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Training Program

Utah State University

An Intervener Training Program is available on-line through Utah State University.  Based on the National Council for Exceptional Children Deafblind Intervener Competencies, the courses are designed to prepare students to work as interveners with children and youth who are deafblind. Students must complete the 3 courses listed below and taken in order.

Upon successful completion of each course, a Certificate of Achievement will be awarded along with 6 CEU’s through the National Intervener and Advocate Association (NIAA).  Upon successful completion of all three courses the student may apply for the National Intervener Credential to be an Intervener Specialist for the Deafblind (ISDB).   

Course 1: Introduction to Deafblindness 
This course is an introduction to Deafblindness and its impact on learning and development. It is an overview of the sensory systems and the issues that arise when an individual has a combined loss of vision and hearing. Emphasis is on the unique needs of the individual with deafblindness and on effective intervention strategies.

Course 2: Combined Vision & Hearing Loss
This course focuses on communication, language, and literacy for individuals with combined vision and hearing loss. It also addresses issues related to sensory functioning and integration, orientation and mobility, and self-determination. Emphasis is on the application of effective intervention strategies for individuals with deafblindness.

Course 3: Intervener Practicum
This course is designed to give students on-site experiences as an intervener working one-to-one with an individual who is deafblind.  During the practicum, interveners receive support and guidance from an intervener coach and complete a portfolio which demonstrates teir knowledge and skills in deafblindness.

The Practicum Instructor evaluates the performance of interveners during the practicum and grades all practicum assignments and the completed portfolio. The Instructor provides guidance and support to interveners throughout the Practicum. The Instructor and the Intervener Coach communicate during the practicum about the intervener’s progress. The University Instructor incorporates the Intervener Coach’s feedback into the final assessment of the intervener’s performance. The intervener will receive a pass/fail grade for the Practicum course.

Practicum Requirements

The responsibilities that each intervener is expected to fulfill for the practicum are:

  • Spend a minimum of 100 hours of contact time with a child/youth with deafblindness, providing one-to-one intervener services. Interveners document the hours spent and describe the activities involved. The classroom teacher is asked to verify the number of hours documented by the intervener.
  • Demonstrate the knowledge and skill competencies needed to be an intervener and demonstrate proficiency in the implementation of intervention strategies with children/youth who are deafblind.
  • Work cooperatively and collaboratively with classroom teachers and educational team.
  • Participate in three coaching sessions with a trained Intervener Coach and implement changes and suggestions as appropriate.
  • Complete a 10-15 minute video demonstrating the application of effective deafblind-specific intervention practices with a child/youth with deafblindness.
  • Adhere to the organizational structure, processes, rules, and working conditions of the practicum site.
  • Demonstrate professional behavior and professional ethics throughout the practicum.
  • Complete a portfolio based on the National Intervener Competencies which provides evidence of their knowledge and skill competencies.