Our Services
Our services include family and educational support through dissemination of information, onsite visits, and workshops. In order for a child and his or her family to qualify for our services the child must have both a vision and hearing impairment and be included on our Indiana DeafBlind Census. Our services are available at no cost for families, school districts, and others who work with children who are deafblind from birth through 21 years of age. These services are available year-round and can support you at home or at school by:
- providing technical assistance and child-focused consultations.
- providing information and resources.
- conducting training on best practices.
- making parent-to-parent connections.
- offering assistance in the development of IEPs.
- facilitating Person-Centered Planning.
- offering assistance with transition planning.
- observing services/reviewing video clips and providing recommendations.
- providing intervener training.
- fostering parent engagement and empowerment
- providing a statewide newsletter.
- maintaining a network for information and support.
About Us
The Indiana DeafBlind Services Project serves the entire state of Indiana providing technical assistance, training, and support for children and young adults who have a combined vision and hearing loss, their families, and the educators who work with them. We are a federally-funded grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, administered by the Blumberg Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Special Education.
Listen to Project Director, Lisa Poff, talk about the Indiana DeafBlind Services Project on PATINS-TV!
Our Mission
The Project is committed to helping individuals who are deafblind reach their full potential and be valued and contributing members of their communities. This is accomplished by providing training on high-quality educational practices and support to individuals, their families, and educators.
Our Goals
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To ensure that children and young adults with combined vision and hearing loss have the educational support necessary to successfully complete school and be better prepared for adult life.
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To empower families so that they are better able to participate in educational and life planning, as well as become better advocates and leaders in their school, community and state.
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To provide educators with increased skills in using evidence-based practices so that students can participate more fully in inclusive settings.
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To foster leadership and collaboration among state/local education, early intervention, and community agencies.
Our Philosophy
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Families are the one “constant” in the lives of persons who are deafblind.
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All individuals can learn and contribute.
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There is no single profile of a person who is deafblind.
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Individuals who are deafblind can participate in almost any activity in almost every learning environment.
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Individuals who are deafblind communicate in a wide variety of ways.
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Family/caregiver involvement is the key ingredient in the successful education of persons who are deafblind.
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Families/caregivers are the best advocates for the individual who is deafblind.
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Student centered educational teams are critical for the success of the student.
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Activities should value all children and families; therefore, all activities should be as family-centered as possible.
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Educational and support assistance activities should be individualized for each person and should have specific outcomes that are clear to both families and service providers.