VIDBE-Q Volume 67 Issue 4
in Ivey's educational program. While Ivey's team has been significantly
"streamlined" in the past couple of years, there are still a large number of people
directly involved with Ivey, and it is my role to help facilitate the efficiency and
quality of the delivery of services. Most often, I communicate directly with Ivey's
case manager. I also work with Ivey's school-based team and our Special
Education Director on questions of resources that may be needed. Finally, should a
conflict or question arise regarding Ivey's school needs, I stand ready to help
facilitate a resolution.
Gwen Sirmans, A Parent's Story
My daughter, Ivey, is a 16-year old student with deafblindness in Rome,
Georgia. I am Gwen Sirmans, best known as "Ivey's mom". I am contributing this
article to highlight the development of Ivey's Individualized Education Program
(IEP) team. And though it has been quite a journey, Ivey, because of her
supporting team, is a success story. However, it is here, I must emphatically
emphasize that I am a parent. One might be surprised at the events that unfold for
parents behind the scenes of classrooms and IEP meetings. What you will read are
clips of my experiences with having a child with deafblindness in a public school
setting and my involvement as a member of Ivey's IEP team. So, let us begin.
Let me first describe my role as a contributing member of Ivey's IEP team.
Educators dream of a parent like me. I know this because, once upon a time, in
