Trellis 2014-2015 Volume 2

~ Supporting the development of children who are deaf-blind as they grow at home, at school and in the community ~

Graphics: Logo of the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind: Large green letters capital S and capital C, with a white palmetto tree superimposed where the S and C touch each other. In smaller black print “School for the Deaf and the Blind”. Under this is a green rectangular box with white print inside that says “embracing the possibilities”. To the left of the SCSDB logo is the Trellis logo. The Trellis logo has a narrow rectangular background that is solid teal blue in color. The word “Trellis” is printed in white. To the left of the word “Trellis” is a picture of a leafy vine, five leaves graduating in size from largest to smallest going from left to right. Inside of a small lavender oval is printed “2014-2015 Volume 2”

Text: SCIDB Project Updates, Kelly Birmingham, Project ManagerGreetings! We are back in full swing after a nice, long winter holiday, and we can hardly believe how quickly spring is approaching. This issue of the Trellis newsletter is focused on Transitions. In the education world, we often speak about two specific transitions. The first is when a child transitions from Early Intervention under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

(IDEA), Part C, to the school age setting under IDEA Part B at age 3.

The second transition we usually refer to is the transition from high school or secondary school to adult life after high school graduation or after aging out of Part B services at 22. This transition may be to college or vocational training; to work; or to another support or care environment. Because the Deaf-Blind project provides services to families and service providers of children from birth through 21, we are available to support families through both of these times of change, as well as all of the other transitions that happen along the way.

True transitions happen more often than just age 3 and 21. There are transitions to new settings, new teachers, new life events, new family settings, etc. It is our goal to connect families to each other and to all of the amazing support services available here in South Carolina to make any and every transition a positive experience for families and children.

Along the lines of family support, we are excited to be working with ten other states to pilot a project called Family2Family Connections (F2FC). This program gets parents of children who are deaf-blind together on monthly calls to talk about a variety of topics of their choosing. The goal is to develop a support system and sense of community. We have one South Carolina parent

participating on these multi-state calls and will plan to start up our own multi-family F2FC group after the pilot project is complete.

This spring, we are excited to be starting a new Professional Development program to train Cortical Vision Impairment mentors across the state. We have several teachers and staff members who have applied to be a part of this training along with the Deaf-Blind Project staff. This will be a two-year training to learn how to assess students with Cortical Vision impairment; taught by renowned trainer and author Christine Roman.

We hope you will enjoy this issue of the Trellis Newsletter and would like to invite all of you to get and stay connected with us. Please watch our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/scidb and our resource site at www.scidb.weebly.com for news and information about upcoming events and opportunities.

Warmest Regards, Kelly Birmingham

 

Inside This Issue:What’s Happening With Us? 2-3 Transition Resources in South Carolina 4-5Breakin’ It Down 6-9Family Transition Weekend 10TA Corner 11General Information 12

Mark Your Calendar! 13How do you want your Trellis? 14

Graphic: Located below “Inside This Issue”. Words related to the Deaf-Blind Project in various colors and sizes. Words include: Trellis, deaf-blindness, Project, Census, Carolina, child, SCIDB, children, interagency, related information, services, library, resources, community, Parents, provide, South, links, development, teachers, education, materials, professional, dual

Graphic: Located below “words” graphic, is a light green box with dark green lettering. “Self-pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything good in the world. –Helen Keller”

Page 2:

Heading: What’s Happening With Us?

Text: Professionals often attend various events to increase professional knowledge and skills. The South Carolina Interagency Deaf-Blind (SCIDB) Project has been busy attending several exciting workshops across the Carolinas and would like to provide our readers with a glimpse of what we learned.

Graphics Layout: There are three rectangles with rounded corners on the page below the initial description in a black

rectangular box on the bottom right corner of each. The top box is orange, the middle is blue, and the bottom is red.

Text: Southeast Regional Institute on Deafness- The annual Southeast Regional Institute on Deafness (SERID) was hosted in Charlotte, North Carolina. The theme of this conference was “Refueling Our Consumers” which was geared towards finding ways to improve the services that we provide to our clients, regardless of which professional role you filled. There were numerous workshops to choose from with a selection having a focus on deaf blindness. Additionally, they had several vendors with useful resources to be shared. Furthermore, the conference left some room for fun! Each night, there was a form of entertainment for the participants such as an “one-woman show,” karaoke, and a dinner social. The next SERID conference planning has already begun. This year’s SERID conference will be hosted in Myrtle Beach, SC and the project is delight to see this event unfold!

