Training
Conference
26th Annual Conference for Families/Educators of Deaf-Blind Children - June 14-17, 2013
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Exceptional Children Division is pleased to announce the 26th Annual Conference for Families/Educators of Deaf-Blind Children at the Embassy Suites in Greensboro on June 14-17, 2013. The conference will address innovative techniques and approaches to educating students with deaf-blindness. National and local experts in the field of Deaf-Blind Education will present on selected topics.
Please duplicate and share this information with the family of any child that meets the criteria for Deaf-Blind (i.e., between the ages of birth and twenty-two who has a vision and a hearing impairment). We encourage the team working with the child who has Deaf-Blindness to participate in the conference as well. The team approach will strengthen relationships, assist with communication, and encourage cooperation to achieve common goals. A team member may attend even if the family is not able to attend. The teacher will receive renewal licensure credit for participating. This invitation is also extended to the Exceptional Children Director and related service personnel serving any student who is Deaf-Blind.
This conference is a benefit provided under the North Carolina Deaf-Blind Project Grant. It is provided to the family and team members at no cost. Meals and accommodations will be provided. Transportation will be the responsibility of the participants.
Conference registration forms are attached below. The deadline for registration is May 10, 2013. This conference is designed to meet the needs of the family and the professional as a team. Due to strict federal regulations, only immediate family members and approved service providers will be sponsored to attend unless special arrangements (e.g., nursing care, etc.) have been approved by the conference coordinator. Also, due to fiscal constraints, no sibling over the age of 14 may attend the conference.
We have had an excellent response to this conference over the years and space is limited. We hope to be able to accommodate all registrants but there is no guarantee. Please encourage families and service providers to register early. The family and service provider registration forms should be submitted together. Priority will be given to those families who are bringing the classroom teacher but all families and teachers are invited to attend.
NOTE: Families are encouraged to bring one person to provide their childcare. If this is a hardship, contact Claire Greer to inquire about available options. We will provide childcare for any family who needs it. We do not want anyone to miss this conference because of childcare issues. The family’s designated childcare provider must be someone other than the parents. Parents are expected to attend all sessions. The designated childcare provider MUST take full responsibility for the child(ren). There will be organized activities for the children and an indoor pool will be available. The childcare provider will stay in the same hotel unit with the family unless special arrangements have been made with the conference Chairperson.
Please contact Claire Greer (919.807.4036, claire.greer@dpi.nc.gov ), Deaf-Blind Project Coordinator, or Dorothy Snyder (919.807.3888 or dorothy.snyder@dpi.nc.gov ), Educational Consultant if you have any questions about the conference or eligibility. We look forward to another successful conference and hope you and the eligible families and teachers in your LEA or program will be able to participate.
Contact Information
Claire Greer
NC Department of Public Instruction
6356 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-6365
Tel: 919.807.4036
Fax: 919.807.3243
