JANUARY 2024

Welcome to the inaugural NC DeafBlind Newsletter for families. We invite you to join our mailing list and reach out if you would like more information, community resources or support advocating for your child! Please feel free to share this information with friends and families! If you are new to us, click on the link below to sign up for the mailing list.

Meet Our Team

Welcome our new DeafBlind Project Lead, Brittany Cutshaw!

bcutshaw@ecacmail.org

Brittany Cutshaw joined ECAC in February of 2022 as a Parent Educator, and she recently joined the North Carolina DeafBlind Project as ECAC’s Project Lead. She has a background in healthcare administration. She is the mom to 3 boys, the youngest of whom is medically complex, with vision and hearing impairment. When she is not working, she will likely be outdoors hiking or otherwise enjoying the mountains of Western North Carolina.

Nancy Giurato, Family Engagement Coordinator

ngiurato@ecacmail.org

Nancy has a background in healthcare and research, focused on the early detection of congenital diseases and hearing impairments in newborns and infants. She, herself is a medical mama to a 5-year-old daughter with intensive medical complexities and Deafblindness, and an 8-year-old son with autism and central auditory processing disorder. In addition to her role on the NC DeafBlind Project, Nancy also serves as a Bilingual Parent Educator with ECAC providing individualized assistance to families with special healthcare and educational needs. Recognizing the importance of self-care, Nancy enjoys trips to the beach, and walking the family dog whenever possible.

What is DeafBlindness?

It may not be what you think!

DeafBlindness is the combination of functional, medical, or progressive vision and hearing loss which may interfere with a child’s ability to communicate and interact with others, access information, and/or move about safely and efficiently in familiar and unfamiliar settings.

Check out our introduction video!

DeafBlind Census

North Carolina Census

Learn more about the NC DeafBlind Census
Learn more about The National Child Count of Children and Youth who are Deafblind
You do not have to be on the census to receive support from ECAC, but it helps us keep track of contact information and where we can focus our efforts to provide more support.
Wondering how to register? Reach out to Nancy or Brittany for registration and more information!

Helen Keller National Census

The Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) is the only national program providing comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services to youth (16 and older), working-age adults and seniors (55 and better) with combined hearing and vision loss.
According to the 2019 statistics from the Helen Keller National Center, approximately 84,000 people in North Carolina are DeafBlind.
Register for the national census.

DeafBlind Parent Focus Group Calls are Back!

We are bringing back our DeafBlind Parent Focus Groups and we want to hear from YOU!

Click here to take our parent survey

Join our Focus Group Kickoff on February 27th, 12:00 - 1:00pm

Resources Spotlight

What is an Intervener?

An intervener has specialized training in providing one-to-one support for students who are DeafBlind in the following areas:

Helping them gain access to information and communication in the classroom
Facilitating their social development and emotional well-being
Supporting their communication and concept development

Intervener Overview Factsheet 2023

Intervener Role Comparison Guidance

DeafBlind Intervener

Upcoming Webinars

Intro to Assistive Technology for Exceptional Families

The NC Assistive Technology Program (NCATP)

Parent Counseling & Training: A Related Service Under IDEA

Learn More & Register

Local Events for Families

Sip & Sign

January 26th, 4:30PM - 6:00PM

MasterTea Cafe & Bites

Greensboro, NC

More information

An accessible experience. The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences aims to provide a friendly, accessible environment for all visitors by providing the widest possible access to our building, exhibitions, events, and programs. The Access Guide provides a comprehensive list of available accommodations. The museum is located in Raleigh, NC and provides a variety of accommodations, take a look HERE.

Project Partners

Click on the icons below for contact information:

The Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing

This division of the Department of Health and Human Services provides services through its seven North Carolina regional centers. These services are open to Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind individuals.Family members, professionals, agencies and individuals seeking information or assistance also have access to these services. There is no charge to families. DeafBlind Program Specialist Coverage Areas

Division of Services for the Blind's (DSB) Vocational Rehabilitation and Transition Services

Did you know once a student turns age 14, they can be referred by anyone, including their parents, to apply for DSB's vocational rehabilitation and services?

List of DSB Office Locations Statewide

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Services (EHDI)

Use this website to learn more about newborn hearing screening, diagnosis of hearing loss, early intervention services, family support opportunities, funding, and additional resources available to help your child and family. Learn more

Learn More

1-800-962-6817