2019 Texas Symposium on DeafBlindness: Resonance

Transcription

1 2019 Texas Symposium on DeafBlindness: Resonance February 21-23, 2019 Austin Marriott North at Presented by Texas DeafBlind Outreach Program Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired 1

2 Table of Contents Announcements Pre-Symposium Agenda... 4 Awards for Excellence in DeafBlindness... 5 Family Organizations Texas Symposium on DeafBlindness Agenda... 7 Sessions-at-a-Glance Marriott Conference Rooms Sponsors and Supporters Session Code Form

3 Announcements Welcome to the 2019 Texas Symposium on DeafBlindness: Resonance! The theme for the 2019 Texas Symposium on DeafBlindness is Resonance. Resonance is defined as being deep, full, and reverberating, as well as having the ability to evoke, suggest, or echo images, memories, and emotions. Resonance is an integral foundation of developing security and attachment for early communicators in the teaching methodologies of Dr. Jan van Dijk. His resonance strategies lead students to interact with others, emphasizing the importance of relationship building. Sign-in and Continuing Education Credits You must sign-in each morning of the pre-conference and conference events. This is necessary to receive credit for having attended along with the code(s) that will be announced at the end of the various sessions by your room monitors. There is a place on the last pages of this Session Guide for you to record these codes. You will enter these codes when you complete the online evaluation. Please do not lose these codes or you will not be given credit for the sessions you attend. We are providing ACVREP or SBEC credits to every participant who completes the evaluation. Other types of CEUs must be applied for by the individual participant through their preferred certifying agency. Certificates of Attendance All participants are asked to complete the online evaluation in order to receive any type of certificate confirming their participation at the Symposium or Pre-Symposium. The link to this evaluation will be sent to you via following the end of the Symposium. Once you complete and submit the evaluation you will be able to log into your account on the TSBVI ESC Works registration site and download your certificate. No paper certificates will be provided. Need Help? The sponsors of the Symposium will be wearing red ribbons. If you have a question or need help, please find one of them. There will be someone at the Symposium Registration Desk at all times during presentation hours and they will be able to help. Interpreters Both sign language and foreign language interpreters are available for those who requested them when you registered. Please go to the designated area in the foyer to let your interpreters know you have arrived. Restaurants and Entertainment Austin is known for its great restaurants and good times. Check with the Concierge at the front desk to get maps and suggestions. If you are looking for a particular type of food or recommendation, you may also check with anyone at the Symposium Registration area. Medical Emergency If there is an emergency requiring medical assistance either call 911 or check for doctor and hospital locations from the Front Desk staff. Dog Guide Relief Area An area has been set up outside for the use of dog guides at the Symposium. You may access this area by going through the hallway by the gift shop and elevators. If you need assistance being oriented to this area, please check with someone at the Symposium Registration Desk or the front desk at the hotel. 3

4 2019 Pre-Symposium Agenda The 2019 Pre-Symposium takes place at Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Building 602: Auditorium. You will receive all the information for the Symposium when you sign-in for the Pre- Symposium. You will need to sign-in each day of the Symposium and Pre-symposium. Thursday, February 21, 2019 Time Location Event 8:00-8:45 AM James C. Durkel Conference Center Sign-in and Packet Pick-up 8:45-9:00 AM Auditorium Welcome and Introduction 9:00-10:00 AM Auditorium The Effects of DeafBlindness on Information Gathering and Concept Development 10:00-10:30 AM Auditorium Experiencing DeafBlindness 10:30-10:45 AM Cafeteria Break 10:45-11:30 AM Auditorium Making Learning Meaningful for Students with DeafBlindness 11:30-12:00 PM Auditorium Teaming Around Students with DeafBlindness 12:00-1:30 PM Lunch on your own 1:30-2:30 PM Auditorium Connecting and Interacting Effectively with Students who are DeafBlind 2:30-2:45 PM Cafeteria Break 2:45-4:00 PM Auditorium Using Calendars and Tangible Communication Symbols 4

