Mississippi Hearing-Vision Project

09/15/2026

Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and Texas Deafblind Project
Join our Active Learning Study Group exploring Dr. Lilli Nielsen’s Active Learning approach. Discover practical, individualized strategies, movement adaptations, and play techniques to support children who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision along with complex access needs.
🗓 When: Thursday, Sept. 24 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (CT)
📍 Where: Virtual via Zoom
Register here:
https://www.tsbvi.edu/events/active-learning-study-group-september?fbclid=IwY2xjawUWMIBwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMGFaaU9VYmxTZGowZzVtM1RzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeQBpUnfk6G-oeQckDTNID4P10ieEUW3txU5MbuP73WPjtotBoOEjO_R09P9o_aem_SpewCkaV3ZrE9FHm_ZZseg

Join the book study of “Early Learning Step by Step: Children with Vision Impairment and Multiple Disabilities” by Lilli Neilsen.

08/18/2026

Hand Under Hand provides independence for your student.

08/03/2026

🎥 New CVI-Friendly Resource: Exploring Insects! 🐜🦋

Clare Thorn is excited to share that a brand new, fully accessible video is now live on her YouTube channel, specifically designed to support learners with Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI).

This video focuses on Insects and incorporates research-backed visual strategies to help students engage, track, and understand the content effectively.

🌟 Key Features of this Resource:

High-Contrast Design: She has used solid black and vibrant yellow backgrounds to reduce visual fatigue, eliminate clutter, and maximise visual access.
Defined Outlines: Every key image features a bright yellow outline, making the target stand out cleanly from the background so children can practise their looking and tracking skills.

Dual-Media Support: Integrated Widgit symbols accompany the visuals to promote vocabulary understanding, communication, and early reading skills.

📚 Tips for Educators & Parents:
Give your learner extra processing time by pausing on screens.
Try playing the video through CVI Scotland's fantastic free ZOOM tool to customise the view for your learner: https://cviscotland.org/utils/zoom/

Encourage interaction on screen using the child's preferred pointing or vocalisation method.

Pair the video with real-life objects (tangible insect toys) if appropriate for your student's learning phase.

🔗 Access the Video Here:
Check out the channel and explore the new video: 👉 https://cviscotland.org/utils/zoom/

Whether you are a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (QTVI), an SEN practitioner, or a parent, she hopes your students find this resource engaging and helpful.

CVI Scotland's ZOOM is a free video playback tool for people with CVI.

07/29/2026

If you have a youth with complex needs in transition or have recently (5 years or less) completed transition to adult life, we would love for you to be part of this event:

Transition for Teens with Complex Needs Listening Session

When: 12-Aug-2026
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 PM Central Time
Where: Zoom

EVENT DETAILS:

Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) is pleased to announce the launch of NEXUS, a national initiative that brings together people, expertise, and resources to improve outcomes for DeafBlind youth with complex support needs.

HKNC has asked NFADB to bring parents of these youth to the table for this listening session.

This initiative responds to a critical need: across vocational rehabilitation systems, schools, community programs, and adult service networks, the demand for specialized DeafBlind expertise continues to outpace the number of trained professionals available.

Families also need clear guidance, practical resources, and support as their children move from the education system into the adult service world.

Helen Keller National Center and the National Center on Deafblindness are partnering to strengthen capacity across educational and adult service systems through coordinated training, resources, and technical assistance for agencies supporting DeafBlind youth with complex learning and support needs and their families.

Building on HKNC’s DeafBlind Immersion Experience, which provides consultative training to one DeafBlind individual and their support team at a time, NEXUS will expand this impact by working with cross-agency teams to build local capacity, train staff, support families, sustain quality services, and establish communities of practice for professionals and families.

For more information about NEXUS, please contact your HKNC regional representative

or Deborah Harlin:
Deborah Harlin, Director NEXUS program
[email protected]
phone/text: 516-760-0158

07/11/2026

https://web.facebook.com/share/p/1983m98kPr/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Congratulations to Lion Greg Crapo 🎉

Please join us in congratulating Lion Greg Crapo on being elected as our newest International Director for Lions Clubs International!

