You are here:Home > Resources > Parent/Family Guide

Parent and Family Resource Guide

General / Comprehensive Resources

• Minnesota DeafBlind Technical Assistance Project
  4001 Stinson Blvd NE, Suite 210
  Minneapolis, MN 55421
  (612) 638-1525 Voice
  (612) 706-0808 TTY
  1-800-848-4905 Voice
  (612) 706-0811 Fax
  Email Sally Prouty: mndb@skypoint.com
  Internet: http://www.dbproject.mn.org
  Services for Children and Youth: Advocacy/Support, Training of Families, Info and Referral, Training of Professionals, Serve deafblind children with additional disabilities. Children Linking Families program provides "family workshops, an annual family weekend, support groups and electronic networking of families throughout Minnesota."
  Notes: Also serves deafblind children/youth who have cognitive and/or physical disabilities; statewide services.
• DHHS Family Services
  Internet: http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/ECS/dhhs/families.htm
  Description: "For families with deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing children, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) offers services designed to meet the unique needs of parents and guardians in need of support, resources and information. Whether the topic is education, communication, or technology, DHHS staff are available to discuss options for parents and family members so that they can best support the needs of their child."
• Project SPARKLE: Supporting Parent Access to Resources, Knowledge, Linkages, and Education
  Internet: http://www.sparkle.usu.edu
  Toll-Free: 1-888-800-1487
  Description: "a new model of individualized learning that will enhance the ability of parents of children who are deafblind to fulfill their critical and expanded role in the development and education of their children. Many parents of children who are deafblind currently access information and training through workshops, conferences, and parent retreats. Through Project SPARKLE, parents will have access to information, training, and resources in their homes via the Internet. Project SPARKLE is funded as a model demonstration grant and is currently working with about 60 families in the states of Georgia, Minnesota, Texas, and Utah."
• Information on Deafblindness
  Internet: http://www.aidb.state.al.us/aidb/deafblind-info.asp
  Description: a good overview of deafblindness in children, from Alabama's Helen Keller School.
• Fact Sheets from DB-LINK, The National Information Clearinghouse on Children who are Deaf-Blind.
  Internet: http://www.tr.wou.edu/dblink/products.htm
  Description: Topics include Communication, Child Development, Interaction, Orientation and Mobility (O&M), Internet Resources, Literacy, Psychological Evaluation, Recreation and Leisure, Sexuality Education, and more.
• Articles on Parenting Issues and DeafBlind children
  Internet: http://www.tsbvi.edu/Outreach/seehear/archive/index.htm#Parenting
  Description: Archived articles related to raising a DeafBlind child. From SEE/HEAR, "a quarterly newsletter for families and professionals on visual impairments and deafblindness."
• reSources - newsletter of California Deaf-Blind Services
  Internet: http://www.sfsu.edu/~cadbs/News.html
  Description: Each quarterly issue has a different theme, such as communication, family support, transition, assessment, employment, sexuality, education, or living options. Available online in PDF format or by mail from California Deaf-Blind Services - call 1-800-822-7884 Voice/TTY for subscription info.
• Parent's Perspectives on Communication, Behavior, and Instructional Strategies
  Internet: http://www.tr.wou.edu/ntac/parent98.htm
  Description: 80 parents of DeafBlind children composed "a list of the most important practices to parents in the areas of behavioral issues, communication and instructional strategies in the education of their child who is deaf-blind."
• Through the Looking Glass
  Internet: http://www.lookingglass.org/
  Description: Find support and information for your family, and envision your disabled child leading his or her own family one day. "Through the Looking Glass (TLG) is a nationally recognized center that has pioneered research, training, and services for families in which a child, parent or grandparent has a disability or medical issue. TLG is a disability community based nonprofit organization, which emerged from the independent living movement, and was founded in 1982 in Berkeley, California. Our mission is to create, demonstrate and encourage non-pathological and empowering resources and model early intervention services for families with disability issues in parent or child which integrate expertise derived from personal disability experience and disability culture."
• Hadley School for the Blind - Correspondence Courses
  700 Elm Street
  Winnetka, IL 60093-2554 USA
  Toll-Free: 1-800-323-4238 Voice
  (847) 446-0855 Fax
  E-mail: Info@Hadley-School.org
  Internet: http://www.hadley-school.org
  Description: "Hadley has a course for you if you are a blind adult (14+ years of age), a parent or grandparent of a blind child, a family member of an adult who is blind, or a (para)professional in the blindness field. The Hadley School for the Blind offers more than 90 distance education courses to eligible students completely free of charge." Current course listing, and is also available by mail in alternate formats. See especially the Family Education Program courses on parenting, early childhood, Braille for family members, and more. Designed to focus blind and visually impaired people, but many of the courses can be helpful to DeafBlind people and their families.
• Minnesota State Resources List
  Internet: http://www.nichcy.org/stateshe/mn.htm
  Description: List of Minnesota resources for adults and children with all types of disabilities, compiled by the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
• Sign Language Associates, Inc. (SLA)
  8630 Fenton Street, Suite 406
  Silver Spring, MD 20910
  (301) 588-3021 Fax
  (301) 588-7591 Voice
  Internet: http://www.signlanguage.com
  Description: An interpreter referral service. Offers a "Manual for Parents of Deaf-Blind Children," but is not currently online. Contact SLA for further information.
• V. I. Guide
  Internet: http://www.viguide.com
  Description: "A guide to internet resources about visual impairments, for parents and teachers."
• Minnesota Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division - Services and Resources for Consumers
  Internet: http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/ECS/dhhs/consumer.htm
  Description: "Whether you are culturally deaf, oral deaf, late deafened, hard of hearing, deafblind, or a friend, coworker, or family member of a person with hearing loss, you’ve come to the right place. Here you can find information about services designed to meet your needs. Learn about assistive technology, sign language interpreters, your legal rights, and more."
• Letter of Intent: A Way to Communicate Your Wishes into the Future
  Internet: http://www.tsbvi.edu/Outreach/seehear/archive/intent.htm
  Description: "Every parent's concern: What will happen to my child if I am not able to care for him?… A Letter of Intent is a document that you prepare to help the guardians, trustees and the courts interpret your hopes and desires for your child."
• Children's Books About Disabilities
  Internet: http://ericec.org/fact/kidbooks.html
  Description: Grouped by age group/grade level, these books help siblings and classmates understand what it is like to live with a disability.

