VIDBE-Q 2025 Volume 70 Issue 4
are so grateful you have joined us in our mission and hope you will continue to
take advantage of some of our member benefits such as the free registration for our
webinars and our online pre-conference, which you can learn more about in this
issue of VIDBE-Q.
In July and September, we asked our members to ask their congressional
delegations to protect the vital programs funded by grants authorized in Part D of
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Thanks, in part, to the efforts of
dedicated and engaged individuals such as our members, many programs were
spared in the most recent round of grant discontinuation. Unfortunately, 4
DeafBlind Projects, 3 Braille training projects, and 4 interpreter training programs,
including the only program with a primary focus on providing interpreters trained
in ProTactile communication for individuals, who are DeafBlind did see their
funding come to an end in September. The loss of these programs is painful and
will impact teachers and students for years to come. Seeing funding for these
programs discontinued serves as a reminder to me of the important role that
organizations like DVIDB play in providing resources for both instruction and
advocacy in our profession.
In the last issue of VIDBE-Q we learned about a program in Tennessee that
is providing online resources and coursework that VI professionals can use to
support students in rural areas who are blind and visually impaired transition to
12
