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State Spotlight: Louisiana’s Collaborative Emergency Response

Join Mark A. Thomas, the Deputy Secretary for Louisiana’s Department of Health and Julie Foster Hagan, the Assistant Secretary for the
Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities also at Louisiana’s Department of Health. This podcast focuses on Louisiana’s emergency response both within the I/DD system and the larger departmental and state responses in Louisiana. Did previous emergency responses position the system to better respond during COVID-19? How do state agencies work as one effective system to serve the community? Find out more about the unique and universal challenges in this state’s crisis response.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN OR GRAB THE LINK TO SHARE: https://soundcloud.com/user-27965428-561770656/state-spotlight-louisianas-collaborative-emergency-response

Free Online Training Opportunities for Families and Professionals with Students who are Deaf-Blind

Please see the attached flyer for the May schedule and registration links of Free Deaf-Blind Webinar Trainings, brought to you in collaboration with Helen Keller National Center, and the Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, and Tennessee Deaf-Blind Projects

Who Is “Worthy”? Deaf-Blind People Fear That Doctors Won’t Save Them from the Coronavirus

From The New Yorker By Robin Wright

This story draws attention to the issues and challenges deaf-blind people face during the Covid-19 pandemic.

https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/who-is-worthy-deaf-blind-people-fear-that-doctors-wont-save-them-from-the-coronavirus

Info Related to COVID-19

HDC has shared a list of COVID-19 related resources geared toward Louisiana residents. Click here to view it: https://www.hdc.lsuhsc.edu/covid19_resources.aspx

Louisiana Department of Education Expands At-Home Care and Learning Supports for Families with Young Children

The Louisiana Department of Education today announced it has expanded its at-home care and learning supports for families who are home with young children as a result of the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. See news release here.

Playing with Words: A Collaborative Approach to Play-Based Storytelling

From the Paths to Literacy Newsletter by the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts:

Playing with Words is a collaborative approach to play-based storytelling with students who are blind or visually impaired who have additional disabilities, including those who are autistic or deafblind.  Co-creating stories is focused on the process, rather than the product.  That is, it focuses on expanding language and communication, self-determination, self-regulation, and creativity rather than a perfectly composed story.  The adult is a support, rather than an authority, building on student interests and using props to expand playful exploration and expression.

We invite you to explore this newly launched microsite on Paths to Literacy, which is full of video examples, activity ideas, and other resources needed to implement this approach from Speech Language Pathologist Linda Hagood.

Field Test of 4to24: App for Parents of DB Youth to Focus on Employment

The NRTC on Blindness & Low Vision at Mississippi State University is looking  for parents of deaf-blind youth to field test their new app “4to24”. This  app is designed specifically for parents or caretakers of children and youth between the ages of 4 – 24 years old who are deaf-blind or have combined visual and hearing impairment, to help focus on building skills for communication, independent living, and preparing for employment starting from an early age. The field test will involve creating an account in the app, using the app features for six months, and completing a series of surveys. If you’re interested in becoming a field tester for the app and participating in our study, please fill out the information form at this link: https://msstatecoe.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4UxsxJJxeCPqXGJ. For assistance or more information, contact Anne Steverson (acc155@msstate.edu) or Karla Antonelli (kantonelli@colled.msstate.edu).

Helen Keller National Center: Peer Learning Groups

Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) is pleased to announce the following peer collaborative virtual learning opportunities offered through ZOOM video conferencing.  These support groups and/or active discussions are designed to cover a variety of topics with input from the participants at no cost. Group classes will start the week of April 20, 2020. Come join former HKNC students in an ongoing dialogue to share perspectives, experiences, and to support each other during this challenging time. Classes will be 4-8 weeks long depending on the group, to strengthen your knowledge and skills. For more information: https://www.helenkeller.org/hknc/peer-learning-groups

Participants are welcome to join by phone or video. The ZOOM link and call-in number will be provided when you register with Laura Benge, HKNC Regional Representative.

You can email Laura at Laura.Benge@hknc.org with the subject line: “Virtual Classes”.  Alternatively, you may call her at:

Voice: (801) 518-9401

VP: (385) 355-8392

Families-to-Families Community Project (F2FC): Connecting Families of Individuals with Deaf-blindness during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Family-to-Family Communities Project (F2FC) will be having virtual drop-in meetings for Parents, Guardians, and other Family Members of Individuals with Deaf-Blindness to connect with others who understand their unique perspective in coping with the COVID-19 pandemic.  Any family member of an individual with deaf-blindness is welcome to participate.   You do not need to be previously registered with F2FC. F2FC is a collaborative project sponsored by State Deaf-Blind Projects, the National Center on Deaf-Blindness, and the National Family Association for Deaf-Blind.