We are excited that the school year has started. Hopefully, you and your child have had a wonderful new beginning and are establishing a routine for school and learning. There are some great opportunities coming ahead for this school year.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at any time.

Erin Campion

Family Resource Group (FRG) Editor

ecampion@pattan.net

Supporting Success for Children with Hearing Loss has a blog article and several videos that can help highlight deaf awareness for you, your child/family, and your school!.

The Ultimate Back-To-School Guide for
Families of Kids With Disabilities

The excitement of a new school year is in the air! For parents of kids with disabilities, this time brings unique challenges and opportunities—but we know that proper preparation can make all the difference in a child's growth and success.

Read our blog for some practical tips to help you and your child start the school year off right and carry that momentum throughout the year.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education is pleased to announce the following opportunity:

PaTTAN Technology Adventure For Students with Vision & Hearing Needs

Dates/Locations:

PaTTAN West: September 25, 2024
PaTTAN East: October 22, 2024
PaTTAN Central: October 23, 2024

Time: 9:00AM - 3:45pm

Join us for the PaTTAN Technology Adventure for Students with Vision & Hearing Needs -- connecting students, families, education professionals and assistive technology (AT) representatives at your local PaTTAN office. No need to travel!

Are you wondering how to find and pay for assistive technology before and after graduation? Come explore new technology and chat with vendors, learn about new trends, and ask any questions you may have. Try out the latest assistive technology and find what works best for each student.

Join our "Q&A" sessions to get the answers to your questions about assistive technology and secondary transition; participate in round table discussions with local transition professionals so you can learn about the supports available for students after graduation, including assistive technology. Don't miss this chance to embark on this adventure, grow your skills, learn, and explore together right in your own community. See you there!

Payment: There is no cost for this course.
Registration Information:
You may register online by clicking on the name of the event on the Training Events Calendar at: https://www.pattan.net/events/

For questions regarding registration or accommodations, please contact, Paula Quinn at pquinn@pattan.net

Sibshop Facilitator Certification.

October 18, 2024 (9:00 am – 3:30 pm) October 19, 2024 (9:00 am – 3:00 pm) (8:30 sign in )

The primary goal is to train new Sibshop facilitators and administrators—adult sibs, service providers, parents and others who want to learn how to run a local Sibshop. During the Sibshop training, participants will explore sibs’ life-long concerns, learn how to organize a local Sibshop, and experience what Sibshops are all about as they join presenters and local young siblings for a Demonstration Sibshop. Upon completion of the training, participants are considered “first-generation” Sibshop trainees and may provide and facilitate their own Sibshop.

Registration for this training closes October 11, 2024

There is no fee for this training.

CONTENT QUESTIONS: Kim Jenkins, 610-878-7206, kjenkins@pattan.net

REGISTRATION QUESTIONS: Kim Clemens, 610-878-7210, kclemens@pattan.net

Bring them on Saturday October 19th from 10am -12 pm to the Sib Shops session. Registration is required. Contact Kim Clemens for more information: 610-878-7210, kclemens@pattan.net

We are pleased to announce that Ms. Ashley Smith, Program Manager for the Office for Dispute Resolution (ODR) will be presenting virtually at our Monday, October 7 parent and family meeting. She will provide an overview of the services from ODR, including information on the Special Education ConsultLine, Individualized Education Program/Individualized Family Service Plan facilitation, mediation, and due process hearings. She will also be available to answer questions immediately following her presentation. To register for this family/parent meeting scheduled for Monday, October 7, 2024 from 7:00 - 8:00 pm, please contact contact Vicki Donne at donne@rmu.edu or Deanna Hiltz at hiltzd@rmu.edu, or by registering at ODR Google Registration.Upon registration, registrants will be sent a Google Meets calendar invitation.

Families of deaf and hard of hearing children attend meetings—Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, 504 meetings, and other types of meetings. What are these meetings about? How can you be the best advocate for your child? The Parent Advocacy helps you to understand your child’s rights and to prepare you to work with the school in the best interest of your child.

This guide for families of children receiving special education in Pennsylvania outlines how a child's need for special education is determined, how a child's educational program is developed, the responsibilities and protections guaranteed to caregivers and children, and the resources available to families of a child with disabilities.

Please note: This publication has had a title change. This was previously known as Pennsylvania Parent Guide to Special Education for School-Age Children.

NCDB’s article “Resources to Support Identification and Referral of Children Who Are Deafblind” has been published in the back-to-school issue of Exceptional Parent. Highlighted are a number of resources that families can use for their own information as well as to share with their child’s service providers and schools. Please share the article with families and educators in your state.

Fresh off the press!

The latest Disability Services report is now available, providing important insights to help you support deaf students as you prepare for the fall semester. As you review the report, be sure to explore our resources and online learning modules tailored to enhancing accessibility and inclusivity for deaf students.

Equip yourself with the tools you need ensuring a supportive environment for all students this semester! help@nationaldeafcenter.org