Distance Learning for Proficient Communicators

This page contains resources on how to provide distance instruction to students with deafblindness. It specifically focuses on students who are proficient communicators.

Many of the items were suggested during an April 2020 meeting of state deafblind project personnel, as well as experts in services for students and adults who are deafblind, deaf/hard of hearing, or blind/visually impaired.

Thanks to everyone who shared resources.

A 13-year-old girl is sitting at her computer smiling. She is touching the screen and holding a pencil in the same hand. She's wearing a hearing aid and her face is very close to the screen.

Connecting Online

These resources help instructors and students connect via video, online files, and documents. There are also numerous companies that provide remote captioning. Be sure to confirm with the student's school that any platforms you use comply with their privacy guidelines.

iCanConnect - Program Description
A description of the iCanConnect program, which provides free devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, computers, screen readers, braille displays) and training to individuals who meet federal disability and income guidelines.
Providing Access through Sign Language & Text for Low Vision & Tactile Communicators During the Coronavirus Pandemic
A tipsheet from the New York DeafBlind Collaborative that includes suggestions for both online and face-to-face communication.
Zoom Accessibility Features
Zoom is a video-conferencing platform. It has a basic free account with a 40-minute limit and no time limit for K-12 schools affected by COVID-19.
Loom
Loom allows you to create videos that capture your computer screen, your voice, and your face, which makes it easy to add interpreter bubbles. Currently free for educational purposes.
Video on How to Use Google Meet
This video shows how to provide a lesson using Google Meet, in which a teacher and an interpreter are displayed side-by-side. It’s easy to turn captioning on and off, too. Google Meet is part of G Suite for Education, which is free to schools.
Captioning: Providing Access for Clients who are DeafBlind
This article was written for court reporters, but many of the tips may be helpful in arranging captioning for students who are deafblind as well.

Remote Instruction

Most of the resources that provide details regarding remote instruction were developed for students who are Deaf/hard of hearing or blind/visually impaired. Participants during our April meeting reported they were helpful in meeting the needs of students with deafblindness as well.

These resources primarily focus on how to teach online. The NCDB website also includes a section on Educational Practices for children who are deafblind.

In the News!

Partially blind, hearing impaired teen taught lessons through home’s glass front door
The Kentucky DeafBlind Project and an HKNC specialist are safely reaching a 16-year-old student with deafblindness at his home.
iCanConnect Helps New Jersey Girl Continue Speech Therapy Services During Pandemic
A 7-year-old girl with CHARGE syndrome has teletherapy using equipment and training received through iCanConnect.

Digital Inclusion Toolkit
From the American Foundation for the Blind, this series of toolkits for students, families, administrators, and vision professionals, provides information and strategies learned during the Covid pandemic about teaching students with visual impairments online.
Distance Learning and Deafblindness: Learning From Parents
From the TIES Center, this article provides advice from parents about how to best approach teaching students with deafblindness from a distance and some of the barriers that families encounter.
Coping with School Closures During COVID-19
From Paths to Literacy, this page has information about how to provide virtual educational services (including information about accessibility), remote activities for students, free tools available during school closures, and information about Coronavirus and COVID-19 geared towards students.
Providing Continuity of Learning to Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Blind, Low-Vision, and DeafBlind Students during COVID-19
The document, from the Maryland Department of Education, provides guidance to support virtual and/or distance learning during the extended school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Information from the National Deaf Center
This page links to resources on how to ensure online instruction is accessible for deaf/hard of hearing students. There's a great section, called "Your Questions, Answered," that includes practical advice. Two questions are related to deafblindness: What strategies are available for deafblind students using interpreters remotely? What accommodations should be considered when a deafblind student’s class is moved online?
Diane Brauner's Blog on the Perkins Paths to Technology Site
The top items on this list (published since March 11, 2020) include numerous tips and resources on virtual instruction.
DHH Teaching During COVID-19 Facebook Group
Posts on resources and supports to make instruction accessible for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students on different platforms. Members discuss captioning, interpreting, adding an interpreter window to pre-recorded materials, and more.
Supporting Success for Children with Hearing Loss: E-Learning & Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Provides resources about legal responsibilities, e-learning, and explaining coronavirus to children.
Teaching Remotely to DHH Students
Advice from CEC's Division of Communication, Language, and Deaf/Hard of Hearing Division.

Books and Videos for Students

Described and Captioned Media Program
Has over 8,000 accessible videos and other media resources that are captioned and described. Free to educators and families on behalf of a student.
ASL Storytelling Library
Provided by the Educational Resource Center on Deafness in Texas.