Greetings!

We have arrived at the holiday season.  But before the winter break, we have some news that you need to know.  First, there have been changes to the Model Communication Plan.  Also, while we get a little break over the holidays, our travel and events pick up again right after the New Year.  You can see what is already scheduled.  We have also included a few things for you to think about for both staff and for parents.  Enjoy.

Take care,

Mark, Diana, Carmelina, Brian, Mandy, Laura, and Katherine


Communication Plan - Changes Effective January 1, 2015   

Updates and Amendments to the Communication Plan for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students were approved by the Board on November 18th, 2014. The rule (6A-6.03028) was open to feedback from anyone across the state of Florida who had thoughts or suggestions for revisions, changes or additions.  The effective date of the new Communication Plan is January 1st, 2015.

 

      



IEPs and Communication With Parents 

  

The following article is one that I wrote about 8 years ago.  The issues it deals with are ones that continue to raise their heads.  With the inclusion of the Communication Plan to the IEPs for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, I think the suggestions included in the article are even more appropriate.  I think the timing of reprinting it is appropriate....

   

The IEP season is rapidly approaching, and we regularly get calls from both district staff and from parents with concerns about IEPs and how to deal with issues that come up related to them.  Parental involvement and communication is always a big topic of these conversations.  So here is something to think about:

 

If you want to reduce stress both for yourself and for your parents, taking time in advance of the IEP meeting to begin talking with the parents about the IEP can help to reduce conflict and stress, as well as to develop a sense of involvement and cooperation on the part of the parents.  We all would like for everyone to be on the same page when they walk into the IEP meeting.  Having informal conversations with parents about their child's needs well in advance of the meeting can often help to encourage more involvement and allow for discussions and an exchange of ideas outside of the IEP meeting itself. 

 

 

To read more, click here! 

 



Bills to require State of Florida Licensure for all interpreters working with individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf blind will be introduced in the 2015 Legislative Session.  All information is still in the DRAFT stage.

 

It is important that you keep up with what might be required of those who are currently employed in Florida schools (and in the community).

 

The Chairperson of the Legislative committee, Terri Schisler,  has posted the most recent DRAFT documents on the FRID website.  She also posted her PowerPoint presentation from the recent session at the FRID Conference, October 2104.   http://www.fridcentral.com/Bill 

 

 

 


"Once More Into the Breach, Dear Friends"  

'Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, for wise men say it is the wisest course.'

-      William Shakespeare

 

'We have forty million reasons for failure, but not a single excuse.'

                                                                       -      Rudyard Kipling

 

'Honor and shame from no condition rise. Act well your part: there all the honor lies.' 

-       Alexander Pope

 

The title of this article is from Shakespeare's Henry V, as Henry speaks to his men to continue to try and take the walled city of Harfleur.  I chose it because it speaks to a mindset that all families of children with special needs must have. The quotes below the title also are ones that speak to perseverance and the need to keep trying.  It is the mindset to continue to try and try again to succeed.  It is also the mindset that as parents and teachers, we need to instill in our children with special needs.

 

To read more, click here!

 


Upcoming Events and Team Activities

December 16 -NDA Trans Meeting

Flagler

 

December 17 -D/HH & B/VI Training

Tallahassee

 

December 17 - District Support

Osceola

 

January 6 - Webinar - Letting Go

 

January 7 - District Support

Duval

 

January 8 - District Support

Putnam

 

January 8 - TA Live!

Webinar

 

January 12 to 16 - District Support

Hendry

 

 

To read more, click here! 

 


Contact Us
  

Carmelina
Project Coordinator
904-827-2660


Mark Keith
Training Coordinator for Parents
904-827-2731
Diana Deacon
Vision Education Specialist and Orientation & Mobility Specialist
                904-827-2903
Laura Mcdonald
RMTC Distribution Coordinator
904-827-2663
Brian Newton
Technology Training Specialist - DHH
904-827-2683
Mandy Longo
Speech-Language Pathologist

Katherine Robinson
Language & Technology Consultant


Resource Materials and Technology Center/Outreach Services for the Blind/Visually Impaired and Deaf/Hard of Hearing | 800-356-6731 | [email protected] | http://rmtcosbd.org
207 N. San Marco Avenue
Saint Augustine, FL 32084