Transition Alliance Interagency Teaming Conference- In November of 2014, the Transition Alliance of SC hosted an Interagency Transition Teaming Conference. As a participant in this conference, Krista was able to attend different sessions to learn more about assessments and services available for our transition students. In addition, the Deaf-Blind Project is now participating on a team with members of the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind and representatives from different state

departments. Our primary focus is to implement Person-Centered Planning and quality transition programming for all of the students we serve across the state! We can’t wait to share more information about this process as we continue to work toward this shared goal!

Southeast Regional Institute on Deafness- Kelly attended a training on Haptics hosted by the South Carolina Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and presented by Marilyn Trader from the Helen Keller National Center. Haptics is a system of using touch cues (usually on the arm or back) to provide environmental information to individuals who are deaf-blind. This system is widely used in other countries and its use is being expanded rapidly in the U.S. Haptics is a more formal system of touch symbols closely related to a growing movement in the Deaf-Blind community of using touch to add communication and feedback. This movement is called Pro-Tactile and there is a lot of information about it online and on YouTube. Marilyn Trader will be coming back to South Carolina to assist SCIDB in providing more Haptics training. Marilyn will also be at our Family Transition Weekend in March and can share more information about the system there!

 

Page 3:

Heading: National Deaf-Blind Conference

Graphic: A rectangular advertisement is located on the top, left side of the page. There is a band of blue at the top with text that says, “The First Ever Online National DeafBlind Conference” written in white with the words “first ever” highlighted in blue. To the right of the text is a white drawing of two hands using tactile sign with “DB TIP” written in blue in the middle of the image. Written above the hands in white is, “DEAF-BLIND TRAINING, INTERPRETING”. Below the hands in white, it says, “AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT” (This hand symbol with writing around and inside of it is the DB Tip logo). Below the band of blue, there is a white background with black text that says, “’The DeafBlind Community: Communication, Trends, & Techniques’ January 24-25, 2015”. Another band of blue is below with white text on the left that reads, “The DeafBlind Community: Communication, Trends, & Techniques” and the DB Tip logo is to the right of this text.

Text: (Located to the right of the advertisement) On January 24-25, I had the honor of attending the first ever online national DeafBlind conference, entitled “The DeafBlind Community: Communication, Trends, & Techniques.” At last announced count, there were more than 300 participants from across the country (and beyond). DB Tip hosted this conference and did an amazing job of gathering together an incredibly knowledgeable and diverse group of presenters. If you missed this exciting conference, DB

Tip is offering the opportunity to register to view the recorded presentations at www.deafblindtip.com. Presenters included Dr. Eugene Bourquin, Yvette Brown, AJ Granda, Maricar Marquez, Jelica Nuccio, Rene Pellerin, Sheri Stanger, Christopher Tester, Kristi Vasi, Chris Woodfill, and Bryen M. Yunashko. Topics included the DeafBlind community, common eye diseases (and associated interpreting strategies), tactile maps, Pro-Tactile, Ushers Syndrome & CHARGE Syndrome, Interpreters, Interveners, and Support Service Providers. There was a wealth of information with some great entertainment and personal stories interspersed throughout. I definitely walked away with new knowledge and increased appreciation for the diversity and beauty of the DeafBlind community. -Kelly Birmingham

Heading: What time is it?

Text: (In a lavender rectangle with a darker lavender band at the top.) Written in white text, “TIME TO UPDATE THE CENSUS FORMS!” Below in the light lavender section with black text,

“Who does this process apply to?All registered students who have combined vision and hearing loss and meet the qualifying criteria.

Where do we gain access to the form?

If the child qualifies, you can access the form via the

link, http://www.scsdb.org/Page/506, and click on “Deaf-Blind Census Registration.” Once completed, click “Submit by Email” or “Print Form” and return to the project via email or fax. Please check below of the page for additional contact information.

When is the deadline?

The deadline is March 2, 2015 by 4:30 p.m.

Who do I contact for questions and/or comments?

South Carolina Interagency Deaf-Blind Project via email: deafblind@scsdb.org , phone: 864-577- 7770, or by fax: 864-577-7568. Be sure to check page 10 of this issue for additional contact information.”

Page 4:

Heading: Resources Available to You! (Written in white in side of a purple rectangle with rounded edges.)

Text: (Inside a red rectangle) Helen Keller National Center: The mission of Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults is to enable each person who is deaf-blind to live and work in his or her community of choice.

http://www.hknc.org/

Graphic: Located to the right of the text about it, the Helen Keller National Center Logo is a beige square with the all red letters. There is an “H” and “K” on top of “N” and “C” inside the square.

Text: (Inside a light blue rectangle) iCanConnect: iCanConnect provides distance communication technology, including, but not limited to, smartphones, computers, software and braille readers, as well as training and support.

http://www.icanconnect.org/south-carolina 

Graphic: Located to the left of the text about it, the iCanConnect logo has the words “iCanConnect” with the “i" and “connect” written in green and the “can” written in blue. Below the words is a black rectangular strip with rounded edges. Inside the strip is white text that says, “The National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program”.

