Literacy for Low Incidence Learners (Webinar 1 of 3)

FULL TITLE:

Literacy for Low Incidence Learners: Effective Instruction to Engaging Student Activities (Webinar 1 of 3)

SPONSORED BY:

Idaho State Department of Education (SDE)

EVENT ORGANIZER:

For more information, contact: Janice Carson at janicec@uidaho.edu

DATE:

November 14, 2024 

RECORDING: 

Literacy for Low Incidence Learners - Webinar 1 Recording

SERIES DESCRIPTION: Traditional literacy instruction involves phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension, according to the National Reading Panel. For a learner with a visual impairment, some of these components require adaptation and support. For learners who also have additional disabilities, these components of literacy take on a whole new meaning. Engaging students with sensory disabilities in literacy learning requires collaboration and mindful planning to implement individualized learning opportunities based on quality assessment. This series will address literacy acquisition specifically for those with a visual impairment both with and without additional disabilities.

Session 1 Title: Literacy for Students with Low Vision/Blindness

Session 1 Description: Traditional literacy instruction involves phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, according to the National Reading Panel.  For a learner with a visual impairment, some of these components require adaptation and support.  For learners who also have additional disabilities, these components of literacy take on a whole new meaning.  Engaging students with sensory disabilities in literacy learning requires collaboration and mindful planning to implement individualized learning opportunities based on quality assessment.  This session will address literacy acquisition specifically for those with a visual impairment, both with and without additional disabilities.

Session 2 Title: Literacy for Students who are Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing

Session 2 Description: Historically, children who are Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing have demonstrated challenges in developing literacy skills commensurate with their age-matched hearing peers. This presentation will review assessment considerations and intervention opportunities that can be employed to support children who are DHH across age and communication modalities.

Session 3 Title: Literacy for Students with Deafblindness

Session 3 Description: This session focused on literacy instruction for learners who experience deafblindness, will begin with a brief discussion to clarify “deafblindness (DB)” as a unique disability. Components of literacy for learners who experience DB must extend beyond traditional instruction in reading and writing and incorporate objects, touch, and textural elements. The presenter will emphasize the importance of considering emergent literacy, since many learners who experience DB do not yet proficiently communicate with a variety of partners and currently communicate primarily without the use of symbols. Research has demonstrated that carefully designed emergency literacy activities promote the development of symbolization skills—as well as facilitate the development of social relationships. Examples of effective strategies will be provided. The presenter will conclude this session by sharing resources and websites dedicated to the development of literacy skills with learners who experience deafblindness.

PRESENTER:

Nancy Gieseke

CREDIT:

This course is available for Spring 2025 inservice credit through the University of Idaho (UI). Enrollment for this course opens December 16, 2024 and closes on March 1, 2025.  Go to Idaho Training Clearinghouse For Credit page for more information.

SPECIAL NEEDS:

If you need special accommodations, please contact the event organizer listed above.