Back to Top of Page.

Diagnosis / Identification of Dual Sensory Impairment

• See also What are the Causes of DeafBlindness? on our FAQ page.
• Newly diagnosed young person in your family? Contact the Minnesota DeafBlind Technical Assistance Project
  4001 Stinson Blvd NE, Suite 210
  Minneapolis, MN 55421
  (612) 638-1525 Voice
  (612) 706-0808 TTY
  1-800-848-4905 Voice
  (612) 706-0811 Fax
  Email Sally Prouty: mndb@skypoint.com
  Internet: http://www.dbproject.mn.org
• Psychological Evaluation of Children who are Deaf-Blind: An Overview with Recommendations for Practice
  Internet: http://www.tr.wou.edu/dblink/eval.htm
  Description: "answers to frequently asked questions about psychological evaluations for infants, children and adults who are deaf-blind, … evaluation process and the active roles that may be taken by everyone who is involved—family members, professionals, educators, and the student … quality indicators and desired outcomes, ...ways to view and use the evaluation process so it will benefit the student to the greatest degree possible."
• Assessment Resources for Vision and Hearing
  Internet: http://www.tsbvi.edu/Education/dbassments.htm
  Description: "a variety of assessment tools which we hope will help parents and educational staff gather functional information that may then be shared with these doctors to aid them in making a definitive determination of hearing or vision loss. These materials include those which will: guide observations and organize that information to share with medical staff; expand the range of questions to explore with the professionals to get good testing results; and help prepare the student for more formal testing procedures. Additionally, we have included materials which will aid the educational staff in determining modifications to improve programming for the child in the classroom."
• Sight & Hearing Association
  Internet: http://www.sightandhearing.org
  Description: "nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing the needless loss of vision and hearing through effective screening, education, and research. This site provides public information about vision and hearing topics as well as information regarding our products and services."
• Minnesota Newborn Hearing Screening (NHS) Program
  Internet: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/mch/unhs/index.html
  Description: "Offers low-cost, reliable and valid early identification of deaf and hard of hearing children [shortly after birth]. Tracks hearing screening, evaluation, and intervention for children 0 to 5 years old with hearing loss, integrating with mandated Newborn Metabolic Screening (NMS) data system and MDH Infant Follow Along Program (FAP) for children and families in need of services."
• Hearing Loss Simulator
  Internet: http://www.sphr.pdx.edu/projects/hearingsimulator/index.htm
  Description: Provides a way for hearing parents to get a general idea of what the world may sound like to their child, based on his or her audiogram pattern. Please note auditory perception varies across individuals; two people with the same audiogram on paper may experience sound differently.
• Deaf/Hard of Hearing Terms and Definitions
  Internet: http://www.handsandvoices.org/resource_guide/19_definitions.html
  Description: "some terms and their definitions that you may come across as you learn about deaf and hard of hearing issues."
• Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities
  Internet: http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/Contcare/infprog.htm
  Description: "an interagency, family-centered program for infants and toddlers with disabilities, ages birth to three, and their families… Helps to keep children with disabilities with their families instead of in institutions, and provides supports necessary to keep families together and to increase the child's potential for living independently in later years. An interagency team, including the family and providers, develops an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), which is the heart of early childhood intervention."
• Children's Services
  Internet: http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/childint/default.htm
  Description: "We oversee adolescent services, adoption, child protection, children’s mental health, foster care, Indian Child Welfare and other child welfare services in Minnesota."
• CHARGE Syndrome - Information and Contacts
  Internet: http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/gweir/charge.html
  Description: This site was created by the parents of a child with CHARGE Syndrome in Canada. Includes basic definitions, links, and a page all about their daughter.