Text: (Inside of a blue rectangle) Protection and

Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc. (P&A): Since 1977, P & A has been an independent, statewide, non-profit corporation that protects and advances the legal rights of people with disabilities.

http://pandasc.org/ 

Graphic: Located to the right of the text about it, the P&A logo is a rectangle with a blue box on the left. Inside the blue box in white writing is, “P&A”. To the right of the blue box, in blue text it says, “PROTECTION & ADVOCACY”, in large text. This is above, “FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, INC.” in a smaller font.

Text: (Inside of a bright blue rectangle) ProParents: A private, non-profit organization which provides information about training education to families and children with all types of disabilities.

http://proparents.org/

Graphic: Located to the left of the text about it, the ProParents logo is the words “PRO-PARENTS” in blue text. The “A” and “R” in PARENTS come together to form the basic outline of the shape of a parent with his arm around a child. Below “PRO-PARENTS” is gray text that

says, “Parents Reaching Out to Parents”. Under this phrase, is dark blue writing in a lighter blue box that reads, “OF SOUTH CAROLINA”. To the right of the text is a blue outline of the state of South Carolina.

Text: (Inside of a teal rectangle) Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN): Per South Carolina Code of Law, DDSN serves persons with intellectual disability, autism, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury and conditions related to each of these four disabilities.

http://ddsn.sc.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Graphic: To the right of the text about it, the logo for DDSN is a blue square with a white moon in the top, left corner and a white palmetto tree in the bottom, right corner.

Text: (Inside of a green rectangle) South Carolina Assistive Technology Program (SCATP): A funded program concerned with getting technology into the hands of people with disabilities so that they might live, work, learn and be a more independent part of the community. http://www.sc.edu/scatp/.

SCATP also hosts South Carolina Assistive Technology Exchange Program. More information can be found at:

http://www.scatpexchange.net/home.php.

Graphic: To the left of the text about it, the SCATP logo is a green palmetto tree on the left side of a circle with a black outline. Overlapping the tree are the words “South Carolina” written in green and “Assistive Technology Program” in black. Under the tree is green ground that slopes from the left side to the bottom, middle of the circle.

Page 5:

Text: (Inside of a gray rectangle) ABLE: A consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability nonprofit that provides an array of independent living services to people of all ages with all types of disabilities in 23 counties of South Carolina.

http://www.able-sc.org/ 

Graphic: Located to the write of the text about it, the ABLE logo is the word “able” written above “SOUTH CAROLINA”. All letters are in black text.

Text: (Inside of a green rectangle) Walton Options: An independent living program that empowers people of all ages, regardless of disability, by promoting personal choice, independence, community inclusion and competitive employment throughout South Carolina and Georgia.

http://www.waltonoptions.org/

Graphic: Located to the left of the text about it, it Walton Options logo is a square with a blue, dashed outline. Inside the square is the word “WALTON” written in blue. Under “WALTON” is the word “options” written in green cursive. Below “options” are the words “for Independent Living” written in blue.

Text: (Located in a yellow rectangle) AccessAbility: A federal-funded, non-residential, not-for-profit organization in South Carolina that empowers people with disabilities to realize their full potential through consumer-controlled services.

http://www.abilitysc.org/

Graphic: Placed to the right of the text about it, the

AccessAbility Logo has the word, “AccessAbility” in bold, black text. Below “AccessAbility” are the words “A BRIDGE TO INDEPENDENCE” in smaller, black text. Above “AccessAbility”, beginning in the left corner is a simple, green drawing of a bridge, where the curved line that serves as the base of the bridge crosses into the second “A” in “AccessAbility” to create the line connecting the two sides of the letter.

Heading: County SPOTlight (County and light are written in white text with a black rectangular background. SPOT is written in black text on top of a yellow semi-circle.)

Text: The SC Deaf-Blind Project had the honor of being invited to a Laurens County Transition meeting to present about our services. In addition to providing information, we had the opportunity to learn about the wonderful and successful transition programs in Laurens County. Here are a few examples:

 

· Laurens County School District 55 is currently working with the YMCA of Laurens County as a job placement for teens. Students are given a 6 week internship where they complete maintenance tasks

and assist with event set-up for the facility.

· District 55 hosts a transition event every November for students who will be transitioning to high school. Students are able to take a high school tour, eat lunch and learn about cafeteria procedures and options, connect with other students who have successfully transitioned, listen to a speaker, and attend a college/resource fair.

