DeafBlind Impact Statements for High-Quality PLAAFPs

Workshop description

Too often, IEPs continue to separate deaf/hard of hearing and blind/visually impaired information on IEPs for DeafBlind students. This session will briefly touch on the multiplicative impact of combined hearing and vision loss (deafblindness) to provide participants with a basic understanding. The session will focus on the components of DeafBlind impact statements and their importance and value for all IEP team members. Collaborative team strategies will be discussed. Examples and writing structure will be provided of DeafBlind impact statements. Case studies of both a student with multiple disabilities and another who has typical language skills and is mainstreamed will be provided to apply new knowledge about writing impact statements.

Presented by Ann Mayes.

Ann Mayes

Ann Mayes has been working in the field of deaf education for over 35 years. She was a teacher of deaf/hard of hearing in a variety of settings including self-contained classrooms, a charter school, and as an itinerant teacher for 30 years. During her time as a teacher, she also taught a range of students with deafblindness, deaf and hard of hearing students with developmental cognitive disabilities, emotional behavioral disorders and autism. She supported interveners, educational ASL interpreters, and was a lead teacher/mentor. Ann was also a cooperating teacher for several student teachers of deaf/hard of hearing. In the field of deafblindness, Ann is currently the statewide DeafBlind specialist with the MN Low Incidence Projects and the education specialist for the MN DeafBlind Project. She also is the program coordinator for the Minnesota Mentor Program and facilitates professional development for Region 11 (Twin Cities metro) educational ASL interpreters. Ann has a passion for assessing students to determine their primary disability and tailoring individualized programs to meet their accessibility, language and social needs. She is a strong believer in communication, ambassadorship, and collaboration in the interests of deaf/hard of hearing and deafblind children. When she's not working, she is a proud grandmother of two granddaughters. She's also an avid indoor gardener and knitter.