Back to Top of Page.

Child Development

• See also How do DeafBlind people get around? and The Importance of Orientation And Mobility Skills For Students Who Are Deaf-Blind
• Talking the Language of the Hands to the Hands
  Internet: http://www.tr.wou.edu/dblink/hands.htm
  Description: "It is important to understand what role the hands play in typical development, and in the development of children who are blind and children who are deaf. This understanding will help educators, parents, and friends interact as skillfully as possible to facilitate the development of the hands of the person who is deafblind." Also available in Spanish and in German.
• National Transition Follow-Up Study of Youth Identified as Deafblind: Parent Perspectives
  Internet: http://www.tr.wou.edu/ntac/transition.htm
  Description: "the first research initiative to thoroughly explore the post-school life of youth who are deaf-blind… regarding communication, sensory status, mobility, health, and problem behaviors, ...secondary school experiences, especially regarding services and supports, work experience, and transition planning… "
• John Tracy Clinic Correspondence Learning Program for Parents of Young Deaf-Blind Children
  Internet: http://www.jtc.org/family_services/correspondence/SpecialPapers/DBInfo.htm
  Main page: http://www.jtc.org
  Description: "… an individualized program consisting of twelve basic Lessons covering family relationships, information about deaf-blind children and ways of communicating, and a series of Learning Steps in seven areas of development. Through initial information provided by the parent, an individual lesson is assembled to meet the needs of each family. Depending on the ability and age of each child, and the amount of time parents can devote to the lessons, it takes one to two years to complete the program." Also available in Spanish.
• Strategies to promote early eating skills
  Internet: http://internex.net.au/~dba/eating.htm
  Description: "This article provides advice on practical ways to develop effective eating skill in deaf blind children who are functioning at a developmental levels below twelve months."
• Health and Wellness Program - Regions Hospital Psycho/Social Assessment Program for Children and Youth
  640 Jackson Street
  St. Paul, MN 55101-2595
  Toll-free: 1-888-386-4439 voice
  Toll-free: 1-888-677-9787 TTY
  Email: Kristen.L.Swan@HealthPartners.com
  Internet: http://www.regionshospital.com/Regions/Menu/0,1592,4196,00.html
  Description: "A service that provides no cost specialized psychological and social assessments, family assessments and school and family consultation and training to benefit deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing children ages 0 to 21 and their families outside the seven county metro area."
  Note: Part of the Health and Wellness Program Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing People at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN, which serves adults, children, and families in the Twin Cities area.
• Overview of the Van Dijk Approach
  Internet: http://www.tr.wou.edu/dblink/VANDIJK12.htm
  Description: "a developmental inter-relationship exists between the neurological state of the sensory deprived child and the external influences of the child's environment. And it is that inter-relationship that leads the child out of a closed, limited world of interaction to an open, functional world of interaction."
  Note: See also "Dr. J. van Dijk Materials" section at the end of DB-LINK Selected Topics
• Sensory Integrative Dysfunction in Young Children
  Internet: http://www.tsbvi.edu/Outreach/seehear/fall97/sensory.htm
  Description: "Sensory integration… is the ability to take in information through senses (touch, movement, smell, taste, vision, and hearing), to put it together with prior information, memories, and knowledge stored in the brain, and to make a meaningful response… This article will explain ways of addressing sensory integrative problems within the context of family life and the child's normal activities."
• Repetitive Behaviours In Children With Sensory Impairments And Multiple Disabilities
  Internet: http://www.deafblindinternational.org/review/murdoch.htm
  Description: "Many children with sensory impairments and multiple disabilities show repetitive or stereotyped behaviours - for example, rocking, head shaking, mouthing objects or repeating sounds… [This article is about] roles which repetitive behaviours may play in children's development and the ways in which educators interpret and respond to them."

