This document provides an agenda and notes for an Advisory Committee meeting on connections for individuals who are deafblind. The meeting will include introductions, an icebreaker activity to foster connections, sharing of information and resources from around the state, a presentation on self-esteem, project updates, survey results, and discussion of upcoming activities and legislation. Key topics that will be discussed are intervener services, communication strategies, and staying connected between meetings.

1. Connections
Beyond Sight and Sound
Advisory Committee Meeting
May 14, 2021
Join Zoom Meeting 9:30 am – 12 noon
https://umd.zoom.us/j/9436024617

2. Agenda
I. 9:30 - Creating Connections
Welcome & Introductions
II. 9:45 - Connections Activity
III. 10:00 - Connections Across the State
Information sharing and updates from AC members
IV. 10:15 - Guest Connections
Fostering Self-Esteem Presentation – Lora Matz
V. 11:15 – Sharing Connections / Project Updates
Information sharing
AC survey results
Upcoming CBSS activities
Update on Cogswell-Macy Act
Next Meeting: October 22, 2021

3. Creating Connections
“Flood the Chat Box” activity…
• Take a minute and add the following to
the CHAT BOX but DO NOT HIT ENTER…
• Your name and affiliation
• What BINGE-WORTHY SHOW represents
your work & life during the past year & why
(from tv, Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, anyplace…)
On the count of three, all will press ENTER
and flood the chat box, and begin a conversation.

4. What’s happening
around the state, across the country!
Meetings and Networking
Resources and Websites
Activities, Events, and Opportunities
…. and more!
Sharing Connections

5. Fostering Self-Esteem
Lora Matz
Guest Connections

6. Project Connections
• General information & updates
• Upcoming CBSS activities
• AC survey results
• Update on Cogswell-Macy Act

7. Upcoming CBSS Activities
• Virtual Summer Institute
– August 10, 12, 17, 18 & 19
• Intervener support group / monthly calls
• Fall – Mini-grants for families

8. AC Survey Results

9. IDEA Definition of Deaf-blindness
• Sec. 300.8 (c) (2)
• Statute/Regs Main » Regulations » Part B » Subpart A »
Section 300.8 » c » 2
• (2) Deaf-blindness means concomitant hearing and visual
impairments, the combination of which causes such severe
communication and other developmental and educational
needs that they cannot be accommodated in special
education programs solely for children with deafness or
children with blindness.
• Last modified on May 2, 2017
• www.nationalDB.org

10. Intervener
• An Intervener is a person who:
Works consistently one-to-one
with an individual who is deafblind
• www.Intervener.org

11. Intervener
• The role of the intervener is to:
– Facilitate access to the environmental information
that is usually gained through vision and hearing,
but which is unavailable or incomplete to
the child who is deafblind.
– Facilitate the development and/or use of
receptive and expressive communication skills.
– Develop and maintains a trusting, interactive relationship
that can promote social and emotional well-being
for the child who is deafblind.
• www.Intervener.org

12. Intervener Resources
• More information on creating a job description for an
Intervener position:
– www.Intervener.org
– Suggested booklet: “Interveners in the Classroom: Guidelines for
Teams Working with Students Who Are Deafblind”
– Intervener Code of Ethics
– Intervener Webinars
– Parent Booklet
– NCDB Checklist for IEP Teams
https://www.nationaldb.org/media/doc/Intervener_Services_IEP_Team_Discussion_Guide.pdf

13. Communication Matrix
• www.communicationmatrix.org

14. CM Profile

15. Cogswell Macy Act
• Updates
• Next event is May 20th at 7pm
• Legislators

16. Next AC Meeting…
October 22, 2021
See you then…
In the meantime, let’s
Stay Connected!
www.CBSS.UMD.edu
and
Maryland and DC Deafblind Project
Facebook page