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Lorem Ipsum Dolor Spring 2016
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group support via web-conferencing. The web-conferencing meetings and discussion
boards within the module also allow participants to provide support to and learn from
each other—e.g., to share their experiences of interacting with school personnel and
strategies to address the impact of deaf-blindness on the child and family.
A key feature of the support we offer is to reassure participants that the course
is not meant to add stress to their lives. We provide them with a suggested timeline
for moving through the material, but also let them know that we realize that
sometimes "life just gets in the way." Allowing for flexibility of learning has been an
asset to this online learning module and is key to creating a positive experience for
parents and family members who, on a daily basis, are dealing with the complexity of
caring for a child who is deaf-blind.
A first cohort of family members and parents participated in a pilot program
held in March and April of 2014. Two additional trainings with new cohorts have
been held since that time. Recruitment involved the assistance of family specialists at
state deaf-blind projects and dissemination of a flyer via the NFADB membership
listserv and various social media outlets. More than 25 individuals from across the
country have signed up for each cohort, indicating a clear need for the essential
information provided by this training.
Based on data gathered regarding participants' experiences, we have made
minor changes to the way we offer the training over time to better meet parent and
family needs. Together, NFADB and NCDB feel that this endeavor will advance our
shared goals of empowering parents and increasing recognition and acceptance of the
use of intervener services for students with deafblindness. We are learning together
to find out what works and what does not work to meet the needs of families seeking
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