Back to Top of Page.

Language Planning

• Communication Interactions: It Takes Two
  Internet: http://www.tr.wou.edu/dblink/comm.htm
  Description: "What is communication? How can we increase communication? What can you do?" (strategies for communication interaction)
• Early Interactions With Children Who Are Deaf-Blind
  Internet: http://www.tr.wou.edu/dblink/early.htm
  Description: "ways you can interact with your young child, … giving your child consistent sensory cues, … ways you can recognize and then respond to your child's responses, … encourage exploration of the environment … playing simple games that are not only fun but also help develop interaction and communication."
• Tactile, Sequential Communication Strategies
  Internet: http://www.wou.edu/education/sped/nwoc/white.htm
  Description: "working with and playing with and interacting with deaf-blind DD [developmentally delayed] folks who don't necessarily have a formalized language system and some ways to start establishing some concrete communication."
• Project SALUTE - Successful Adaptations for Learning to Use Touch Effectively
  Internet - text version: http://www.projectsalute.net/indextext.html
  Internet - graphics version: http://www.projectsalute.net
  Description: "...addresses the unique learning needs of children who are deaf-blind, who have severe visual impairments, and require a primary tactile mode of learning… The web site includes articles, a bibliography, links to other sites, and information sheets on a number of topics, including Tactile Strategies, Cues, Symbols, Signs, and Working with Spanish-speaking Families."
• Communication at Home and in the Community
  Internet: http://www.tr.wou.edu/ntac/parent99.htm
  Description: "Helpful Strategies & Suggestions From Parents & Families With a Child Who Is Deaf-Blind."
• Expressive Communication Fact Sheet
  Internet: http://www.tr.wou.edu/dblink/express.htm
  Description: Includes information on deafblind child development. From DB-LINK.
• Receptive Communication Fact Sheet
  Internet: http://www.tr.wou.edu/dblink/recept.htm
  Description: "How [deafblind] children understand your messages to them, tips for sending effective messages, communication milestones, design a program for your child."
• Hands & Voices International
  Internet: http://www.handsandvoices.org/
  Description: "a parent driven, non-profit organization dedicated to providing unbiased support to families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing. We provide support activities and information concerning deaf and hard of hearing issues to parents and professionals that may include outreach events, educational seminars, advocacy, lobbying efforts, parent to parent networking, and a newsletter. We strive to connect families with resources and information to make informed decisions around the issues of deafness or hearing loss."
  • Communication Choices
    Internet: http://www.handsandvoices.org/resource_guide/03_com_choices.html
    Description: a concise and unbiased explanation of how to choose a communication method for a child with hearing loss, with brief descriptions of American Sign Language, Auditory-Oral, Auditory-Verbal, Bilingual Education, Cued Speech, Simultaneous Communication, and Total Communication. Site includes extensive lists of books and videos.
• Book: Choices in Deafness: A Parent's Guide to Communication Options, 2nd Ed.
  Publisher: Woodbine House; ISBN 0-933149-85-9; (1996)
  Description: "A useful aid in choosing communication options for a child with deafness or a hearing loss. Experts present: Auditory-Verbal Approach, Bilingual-Bicultural Approach, Cued Speech, Oral Approach, and Total Communication."
• Book: Just Enough to Know Better: A Braille Primer
  Publisher: National Braille Press; ISBN: 0939173158; (June 1988)
  Description: "a self-paced workbook… Using your sight, you will learn to identify the braille alphabet, numbers, contractions, and even a few exceptions to the rule that make braille so interesting. One volume print book, with exercises in braille, includes a braille symbols wall chart and braille flash cards."
• Seedlings Braille Books for Children
  P.O. Box 51924
  Livonia, MI 48151-5924
  (800) 777-8552 Voice
  Email: contact@seedlings.org
  Internet: http://www.seedlings.org
  Description: "a non-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to increasing the opportunity for literacy by providing high quality, low cost braille books for children."
• 101 Ways to Use Braille
  Internet: http://www.nfb.org/bm/bm99/bm990309.htm
• Tack-Tiles® Braille Systems
  Internet: http://www.tack-tiles.com
  Description: "a sophisticated teaching tool for all ages based on LEGO®-type blocks. These Braille blocks provide a unique bridge, a smoother, shorter, more interesting path to Braille literacy."
  Description: Easy, low-tech ways to use braille in your daily life, even if you only know the basic braille alphabet.
• Tips for Effective Communication with a Disabled Person
  Internet: http://www.crk.umn.edu/people/services/DisabilServ/communication.htm
  Description: Clear advice about how to interact with a person who has a visual, hearing, mobility, or cognitive disability.

