Supporting Your Child
Parent Training
SPARKLE
SPARKLE is a daylong training that CAYSI provides for parents. Parents will learn more about the concepts of vision and hearing loss and the impact it has on learning. Participants will take home training materials, including a SPARKLE DVD.
Communication
The Importance of Communication
The National Center for Deaf-Blindness (NCDB) shares a practioner’s thoughts on communication as the basic tool for independence.
The Importance of Touch: Reflections on Deafblindness: Hands & Touch
Barbara Miles discusses the unique function hands serve for individuals who are deafblind.
Communication Matrix
Designed by Dr. Charity Rowland for collaborative use by parents and teachers to assess student communication mode(s) and assist in the planning of an educational program.
Home Talk
Designed for parents to more actively participate in assessing communication and planning of their child's goals both at home and in the school.
Interveners
An intervener provides a bridge to the world for the student who is deafblind. The intervener helps the student gather information, learn concepts and skills, develop communication and language, and establish relationships that lead to greater independence. (Alsop, Killoran, Robinson, Durkel, & Prouty, 2004; McGinnes, 1986; Robinson et al., 2000).
Open Hands Open Access Intervener Services Learning Modules
Assistive Technology
Assistive technology (AT) is any kind of device or tool that helps people learn, work, communicate and live more independently. AT can be very simple and inexpensive, like a modified knife and fork, or it can be very sophisticated and costly, like a computerized speech device.
Assistive Technology Resources Arkansas ICAN (Increasing Capabilities Access Network)
Arkansas’ statewide assistive technology program designed to make technology available and accessible for everyone who needs it.
iCanConnect
The goal of the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) is to ensure that every person with combined hearing and vision loss has access to modern telecommunication tools and the training necessary to use them, granting every individual the opportunity to interact with the world as an involved, contributing member of society.
Center on Technology and Disability
Assistive technology helps to level the playing field for individuals with disabilities by providing them a way to fully engage in life’s activities. An individual may use assistive technology to travel about, participate in recreational and social activities, learn, work, communicate with others, and much more.
Working with Schools - Advocating
Wright’s Law
Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for free on-line, accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.
From Emotions to Advocacy
A book written especially for parents to provide a step by step approach to advocate for your child.
Facilitated IEPs
To assist the IEP Team with a third party who is neutral and objective.
CADRE - The National Center on Dispute Resolution in Special Education
"Encouraging the use of mediation and other collaborative strategies to resolve disagreements about special education and early intervention programs."
Working with Schools - Transitioning
Transitioning out to the community after High School – START PLANNING as early as possible!
Arkansas Transition Services
Assistance for you and your school in preparing for your child’s goals after high school.
National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes (NDC)
Offers several online training programs on a variety of topics, including an overview of providing services to students who are deaf or hard of hearing and addressing transition issues.
Working with the Medical Community
Complex Child
Online magazine written by parents of children with complex medical issues and disabilities on a wide variety of topics.
Complex Care Program, Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Formerly known as the Medical Home Program, the Complex Care Program provides compassionate, specialized care for infants and children with special health care needs. Our dedicated team is passionate about working with medically complex patients and families! We seek to deliver comprehensive care coordination and therapies to maximize health and wellness while striving to reduce unnecessary hospital/ER visits. Through a focus on family-centered care, our team is dedicated to providing assistance to families as they navigate our health care system, both at Arkansas Children's and in their local communities.
Disclaimer: The contents of this website were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education #H326T180009. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Teaching Research Institute, nor the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer, Eric Caruso.
