 5 PM (Meadowbrook Church, Novi) for our annual Trivia Night & Silent Auction! Support families of children who are Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing while enjoying dinner, trivia, and art by Deaf creators. Dinner is included; BYOB specialty drinks (non-alcoholic provided). ASL and CART provided. For further information, please contact Michigan Hands & Voices.
May 2026
Early Connections Conference 2026
May 1 - 2
Early bird registration closes 2/28; final registration closes 4/17
Learn, connect, and ask questions for your child, student, and family in a supportive environment made up of experts and families like yours - with young children who are blind, deafblind, or low-vision, including those who have multiple complex disabilities. This year's them is Action! Discover how professionals, families, and students can take action and effectively work together to amplify their voices, navigate systems, and advocate for the individualized supports and services they need.
June 2026
Leader Dogs for the Blind: Teen Summer Camp
June 21 - 28; application deadline is April 3
Free for teens who are blind or low vision ages 16-17
A one-week, group experience held by Leader Dogs for the Blind with a focus on fun, confidence and independence, exploring mobility options, leadership development, and peer connection. Campers will meet guide dog mobility instructors, experience accessible GPS, and participate in activities like rock wall and zip line. Cost is free, including travel, private room on campus, and meals. Campers will also receive an accessible GPS device from HumanWare.
July 2026
2026 Conference: The Collective Power of Us
7/19 - 7/21
Medical pre-conference and conference tickets are sold separately
The CVI Conference carves out a space where lived experience meets expertise to drive change for people with CVI. This conference will bring together leading experts, groundbreaking research, and individuals living with CVI to leverage the power of collective expertise and community. This year, an additional pre-conference will take place 7/29 and will focus on ongoing CVI research, providing attendees with the opportunity to discuss the impact and future direction of their work with peers and professionals.
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Website: U.S. Office of Special Education Programs IDEAs That Work