Illinois School for the Deaf Outreach Program
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Click on title to see a description of each training module.
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APPROVAL STANDARDS FOR EDUCATIONAL INTERPRETERS
This training discusses the Illinois State Board of Education approval standards for educational interpreters which became effective in 2005. These standards apply to anyone who facilitates communication in the educational setting for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. This includes educational interpreters, teachers’ aides, and teachers who regularly interpret for students in general education classes. Click here for training request form
A LITTLE HEARING LOSS IS A BIG THING: IMPACT OF HEARING LOSS
This training addresses the impact of hearing loss (including a unilateral loss) on the language, communication, social and emotional development of children. Other issues discussed include identifying a hearing loss, choosing a method of communication for the child and family, deciding on the use of hearing aids or cochlear implants, and needed services for children recently diagnosed with a hearing loss. This is a foundation course and will provide a basis for further courses in the ISD Outreach Program curriculum. Click here for training request form
READING AUDIOGRAMS
Audiograms are a useful tool, IF one knows how to read them. In this presentation, participants will learn how to read an audiogram, how hearing tests are given, and what information can be gleaned from an audiogram. Click here for training request form
CLASSROOM ACOUSTICS
Students who have a hearing loss are already at a disadvantage when receiving auditory information. The average classroom has a significant level of background noise that makes listening even more difficult. Participants will learn some steps that can be taken to improve the listening environment, which will improve the learning environment for ALL students in the classroom. Click here for training request form
CLASSIFIERS IN SIGN LANGUAGE
Many people who learn ASL as a second language struggle with expanding their skills in facial/body expressions, fingerspelling and classifier skills. Participants involved in this hands-on workshop will practice improving their signing skills by focusing on classifiers. Depending on the skill level and experience of the audience, participants will work on describing different pictures, English sentences, and stories using ASL classifiers. Click here for training request form
COCHLEAR IMPLANTS
This presentation includes basic medical information including how a cochlear implant works, the different kinds of cochlear implants, who may be a candidate for cochlear implantation, the surgical procedure, expectations, and the need for extended support for children who have cochlear implants. Information on the cochlear implant debate and the Deaf culture’s perspective is addressed. Also included is an extensive list of pro’s and con’s related to cochlear implant issues.Click here for training request form
DEAF CULTURE
The goal of this module is to inform the audience about different aspects of Deaf culture and how it relates to an educational setting. A brief overview of what defines a cultural group and why culture is important is presented. Deaf history and philosophy as well as practical information on how to communicate with individuals who are Deaf will also be addressed. Being aware of these diverse issues will help provide a bias-free learning environment.Click here for training request form
EDUCATIONAL INTERPRETER PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT (EIPA)
Effective July, 2005, educational interpreters in Illinois must meet ISBE approval standards. (Educational interpreters includes anyone who facilitates communication in the educational setting for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, i.e. educational interpreters currently working in the schools, teacher aides, and teachers who regularly interpret for students in general education classes) Educational interpreters who are not RID certified or have a passing level on the ACCI are required to pass the EIPA with a score of 3.0 or higher. This presentation will discuss the Illinois State Board of Education approval categories and requirements, components of the EIPA, rating tools, and the EIPA written test. Click here for training request form
EDUCATIONAL PLACEMENT OPTIONS
This training includes information on different placement options for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Considerations for meeting the child’s needs are discussed and information on regulations and the IEP process is included. Other topics briefly described include communication modes, assessment considerations and various levels of hearing loss, technological devices, parental involvement, and curricular programs. Click here for training request form
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION TOOLS FOR PARENTS AND PROFESSIONALS
Few parents are equipped with the knowledge needed to advocate for their children who are born with special needs. Professionals often find themselves at a loss when dealing with these parents. This module can be geared toward parents and/or professionals, and discusses the importance of understanding the educational process, parents’ goals as the driving force behind all decisions, and effective participation in the IEP Team. Strategies will be shared to avoid conflict, manage challenges, reduce stress, and avoid emotional break-downs while working towards an appropriate, individualized educational plan.Click here for training request form
EXPRESSIVE SIGNING SKILLS
This presentation is designed to assist teachers, interpreters, parents and support staff with improving expressive sign language skills. The training discusses the structure types in American Sign Language, including, non-manual markers, classifiers, indexing, and time indicators. Participants view experienced signers demonstrating structure types and are given time to practice during the session.Click here for training request form
FINGERSPELLING AND NUMBERING
Fingerspelling is something a lot of teachers, parents and interpreters would like to avoid, yet should not. Fingerspelling is the window to a child's access to new words and helps develop/improve reading skills. Numbering is more than just signing "1, 2, 3." A number can be signed differently depending on how it is used in a context. This activity-oriented workshop is designed to introduce interpreters to the techniques of fingerspelling and numbering in different contexts. It is also designed with the emphasis on how to incorporate fingerspelled words and numbers with classifiers. Click here for training request form
FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF STUDENTS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING
This training will provide information on the different options for assessment of students who are deaf or hard of hearing. It will provide participants with information on why assessment is so important, the different kinds of assessment-formal and informal, what the teacher should know before choosing an assessment, and specific tests used to assess the reading and writing of students who are deaf or hard of hearing. This module is not intended to address state required assessments such as the ISAT, SAT, etc. Click here for training request form
GRIEVING THE LOSS OF THE PERFECT CHILD
When a child has a disability, parents are faced with many challenges, not the least of which is coming to terms with their grief and moving towards acceptance. This module was developed by the parent of two children who are deaf and discusses the challenges parents face, offers information about parents' emotional experiences, encourages parents to acknowledge their feelings and gives them encouragement/permission to grieve. The presentation provides professionals with a heightened sensitivity toward the parents' experiences and offers suggestions for helping them process their emotions. It can be tailored to address the concerns of the parents and/or the professionals. Click here for training request form
GROWING UP DEAF/RAISING DEAF CHILDREN
This presentation offers two different perspectives; one of a deaf child growing up with oral deaf parents and sister and one of a hearing parent raising two deaf children. The presenters emphasize the importance of family involvement in education and social development. They share stories about their challenges, struggles, and frustrations as well as their accomplishments and triumphs. Click here for training request form
IDIOMS AND WORDS WITH MULTIPLE MEANINGS
The English language contains many idioms, figures of speech, oxymorons and words with multiple meanings. Signing these words and phrases while remaining conceptually accurate can be a challenge. This training will emphasize the importance of determining what the words or phrases mean within the context of the sentence or conversation in order to convey the message. Participants will have the opportunity to review and practice common idioms, oxymorons and figures of speech.Click here for training request form
LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
This module is intended to help new general education and deaf education teachers, college students, educational interpreters, teacher aides and parents understand the causes of language delay due to hearing loss, and to become aware of some techniques for improving language learning. It includes a variety of strategies for teaching language through reading and offers the opportunity to develop specific strategies to enhance language learning. Click here for training request form
LISTEN UP! AUDITORY TRAINING IN THE CLASSROOM
This presentation discusses the tasks that students must perform within the realm of auditory training. Information presented will focus on the rationale behind doing these tasks. Training ideas and resources will be provided and participants will have the opportunity for role playing and practicing these techniques. Click here for training request form
MEMBERSHIP NOT VISITORSHIP:INCLUSION
This training is designed to address various concerns regarding the inclusion of students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Ways to adapt the environment, remove/reduce barriers, promote inclusion, and critical supports and resources related to inclusion, legal considerations and parent participation are discussed. Click here for training request form
PHONEMIC AWARENESS
This workshop explores the importance of phonological awareness for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Specific components of phonemic awareness are defined and activities are presented to develop skills for each of these components. Information will be shared to link the development of phonological awareness skills and the development of reading skills. Meeting state standards will also be discussed. Click here for training request form
PARENT-PROFESSIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
With this training, parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing and the professionals who are involved in their lives will develop clear expectations toward one another in the office, at IEP meetings, tri-annual meetings, transition meetings, and in the classroom. Other topics covered include how to develop positive working relationships between parents and professionals in order to make good decisions, encourage collaboration, and create an environment based on the child’s needs for the benefit of the child at home, school and in the workplace. Click here for training request form
READING/WRITING FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING
Because a little hearing loss is a big deal, learning to read/write is a special challenge to children who are deaf or hard of hearing. This module addresses the inherent problems encountered and explores ways of getting children to connect to print. Suggestions will be given on strategies to encourage reading/writing and to provide ideas for creating a more comfortable environment for children to learn to read/write. Other tips and techniques are offered, spanning the ages of preschool through high school children, for maximizing the reading/writing experience during instruction and for pleasure. (Training can be adapted to address a specific age range.) Click here for training request form
RECEPTIVE SIGN LANGUAGE SKILLS
This presentation is designed to assist teachers, interpreters, parents and support staff with improving receptive fingerspelling and classifier skills. Activities for improving comprehension of the signed message and opportunities to practice will be provided.Click here for training request form
ROLE OF THE EDUCATIONAL INTERPRETER