This is an incredible honor and a testament to Lion Greg’s unwavering dedication, outstanding leadership, and years of faithful service to Lionism. His passion for serving others and strengthening our communities has made a lasting impact, and we are proud to see him represent our association on the international stage.

We know Lion Greg will lead with integrity, compassion, and the true spirit of “We Serve.” Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement, and best wishes as you begin this exciting new chapter of service!

Congratulations, International Director Lion Greg Crapo!

07/09/2026

Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D., highlights a nationwide collaborative study led by Rice University focused on braille education. The research emphasizes that braille is foundational literacy, rather than just a code, for the blind and visually impaired community. See the following: Braille is literacy: Rice researchers are reshaping the science of reading.

Rebecca can be seen in the photo contained in the article.

As schools across the country increasingly embrace evidence-based approaches to reading instruction through the science of reading, two Rice researchers are leading an effort to ensure students who learn through braille are not left out of the research shaping literacy education.

07/01/2026

https://preview.mailerlite.com/m0c5g3p5q1/3043009258078603625/s7i0/

Communication isn't limited to what we see or hear. During DeafBlind Awareness Week (DBAW), we're excited to share a new video series featuring our friend Narjis, who offers an inside look at how people who are DeafBlind communicate through touch and braille technology. 

06/29/2026

CVI Scotland provides an Illustrated Guide: Dorsal Stream Dysfunction with Typical Visual Acuity

Illustrated Guide: Dorsal Stream Dysfunction with Typical Visual Acuity This guide is designed to introduce and explain dorsal stream dysfunction in people with typical or near-typical visual acuity. The examples are children, but it is translatable for the many adults we know who are affected. We u...

06/29/2026

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/we-should-be-referred-to-as-accommodationally-share-7475695814254895104-x4b4/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAAAKSFVYBSbyRWV_grizLZVHedqrlhrfw5kA

"We should be referred to as 'Accommodationally Abled' and not "disabled,"... This means you can do anything you want; you can shoot for the stars. You might just need a little help. And you can control that—you can judge what accommodations will help you best." - Laci Lowell

06/25/2026

Families,
This week is nationally recognized as DeafBlind Awareness Week (formerly Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week) which occurs from June 25 to July 1, culminating on Helen Keller's birthday (June 27). The 2026 national campaign theme is "Connected by Touch: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges," which highlights how touch enables communication, access, and inclusion for the DeafBlind community.

For our celebration, please consider sharing with me any thoughts you might have regarding how your child or young adult brings you joy. If you wish, share a picture of your loved one with me via email or text (228-249-9668).
___
Join us this Friday for a special Helen Keller Birthday Celebration at the Mississippi Library Commission, located at 3881 Eastwood Drive in Jackson, from 2:00–4:00 PM!

Participants will enjoy a guided tour of the library, learn about the many services and resources available through the Mississippi Library Commission, and celebrate Helen Keller's legacy with birthday cake and refreshments.

This event is also a wonderful opportunity to connect with and meet other members of Mississippi's deafblind community, along with family members, friends, and supporters.

We hope you'll join in for an afternoon of learning, fellowship, and celebration!

-DeafBlind Community of Mississippi

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Finally please see the email below regarding an article published yesterday in Mississippi Today that focuses on the Mississippi Schools for the Blind and Deaf in Jackson.

---------- Forwarded message ---------

Date: Tue, Jun 23, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Subject: MS Today's Article Dropped

Devna Bose texted at 4:30 p.m. today that the MS Today article regarding the schools for the deaf and blind is out.

Devna realizes this article is very surface level. She knows there's much more to get into and hopes to continue this reporting alongside us in the coming months.

Here is a link:

Petition notes school leadership issues - Mississippi Today

The petition lists issues at the Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.