· ABLE SC has partnered with a middle school in Laurens County to learn about self-advocacy and independence.

· Transition students have been placed as classroom assistants in elementary school for work experience and are given realistic feedback from the supervising classroom teacher.

 

This meeting also included a tour of the Laurens County Vocational Rehabilitation Facility. This facility has been so successful with their work skills programs, that they have an 80% successful placement rate in competitive employment! We are thrilled to be working with such a successful community who truly values collaboration and partnership!

Page 6:

Headline: (Inside of a teal rectangle in white lettering) Breakin’ It Down

Text: In Volume 2 of Breaking It Down, we’ll be looking at CHARGE Syndrome! CHARGE Syndrome is one of the leading causes of deaf-blindness.

In 1981, the letters CHARGE stood for specific components of CHARGE Syndrome.

 (C H A R G E is written vertically in black lettering on blue squares. Each letter is connected to the following sentences:)

COLOBOMA OF THE EYE

HEART DEFECTS

ATRESIA OF THE CHOANAE

RETARDATION OF GROWTH AND/OR DEVELOPMENT

GENITAL AND/OR URINARY ABNORMALITIES

EAR ABNORMALITY AND DEAFNESS

In order to be diagnosed with CHARGE syndrome, 4 of these symptoms had to be present. These rules are no longer valid, and there is now an identifiable gene for children with CHARGE Syndrome. However, some people with CHARGE do not test positive for this gene.

Therefore, the medical diagnosis still relies heavily on the medical features of the child and a geneticist familiar with CHARGE Syndrome.

 A doctor will now look at a combination of features in order to diagnose CHARGE. These features are divided into 3 categories.

MAJOR: A major feature is something that is common in CHARGE, but not in other conditions. Major features of CHARGE include: Coloboma of the eye, choanal atresia or stenosis, cranial nerve abnormality, and a CHARGE outer, middle, or inner ear.

MINOR: Minor characteristics are important; they are either harder to diagnose or not specific to CHARGE syndrome. Minor features include: Heart defects, cleft lip and/or palette, tracheo-esophageal (TE) fistula, kidney abnormalities, genital abnormalities, growth deficiency, typical CHARGE face, palm crease, and CHARGE behavior.

OTHER: Other features that are typically associated with CHARGE, may or may not be significant, but are not necessarily helpful when making a diagnosis. Other features include: Chronic ear problems, sloping shoulders,

limb/skeletal abnormalities, central nervous system abnormalities, thymus or parathyroid abnormality, omphalocele, nipple anomalies, hypotonia, and scoliosis. 

These are just a few components of CHARGE Syndrome. If you’re interested in learning more about CHARGE, please visit: The CHARGE Syndrome Foundation at www.chargesyndrome.org or The National Center on Deaf-Blindness at https://nationaldb.org/library/list/86 

Page 7:

Heading: Parent SPOTlight (Parent and light are written in white text with a black rectangular background. SPOT is written in black text on top of a yellow semi-circle.)

Text: Minnie Lambert is one of the parents the Project serves. She has a son with CHARGE Syndrome and this is her story:

 

Robert Frost wrote of the road less traveled but what if you found yourself at a point where there was no road? What are these new words that these doctors are telling me? What is “CHARGE Syndrome”? Every time I say it I get the same feeling; there comes THAT look. Heck I felt this

same feeling when I first heard it myself. We are almost done with our 11th year of this journey and through education, connections, seeking and learning I have come to realize that this road that we are on is not that bad. It does have some major issues now and then but between the multiple doctor visits, therapy appointments, specialty appointments, school meetings, research time and connecting with others, I have come to the great conclusion that WE are not alone. It all started back in 2008, Andrew was 5 years old at the time, I had come to my very last straw; hours of sitting in front of a computer, hours of crying and feeling that I had no clue what I was supposed to do or where I was supposed to turn next. School issues had overcome me and no one seemed to understand, they just didn’t want to deal with him and treated him like a terror, one teacher had even labeled him as “a threat to her AND her students.” I sat in front of the glowing screen of my laptop and I prayed. I said Lord there has to be someone out there that can help me. Someone HAS to understand. I went back to the site that I had visited so much before. The website of the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation, thinking to myself, there is no way these people sitting in their desks at a “Foundation” in NY understand what it is that I am going through here in SC. But I continued to read and read a little more. I looked a little deeper. There was a little girl named Kennedy that kept popping up. Wait, her mom is the VP of the

Foundation. She does know. I searched for her mom’s blog and I read of her story. It sounded a lot like mine. (Continued on Page 8)

Headline: (In white lettering over a black rectangle) A CLOSER LOOK!

