Professional Development
Paraprofessional/Intervener Training Program
Paraprofessionals working with children and youth with combined vision and hearing impairment (deafblindness) need specialized training in order to support instruction and learning. The Paraprofessional/Intervener Training will provide personnel with foundational knowledge in working with this unique population, including a final para/intervener certificate.
What is an Intervener? An intervener is a person who works consistently one-to-one with an individual who is deafblind to help them gather information, develop and use communication skills, and establish relationships.
Target Audience:
*Note – This training program is for individuals working directly with a deafblind student(s) in the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont.
- Paraprofessional
- Ed Tech
- Teacher Assistant/Classroom Aide
- 1:1 Personnel (i.e., parent, nursing, interpreter, home health aide, respite provider, babysitter/nanny)
Modules are hosted by a Facilitator and participants will be provided support and feedback during engagement in each module. The modules can be completed at a time most convenient for you and at your own pace.
Fall Cohort
Paraprofessional/Intervener Training Program
Sign up to join our Fall Trainings Cohort!
The kickoff meeting will take place on
Thursday
October 26,
2023
4:00 – 5:00 PM
Session will be recorded to shared with those who are unable to attend.
NEC Transition For Success Initiative – Virtual Webinar Series
Transition planning for young deafblind adults requires an organized team approach, involving the student, family, and team. NEC’s Transition Team for Success Initiative offers a virtual webinar series for families, professionals, and agencies to address transition planning.
*Additional coaching is available to teams who commit to completing Transition Action Plans.
Targeted Outcomes:
- Person-centered planning incorporated in the student’s educational program
- Family engagement supported throughout planning
- Identification of supports and services for Deafblind students, provided by state and national agencies, including Pre Ets opportunities
- Knowledge of assessment, program development, and implementation strategies
- To learn more or inquire about the team process, please contact [email protected]
Session 1
Transition Planning Kickoff: Successful Transition Planning for Young Adults with Combined Vision & Hearing Loss
November 28 3:15-4:30 PM EDT
Session 2
Ingredients for a Transition-Focused Educational Program
January 9 3:15-4:30 PM EDT
Session 3
Strategies & Models for Vocational Experiences
February 6 3:15-4:30 PM EDT
Session 4
Daily Living Skills and Expanded Core Curriculum
March 19 3:15-4:30 PM EDT
Session 5
Community Connections and Recreation
April 16 3:15-4:30 PM EDT
Session 6
End of Year Celebration of Achievements
May 14 3:15-4:30 PM EDT
Fall 2023 Virtual Series: Practical Information and Strategies to Support Learners who are Deafblind
Do you want to learn practical strategies to work with children who have combined vision and hearing loss (deafblindness)?
Are you working with children who have extensive support needs and sensory loss?
NEC’s Fall Virtual Series offers practical, need-to-know information essential for providers working with children who are deafblind or at risk. These sessions are a wonderful opportunity for teams and providers to learn effective instructional strategies and receive follow-up coaching to support the implementation of high-quality practices. Participants will engage with other colleagues and share ideas.
Each session will focus on a specific topic and be led by experts in deafblindness, blindness/visual impairment, and deafness/hard of hearing.
Audience: TVIs, TODs, SLPs, OTs, PTs, Parents, Special Education and General Education Teachers, Paraprofessionals, Interveners, Administrators, and Agency Personnel
Professional Development Certificate provided for full attendance.
Facilitators: Tracy Evans Luiselli, Brenda Allair, Helene Gallagher, and Dr. Susan Bruce
*Certificate Provided Upon Successful Completion
Session 1
An Overview of Deafblindness, Universal Design for Learning & Instructional Strategies: What Can I Do Today?
Facilitators: Tracy Evans Luiselli, Brenda Allair, Helene Gallagher
September 27 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm EDT
Topics: The Range of Children who are Deafblind, Application of UDL Principles, and Instructional Checklist (Including Wait Time, Hand-Under-Hand, Consistency/Predictability, Activity Based Learning, Repetition & Reframing, Responsiveness and Building Trusting Relationships, Optimal Sensory Environments for Learning, Concept Development, Importance of Experience and Authentic Choice-Making)
Session 2
Strategies to Support Visual and Auditory Access in the Classroom
Facilitators: Tracy Evans Luiselli, Brenda Allair, Helene Gallagher
October 5 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm EDT
Topics: Learning Media, Visual Access to Materials, Classroom Environment, Daily Listening Checks, Managing Devices, Strategies To Encourage Tolerance, SPICE Curriculum for Auditory Skill Development
Session 3
Developing Individual Holistic Communication Profiles on Learners who are Deafblind
Facilitator: Dr. Susan Bruce
October 11 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm EDT
Topics: This workshop session will support you in developing a Holistic Communication Profile (Bruce, 2010, 2021) for a learner who is deafblind. This profile can be used to assess prelinguistic to early linguistic communicators. It addresses form (mode), function, content, context, and pivotal milestones related to communication achievements. You can modify the structure of the profile for learners of any age. Resources will be provided.
*Additional consultation provided to teams who commit to completing assessment.
Session 4
Self-Determination in Prelinguistic to Early Linguistic Communicators who are Deafblind
Presenter: Dr. Susan Bruce, Boston College
October 25 3:00 to 4:30 pm EDT
Topics: This session will address the 8 Components of Self-Determination, with emphasis on: Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation,
Authentic Choice-Making, Self-Advocacy, Self-Efficacy
Session 5
Classic Literacy Lessons for the Classroom and Home
Presenter: Dr. Susan Bruce, Boston College
November 8 3:00 to 5:30 pm EDT
Topics:
Story Boxes, Experience Books, and Shared Reading:
This session will address how to create and implement story boxes and experience books. Effective strategies for shared reading of both personalized and commercially produced books will be shared.
Schedules/Calendar Systems and Choice-Making:
Schedules and calendar systems are important contexts for building conversational skills about topics related to daily life. Participants in this session will learn how to develop different types of schedules and how to implement them well.
Session 6
Authentic Participation in Morning Meeting
Presenter: Tracy Evans Luiselli, Helene Gallagher
November 16 3:00 to 4:30 pm EDT
Topics:
Greetings
Shared Activities
Group Activities
School Announcements
Establishing Classroom Culture
Supporting Transitions
Session 7
Developing IEPs for Deafblind Learners: Supporting Access to the Gen Ed Curriculum
Presenters: Tracy Evans Luiselli, Brenda Allair, Helene Gallagher
December 6 3:00-4:30 pm EDT
Topics: This session will address components of High-Quality IEPs, decisions regarding service delivery, and strategies to support access to the gen education curriculum.