VIDBE-Q Volume 67 Issue 4
its inception, this program has produced tangible results and enjoys broad support
from the state legislature, state departments and families. For more information,
visit the National Center on Deaf-Blindness website, Increasing Recognition and
Use of Interveners: Minnesota
Texas
Vivecca Hartman & Melanie Knapp
In 1973, parents of children who are deaf-blind and multihandicapped, and
the professionals who work with them began gathering together on an annual basis
for training, education, and sharing common concerns and challenges. These
participants, desiring to continue this type of exchange in a more permanent
fashion, formed a statewide group and adopted formal By-Laws in 1975. The
Deafblind Multihandicapped Association of Texas ("DBMAT") was chartered by
the state of Texas as a non-profit organization in July 1976.
The effort for the God given rights of our deafblind children and adults
continues on. My personal battle is because of what my son, Christian, went
through and his ultimate success with his intervener. His untimely death has
continued to inspire my husband Gary, our son Landon, our family, and DBMAT
to give scholarships for college level training for our Interveners in Texas. Our
efforts are realized through raising funds to support our passion. DBMAT recently