TEXT: (In black writing on a gray background) If you’re looking for more information about how CHARGE specifically effects the eyes and ears, look no further. Let’s take a closer look!

 

A coloboma is a hole in the structure of the eye. This may affect the iris, retina, choroid, or optic disc/nerve of the eye. The effects of a coloboma are dependent upon its size and location. People with a coloboma of the iris may experience light sensitivity. A coloboma of the retina or choroid may effect field or clarity of vision. And a coloboma of the optic disc can create a small blind spot in the effected person’s vision.

 

A “CHARGE ear” may present in 3 different ways. The outer ear may be effected and appear to be short and wide, floppy, or stick out. If the middle ear bones are

malformed, a conductive hearing loss may be present. When the inner ear/cochlea is malformed, a hearing loss and balance issues may be present.

 Page: 8

(Parent Spotlight continued)

Text: I went back to the website for the Foundation and I saw where there was a “Listserv.” I had no clue what that was so I looked it up. I could join this Listserv and be connected with people all over the world that knew what CHARGE Syndrome was. I decided to take the leap. I join the Yahoo Listserv and crying, I wrote my first email to this group of strangers to introduce myself. Me being me, trying to hide the hurt and fear, I began with a small southern classic “Hey Y’all!” I introduced myself and Andrew and I began getting messages back from other people welcoming me and asking me questions about Andrew. I told them of the horrible experiences that we were going through and opened up on how I felt that we were alone and no one knew what to do. I shared with them the feelings of being angry and hurt that these teachers were supposed to be here to help but that they would rather push him off and blame it on my parenting than to help him and me. Why do these teachers keep asking me questions? I do not know the answers. There is no book! I received a reply from a nice lady in Boston named Pam Ryan. Pam asked me if I had ever contacted

our states Deaf-Blind Project. What is that? Oh dear, Minnie, THAT is your connection. THAT is where you start. Through Pam’s encouragement, I looked up our states Deaf Blind Project. It was at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind. But Andrew was not deaf or blind, he did have a hearing impairment and a vision impairment but not Deaf and Blind. But I called anyway. When the lady answered the phone I introduced myself and told her that I was instructed to call her. I told her that I had a son with CHARGE Syndrome and asked her first if she had ever heard of it. Her reply was, “Yes,of course.” That was it. The floodgates opened and I began to cry. She knew what IT was! These words that these doctors had told to me; what they said that Andrew had. This CHARGE Syndrome, I had even had to share with other providers what it was because they had never heard of it, SHE KNEW!

 

Miss Kennedy and her mom, Pam Ryan, the other support that I found from the other moms on that Listserv and that very first phone call that I made to the SC Interagency Deaf Blind Project changed mine and Andrew’s life. THOSE were the connections that I needed. Those were the people that would help lead me to understand that everything would be okay. After that call I joined the CHARGE Syndrome community on Facebook and began

connecting with more and more people, families and professionals, and I have NEVER looked back. Summer of 2009 I made up my mind that our family-Doug, Andrew and myself-should travel to Florida to attend a CHARGE Syndrome Conference because everyone seemed so excited about it and it was all the buzz on Facebook and even on the Listserv. Our friends and family helped to raise the money for us to go and our cousin even flew us to Florida in his plane. I was a little freaked out about the plane because I had never flown, let alone ANDREW, but the fear of being in a car with him for 9 hours was enough to make me get on the plane. When we arrived in Florida we had already set up a dinner date with one of the families that I had grown very close to on Facebook. The next morning, while walking around I started to see all of the people. All of these children, some even looked like my Andrew. After getting checked in and receiving our name tags we made our way down to where the conference was going to be held. There were people laughing and hugging, must be long lost friends. I had a few people smile and nod to me. I started to recognize a few on the names on the name tags as people that I talked to online. These were my friends. In a way, many of them felt like family because I had actually shared more with them than many of my own family members knew or cared to know. That weekend we learned more about CHARGE Syndrome through the classes that we attended and

Andrew had a blast because they had a camp set up for the children to go to while we were in “class.” He had a caretaker named Rizza that he seemed to connect with and acted as though he was happy to see. There may have been children there with feeding tubes, walkers, wheelchairs, hearing aids, implants, trachs, suction machines, talking with their hands and ALL sorts of things but none of that seemed to matter. Noone really looked at any of that. I let my guard down and talked to people that I did not know and shared stories about Andrew and all of the hard things that we had tried to forget.

