Welcome | Registration Info | Schedule | NWSRD Frames | NWOC Home  CONFERENCE SCHEDULE On the first day of the Symposium, conference attendees will choose one of three day-long sessions designed to help you develop a firm foundation in serving individuals who are deaf-blind, individuals who are hard of hearing, or individuals in the Deaf Native American community. Be sure to join the Conference Welcome and Reception that evening. On Thursday and Friday, 15 break-out sessions are developed around three broad areas that continue to pose challenges for education and rehabilitation professionals: 1) traditionally underserved special populations, 2) postsecondary environments, and 3) transition into the workplace. Session topics include: serving individuals with cochlear implants, strategies to teaching English, reasonable accommodation, addiction and treatment issues, as well as sessions on serving individuals who are deaf-blind, advances in technology, and service provider ethics.  In addition to the workshop sessions, a Resource Fair of technology exhibits is featured on Thursday. Extra time between sessions will allow conference attendees to experience new technology that will assist consumers in maintaining success at school, on the job, and in the home. Thursday evening also includes a very special reunion of Western Oregon University graduates to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first Rehabilitation Counselor Education program there.   WEDNESDAY, April 4, 2001 The opening day of the 2001 Conference is being reserved for 3 concurrent day-long speciality workshops. These workshops will provide an opportunity for a more in-depth discussion of each topic.  Topics for these three sessions are: 1) Facilitating Successful Outcomes for Individuals who are Deaf-Blind: Accommodations, strategies, & resources Dorothy Walt, Helen Keller National Center, Seattle; Cathy Kirscher, Helen Keller National Center, San Diego; Michael Brennan, Alliant University; John Reiman, Ph.D., DB Link The interactive workshop will provide information, understanding and awareness of  individuals who are deaf-blind.  It will highlight some of the pertinent issues facing this diverse group with discussions on the implications for rehabilitation and training.  Supports, training and accommodations are the key elements for successful outcomes for individuals who are deaf-blind. Topics to be covered include Etiology and Implications for Rehabilitation, Deaf-Blind simulation activity, Communication Issues & Tips, Psycho-Social Issues in Deaf-Blindness, Technology Demo, and Resources - Local, State, Regional & National.  2) ACCESS: How best to serve postsecondary students who are hard of hearing Pat Billies, Northeast Technical Assistance Center, NTID & Joan Marcoux, NH Vocational Rehabilitation Services, SHHH Students who are hard of hearing often struggle to succeed on our campuses, despite the efforts of many to provide appropriate support services.  Developing an awareness of their issues and challenges enables us to become sensitive and responsive to their needs so that they can fully participate in the educational experience. “Access: How Best to Serve Postsecondary Students Who are Hard of Hearing” is a training program developed collaborative by Self Help for Hard of Hearing People, Inc. (SHHH) and the Northeast Technical Assistance Center (NETAC). The goal of this presentation is to increase understanding about hearing loss and its effects on a student’s postsecondary education.  We will discuss characteristics of people who are hard of hearing, demonstrate different assistive technology accommodations and provide participants with hands-on training. Participants will consider communication strategies that increase the effectiveness of assistive technology and other accommodations. Disability services staff, faculty, and staff members from postsecondary institutions are very enthusiastic about this training package! 3) Serving Individuals in the Deaf Native American Community Join Eugene Edwin, Alan Cartwright, Mark Azure, John Evans, and Carleen Anderson in exploring similarities and differences between the Deaf culture and Native American/Alaskan culture. The workshop will address the issues faced in education, rehabilitation, employment and independent living, and provide tips on how to develop partnerships and develop strategies that support the success of Deaf Native Americans and Native Alaskans. Eugene Edwin is an Athabaskan Native Alaskan who was born in the Village of Tanana Alaska on the Yukon River. He became Deaf early in life and at five years old he was sent to the Vancouver School for the Deaf where he spent most of the next 12 years of his life. With only limited contact with his family and native relatives, he grew up primarily in the white culture. When Eugene returned to Alaska as an adult, he found it extremely difficult to regain his ties with his Native roots. He fit neither in the predominately white Deaf Culture or his ancestral Native Culture, as a profoundly Deaf Native Alaskan who used American Sign Language. He struggled with this identity crisis for many years until he became involved with the Intertribal Deaf Council, the IDC, which is an international organization made up of Deaf Native individuals from all over North America.  Eugene currently serves as the Vice President of the IDC and he recently hosted a very successful IDC conference in Fairbanks Alaska, which was attended by over two hundred individuals from Canada and the U.S. He travels extensively to attend IDC Board Meetings and conferences to further the goals of the IDC and other Native Americans like himself who find themselves caught between two worlds.   