Back to Top of Page.

Educational Rights and Options

• See also Disability Rights Laws on our Supports Page.
• Minnesota Health Care Programs and Individualized Education Program (IEP) Services
  Internet: http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/hlthcare/IEP/default.htm
  Description: "materials [that] may help school districts with the Minnesota Health Care Programs billing and payment system and communication with parents [because] Minnesota public school districts are required by state law to seek third-party payment for services provided to children who receive special education services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP), Individualized Family Service Program (IFSP), or Individual Interagency Intervention Plan (IIIP)."
• Minnesota Special Education Mediation Service (MNSEMS)
  Internet: http://www.state.mn.us/ebranch/mnsems/
  Description: "provides conflict resolution assistance for students, schools, parents and agencies. Parents and school staff can use a mediation session or a facilitated IEP/IIIP meeting to address issues of concern."
• Resources for Families
  Internet: http://www.nclid.unco.edu/families.html
  Description: Excellent tools and information for parents of children who have low-incidence disabilities (including deafblindness/ sensory impairment). From the National Center on Low-Incidence Disabilities.
  • IDEA/ADA in Plain Language
    Internet: http://www.nclid.unco.edu/ADA.htm
    Description: Annotated links to resources that explain legal rights, especially in educational settings, for people with disabilities.
• ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education (ERIC EC)
  The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
  1110 N. Glebe Rd.
  Arlington, VA 22201-5704
  1-800-328-0272 (Voice/TTY)
  Internet: http://ericec.org/
  Email: ericec@cec.sped.org
  Description: A comprehensive collection of information and resources about special education, disabilities, and gifted children.
  • Guide to Disability Rights Laws
    Internet: http://ericec.org/lawguide.html
    Description: Includes brief summaries and contacts for further information or to file a claim. Parents may wish to gain a firm understanding of special education laws, especially IDEA and the Rehabilitation Act.
• Acronyms Frequently Used in Special/Gifted Education
  Internet: http://ericec.org/fact/acronyms.html
  Description: A long list from ERIC. "This list is not comprehensive; it is intended as a quick reference."
• The Intervener In Early Intervention and Educational Settings For Children and Youth With Deafblindness
  Internet: http://www.tr.wou.edu/ntac/intervener.htm
  Description: "This paper is an effort to discuss important issues, clarify concepts, explain terminology, and answer common questions in order to increase awareness and understanding about interveners and their role in the field of deafblindness."
• Early Intervention Programs
  Internet: http://www.lifetrackresources.org/hearingloss/html/EIP.htm
  Description: Basics of Early Intervention as defined under the IDEA legislation, where to learn more and get services. Information provided by Lifetrack Resources.
• K-12 Educational Options
  Internet: http://www.familysupportconnection.org/html/EdResources.htm
  Description: Defines mainstreaming programs, day classes within regular schools, state residential schools for the deaf, and private residential schools. Includes contact information for Twin Cities area schools. Information provided by Lifetrack Resources.