 

Flash forward to 2015...2009 is almost a blur now, but I will never forget the way that I felt when I realized that I was not alone. I did not want to leave. I did not want the day to come that I had to say goodbye to these

Page 9:

Text: people. I cried again. I cried because I had to go back to where people did not understand. But I had hope. There were those ladies from the SC DeafBlind Project, they were in Florida, too. They said that they would continue to help us, and they have. Most of them have

gone on to other jobs but the people that have replaced them are just as great. I myself have grown into someone that knows more and appreciates more about these amazing people that live with CHARGE Syndrome and their families that support them. I came back from that trip from Florida knowing that there were others like me, other moms who felt alone, and I was committed to find them. By finding more families I continued to find more of myself. I FINALLY know what I want to be when I grow up. I want to HELP, I want to SUPPORT, I want to CONNECT, but most importantly I wanted those others moms to know that it was OKAY.

 

I now work for Family Connection of SC. It is now my job to help others like myself, a job that I love and I give my all. With the SC DeafBlind Project’s help I was successfully able to launch the Palmetto CHARGErs, our state’s first family support group for families of children with CHARGE Syndrome. I am now the Volunteer Parent Liaison for the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation for the state of SC, and hope to one day sit on the Board of this amazing Foundation that I figured out was NOT ran by people sitting in desks but ran by volunteers who were also families of children with CHARGE or actually had it themselves or were the professionals that had spent their careers trying to help these people. This Summer of 2015,

we travel to Chicago. This will be our family’s 3rd Conference that we have attended. I am ready to see my CHARGE Family and Friends! Until then...CHARGEing On!

Headline:  Mark Your Calendar! (In blue bold letters with dark blue outlining, over a silhouette of a cityscape under the lettering.)

Graphic: A purple square with white lettering and images. Text says, “The Sky’s the Limit!” with stars in the background, above the silhouette of a cityscape. Under the cityscape, it reads, “12th Annual CHARGE Syndrome Conference Chicago 2015”. In the bottom left corner is The CHARGE Syndrome Foundation logo (also in white lettering and images). This is a simple silhouetted drawing of an adult holding up a child with the words, “The CHARGE Syndrome Foundation” below it.

Text: (With yellow arrows pointing inward toward the text) For more information, visit http://www.chargesyndrome.org/conference-2015.asp

 

Page 10:

Text: The SCIDB Project is excited to host our annual Family Transition Weekend, which will happen the weekend of March 6. Be sure to review our flyer below and check out our Weebly website regularly for more information.

Headline: (White text over a blue rectangular band. To the left of the text is the SC Interagency Deaf-Blind Project logo and to the right is the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind Logo. Both will be described in the following graphics section.) General Information

Graphics: South Carolina Interagency Deaf Blind Project logo: a rectangular box with two colors. Teal blue on the left side and purple on the right side. There is a circle in the center with two colors: purple on the left side and teal blue on the right side. There are three arcs spread towards the upper right and lower left corner, increasing in size as they go out. On the upper left corner there is text saying “South Carolina Interagency” and at the lower right corner there is text saying “Deaf Blind Project”

The South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind logo: Large green letters capital S and capital C, with a white palmetto tree superimposed where the S and C touch each other. In smaller black print “School for the Deaf and the Blind”. Under this is a

green rectangular box with white print inside that says “embracing the possibilities”.

Text: (In white lettering over a purple background) Family Transition WeekendSponsored by South Carolina Interagency Deaf-Blind Project

(In a red rectangle) Who? Families with children who are at the transition age (14 and older).

Keynote Speakers and Topics Addressed: Carol Page- South Carolina Assistive Technology SystemMarilyn Trader- Helen Keller National Center & Haptics/Accessibility IssuesSouth Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN)- Post-Secondary Options & ServicesJen Adams- Career Training & Options

(In a purple rectangle) When?Friday, March 6- Sunday, March 8, 2015Friday: Registration begins at 4:30pmSaturday: Activities and Workshops all daySunday: Wrap up and Closure; Depart by noon

(In a green rectangle) Where?South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind355 Cedar Springs Rd.

Spartanburg, SC 29302Cedar Springs Academy

(In a yellow rectangle) What?A collaborative effort to help families to develop a networking system and access to useful resources for their children who are experiencing transition.

(In a blue rectangle) Why?To provide the opportunities for families and students to develop a plan that will benefit the child’s future.

(In a yellow rectangle with rounded edges) Be sure to check out the SCIDB Project’s Weebly page, www.scidb.weebly.com, for updates and information regarding this event. We look forward to seeing you on March 6th!

Page 11:

Headline: TA Corner

Text: As you make the transition from high school to adulthood, there are many things to consider. We would like to provide you with a list of transition-readiness skills for parents and students from the perspective of a Teacher of the Deaf and a Teacher of the Visually Impaired.

Headline: (Written in red bold text with shadowing behind it) What Should We Know?