5 Awards for Excellence in DeafBlindness The presentation of awards to individuals whose efforts have made a significant contribution to the field of DeafBlindness and/or who have contributed to improving the lives of Texans with DeafBlindness is one of the highlights of the Texas Symposium on DeafBlindness. With our theme of "Resonance" in mind, individuals were asked to nominate family members, paraprofessionals, and professionals who exhibit those qualities of developing security and attachment for early communicators and who demonstrate the skills of building relationships that support and enhance the lives of individuals with DeafBlindness. Please take time to congratulate our 2019 recipients. Trail Blazer Award This award is given to a family member(s) who has, through their advocacy or efforts on behalf of their family member with DeafBlindness, blazed a trail that has made it easier for other families who follow. This year s recipient is Jacqueline Izaguirre from Harker Heights, Texas. Jacqueline, the proud mother of Patsy and her two brothers, likes to say that she "has been following Patsy's lead for 31 years." In 1990 she joined DBMAT, and a year later worked with staff at the Regional Day School for the Deaf to obtain one of the first classroom interveners in Texas for Patsy. As a member of the National Coalition for DeafBlind she served as an advocate in Austin and Washington D.C. seeking to have intervener services written into law. She has also served on the NFADB board, and is a founding member and president of the DeafBlind Camp of Texas. Robbie Blaha Intervener Award This award is given to an intervener who has demonstrated excellence in their role of support to a child with DeafBlindness within the educational setting and whose efforts have contributed to the success of the intervener model in Texas. This year s recipient is Rusty Alford from Cypress- Fairbanks, Texas. Rusty has been serving in the educational field for nearly twelve years. He served for one year as a paraprofessional and another six years as a certified interpreter. For the past five years Rusty has served as an intervenor with Cy-Fair ISD. According to Rusty, despite his various experiences working in the educational field, "the last 5 have been my favorite, working alongside individuals who are DeafBlind." Community Intervener Award This is the first time this award is being presented. It is given to an intervener working outside of the educational setting who demonstrates excellence in their role of support to an individual with DeafBlindness and whose efforts have contributed to the success of the intervener model in Texas. This year s recipient is Aneisha Waugh from Spring, Texas. Aneisha has been working with individuals who are DeafBind for over 14 years. Her passion for work in the field of DeafBlindness led her to complete the coursework from Utah State University where she received the national intervener credential. Aneisha is proud to be a certified intervener and says of her work with individuals who are DeafBlind, "I love working with both adults and children who are Deafblind. I enjoy building a bridge for communication, helping them gain access to environmental information, and developing a trustful interactive relationship with them." 5

6 Marty Murrell Excellence in Education Award This award is given to a professional in education who has made a long-term commitment to excellence in education for Texas students with DeafBlindness. This year s award is given to Kaycee Bennett from Arlington, Texas. Kaycee Bennett currently serves as Auditory Impairment Specialist and Teacher for Students with DeafBlindness in Northwest ISD. Her background in Deaf Education led her to support her passion of working with students with DeafBlindness and has given her a unique perspective in the field. She loves creating better programming access and communication for these students and the staff supporting them. Her formal education in DeafBlindness has taught her many things, but she has learned the most from her students and their families! Ann Silverrain Award This award is given to any individual who has made an extraordinary commitment to improving the lives of individuals with DeafBlindness in Texas. This year s award is presented to Marina McCormick from Houston, Texas. Marina McCormick, Region 4 Regional Day School Program for the Deaf (RDSPD) Coordinator, has served in education for 18 years. Marina has supported students with DeafBlindness both as a teacher of the deaf and as a special education administrator. She is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Houston where her research focuses on statewide professional learning efforts and the potential impact on teachers confidence for supporting students with DeafBlindness. Family Organizations We would like to thank our Family Organizations for their support of the 2019 Texas Symposium on DeafBlindness. Please take time to stop in and visit with each of them in the Marriott to learn more about what they do and how you can get involved. Figure 1 Deaf-Blind Multihandicapped Association of Texas (DBMAT) promoting and improving the quality of life for all Texans who are deaf-blind multi-handicapped, deaf multi-handicapped, and blind multi-handicapped since Figure 2 NFADB: National Family Association for Deaf-Blind. Empowering Persons who are Deaf-Blind and their Families for 25 years ( ). Figure 3 Texas Chargers Inc. Encourage, Educate, Enrich. Figure 4 Texas Hands and Voices. 6