8:30 - 10:00 Breakfast and Registration 10:00 - 12:30 Concurrent Specialty Session 12:30 - 2:00 Lunch Break 2:00 - 6:00 Concurrent Specialty Session (Continued) 6:30 - 8:00 Conference Welcome & Reception   THURSDAY, April 5, 2001 at a glance... Exhibit Day Take advantage of the opportunity to experiment with new technology and try out new devices! Exhibits will be open all day, from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm. Longer breaks  between sessions will allow more time to learn about Exhibitors' assistive technology.   7:30 - 8:45 Registration and Breakfast 8:30 Exhibits Open 9:00 - 10:15 Concurrent Sessions 10:45 - 12:00 Concurrent Sessions 12:30 - 2:00 Lunch Plenary 2:30 - 3:45 Concurrent Sessions 4:30 Exhibits Close 4:30 - 6:30 WOU Reunion   THURSDAY, APRIL 5 9:00 - 10:15 Concurrent Sessions Tactile, Sequential Communication Strategies / A Hands On Participatory Workshop Jennifer White, Able Opportunities Vocational Counsulting People with dual sensory losses combined with developmental disabilities often have minimal language skills.  This is a low incidence population and consequently is commonly underserved due to a lack of professionals educated about communication strategies.  This workshop provides information about developing communication tools and systems for individuals who use physical prompts, gestures, objects and a variety of alternative communication methodologies.  We will explore informal assessment tools, hands on activities and exercises to rethink communication, step by step instructions for building communication systems, information about orienting individuals to a work environment, tactile task analysis for teaching new tasks and reinforcement systems for work.   Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Health Sciences Programs Martha Smith, Center on Self Determination, Oregon Health Sciences University Since the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the institution in the Southeastern Community College v. Davis case (the case involved a student with a severe hearing loss who wanted to enter the college's nursing program.  The student was denied access.) Many health sciences programs and disability professionals have taken the view that deaf or hard of hearing students can't succeed in health sciences programs.  The truth is professionals who are deaf and hard of hearing have been and continue be successful in a wide range of health science programs. It is time for those of us in the field of education and rehabilitation to realize the negative assumptions we carry regarding the ability of deaf and hard of hearing students to be successful nurses, doctors and dentists. Health Science Students with Disabilities: Faculty Education Project is a three-year federal grant project located at Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU).  Using information gathered from this grant I will present a more positive prospective on how students who are deaf and hard of hearing can be successful in health sciences programs.  I will include the viewing of videotape interviews we have done of health science professionals who experience being deaf or hard of hearing.   Seven Steps to Reasonable Accommodation John Evans, Washington State Department of Personnel This session will focus on the covered entities responsibility to conduct an individualized assessment and interactive process when providing reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities.  The presenter will define seven key steps an employer often implements to ensure compliance with the Employment Provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Seven key steps to be covered are: Posting Notification, Requesting  Reasonable Accommodations, Maintaining Confidential Medical Files, Analyzing A Job Involved To Determine Essential Functions, Consulting the Individual with Disability to Identify Employment Barriers, Collaborating Solutions To Employment Barriers and Testing Recommendations for Feasibility. 10:45 - 12:00 Concurrent Sessions Weaving Resources Interstate to Establish a Deaf Inpatient Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center Jackie Hyman, Northwest Deaf Addiction Center Washington and Oregon states have established a Deaf inpatient Chemical Dependency treatment center, Northwest Deaf Addiction Center, in Vancouver, Washington. This session will trace the history, discuss the process, and give current information on the progress of this interstate project.   College Choice and Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students: Understanding the Process Terri Goldstein, California State University, Northridge More students who are deaf and hard of hearing are entering college than ever before.  Nonetheless, hearing student attendance is increasing at a faster rate than deaf students.  When do deaf and hard-of-hearing students start thinking about college?  When should they?  Where do students draw information about college and what would they like to know?  How are decisions of which institutions to attend based?  The results of an online survey of deaf and hard-of-hearing college students will be presented, including how schools, postsecondary institutions and rehabilitation counselors can support or hinder students in the college choice process.   Deafness, Communication, and Isolation: Issues in service provision BJ Crossland & Libby Stanley, NW Human Services Connection Program This workshop will explore the communication experiences of Deaf children and how these experiences impact adult reactions, behaviors and coping mechanisms. Participants will: understand the range of communication styles in families of Deaf children, gain insight into the effects of family communication on adult communication styles, have increased knowledge of the challenges and accommodations in the workplace, and better recognize the range of emotional and social challenges Deaf individuals may encounter. 12:30 - 2:00 Lunch Plenary: Annette Reichman, Chief, Deafness and Communicative Disorders Branch, RSA, US Dept of Education 2:30 - 3:45 Concurrent Sessions Interveners and Support Service Providers:  the concepts, philosophies and use of these services Dorothy Walt, Helen Keller National Center, Seattle, WA & Nancy Sommer, Deaf-Blind Service Center, Seattle WA Many individuals who are deaf-blind need access to the world around them in order to make informed decisions and/or to better understand their environment.  