The Summer Institute

Connections offers a one week Institute on Deaf-Blindness each summer at the University of Maryland at College Park. The courses that are offered are on topics related to effective practices in educating students who are deaf-blind and/or have severe disabilities, and each course is approved for 2.0 MSDE Continuing Professional Development credit or two graduate credits from the University of Maryland.

Information on upcoming Summer Institutes and registration information will be posted on our events page.

          Foundations and Educational Implications of Deaf-Blindness and Other
          Low-Incidence Disabilities

The content focuses on specific medical, psychosocial, and physical characteristics of individuals who are deaf-blind within the context of educational implications and programming needs. Topics covered include the development of vision and hearing, functional assessment of sensory loss, including Cortical Visual Impairment, Orientation and Mobility, etiologies associated with deaf-blindness, and concomitant medical conditions.

          Instructional Strategies and Communication Development

This course covers instructional techniques used in the education of students who are deaf-blind, including tactile strategies, concept development, routine-based instruction, and “Intervention”. The development of communication and individualized communication systems is the central focus of the course. Topics include an overview of communication, receptive and expressive communication, augmentative communication and assistive technology, communicative functions of behavior, and specific forms and functions.

          Current Issues in Program Development

This course covers emerging best practices in the areas of curriculum and instruction. Topics include collaborative/transdisciplinary teaming, building effective partnerships with parents, curricular content, partial participation, delivery of integrated related services, positive behavior support plans, inclusive education, accommodations in general education classrooms, social skills development, and issues relevant to transitioning from one setting to another. In addition, the content includes a discussion of assessment with a focus on the Maryland statewide assessment program, functional and ecological assessment strategies, family-centered program planning, and functional assessment of behavior.

The 2009 Summer Institute is scheduled for June 22-26. The course which will be taught is "Instructional Strategies and Communication Development”, taught by Dr. Linda Mamer from British Columbia, Canada. Registration Brochure.