Back to Top of Page.

Support and Advocacy

• See also:
  • General/Comprehensive Resources section above for information about Minnesota DeafBlind Technical Assistance Project and DHHS Family Services
  • Self-Determination on our FAQ Page
  • Consumer Advocacy Groups on our Supports page.
• Wrightslaw: Minnesota Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities
  Internet: http://www.fetaweb.com/help/mn.htm
  Description: A free service to help people "get reliable information and support [from] many resources - government programs, grassroots organizations, and parent support groups, … evaluators, educational consultants, academic tutors, advocates, attorneys, and others who help parents get services for their children."
• National Family Association for Deaf-Blind
  Internet: http://www.nfadb.org
  Description: "a non-profit, volunteer-based family association. Our philosophy is that individuals who are deaf-blind are valued members of society and are entitled to the same opportunities and choices as other members of the community. NFADB is the largest national network of families focusing on issues surrounding deaf blindness."
• reSources Newsletter - Siblings Issue
  Internet: http://www.sfsu.edu/~cadbs/Fall02.pdf
  Description: Fall 2002 issue of reSources, the newsletter of California DeafBlind Services. The topic of this issue is support for siblings of deafblind children. Includes an article written by a teenager who has a deafblind sister, a fact sheet about sibling support, and a list of helpful books. This link is a PDF file.
• DeafBlind Pen Pals Directory - from Sense
  Internet: http://www.sense.org.uk/penpals/index.html
  Description: "If you're feeling isolated or just [want to get] to know someone, our penpals section will help. You can search for people and then contact them electronically for a chat."
• MUMS: National Parent to Parent Network
  Julie J. Gordon
  150 Custer Court
  Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301-1243
  Toll-free: 1-877-336-5333 (Parents only please)
  (920) 336-5333 Voice
  (920) 339-0995 Fax
  E-mail: mums@netnet.net
  Internet: http://www.netnet.net/mums/
  Description: "MUMS is a national Parent-to-Parent organization for parents or care providers of a child with any disability, rare or not so rare disorder, chromosomal abnormality or health condition. MUMS' main purpose is to provide support to parents in the form of a networking system that matches them with other parents whose children have the same or similar condition. Through a database of over 17,000 families from 52 countries covering over 3000 disorders, very rare syndromes or conditions can be matched."
• PACER Center
  8161 Normandale Boulevard
  Minneapolis, MN 55437-1044
  (952) 838-9000 Voice
  (952) 838-0190 TTY
  Toll-free in Minnesota: 1-800-537-2237
  (952) 838-0199 Fax
  Internet: http://www.pacer.org
  Email: pacer@pacer.org
  Description: "The mission of PACER Center is to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents. With assistance to individual families, workshops, and materials for parents and professionals, and leadership in securing a free and appropriate public education for all children, PACER's work affects and encourages families in Minnesota and across the nation."
• Minnesota Department of Human Rights
  Email: complaintinfo@therightsplace.net
  Internet: http://www.humanrights.state.mn.us/
  Description: "a neutral state agency that investigates charges of illegal discrimination." Web site includes Information about your rights in employment, housing, and other settings, a very extensive listing of related resources, and an online version of a CD-ROM on disability rights issues.
• Minnesota Disability Law Center - Client Assistance Project
  300 Kickernick Building
  430 First Avenue North
  Minneapolis, MN 55401-1780
  (612) 332-1441 Voice
  (612) 332-4668 TTY
  Toll Free: (800) 292-4150 (new client intake number)
  Internet: http://www.mnwfc.org/rehab/vr/cap.htm
  Description: free civil legal assistance to individuals with disabilities. Client Assistance Project advocates and mediates for people who have grievances about services from state agencies.
• Continuing Care - Minnesota Department of Human Services: People with Disabilities
  Internet: http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/contcare/main/default.htm
  Description: " A primary goal of Continuing Care is to promote independent living for people with disabilities by funding or providing a broad range of residential care and social services close to home communities instead of in institutionalized settings." For more information on services in your county, see County Human Services Agencies.
  • Chemical Health Division
  • Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities
  • HIV/AIDS Programs
  • Mental Health Division

