It takes a caring community to empower our deafblind children and their families.
Isolation decreases, and efforts in providing for needs and services are maximized, through the power of collaboration.
COLLABORATION
CAYSI
Children And Youth with Sensory Impairments (CAYSI) serves Arkansas children with dual sensory impairments and additional disabilities, otherwise known as deafblindness. They strive to identify these children in the state, promote academic achievement, and improve their lives through the education and collaboration of special and regular educators, families, early intervention providers, specialists, paraprofessionals, as well as Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, and Speech Language Pathologists.
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Connect with the CAYSI community on Facebook, or refer a student.
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Arkansas Department of Education assists public agencies such as schools, institutions of higher education, state and private agencies in the development of programs and trainings to improve services for students with disabilities through State Program Development.
FAMILIES
Deafblindness is a challenge to families. Therefore, it is important for families facing these similar challenges to connect. By connecting with each other, as well as with supporting organizations and agencies, families affected by deafblindness become more resilient while obtaining they need. We want families to know they are not alone on their journey. We invite you to read our family bios.
NFADB
The National Family Association for Deaf-Blind (NFADB) empowers the voices of families of individuals who are deaf-blind and advocate for their unique needs. They work side by side with families, friends and professionals to build community, to provide parent education, and to developed collaborative relationships with many state and national organizations focused on deafness, blindness, and deaf-blindness.
PARENTS
Parents are the greatest advocates for their children with dual sensory impairments. We invite you to connect to our community. AEFD encourages parent participation in Parent Group Meetings, parent initiative in the development of a Person Centered Planning community for their own child, and active involvement in engaging educators and support agencies and organizations to advocate for their child.
PERSON CENTERED PLANNING
Each individual with deafblindness has their own circle of support within their own community. We help parents understand the importance of undertaking the development of Person Centered Planning for their child through CAYSI mentorship. Community members link arms to rally around the deafblind individual to represent him or her in the child's community, helping them become better accepted and appropriately involved in community activities, and helping plan for their future.
OTHER AGENCIES & ORGANIZATIONS
If your agency or organization is not listed above, and you in some way have impact or influence on the deafblind community, we invite you to connect with us. Join our network of adults who are making a real difference in the lives and families of the dual sensory impaired.