7 2019 Texas Symposium on DeafBlindness Agenda Friday, February 22, 2019 Time Location Event 8:00 AM Marriott 8:30-9:00 AM 9:00-9:30 AM 9:30-9:40 AM 9:40-9:50 AM 9:50-10:00 AM 10:00-10:15 AM Marriott 10:15-10:45 AM Continental Breakfast Participants are provided a light continental breakfast in the Marriott Great Room. Welcome: What Do We Mean by Resonance? Emily Coleman, Outreach Director, David Wiley, Outreach Transition Specialist and Heather Withrow, Family Leader Emily Coleman, Director of Outreach, welcomes us to the 2019 Symposium. David Wiley and Heather Withrow will share why we chose resonance as the theme for the 2019 Texas Symposium on DeafBlindness, and reflect on the work of Dr. Jan van Dijk. Introduction to the DeafBlind Community Andrew Cohen, Governor s Committee on Disabilities, Kim Powers, Texas DeafBlind Association, and Heather Withrow, Family Leader Leaders within the DeafBlind Community will share cultural and communication considerations. State of the State in DeafBlindness Vicki DePountis, Texas DeafBlind Grant Project Director for Texas Education Agency Vicki DePountis share updates on services and issues in DeafBlind education in Texas. State of the Nation in DeafBlindness Sam Morgan, Co-Director of the National Center on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB) NCDB Co-Director, Sam Morgan will share updates on national issues and resources in DeafBlind education. State of the World from DeafBlind International Carolyn Monaco, Strategic Plan Officer for DeafBlind International DeafBlind International representative Carolyn Monaco shares the world-view on DeafBlindness. Break Please refresh your beverage between sessions. Excellence in DeafBlindness Awards Please help us honor the 2019 recipients of the Trail Blazer award, Jacqueline Izaguirre, and the Marty Murrell Excellence in Education Award, Kaycee Bennett. 7

8 Friday, February 22, 2019 Time Location Event 10:45-11:15 AM 11:15-12:00 PM 12:00-1:30 PM Lunch on your own From Resonance to Resilience: A Family's Journey Djenne-amal Morris, Family Leader & Consultant In every relationship, there exists the science of connection and interaction. What is the formula that families use to make this happen and sustainable when raising a child who is DeafBlind? This session will explore Dr. van Dijk's ideology of resonance in developing family structure and quality of life. It will unpack challenging issues and offer strategies of resilience and empowerment for the child and family as a whole. Happiness and My Search for the Essence of Educational Success Maurice Belote, Director of California DeafBlind Services Every child should have the opportunity to experience success and the keen anticipation and excitement that school can offer. This session will focus on happiness as the core for healthy, satisfying lives for all people and, particularly for students, as the basis for building trusted relationships and supporting self-determination. The presentation will include various theories of happiness and their relationships to raising and teaching children and young adults who are DeafBlind. 1:30-3:00 PM 3:00-3:30 PM Marriott 3:30-4:15 PM 4:15-5:00 PM 6:00-8:00 PM Marriott All day Marriott The Power of Acceptance and Positivity Chris Ulmer, Founder and CEO of Special Books by Special Kids Chris has made it his life s mission to normalize the diversity of the human condition by showcasing how understanding, positivity, and acceptance can make a better world for all. Together, we will explore these concepts and more through his experiences with the worldwide acceptance movement, SBSK (Special Books by Special Kids). Break Please join us for a light snack and beverage. Bringing Resonance to Our Interactions Moderated Panel Discussion: David Brown, Djenne-amal Morris, Chris Ulmer, Bernadette van Den Tillaart, and David Wiley Our panel of DeafBlindness experts reflects and discusses the ways we can support a more inclusive atmosphere in the lives of individuals with DeafBlindness. An Inclusive Life George Stern, Vice-President of DeafBlind Citizens in Action George discusses the importance of an inclusive life and how he has achieved it. Family Social Hosted by Deaf-Blind Multi-handicapped Association of Texas, Texas Chargers, National Family Association for Deaf-Blind and Texas Hands and Voices. Family members are invited to a come and go social where they can network with other family members and special guests before heading out for dinner. Exhibit Hall Throughout the Symposium, family organizations and others will have exhibits set up in the Marriott. Please take time to visit each of them! 8

