*EDIT 6/2/25

This course has reached capacity. There is now a waitlist. Please add your name to the waitlist and if another seat opens up, you will be contacted.

Thank you!

Brandy Sebera, brandy.sebera@usd.edu

An exciting professional development opportunity is available through a collaboration with the University of South Dakota (USD) DeafBlind Program. During the Summer of 2024, we will be offering An Introduction to DeafBlindness. The course will run from June 10 - July 29, 2025.

Course 1: An Introduction to Deafblindness

This first course will provide foundational knowledge of deafblindness and the impact of hearing and vision loss on learning and communication, as well as key evidence-based instructional strategies for supporting those with deaf-blindness. This course includes content from the following Open Hands, Open Access modules: Overview of DeafBlindness, The Sensory System, the Brain and Learning, Building Trusted Relationships, Touch for Connection and Learning, Maximizing Vision and Hearing, The Role of the Intervener and Intervener Strategies.

This course will be a combination of weekly online learning and 3 synchronous meetings. Meetings will be on Tuesdays from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST on the following dates: June 10, June 24, and July 22.

As this is a summer course, approximately 6 hours of online work will be expected per week including some synchronous online meetings during the course of the semester. Class size will be limited to the first 15 participants.

Cost is $450 per course with the option to add 3 USD graduate credits for an additional $120. The USD graduate credit links will be sent prior to the start of class.

All students will receive 45 continuing education hours upon successful completion of the course.

If you have an ADA disability accommodation request, it must be made 2 weeks prior to the start of class in order to ensure adequate time to fulfill the request.

*In order to support professional relevance and immediate applicability, there are numerous options for course readings and reflections, and assignments are designed to be customizable depending on each participant’s unique situation. Theses courses include both asynchronous completion of OHOA module content and synchronous online class meetings to provide opportunities for collegial sharing and support.

Refund Policy: Eventbrite refunds can only be issued 7 days prior to the start date of class.

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Professional Development: Concentration in Deafblindness