Text: (Inside of a blue box with blue question marks in the background)

STUDENTS SHOULD KNOW:

· The name of your eye and hearing condition and how to explain it in laymen’s terms

· Your accommodations and learn how to advocate for yourself

· Your medical history

· Your personal data sheet contains information regarding documents for housing and jobs.

· Your latest IEP, Functional Hearing and Vision, and Learning Media Assessment status

 

PARENTS SHOULD KNOW:

· The status of the guardianship and if it will continue upon exiting school

· All paperwork need to be filled out (i.e. legal documentations, education records)

· Establish a relationship with appropriate post-school

supports and agencies

· Invite all of said post– school support agencies to IEP meetings (i.e. Commission for the Blind, Vocational Rehabilitation, DDSN).

· Your child’s desires and dreams

 

QUESTIONS TO ASK:

· Where will the living arrangement be (i.e. at home, go away to school, live in a residential facility, attend a training program)?

· Has a contact been made to the necessary people to begin this process?

· Are the necessary skills needed to live independently present (i.e. daily living skills, money management, technology access)?

· Is there access to all records (i.e. education, medical)?

Graphics: A brown line drawing of a house with a leaf

inside on the bottom, left corner, a simple drawing of a

diploma in the middle, and a line drawing of the Earth on

the bottom right. All three images are connect by a red,

dashed arrow between the graphics that starts from the

left and has a right-pointing arrowhead on the left side of

the Earth.

Page 12: 

Heading: Contact Us (In orange rectangle.)

Graphic: An orange drawing of a rolodex is located to the right of the heading.

Text: (Inside orange box.)Do you have an idea for a theme? An idea of what you would like to see? Want more information on trainings and workshops? Have feedback or suggestion? Have an event you want to be added to the calendar? Want hard copy information about any of the articles or events? Feel free to contact the Project at any way you find convenient:E-mail: deafblind@scsdb.orgPhone: 864-577-7770Fax: 864-577-7568Mail: South Carolina School for the Deaf and BlindSouth Carolina Interagency Deaf Blind Project355 Cedar Springs RoadSpartanburg, SC 29302

Heading: Helpful Articles (In blue rectangle.)

Graphic: A blue drawing of a lightbulb located to the left of the above heading.

Text: (Inside of a blue box.)Supporting Families in Transition between Early Intervention and School Age ProgramsFamilies supported by Early Intervention programming also take a big step when moving from Birth to 3 (Part C) to School-Age (Part B) services!  This article is a great resource to help you understand what to expect during this process and how to help it go more smoothly!

http://www.handsandvoices.org/articles/education/law/transition.html

 

Engage Vocational Rehabilitation Personnel in Students' College, Career Planning

This article explains the significance of Vocational Rehabilitation agencies during a student's postsecondary transition planning. VR counselors can provide vocational training, assistance in finding employment, funding for job-related equipment, assistance in independent living, and much more.

C:\Users\bgrayson\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\LDL84A2Y\GetStory.htm

 

Transitioning From Elementary to Middle School

Transitioning from one school to another can be stressful for any child.  Elementary to middle school is a big milestone as students begin to change classes and the social norms tend to shift.  Below are some tips for parents (and teachers) to make this transition a little easier for your child or student.

http://www.frenship.us/Page/3184

 

Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and ResponsibilitiesAre you thinking about college and wondering how your services will change?  This article will answer your questions about the differences between services in high school and college!

http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html 

Heading: Up and Running (Inside a green rectangle.)

Graphic: A green drawing of a construction sign with a hammer and wrench crossed in the middle.

Text: (Inside of a green rectangle.)Wikipedia is a well known internet based encyclopedia where people can navigate for information on a variety of topics. People have the ability to edit the information and add sources to support statements made to the encyclopedia. Wikipedia can be used to create other web content in collaboration with others at no cost. The SCIDB Project, along with the Helen Keller National Center, has completed the process of developing a Wikipedia page for the latest Southeast Regional Transition Institute (SERTI) that South Carolina hosted! Be sure to check it out at: https://nationaldb.org/wiki/page/13/297 .

Page 13:

Heading: Mark Your Calendar! (Inside of a yellow box.)

