Interveners are professionals who have received specialized training to work with people who are deafblind. An intervener helps the person with deafblindess gain access to environmental information, facilitates communication, as well as promoting social and emotional development. An intervener may be part of your son’s or daughter’s education team.
Documents
A Family’s Guide to Interveners – this PDF book will help you to fully understand the role of the intervener, the assessment process used to determine the need for an intervener, and how to navigate the IEP process. The book also includes some family stories, including several families who have children with CHARGE.
Open Hands Open Access (OHOA) Intervener Learning Modules – These modules were developed as a national resource that works toward increasing awareness, knowledge, and skills related to intervention for students who are deaf-blind and are being served in educational settings (ages 3 through 21).
NCDB Intervener Library Listing – The National Center on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB) is a technical assistance center funded by the US Department of Education. This is the library search page on the topic of interveners, which contains a variety of videos, webinars, and information documents relating to intervention.
National Intervener Certification E-Portfolio (NICE) – Downloadable brochure available on the National Intervener Certification E-portfolio (NICE) System, which is an assessment process where interveners may submit evidence of their knowledge and skills to be evaluated by expert reviewers in the field of deaf-blindness.
Presentations and Handouts on Interveners from CHARGE Syndrome Foundation Conferences:
National Credentialing for Interveners through the National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals – Linda Alsop
Online Training Program in Deafblindness – Linda Alsop
Family Experiences With Intervener Services – Jay Gense
Making it Happen: Intervener Services for Students Who Are Deaf-Blind – Linda Alsop, Beth Kennedy, and Parent Panel
Open-Hands, Open Access, Deaf-Blind Intervener Learning Modules: Using A National Resource to Meet State Specific Training Needs – Nancy Steele, Michelle Clyne, Jody Wolfe, Amy T. Parker
Recommendations for Improving Intervener Services – Jay Gense, Amy Parker
Webinars
The Ask the Expert Intervener Series (Click on each title to view):
Part One: Deafblindness and its Impact on Learning: Key Resources for Families and Educational Teams
Does your IEP team understand what your child who is deafblind may need as a result of their combined vision and hearing impacts? This webinar discusses an overview of deafblindness, its impact on learning, and share resources that will help you and your IEP team plan better educational programs for your child. Family perspectives are also shared, for all to gain insight from their journey!
Part Two: Educational Accommodations and Modifications: Improving Your Child’s Routines
A continued discussion around educational planning using resources presented in session one for children with deafblindness, including those children with more complex needs. Accommodations and modifications that can be included in your child’s daily routines and IEP are shared. Family perspectives are also shared, for all to gain insight from their journey!
Part Three: The Nuts and Bolts of Interveners: What, Why, How, and When
What is an intervener? How is an intervener different from a paraeducator? How can an intervener or staff trained in deafblindness help support your child’s learning? Learn about services and supports across the country that can be considered when planning your child’s IEP. Key resources are shared to increase your knowledge about interveners and their role in education now and in the future. Family perspectives are also shared for all to gain insight from their journey!
Ask the Expert: Meet an Intervener
Brenda Bujold is a nationally certified Intervener, the first certified in Michigan, with an education and specialized training in deafblindness, and works one-on-one with a student with CHARGE who is deafblind.
Other Websites
Intervener Deaf-Blind Family Group – A Facebook group for families who are interested in learning more about, getting support for, or sharing information about interveners.
Intervener.org – this website provides information on deafblindness, intervention, credentialing, and national efforts, as well as a variety of other resources.
National Family Association for Deaf-Blind (NFADB) – NFADB is the largest national non-profit organization serving the deafblind community. This page defines the role of the intervener and provides related resources.
CHARGE Factsheet: Intervenors (Sense UK)
What is NICE? (National Intervener Certification E-Portfolio) – The National Intervener Certification E-portfolio (NICE) System is an assessment process that interveners can use to submit evidence of their knowledge and skills.