Back to Top of Page.

Technology

• See also
  • Assistive Technology and Independent Living Aids information on our Supports Page.
  • Telephone Equipment Distribution (TED) Program
• Minnesota Interpreter Referral Web Site
  Internet: http://www.interpreterreferral.org
  Description: "information about sign language interpreters, how to use them and how to find them… created to help ensure that all Minnesotans are able to locate needed sign language interpreter services"
• 101 Ways to Use Braille
  Internet: http://www.nfb.org/bm/bm99/bm990309.htm
  Description: Easy, low-tech ways to use braille in your daily life, even if you only know the basic braille alphabet.
• Assistive Technology
  Internet: http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/ECS/dhhs/technology.htm
  Description: Information about technology for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, or have a speech or mobility impairment. Includes assistive listening devices, special telephone technology, relay service, and the telephone equipment distribution program. From the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
• Assistive Equipment and Technology Fact Sheet
  Internet: http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/ECS/dhhs/PDF/assttech.pdf
  Description: Definitions and examples of several types of technologies used by people who are deaf, deafblind, or hard-of-hearing. Includes alerting devices, telecommunication devices, assistive listening devices, and captioning. Available online in PDF format, or in other forms for people with disabilities by calling (651) 296-3980 Voice, or (651) 297-1506 TTY.
• Assistive Listening Devices
  Internet: http://www.main.org/accessarts/ald.htm
  Description: Covers the basics: What is an assistive listening system?, What does it do?, Who uses it?, Four basic systems, Types of headsets, Types of receivers, How do assistive listening systems work?, Directory of manufacturers and vendors.
• Tips for Effective Communication with a Disabled Person
  Internet: http://www.crk.umn.edu/people/services/DisabilServ/communication.htm
  Description: Clear advice about how to interact with a person who has a visual, hearing, mobility, or cognitive disability.

Back to Top of Page.

Recreation

• See also Self-Determination on our FAQ Page, and Consumer Advocacy Groups on our Supports page.
• Recreation and Leisure Fact Sheet
  Internet: http://www.tr.wou.edu/dblink/rec-les.htm
  Description: "practical information on how to get people who are deaf-blind with cognitive disabilities involved with recreational activities. The focus is on recreational activities for pre-adolescent children through adult." Includes steps required to develop a recreational plan, examples of recreation activities with different people who are deaf-blind, extensive resource list. From DB-LINK.
• Learning to Play or Playing to Learn: Fostering Play Development Patterns in Deafblind Children
  Internet: http://www.deafblindinternational.org/papers/juliamartin.html
  Description: "In this article Julia Martín Cuerdo, who is a teacher of deafblind children and Juan José Martínez González, a psychologist in social services, report their work on the importance of play for deafblind children."
• Yoga for the Deafblind
  Internet: http://www.deafblindinternational.org/review/dipti_karnad.html
  Description: Yoga can be beneficial to people of all ages, abilities, and sizes. "In this article Dipti Karnad describes the way in which the teaching and learning of yoga is making a real contribution to the lives of deafblind children at the Sadhana Unit for Deafblind Children at the Clarke School for the Deaf, Chennai, India."
• Tactile Colour
  Internet: http://www.tactile.org
  Description: " an easy system of twelve standardized textures representing twelve colours." Can be used for art, play, sensory integration, augmentive communication, maps, greeting cards, jigsaw puzzles, and more. Individuals use the sheet vinyl to make pictures, maps, labeling systems and games. You can email samples@tactile.org to order a free sample color swatch and a color identification chart that lists each textured color with its color name in raised print and grade one braille.
• Tack-Tiles® Braille Systems
  Internet: http://www.tack-tiles.com
  Description: "a sophisticated teaching tool for all ages based on LEGO®-type blocks. These Braille blocks provide a unique bridge, a smoother, shorter, more interesting path to Braille literacy."
• Uncle Goose Toys
  Internet: http://www.unclegoose.com/
  Description: Sells a variety of toys, including Groovie Blocks (building blocks with tactile decorations), Alphabet Braille Blocks, Braille Math Blocks, Sign Language Braille Blocks, and many other tactile and high-contrast toys.
• Toys and Accessories for Children with Disabilities
  Internet: http://ericec.org/fact/toys.html
  Description: a list of toy companies from the ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education.
• Toys, Glorious Toys
  Internet: http://www.tsbvi.edu/Outreach/seehear/fall97/toys.htm
  Description: How to select toys and activities that fit your deafblind child's developmental age and abilities. Includes list of resources.