Text:

February 2015

17th  ProParent Transition to Education

http://proparents.org/events/transition-into-special-education/

Cheraw, SC

19-20th Deafblind Symposium

Austin, TX

25th Pro:Parent: Individual Education Plan (IEP) Workshop

http://proparents.org/events/individualized-education-program-iep-workshop-7/

Bamberg, SC

26th  ProParent: Transition Out of Special Education Workshop

http://proparents.org/events/transition-out-of-special-education-2/

Beaufort, SC

27th ABLE: South Carolina Empowering a Future at Furman University

http://www.able-sc.org/events/ *the link may be used for all ABLE events*

Greenville, SC

28th ABLE: South Carolina Mapping Your Future at Furman University

Greenville, SC

March 2015

6-8th Family Transition Weekend

Spartanburg, SC

6-7th Family Connection Conference

Columbia, SC

18th ABLE South Carolina: Using Self-Advocacy to Prevent Bullying

Columbia, SC

26th South Carolina Assistive Technology Expo

Columbia, SC

31-April 1st Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) Annual Conference

Spartanburg, SC

April 2015

9th ProParent: Positive Behavior Intervention (PBI) Workshop

http://proparents.org/events/positive-behavior-interventions-pbi/

Beaufort, SC

16th ABLE South Carolina: Advocacy Day for Access and Independence

Columbia, SC

22nd ABLE South Carolina: Planning Your Future

Columbia, SC

26thFamily Connection Annual Benefit & Auction

http://www.familyconnectionsc.org/benefit-concert.html

 Columbia, SC

TBD Look Photography Exhibition

http://www.familyconnectionsc.org/look.html

Greenville, SC

May 2015

6th South Carolina Assistive Technology Program Switch Access for iPad and Tablets

http://www.sc.edu/scatp/forms/trainingregform_ww_switch_5-6-15.html

Columbia, SC

16th ABLE South Carolina: Understanding Ticket to Work and Benefits

Columbia, SC

22nd ABLE South Carolina: Planning Your Future

Columbia, SC

June 2015

17th ABLE South Carolina: Computer and Internet Accessibility

Columbia, SC

July 2015

22nd ABLE South Carolina: 25 Years of Independence and the ADA

Columbia, SC

30-August 2nd 12th International CHARGE Syndrome Conference

http://www.chargesyndrome.org/conference-2015.asp

Chicago, IL

Page 14:

Graphics: At the center of the upper page is the logo of the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind (as described on page 10). To the right of the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind logo is the logo of South Carolina Interagency Deaf Blind Project (also described on page 10).

Below the graphics is text as follows:

Our MissionTo ensure that the individuals we serve realize maximum success through high quality educational programs, outreach services, and partnerships.

Our VisionTo be the statewide leader in education and accessibility for individuals who are deaf, blind, or sensory multi-disabled.

Our ValuesEducation. Accessibility. Partnerships. Leadership. Accountability. Diversity. Teamwork. Relationships. Character. Independence.

Below the logo described above is a solid-colored purple box with the following information:

South Carolina Interagency Deaf-Blind ProjectSouth Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind355 Cedar Springs Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29302

Phone: 864-577-7770E-mail: SCDeafBlind@scsdb.org

The Trellis logo has a narrow rectangular background that is solid teal blue in color. The word “Trellis” is printed in white. To the left of the word “Trellis” is a picture of a leafy vine, five leaves graduating in size from largest to smallest going from left to right. Inside of a small lavender oval is printed “2014-2015 Volume 2”.

Above the trellis logo, there is text placed horizontally. The text follows as: www.scsdb.org” and “Outreach Services” are printed on it in black lettering.

Below the Trellis logo is another text as followed: Supporting the development of children who are deaf-blind as they grow at home, at school and in the community.

Below trellis logo is the logo of the United States Office of Special Education Programs. The phrase “Ideas that work” is partially surrounded by a curved blue line with an arrow. The line starts at the end of the word “ideas” and circles around over the top, and ends pointing to the word “work.” The word “ideas” is red and all capitals except for the slower case s. The word “that” is blue. The word “work” is all red, with capital “W” and the rest lower case. Beneath this, in smaller blue letters, is written “Office of Special Education Programs.”

To the right of the logo of United States Office of Special Education Programs, there is a logo on a white background. It has a six-pointed star and the points alternate colors in blue and red. To the right of the star is text that reads, “TA&D Network”.

Text: (Located below above described graphics, inside purple box.)

The contents of this Trellis were developed under a grant from the US Department of Education, #H326T130082. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer, Louise Tripoli.

Text: (Below purple box, inside a blue and white checkered border.) How do you want YOUR Trellis?Get Trellis YOUR WAY! If you prefer to receive Trellis in large print, braille or electronic format, or if you have changed your mailing address, e-mail or phone, please complete this form, clip it out and send it to us at:South Carolina Interagency Deaf-Blind Project355 Cedar Springs Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29302Or e-mail the requested information to deafblind@scsdb.org

______________________________________________ Name ______________________________________________ Address______________________________________________ Telephone E-mail Address

Comments

_____ Please make the changes in contact information that I have noted above. _____ Please mail me a large print edition of Trellis. _____ Please mail me a braille edition of Trellis. _____ Please send me Trellis in electronic format. (e-mail address required)