DESCRIBER: A title: ÒLiam: Teaming.Ó
SANDY: My son Liam is in first grade in a general education classroomÑI am a strong believer in inclusion. ItÕs been a journey getting us to this point, but this year has been really great. Having a kiddo that is deaf-blind in an inclusive setting does take a lot of creativity and a lot of work to make sure things are accessible and to make sure things are modified for him, that he is included in a way that makes sense, is meaningful. AndÉthat just makes sense for him. And so we work togetherÑhis team and IÑthey include me and treat me as if IÕm an important member of their team, and we meet together monthly to see how things are going, see what we need. Everybody does their part. Everybody on the team has something that they focus on to modify for himÉto modify and adapt materials for different parts. So I do something; his TVI might do something; his intervener.
TVI: IÕm a teacher for visually impaired, an orientation and mobility specialist. Generally weÕre teaching braille, weÕre teaching cane travel, weÕre teaching technology. Communication with the teamÑyouÕre always trying to be able to teach others what you know about teaching so that we can provide a consistent and, you know, very good routines for program. The other thingÑcommunication with parentsÑI think as teachers itÕs often our fault if parents are a thorn in our sides because that means weÕre not giving them what they want. And so, you know, you really want to communicateÑwhether it be in the parking lot, whether it be in the school, whether it be email, telephone, whatever. You just want to communicate a lot with parents, and then they become your allies and your strongest supporters.
SANDY: We work really well together, thankfully, and it has to be that way. I donÕt know how it could be successful without the help. And without the teamwork.
DESCRIBER: At school, Liam and one of his teachers work with a tactile 100-square grid and brailled tiles. The teacher hands Liam a tile. Liam feels it and signs ÒEleven.Ó The teacher signs ÒYes.Ó Liam places the tile in the correct square on the grid. He signs ÒI found!Ó The teacher signs ÒYou found, yes!Ó