Online Parent Training: The Role of Interveners in
Educational Settings
Patti McGowan, National Family Association for Deaf-Blind
pmgowan@pattan.net
Peggy Mallow, Implementation Practices Coordinator, national
Center on Deaf-Blindness
malloyp@wou.edu
The National Family Association for Deaf-Blind (NFADB) and the National
Center on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB) are currently collaborating to sponsor an online
parent/family training called The Role of Interveners in Educational Settings. The
training program uses Module 3 ("The Role of Interveners in Educational Settings")
from the Open Hands Open Access (OHOA) Deaf-Blind Intervener Learning
Modules. Family/Parent participants learn about the role of interveners, the principles
of intervention, and how interveners function as members of a student's educational
team.
Although the module is one of a series of modules that are being developed by
NCDB to serve as a resource for programs to train interveners to work with students
who are deafblind, we have found that with minor adaptations (e.g., adding
information resources pertinent to family members, tailoring a simulation activity to
make it family friendly) the module is also an excellent learning tool for parents and
families.
The format of the course is primarily self-study, giving participants the
opportunity to learn from the comfort of their own homes, at their convenience, and
on their schedules. We also offer individual support via telephone and e-mail and
48
