This paper explores how principles of self-determination apply to individuals who are deaf-blind and how it affects families, educational programming, and service delivery. Five underlying principles are identified including: all persons desire self-determination and are capable of achieving it; self-determination is a continuum; and…

This brief guide presents principles and suggestions to help individuals who are deaf-blind enjoy and benefit from participation in recreational activities. Principles consider the need to: (1) start with the individual and determine what he/she is interested in, focusing on the selection of safe, age-appropriate activities; (2) research the…

The paper describes the community residence and independent living services offered by Perkins School for the Blind which serves multi-impaired, blind, visually impaired, and deaf blind individuals. The first part reviews existing community living options and emphasizes the need for thorough diagnosis, extensive training in daily living skills and…

This brief guide presents principles and suggestions to help individuals who are deaf-blind enjoy and benefit from participation in recreational activities. Some considerations discussed are to: (1) start with the individual and determine what he or she is interested in, focusing on the selection of safe, age-appropriate activities; (2) research…

This article discusses development and implementation of a community-based residential program for deaf blind young adults at the Hilltop House (Texas). The article outlines principles of sound management, realistic staff expectations, developmentally appropriate activities, family participation, crisis management, medication, and close…

This article describes seminars in which newly blind persons, blind senior citizens, deaf-blind individuals, or couples in which one spouse is blind develop self-confidence and motivation to learn new skills and adjust to vision loss. Procedures for planning and running such programs are outlined, along with steps to ensure lasting benefits. (PB)

This compilation brings together various conference papers and a working group report on the topic of supported competitive employment for people with deaf-blindness and other profound disabilities. The title paper by Paul Wehman and Janet Hill studies 21 Profoundly/Multiply Handicapped Deaf-Blind Youth, April 7-10, 1986, Washington, DC. The title…

This report of a conference session dealing with recreation and leisure activities for people with deaf-blindness and other profound multiple disabilities contains three papers and a working group report. The title paper by Lori Goetz reviews "model indicators" for recreation and leisure educational programming with individuals who have severe and…

This manual documents key program development strategies and inservice training topics provided by the Model Demonstration Early Intervention Network Project. This project focused on building the capacity of early intervention programs to serve infants who are deaf-blind and their families. The first section covers program development and includes…

This manual describes a Kansas program which is working toward full inclusion of students with deaf blindness through the MAPS approach (which stands for Making Action Plans or the McGill Action Planning System). An introduction stresses the value of integration and the focus of MAPS on the student's abilities and not his/her weaknesses. The MAPS…

The California State guidelines are presented for identifying, assessing, and providing services to deaf blind individuals. Chapter 1 focuses on identification with sections on definition, etiology, referral, and unique educational needs (e.g., vision, audition, behavior, daily living). Chapter 2 discusses student assessment. Sections cover:…

This guide is intended to help in planning inclusive educational programs for children and youth with deaf-blindness or other severe disabilities. The guide covers: the importance of "person first language" in referring to people with disabilities, the roles of all participants in the inclusive school community; increasing awareness; creating a…

This compilation brings together various conference papers and a working group report on the topic of residential services for people with deaf-blindness and other profound disabilities. The title paper by Lyle T. Romer describes three measures for evaluating residential programs: capacity, progress, and lifestyle. Valued outcomes of a residential…

This project manual from the Partnerships for Rural Resource Teams Project, a project designed to build upon the foundation of services for children and youth with deaf-blindness in Montana, opens with guiding principles of the project and a description of the types of available services. Grounded in a framework that draws upon the principles of…

The purpose of the conference summarized here was to provide a multidisciplinary examination of the critical service needs of youth who are profoundly/multiply handicapped with deaf-blindness and who are old enough to be leaving the education system, and to recommend strategies for providing high quality comprehensive transition services for the…