9 Please remember to sign-in each morning at the Symposium Registration Desk. Saturday, February 23 Time Location Event 8:00AM Marriott Continental Breakfast Participants are provided a light continental breakfast in the Marriott Great Room. 8:30-10:00 AM First Breakout Sessions Participants will pick a single session from the six options listed below. I-II III Building a DeafBlind Village: Panel on Training Qualified Interveners and Teachers of Students with DeafBlindness (TDB) to Work with Students in the Classroom Debbie Sanders, Project Specialist, Utah Deaf-Blind Project; Johanna Borg,TDB; Vivecca Hartman, Family Leader & Adam Graves, Education Consultant, Texas; Kristi Probst, Initiative Lead for NCDB; Carolyn Monaco, Strategic Plan Officer, DBI. How can Texas get more trained interveners into classrooms to work with students who are DeafBlind? And who will be there to support them when they arrive? Where can we look for examples of Intervener/TDB partnerships that work? We ask a panel of parents, teachers and interveners to share their experiences in creating educational models for students who are DeafBlind from local, state, national and international perspectives. The Science of Young Adult Brains: Debunking the Myth That It Is Ever Too Late to Become an Effective Communicator Maurice Belote, Director, California DeafBlind Services The critical period hypothesis is being used to deny speech and language services to younger and younger students because they are deemed to be too old to benefit from communication and language instruction. Brain research suggests that neuroplasticity and brain maturation allow for the learning of all skills well beyond childhood, including those skills specific to communication. It is critical that every young adult leaves school with an effective expressive and receptive communication system. 9

10 Saturday, February 23 Time Location Event IV V Positive Touch Access: Increasing Access for Young Learners who are DeafBlind Susanne Morgan Morrow, Project Director, New York Deaf-Blind Collaborative Research in the field of DeafBlind education has indicated for decades the critical aspect of touch in early cognitive and communication development, however, while current advances are happening in the adult DeafBlind community, this movement has gone on without much consideration for the way in which congenitally DeafBlind children have been educated. The presenter proposes a marrying of these practices and communication paradigms, shifting away from the often tension-laden political discourse and suggests an overarching approach, Positive Touch Access and will address the need for parent education. Kersten s Story: Relationship-based Programming From Theory to Practice Matt Schultz, Education Consultant, Texas DeafBlind Outreach This session explores the journey of one student who, as a result of her instructional team s use of a relationship-based and child-led educational approach, experienced a breakthrough in her growth as a learner, a communicator and most importantly, as a person. VI Sound Travels Kaycee Bennett, Auditory Impairment Specialist and a Teacher of Students with DeafBlindness, and Chris Tabb, Orientation and Mobility Consultant, Texas DeafBlind Outreach This session presents a collection of tools and strategies that Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS) can use in the evaluation and development of their student s auditory skills. We ll examine ways to build strong working relationships with the student's audiologist, specialist for the auditory impaired and the speech and language pathologist (SLP) as we work to better understand the environmental hearing needs of our students and clients with a dual sensory loss. Austin Communication and Connection to Emerging Language from the Perspective of DeafBlindness Deanna Peterson, Early Childhood Consultant, and Chris Montgomery, Education Consultant, Texas DeafBlind Outreach Have you ever considered how a person with DeafBlindness establishes the concepts that you and I (as sighted hearing people) learn incidentally, through our distance senses. From observation? We will investigate how to initiate conversation and in-turn develop meaningful shared experiences. 10

