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http://www.cm-life.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/02/06/43e6c86347158
Deaf and blind children can look to CMU to help them cope with their disabilities.
Deaf-Blind (DB) Central provides education, consultation, family support and training to help deaf-blind children and their families cope with DB complications.
The program, part of CMU’s psychology department, is the only one of its kind in Michigan.
“There is a lack of awareness of what DB is,” said Tim Hartshorne, DB Central grant manager and psychology professor. “Most have some hearing and some sight, and I think our program fills in the gaps.”
CMU’s program also is being recognized nationally, as the Department of Education in Washington, D.C. recently awarded it a $256,289 grant.
One of the program’s main objectives is to meet with the schools DB children attend to prepare (family) for meeting the child’s needs, Hartshorne said.
“The DB population is not too large and it’s unrealistic to think that school districts know how to serve DB children,” he said.
Children are eligible for the program from birth to age 26.
Teaching DB children how to communicate effectively, Hartshorne said, is important to the program’s success.
Communication methods include Braille, sign language and computer screen interaction.
“The different forms of communication for DB people are amazing,” Hartshorne said.
DB Central also offers retreats and activities for the children and their families. Family services coordinator Candice Lee helped plan a ski trip in February.
DB children and their families can go to Challenge Mountain, a ski resort designed to be adaptable for a wide range of disabilities.
The events give families a chance to relax and network with each other, Lee said, who also is responsible for the program’s research.
“I have time to look for things that the families don’t,” she said. “Many have trouble finding financial support for things like hearing aids and glasses.”
Initially, families meet with project director Beth Kennedy or a consultant to identify a child’s specific needs.
Kennedy then meets with the child’s school to discuss what can be done.
West Bloomfield graduate student Meghan Caswell does evaluations to monitor the child’s progress.
“I do follow up calls to the schools to see if there any changes in the child,” she said.
DB Central is involved in workshops and training sessions on topics related to deaf-blindness for families and professionals.
“In the end, you want it to be able to benefit the kids the most,” Caswell said.
Deaf and blind children can look to CMU to help them cope with their disabilities.
Deaf-Blind (DB) Central provides education, consultation, family support and training to help deaf-blind children and their families cope with DB complications.
The program, part of CMU’s psychology department, is the only one of its kind in Michigan.
“There is a lack of awareness of what DB is,” said Tim Hartshorne, DB Central grant manager and psychology professor. “Most have some hearing and some sight, and I think our program fills in the gaps.”
CMU’s program also is being recognized nationally, as the Department of Education in Washington, D.C. recently awarded it a $256,289 grant.
One of the program’s main objectives is to meet with the schools DB children attend to prepare (family) for meeting the child’s needs, Hartshorne said.
“The DB population is not too large and it’s unrealistic to think that school districts know how to serve DB children,” he said.
Children are eligible for the program from birth to age 26.
Teaching DB children how to communicate effectively, Hartshorne said, is important to the program’s success.
Communication methods include Braille, sign language and computer screen interaction.
“The different forms of communication for DB people are amazing,” Hartshorne said.
DB Central also offers retreats and activities for the children and their families. Family services coordinator Candice Lee helped plan a ski trip in February.
DB children and their families can go to Challenge Mountain, a ski resort designed to be adaptable for a wide range of disabilities.
The events give families a chance to relax and network with each other, Lee said, who also is responsible for the program’s research.
“I have time to look for things that the families don’t,” she said. “Many have trouble finding financial support for things like hearing aids and glasses.”
Initially, families meet with project director Beth Kennedy or a consultant to identify a child’s specific needs.
Kennedy then meets with the child’s school to discuss what can be done.
West Bloomfield graduate student Meghan Caswell does evaluations to monitor the child’s progress.
“I do follow up calls to the schools to see if there any changes in the child,” she said.
DB Central is involved in workshops and training sessions on topics related to deaf-blindness for families and professionals.
“In the end, you want it to be able to benefit the kids the most,” Caswell said.