VIDBE-Q Volume 67 Issue 4
Over the course of two semesters, intervener candidates engage in an online
course of study in two courses, Overview of Deafblindness and the Role of the
Intervener and Intervention Practices for Learners Who Are Deafblind. The
courses use the rigorous and nationally recognized Open Hands, Open Access:
Deaf-Blind Intervener Learning Modules. Students complete the modules
asynchronously and meet with instructors for three synchronous virtual class
sessions each semester. The course assignments and class discussions provide a
variety of meaningful opportunities for the intervener candidates to not only
demonstrate understanding of intervention principles and competencies, but to also
engage in personal reflection about their increased knowledge and skills and their
personal practice of providing intervention to a learner who is deafblind.
Course instructors are deafblind specialists from California Deafblind
Services, which is based at San Francisco State. Upon successful completion of
both courses, the intervener candidate earns a university certificate of completion
and nine San Francisco State continuing education units (CEU). This state-level
certificate of training serves as documentation that this individual has the
knowledge and skills to serve in the role of an intervener.
The cost of each course is $240.00. Coaching and mentoring for interested
candidates are offered by California Deafblind Services and local teachers, who
hold a California credential authorizing them to serve a child who is deafblind.