11 Saturday, February 23 Time Location Event 10:00AM Marriott Break Time to grab some coffee or tea before heading to your next session. 10:15-11:45 AM Second Breakout Sessions Participants will pick a single session from the options listed below. I-II III IV CHARGE Syndrome after 36 Years David Brown, DeafBlind Consultant, California CHARGE syndrome is the most complex and medically involved of all the conditions which cause congenital DeafBlindness, and is also becoming statistically more important. This session will consider current thinking about factors influencing the development and behavior of children with the syndrome, and will also focus on the assessment and teaching approaches that have been found most successful. The main focus will be on developmental, educational, and behavioral aspects of the syndrome, but there will also be some updates on current ideas from the medical field in areas like ENT/Audiology, immunology, and endocrinology. Encouraging Learning Through Play with the Young Child with Deaf- Blindness Tanni Anthony, Director, Colorado Services for Children and Youth with Combined Vision and Hearing Loss Project Play is a primary avenue for learning with all children. Play development impacts every developmental domain. The stages of play involve a child s selfdiscovery of the use of objects, taking turns, requesting continuation of an activity, social interaction, and expanding motor skills. Play scenarios that reflect an understanding of the child s sensory abilities, preferences, and needs, active learning, volitional movement, and time for exploration are critical for early learning of a child with combined vision and hearing loss. The session will review the stages of play and 8 key strategies for families and early childhood professionals to support early play development Using Sign Language and Touch Signals with Children and Teens who are DeafBlind Tara Brown-Ogilvie, Ph.D. student, University of Northern Colorado Tara Brown-Ogilvie, who is a certified orientation and mobility specialist and former sign language interpreter, will discuss using sign language and touch signals to promote travel skills for children and teens who are DeafBlind. This presentation will cover simple signs and touch signals to promote choice making, environmental awareness, and safe travel techniques. Hands-on practice will be included along with a Q&A session open to parents, teachers, specialists, and anyone else interested in learning more about incorporating sign language and touch signals with children and teens who are DeafBlind. 11

12 Saturday, February 23 Time Location Event V VI Austin 11:45-12:30 PM Marriott 12:30-1:15 PM 1:15-1:45 PM 1:45-3:00 PM Empowering our DeafBlind Community: DeafBlind Camp of Texas Jacqueline Izaguirre, President, and members of DeafBlind Camp of Texas Board DeafBlind Camp of Texas began in September 2016 with a retreat for adults who are DeafBlind. DeafBlind Camp of Texas shares their experience of feeling empowered through the use of Support Service Providers (SSPs). DeafBlind Camp of Texas also empowers teens preparing to transition to adult life. Preparing for Life after School David Wiley, DeafBlind Transition Consultant, Texas DeafBlind Outreach David Wiley shares information and ideas to help individuals with DeafBlindness make successful transition to life after school is completed. Early Emergent Literacy Skills for Infants and Toddlers with DeafBlindness Marina McCormick, Region 4 RDSPD Coordinator Literacy begins with the first bedtime story for most children. Marina McCormick discusses issues in developing early literacy skills for infants and toddlers with Deaf-Blindness. Exhibit Session While the is being reset for the luncheon, visit our vendors and Sponsor exhibits in the Marriott Great Room. Luncheon Please join us for luncheon in the. Awards for Excellence in DeafBlindness Please join us in honoring the recipients of the 2019 Robbie Blaha Intervener Award, Rusty Alford, and the new Community Intervener Award, Aneisha Waugh, Also being honored for the Ann Silverrain Award is Marina McCormick. Closing Keynote Being a Perceptive Reflective Detective: the art and science of assessment David Brown, DeafBlind Consultant, California This session will look back at the symposium and reflect common threads relating to assessment which have emerged. Consideration will be given to many aspects involved in this topic, such as looking for the right questions in order to get to the right answers, understanding why to assess, what to assess, how to assess, when to assess, and where to assess, and most importantly knowing how to interpret what you discover. The main emphasis will be on observational assessment and the ways that approach can be reconciled and melded with information from more structured or clinical approaches. Jan Van Dijk s Follow the Child will be the guiding principle. 12

