Maryland and DC Deafblind Project

06/05/2026

🌎 Happy World Environment Day! 🌱

The world around us offers countless opportunities for learning, exploration, and connection. Whether it's feeling the texture of leaves, listening to birds, smelling flowers, exploring water, or experiencing the warmth of the sun, nature engages all of our senses in meaningful ways.

For children who are deafblind or have combined vision and hearing differences, outdoor experiences can provide rich opportunities for discovery, communication, and learning.

Today, take a few moments to step outside together and explore the environment through touch, movement, sound, smell, and shared experiences.

What will your family discover today?

06/04/2026

🌟 Summer Institute 2026 Registration is Open! 🌟

Join us for Creating Educational Access for Students with CVI, a four-part Summer Institute workshop series led by nationally recognized CVI expert Matt Tietjen.

When students with Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) have meaningful access to their education, they can demonstrate their strengths, abilities, and potential. This interactive series will help participants better understand CVI characteristics, strengthen collaboration among families and professionals, and learn practical strategies for creating accessible learning environments.

Participants will explore:
✅ CVI characteristics and student perspectives
✅ The What's the Complexity Framework
✅ CVI Ally collaboration tools
✅ Strategies for improving access across the school day
✅ Real-world case studies and hands-on practice

Whether you are a family member, educator, service provider, or administrator, this workshop will provide valuable tools to support students with CVI.

📅 Summer Institute 2026
🎤 Presenter: Matt Tietjen
📍 Registration information available here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/58vv3m3

06/03/2026

A Little Encouragement for Parents Today

If you're raising a child who is Deafblind or has combined vision and hearing differences, there may be days when progress feels slow.

The truth is, growth doesn't always happen in big, obvious moments.

Sometimes progress looks like:
💙 A child reaching for your hand
💙 Exploring a new texture
💙 Tolerating a new experience
💙 Making a choice
💙 Sharing a moment of connection
💙 Learning to trust a new person

These moments matter.

The small steps you support every day are building communication, confidence, relationships, and independence. Even when it feels like little is happening, your efforts are making a difference.

Take a moment today to recognize how far your child has come–and how much you have learned and grown alongside them.

You are doing important work, and your child is fortunate to have you in their corner.

06/02/2026

🎓 Celebrating the Class of 2026! 🎓

Today we recognize and celebrate deafblind children, youth, and young adults who are reaching important milestones and graduation achievements this year.

From preschool and kindergarten transitions to elementary, middle school, high school, and beyond, every accomplishment reflects dedication, resilience, growth, and the unwavering support of families, educators, interveners, related service providers, and communities.

Each learner's journey is unique, and every milestone deserves recognition.

🌟 To all graduates and their families: We celebrate your achievements, your perseverance, and the many successes that have brought you to this moment.

Congratulations on all you have accomplished, and best wishes for the exciting opportunities ahead.

The future is bright, and we can't wait to see where your journey takes you.

05/28/2026

💜 Community events create opportunities for connection, inclusion, and joy for all children and families. 💜

Connections Beyond Sight & Sound is excited to share information about Joy for Jordan Day, a fun-filled community event featuring games, arts & crafts, face painting, free snowballs, a photo booth, and more!

📅 Thursday, June 18th
⏰ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
📍 Whitelock Community Farm
St. Francis Neighborhood Center
2405 Linden Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21217

This family-friendly event celebrates community, inclusion, and creating joyful experiences for children of all abilities. 🌟

05/27/2026

💙 Parent Encouragement Reminder 💙

Progress does not always happen in big moments.
Sometimes it happens in shared routines, small interactions, quiet connection, and simply showing up again each day.

The communication, trust, and relationship you are building with your child matters more than perfection. 🌟

You are making a difference, even on the hard days.

05/26/2026

🚨 It’s Not Too Late to Register! 🚨

Join ASL Up TONIGHT for Numbers in ASL: Beyond the Basics and take your ASL number skills to the next level!

Once you know basic number signs, the next step is learning how numbers function naturally in real conversations. This interactive workshop explores advanced number concepts in ASL and helps participants strengthen receptive skills for understanding numbers at a more natural pace.

Tonight’s class will cover:
🔹 Years & calendar dates
🔹 Phone numbers & addresses
🔹 Sports scores & statistics
🔹 Measurements & quantities
🔹 Fractions, percentages & money
🔹 Number incorporation concepts
🔹 Understanding fast number production
🔹 Real-life ASL number scenarios

This class is designed for Intermediate learners and up. An Interpreter is provided so the class is accessible for everyone.

💲 Registration is only $9.99 per person! Register at: https://www.aslup.org/events/advanced-numbers

Don’t miss this opportunity to build confidence and improve your understanding of numbers in everyday ASL conversations.

Once you know basic number signs, the next step is learning how numbers function naturally in conversation. This class explores advanced number concepts in ASL including dates, measurements, rankings, percentages, fractions, money, conventional number patterns. Participants will strengthen recepti

05/25/2026

Today, we remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. ❤️🤍💙

As we gather with family and loved ones this Memorial Day, we pause to reflect on the sacrifices made for the freedoms we share and the importance of connection, community, and support for one another.

From all of us at Connections Beyond Sight & Sound, we remember with gratitude and honor those who served.

05/24/2026

The National Family Association for DeafBlind is working with the DeafBlind Caucus to education about DeafBlindness. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1KVFEgdSky/

05/22/2026

Did you know that children who are deafblind often have unique communication and learning needs that require highly individualized support? Early access to communication, connection, and meaningful interaction can make a powerful difference in a child’s development and quality of life. 💙

At Connections Beyond Sight & Sound, we believe every child deserves access to language, relationships, learning, and the world around them — in ways that are accessible, meaningful, and joyful.

Small moments matter:
✨ Shared touch
✨ Predictable routines
✨ Sensory exploration
✨ Consistent communication
✨ Connection through trust and interaction

Every interaction is an opportunity to build communication and connection.