Working with an educational interpreter is a new experience for most teachers, coaches, therapists, and support personnel. The issues addressed include the role of the educational interpreter, knowledge expectations for educational interpreters, the decision about which sign language system to use, the responsibilities of the school personnel, educational interpreter and student, and how the educational interpreter fits in as part of the educational team. Click here for training request form
SIMULATION OF USING AN EDUCATIONAL INTEPRETER
Learning through the use of an educational interpreter is a difficult task, even for the brightest students. This training module gives participants an insight into the experience of using an educational interpreter, and is recommended for administrators, general education teachers, parents, and even educational interpreters themselves.Click here for training request form
SOCIALIZATION
The development of social skills and their effect on successful socialization are discussed as well as facts and questions to be taken into consideration when determining the need for socialization and social skills training. Suggestions for standardized social skills testing and curriculum for social skills training are given. Thoughts for achieving social inclusion in a variety of settings are offered including community activities, school activities, peer groups, recreation opportunities, etc. The value of a mentor or role model who is deaf or hard of hearing is discussed. Click here for training request form
STORYSIGNING
This module was developed to give teachers and parents the opportunity to develop/improve signing skills as related to telling stories. Discussion will include the challenges faced when reading stories to children who are deaf or hard of hearing and the factors to take into consideration when telling a story. The presenter will sign stories and give participants the opportunity to practice story telling. Click here for training request form
STORYSIGNING AND WRITING SKILLS
This training focuses on ways to help improve your storysigning skills and how to apply those skills to help your students who are deaf or hard of hearing improve their writing skills.Click here for training request form
SUPPORTING SPEECH AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
This module reviews the causes of speech delay due to hearing loss, and includes information regarding the development of speech. Included in this training are suggested activities for the enhancement of speech production. It also provides techniques and strategies for enhancing speechreading skills. Click here for training request form
SURVIVAL SIGNS AND GESTURES
This training assists parents, professionals and support staff who are new to the world of communicating with children with hearing loss learn survival signs commonly used in the classroom. The presenters bring a CD that demonstrates various adults and children signing. The participants are shown different signs and given time to practice expressing and reading the signs. The participants are given a free copy of the CD to take home or back to school, to use for practice and teaching signs. Click here for training request form
TEACHING STUDENTS WHO ARE HARD OF HEARING
Students who have a hearing loss and use the auditory channel for obtaining information face special challenges. These students are often mislabeled or fall through the cracks. The teachers working with these students face special challenges as well. This module discusses these issues and offers tips for accommodations. Click here for training request form
TEAMING
This training focuses on possible team teaching models, team members and their roles and responsibilities, collaboration, and recommendations for everyone involved in the teaming process. Expectations and concerns are addressed from the point of view of each team member involved with the student who is deaf or hard of hearing. The necessity for parent involvement for students with hearing loss is stressed. Click here for training request form
TRANSITION SCHOOL TO COMMUNITY
This training assists parents and professionals understand transition planning in the educational process. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the laws relating to transition planning and the major components of a strong transition program. Click here for training request form
TRANSLITERATING
What is Transliteration? Many educational interpreters use transliteration. It is the task of taking spoken English and putting it into a form of visual English. It is also voicing for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing who communicate using a more English-based system. Click here for training request form
TROUBLESHOOTING EQUIPMENT
This presentation will offer techniques for troubleshooting hearing aids, FM systems and cochlear implants. Participants will receive resources specific to certain brands as well as general resources. Click here for training request form
VOICING FOR CHILDREN
This workshop will concentrate on the clients educational interpreters really serve: the children. How does voicing for children differ from voicing for adults? In this module we will focus on register, children and adolescent signing styles, message cues and miscues, and strategies for developing stronger sign to voice skills when working with children. Click here for training request form
WORKING WITH STUDENTS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING AND HAVE ADDITIONAL DISABILITIES
An estimated 20%-40% of all deaf or hard of hearing children have a secondary disabling condition. Because most teachers have not been trained to work with these students, they can present a special challenge. This presentation will address the needs of students who are multiply handicapped and deaf or hard of hearing in the classroom setting. The presenters will share tips and activities for teachers that can be used to enhance learning. (This module is intended for new teachers, regular education teachers, college students, interpreters and teacher aides). Click here for training request form
CONSULTATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Outreach consultants are available by phone or on-site to consult with school personnel and parents regarding the needs of students with hearing loss. Suggestions, ideas, and tips for accommodations and teaching strategies which will support the student with hearing loss, are shared by experienced professionals.Click here for training request form
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