13 Sessions-at-a-Glance Friday, February 22, 2019 Time Location Event 8:00 AM Marriott Continental Breakfast 8:30-9:00 AM 9:00-9:30 AM 9:30-9:40 AM 9:40-9:50 AM 9:50-10:00 AM Welcome: What Do We Mean by Resonance? David Wiley & Heather Withrow Introduction to the DeafBlind Community Andrew Cohen, Governor s Committee on Disabilities, Kim Powers, Texas Deaf-Blind Association, and Heather Withrow, Parent State of the State in DeafBlindness Vicki DePountis, Texas DeafBlind Grant Project Director for TEA State of the Nation in DeafBlindness Sam Morgan, Co-Director of the NCDB State of the World from DeafBlind International Carolyn Monaco, Strategic Plan Officer for DeafBlind International 10:00-10:15 AM Marriott Break 10:15-10:45 AM 10:45-11:15 AM 11:15-12:00 PM Excellence in DeafBlindness Awards From Resonance to Resilience: A Family's Journey Djenne-amal Morris, Family Leader & Consultant Happiness and My Search for the Essence Educational Success Maurice Belote, Director of CDBS 12:00-1:30 PM Lunch on your own 1:30-3:00 PM The Power of Acceptance and Positivity Chris Ulmer, Founder-CEO of Special Books by Special Kids 3:00-3:30 PM Marriott Break 3:30-4:15 PM 4:15-5:00 PM Bringing Resonance to Our Interactions Moderated Panel Discussion An Inclusive Life George Stern, Vice-President of DeafBlind Citizens in Action 6:00-8:00 PM Marriott Family Social 13

14 Saturday, February 23 Time Location Event 8:00AM Marriott Continental Breakfast First Breakout Sessions I-II Building a DeafBlind Village: Panel on Training Qualified Interveners and Teachers of Students with DeafBlindness (TDB) to Work with Students in the Classroom Debbie Sanders, Project Specialist, Utah Deaf-Blind Project; Johanna Borg,TDB Vivecca Hartman, Family Leader & Adam Graves, Education Consultant, Texas; Kristi Probst, Initiative Lead for NCDB; Carolyn Monaco, Strategic Plan Officer, DbI, III The Science of Young Adult Brains: Debunking the Myth That It Is Ever Too Late to Become an Effective Communicator Maurice Belote, Director, California DeafBlind Services 8:30-10:00 AM IV V Positive Touch Access: Increasing Access for Young Learners who are DeafBlind Susanne Morgan Morrow, Project Director, New York Deaf-Blind Collaborative Kersten s Story: Relationship-based Programming From Theory to Practice Matt Schultz, Education Consultant, Texas DeafBlind Outreach VI Austin Room Sound Travels Kaycee Bennett, Auditory Impairment Specialist/TDB, and Chris Tabb, COMS. Texas DeafBlind Outreach Communication and Connection to Emerging Language from the Perspective of DeafBlindness Deanna Peterson, Early Childhood Consultant, and Chris Montgomery, Education Consultant, Texas DeafBlind Outreach 14

15 Saturday, February 23 Time Location Event 10:00AM Marriott Break Second Breakout Sessions I-II CHARGE Syndrome after 36 Years David Brown, DeafBlind Consultant, California 10:15-11:45 AM III IV V Encouraging Learning Through Play with the Young Child with Deaf-Blindness Tanni Anthony, Director, Colorado Services for Children and Youth with Combined Vision and Hearing Loss Project Using Sign Language and Touch Signals with Children and Teens who are DeafBlind Tara Brown-Ogilvie, Ph.D. student, University of Northern Colorado Empowering our DeafBlind Community: DeafBlind Camp of Texas Jacqueline Izaguirre, President, and DeafBlind Camp of Texas Board VI Austin Preparing for Life after School David Wiley, DeafBlind Transition Consultant, Texas DeafBlind Outreach Early Emergent Literacy Skills for Infants and Toddlers with DeafBlindness Marina McCormick, Region 4 RDSPD Coordinator 11:45-12:30 PM Mariott Exhibits Session 12:30-1:15 PM Luncheon 1:15-1:45 PM Awards for Excellence in DeafBlindness 1:45-3:00 PM Closing Keynote Being a Perceptive Reflective Detective: The Art and Science of Assessment David Brown, DeafBlind Consultant, California 15

