In recent years, teacher trainees have seen an increase in the number of students with both vision and hearing loss. The faculty of Vanderbilt University's master's degree program in education of the deaf wrote and received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs to address the needs of these unique…

The author describes the use of action plans to support 2 teachers' post-in-service implementation of communication strategies with 3 children who are deafblind. In the action plans, the teachers recorded changes in thinking and instructional practices under the 4 aspects of communication: form, function, content, and context. They also recorded…

The history of educational services for deaf-blind children in Saskatchewan is described, and the development of a program at the Saskatchewan School for the Deaf is reviewed. (CL)

The document presents the final report of the Sensory Multihandicapped Project, which planned a comprehensive program for the education of children who were sensory multihandicapped (deaf blind, deaf with other handicaps, or blind with other handicaps) in Alberta, Canada. Project activities included reviewing the literature, visiting sites serving…

The publication describes the role of the University of Tennessee (UT) in providing higher education, continuing education, and resource services for education and rehabilitation of hearing impaired persons. Separate papers address the following topics: the UT teacher training program, an orientation program to serve state rehabilitation agency…

The authors describe how the "I CAN" physical education program, an individualized instructional management system for developing skills, associated concepts, and social growth in handicapped children, was adapted for use with deaf blind children (5 to 21 years old) at the New York Institute for the Education of the Blind. (SBH)

A federally funded consortium project, the American Foundation for the Blind's Deaf-Blind Project, has produced "Hand in Hand" products for students who are deaf-blind. Reasons for using a consortium model, consortium structure, roles, distinguishing features, and advantages/disadvantages are discussed. (DB)

Evaluation of TASH (The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps) Technical Assistance Project found it to be effective in providing inservice training for staff working with individuals with deaf-blindness. The project involves prioritization of training needs, team planning, follow-up activities, and use of consultants to deliver technical…

This article describes three field-tested approaches to planning educational programs in inclusive settings for students who are deaf-blind, making decisions about support services, and developing lesson accommodations to include the students in typical class activities. (Author)

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 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 document provides the guidelines to develop a state-wide plan for a continuum of services for deaf-blind individuals. This paper extrapolates from the development of a model plan in Kansas a general set of procedures and policies that can be used by other states and proposes a series of steps for developing a plan for deaf-blind services. The…

The paper recounts the progress of a deaf blind boy in an interdisciplinary program featuring coordination, consistency, and commitment. Three staff members--a teacher of the hearing impaired, a vision consultant, and a paraprofessional--describe their role in educating the student. Aspects covered include the development of a specially adapted…

Children learn about their environment as they move through it--about people and objects, sizes, shapes, and distances. For typically developing children the senses of sight and hearing provide the greatest motivation for exploration. These children will use their vision and hearing to gather information about their surroundings while growing in…

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)