An exciting professional development opportunity is available through a collaboration with the University of South Dakota (USD) and the South Dakota DeafBlind Project. During the Fall of 2025, we will be offering An Introduction to DeafBlindness and DeafBlindness: Assessment & Instructional Planning. The courses will run from August 26 through December 12, 2025.

Course 1: An Introduction to Deafblindness

This first course will provide foundational knowledge of deaf-blindness and the impact of hearing and vision loss on learning and communication, as well as key evidence-based instructional strategies for supporting those with deafblindness. 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 4 synchronous meetings. Meetings will be on Tuesdays from 6:00-8:00 PM CST on the following dates: August 26, September 16, October 21, & December 2.

Course 3: Assessment and Instructional Planning for Learners who are Deafblind

The course includes an overview of assessment strategies, assessment instruments, and the development of specific and measurable IEP goals based on authentic assessment data. In addition, the course includes content from the following Open Hands, Open Access modules: Availability for Learning, Routines for Participation and Learning, Behavior and Environmental Supports, and Introduction to Orientation and Mobility.

*Participants wishing to access this course should have had foundational training in deafblindness such as Course 1: An Introduction to DeafBlindness, NCDB Open Hands Open Access Modules 1-4, or comparable training through your state deafblind project. Participants will be asked to provide documentation of training completed after enrollment.

This course will be a combination of weekly online work and 4 synchronous meetings. All meetings will be on Tuesdays from 6:00-8:00 PM CST on the following dates: September 2, September 23, October 28, & December 9.

Approximately 3 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 two weeks 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.

We understand that many people have previously taken training in deafblindness through the Open Hands, Open Access modules. Please use the course descriptions to determine the appropriate course based on your previous trainings in deafblindness.

While these courses are not required to be completed sequentially, it will be beneficial to have foundational knowledge in the content areas included in each of the courses prior to enrolling in courses 2 & 3 (some exceptions may apply).

Spring 2026 Anticipated Courses

Course 2: Communication Strategies. The key principle of this course is that all students communicate. This course includes content from the following Open Hands, Open Access modules: Touch for Connection and Communication, Understanding Communication Principles, Emergent Communication, Progressing from Non-symbolic to Symbolic Communication & Complex Language, Introduction to Sign Language & Braille, Concept Development and Responsive Environments and Calendars.

Course 4: DeafBlindness: Life Planning for Success. The course provides an overview of curricular options and instructional strategies to promote student success in school and beyond, and to ensure that all students successfully transition from school to adulthood. The course includes content from the following Open Hands, Open Access modules: Transition to Adulthood and Community Living, Self-Determination, Social Skills and Peer Relationships, Sexuality, and Collaborative Teaming and Family Partnerships. The course focuses on fully integrating the module content above to prepare students who are deafblind to be actively engaged in communities of their choice.

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