16 Marriott Conference Rooms The Symposium will take place on the first floor of the Marriott. Below is an image showing the floor plan to help you in locating the various event locations. A tactile map version is available at the Symposium Registration Table. Figure 5 Map of the first floor of the Marriott 16

17 Sponsors and Supporters We would like to thank the following sponsors and supporters of the 2019 Texas Symposium on DeafBlindness. Figure 6 Bookshare a Benetech Initiative logo. Figure 7 Christal Vision logo. Figure 8 Portland Public School logo. Figure 9 Columbia Regional Program 17

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19 Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired Curricula & Resource Guides to assist the TVI, COMS, and families in assessment, instruction, and adaptations in the Core Curriculum and Expanded Core Curriculum areas. Texas 2 STEPS (Successfully Teaching Early Purposeful Skills) Essential Tools of the Trade: A How To Guide for Completing Functional Vision, Learning Media, and ECC Evaluations Essential Tools of the Trade is a comprehensive, user-friendly guide to assist Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVIs) and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS) in performing legally mandated evaluations for students with visual impairments. This publication will support TVIs and COMS in making informed and deliberate decisions, guiding instruction and identifying strategies for intervention. ETT includes a template for Functional Vision Evaluations, forms to complete the Learning Media Assessments and guidance for conducting ECC evaluations. Texas 2 STEPS is an early intervention orientation and mobility evaluation tool and a curriculum of supporting activities and routines. It is specifically designed to determine and address the orientation and mobility needs for students with visual impairments from birth through 5 years of age. Both the evaluation and curriculum are also appropriate for students who have additional disabilities and can be implemented in all settings including home, daycare, school and community. Yoga For Children with Visual and Multiple Impairments: Fun Movement Activities Inspired by Yoga Yoga is a great way to incorporate skills students need to improve motor abilities. This is a fun, practical book delineating the benefits of yoga for students with visual impairments including body awareness, spatial awareness, motor development, sensory integration, balance and coordination, energy, strength and flexibility. This book also includes many yoga poses and information about yoga sessions. 19

20 Session Code Form Record the code provided at the end of each of these sessions. Take care not to lose them as you will need to submit them when completing your evaluation in order to receive credit for attending the conference and to obtain CEUs. Time Code Event 8:30-10:00 AM 1.5 hours 10:45-11:15.5 hours 11:15-12:00 PM.75 hours 1:30-3:00 PM 1.5 hours 3:30 4:15 PM.75 hours 4:15 5:00 PM.75 hours 8:30-10:00 AM 1.5 hours 10:15-11:45 AM 1.5 hours 1:45-3:00 PM 1.25 hours Friday Morning General Session: 1. What Do We Mean by Resonance? 2. Introduction to the DeafBlind Community 3. State of the State in DeafBlindness 4. State of the Nation in DeafBlindness 5. State of the World from DeafBlind International From Resonance to Resilience: A Family's Journey Happiness and the Search for the Essence of Success The Power of Acceptance and Positivity Bringing Resonance to Our Interactions An Inclusive Life Saturday First Breakout 1. Building a DeafBlind Village 2. The Science of Young Adult Brains: Debunking the Myth That It Is Ever Too Late to Become an Effective Communicator 3. Positive Touch Access: Increasing Access for Young Learners who are DeafBlind 4. Kersten s Story: Relationship-based Programming from Theory to Practice 5. Sound Travels 6. Communication and Connection to Emerging Language from the Perspective of DeafBlindness Saturday Second Breakout 1. CHARGE Syndrome after 36 Years 2. Encouraging Learning Through Play with the Young Child with Deaf- Blindness 3. Using Sign Language and Touch Signals with Children and Teens who are DeafBlind 4. Empowering our DeafBlind Community: DeafBlind Camp of Texas 5. Preparing for Life after School 6. Early Emergent Literacy Skills for Infants and Toddlers with DeafBlindness Closing Keynote: Being a Perceptive Reflective Detective: The Art and Science of Assessment 20