Communication, visual information and sighted guide assistance are the key factors involved.  This workshop will explain the concept and roles for two different type of service providers and how they can be used to enhance information and independence for  individuals who are deaf-blind.   Project CBCN: Computer-based Collaborative Notetaking for Post-secondary Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Bo Adan & Carolyn Knox, Center for Electronic Study, University of Oregon Presenters will engage participants in discussion of in-class learning needs for secondary and post-secondary students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Presenters will identify differences and similarities between these student populations, and will discuss available current technologies that meet or partially meet these needs. Presenters will demonstrate computer-based collaborative notetaking (CBCN), distinguishing between communication access and notetaking support, and illustrating how computer-based collaborative notetaking fits into this range of needs.   Hot Topics in Vocational Rehabilitation Services Annette Reichman, Chief, Deafness and Communicative Disorders Branch, RSA, US Dept of Ed Come hear the Chief of RSAs Deafness and Communicative Disorders Branch take on the hot topics facing Vocational Rehabilitation today, including decreasing resources, increasing need, retaining trained/qualified staff, and the need for a coordinated state effort to blend services and avoid duplication. FRIDAY, April 6, 2001 at a glance... 7:00 - 8:15 Breakfast 8:30 - 9:45 Concurrent Sessions 10:00 - 11:15 Concurrent Sessions 11:30 - 1:00 Lunch Plenary/Closing   Friday, April 6 8:30 - 9:45 Concurrent Sessions The Incidence of Otitis Media, Hearing Loss, Speech and Language Delay and the Impact on Employment in Native Americans James Dixon, Rehabilitation Consultant  As a result of poor health conditions on American Indian Reservations, delayed diagnosis and treatment of otitis media results in an extremely high incidence of hearing loss among American Indians.  Prolonged middle ear infections impacts on the normal acquisition of speech and language.  Significant delay in the development of speech and language is reflected in lower academic achievement, development of social skills and self esteem.  As the American Indian child grows and develops under these conditions they are extremely limited in their ability to secure and retain employment.  Recommendations to address this serious health and employment crisis will be presented.   Technology Advances for Overcoming the Communication Barrier Jay Thurman, Hearing Resources Technology is opening up communication with the deaf, late deafened and the hard-of-hearing.  This seminar will introduce the attendees to some of the newer assistive equipment now available including small and extremely portable FM systems designed for use in noisy environments or the workplace.  New advances in computer added speech to text that also incorporates text to ASL is now available.  Uses for this technology will be explored for access were a sign-language interpreter is not immediately available.    New advances in the field of amplification for use in the classroom, training facility or conference rooms that improve communication will be explored.   One Client, Many Provider Roles: Dual relationships and other ethical issues in clinical and other human services settings Debra Guthman, California School for the Deaf, Fremont How should professionals deal with the number of dual relationship and other ethical issues that arise on a regular basis? This workshop will examine the implications and explore possible consequences and strategies when working with clients and faced with dual relationsip and other ethical issues. This session will include interactive activities that the participants will be involved with as well as lecture and discussion. 10:00 - 11:15 Concurrent Sessions Snail Tails (Tales) Sharaine Rawlinson, Midwest Center for Postsecondary Outreach What is it like to go to bed a totally hearing person and awaken totally deaf the next morning?  What is it like to be totally deaf for 23 years and then derive benefit from a cochlear implant? This presentation describes cochlear implant technology and who can benefit from cochlear implants.  Points covered will include social and psychological implications of implantation. Information on what services and factors that Disability Support Services and Vocational Rehabilitation providers need to be aware of when serving a student with a cochlear implant will be covered.   PEERS: Strategies to Teaching English Linda Marie Allington, Rocky Mountain Connections Center RMCC assists postsecondary programs and higher education institutions in Utah, Wyoming, Nevada and Montana in attracting and serving deaf and hard of hearing students. English reading & writing preparation for college English is a passion at RMCC. Take teaching strategies from this session to your instructors that will benefit their teaching style and their students!   15 Rules for Satisfied Hearing Aid Users Ron Leavitt, Oregon Association for Better Hearing & Dean Booster, Oregon State University This presentation will summarize 12 years of research by the Western United State's largest consumer test group for hearing aids.  This research has been condensed down to 15 principles that foster successful hearing aid use. Embedded in these 15 rules are recommended principles for client preparation, hearing testing, hearing aid testing, hearing aid adaptation, hearing aid option selection, and hearing aid maintenance. A recently released book entitled "Fifteen Rules for Satisfied Hearing Aid Users" will be available to interested conference participants to  purchase.