Back to Top of Page.

Financial Assistance

• Minnesota's Healthcare Programs
  Internet: http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/ecs/Program/default.htm
  Description: Description of MA, GAMC and MinnesotaCare: services covered under each plan, eligibility requirements, and how to apply.
  • Medical Assistance (MA) - Minnesota's Medicaid Program
    Internet: http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/hlthcare/asstprog/mmap.htm
    Description: "a joint federally/state-funded [health care] program which provides necessary medical services for low-income families, children, pregnant women, and people who are elderly (65 or older) or have disabilities." Eligibility requirements, covered services, how to apply. One of Minnesota's three publicly funded health care programs.
    • MA Waivers: Home Care/Home and Community Based Services (HC/HCBS) Waivers
  • General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC)
    Internet: http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/hlthcare/asstprog/gamc.htm
    Description: "pays for medical care for some 23,300 low-income Minnesotans who don't qualify for Medicaid or other state or federal health care programs."
  • MinnesotaCare
    Internet: http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/hlthcare/MNCare/default.htm
    Description: "a subsidized health care program for people who live in Minnesota and do not have access to health insurance. There are no health condition barriers, but applicants must meet income and program guidelines to qualify."
  • Minnesota Disability Health Options (MnDHO)
    Internet: http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/HlthCare/MSHO-MNDHO/MNDHO.htm
    Description: "a program for people with physical disabilities who are eligible for Medical Assistance (MA). People who are eligible for both MA and Medicare may also enroll… Every enrollee is assigned a care coordinator who answers questions, helps with paperwork, and helps arrange services."
• Economic and Community Supports
  Internet: http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/ecs/Program/default.htm
  Description: "The Minnesota Department of Human Services supervises a variety of economic assistance programs… Most economic assistance (including welfare) programs are administered at local county agencies."
  • Child Support Enforcement Division
  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division
  • Food Stamp Program
  • Food Stamp Employment and Training (FSET)
  • General Assistance
  • Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)
  • Minnesota Food Assistance Program (MFAP)
  • Minnesota Supplemental Aid
  • Refugee Assistance Program
  • Self-Employment Investment Development Program (SEID)
  • Telephone Equipment Distribution (TED) Program
  • Telephone Assistance Program (TAP)
• Grants/Funding Information
  Internet: http://ericec.org/fact/grants.html
  Description: a list of grants and funding for special education and children with special needs, as well as sources of further information. From the ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education.
• Post-Secondary Financial Aid
  Internet: http://ericec.org/faq/finance.html
  Description: advice and resources for students with disabilities seeking funding for college or vocational school.
• Directory of Funding Resources for Assistive Technology in Minnesota
  Internet: http://www.admin.state.mn.us/assistivetechnology/fund2/fund_dir.htm
  Description: "information about Minnesota and national agencies and organizations that fund technology, in a format that lets you compare programs and tells you how to get in touch with people who can help." From Minnesota's STAR Program.

Back to Top of Page.

Back to Main Resources Page