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Interpreter Resources Deaf/Hard of Hearing Resources Deaf-Blind Resources The Kansas Deaf-Blind Fund The Kansas Deaf-Blind Fund Reports The Kansas Deaf-Blind Fund Instructions The Kansas Deaf-Blind Fund User Guides Kansas Deaf-Blind Resources Blind/Low Vision
Certain endorsements cannot be added by testing and can only be added through the completion of an approved Kansas Program. This includes Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Visually Impaired.
To contact teacher licensure: TLALicense@ksde.org 785-296-2288
Kansas Teachers of the Deaf (TOD) Endorsement & Professional Development Project The Kansas School for the Deaf and Kansas Department of Education have partnered to provide currently licensed teachers an opportunity to study Deaf Education through the Technical Assistance System Network (TASN). This grant will help fund a person to obtain their endorsement as a teacher of the deaf (TOD) in the state of Kansas and provide mentoring for up to three years.
Kansas Teachers of Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists Preparation and Mentorship The Kansas TSVI/COMS Preparation and Mentorship project supports the training of educators to become teachers of students who are blind or visually impaired or certified orientation and mobility specialists. Additional support is given in finding employment and in providing ongoing mentoring to newly certified staff
Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) TASK12 (Training and Assessment Systems for K-12 Educational Interpreters) (external link) (Kansas interpreters must register for EIPA assessments through the TASK12 site.) Questions about TASK12 including onsite testing location questions should be directed to Lori Colwell, lcolwell@kssdb.org. Dates and locations for the EIPA are posted on the TASK12 website. Interpreters may test at any site. Advance registration is required. Patterns in EIPA Test Scores and Implications for Interpreter Education (External PDF)
EIPA Professional Development EIPA Training Workshops 2022-23 (PDF). For more information please contact Sarah Reed sreed@ksde.org
Recordings of Past EIPA Training Workshops DVDs of past EIPA training workshops are available for loan. DVDs are loaned for up to 30 calendar days. Please send the completed KSDE EIPA DVD Library Check Out Form (PDF) to Sarah Reed sreed@ksde.org
Bachelors’ Degrees: ASL Interpreter and Deaf Studies This personnel preparation program is offered at Johnson County Community College (JCCC) in partnership with the University of Kansas, Edwards Campus (KUEC). Both campuses are located in Overland Park, KS. For more information visit https://edwardscampus.ku.edu/asl-deaf-studies (external link)
Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KCDHH) (external link) Interpreter Registry contact Megan Essary Megan.Essary@ks.gov National Association of Interpreters in Education (NAIE) (external link) Professional Guidelines for Interpreting in Educational Settings (external link) Eduational Interpreter Code of Ethics (external link) RID’s Standard Practice Papers (SPPs) (external link) KCDHH Announcement regarding transition to RID & KIDA (PDF) Categorical Aid information including- Educational Interpreter Prof Dev Plan (link)
Kansas Resources Kansas Hearing Screening Guidelines 2022 (PDF) Kansas School for the Deaf (external link) Language Assessment Program for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students (LAP-DHH). For more information, contact Angie Walker at awalker@kssdb.org. Kansas Teachers of the Deaf (TOD) Endorsement and Professional Development Project (external link) This program is open to any person who holds a valid Kansas teaching license in general education, special education and/or content area endorsement. The TOD Project will provide tuition assistance, as well as, books, fees, materials, and travel. Selected applicants will be enrolled in a pre-approved university program in Deaf Education (Master's level) to receive an endorsement as a Teacher of the Deaf (TOD). Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ks.gov) (external link). Contact Robert Coooper, Executive Director at robert.cooper@ks.gov.
National Resources Optimizing Outcomes for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: Educational Services Guidelines (3rd ed) (2019). (external link) National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE). National Deaf Center - Resources (external link)
The Kansas Deaf-Blind Project (external link) Marites Altuna maltuna@kssdb.org The Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) (external link) The Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) Regional Office, questions should be directed to: Beth Jordan beth.jordan@hknc.org National Family Association for Deaf-Blind (NFADB) (external link) The National Center on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB) (external link) Identification Of Children With Deaf-Blindness: Resources For School Administrators (external PDF)
State Deaf-Blind Fund Report FY 21-22 (PDF) State Deaf-Blind Fund Report FY 20-21 (PDF) State Deaf-Blind Fund Report FY 19-20 (PDF) State Deaf-Blind Fund Report FY 18-19 (PDF) State Deaf-Blind Fund Report FY 17-18 (PDF)
State Deaf-Blind Fund Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) State Deaf Blind Fund Timelines (PDF) The Overview of the State Deaf-Blind Fund (2023) (PDF) Audio Deaf-Blind Fund Training (mp4)
LEA User Guide of The State Deaf-Blind Fund System (2021) (PDF)
Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities and Dual Sensory Losses (External PDF)
Kansas State School for the Blind (external link)
Kansas Teachers of Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired (TSVI) and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS) Preparation and Mentorship (external link) This program is open to any person that holds a valid Kansas teaching license in general education, special education, and/or content area endorsement The TSVI and/or the COMS Program will provide tuition assistance, as well as books, materials, travel support, and other related expenses. All coursework is at the Master’s level. Mentorship is provided during the students’ practica experiences at Kansas State School for the Blind. Questions should be directed to Aundrayah Shermer, ashermer@kssdb.org
Kansas Instructional Resource Center (KIRC) (external link) (KIRC) assists school districts in obtaining braille, large print, recorded textbooks, and other educational materials for students who are blind, have a vision loss, or have a print disability. – Services are provided only to Kansas students. Questions should be directed to Tony Harrell, tharrell@kssdb.org
Kansas Talking Books Kansas Talking Books provides personalized library support and materials in a specialized format to eligible Kansas residents to ensure that all may read.
Kansas Advisory Council for the Blind/Visually Impaired (KACB/VI) (external link) This organization is an affiliate of the American Council for the Blind. Current information about events, resources, and information as it pertains to Kansas, is disseminated in a quarterly for individuals who are blind/visually impaired across all ages.
The Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) (external link) This is a professional membership organization dedicated exclusively to professionals who provide services to persons with vision loss. There is an annual conference held each year to provide updates on certificates, research, current topics and relevant topics about the education and rehabilitation.
The Assocaition for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) Division 9: Orientation and Mobility (external link) Division 9 of AER provides research and development, information and training for professionals who are blind/visually impaired. Division 9 works closely with the certification of professionals who meet the standards established by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals in order to work as a Certified Orientation and Mobility Instructor (COMS).
American Printing House for the Blind (APH) (external link) This organization has provided resources, equipment, research and development, as well as other pertinent information for educations, administrators, and students who have vision disabilities. Additionally, APH operates the Quota Funds for schools each year. Quota Funds were enacted in 1879 to provide adapted educational materials for students who are eligible (meet the definition of blindness). These funds can be applied to students who are preschool to post graduate level.
"Dear Colleague" letter from OSEP concerning the use of braille in educating students who are blind or visually impaired.(2013).
National Instructional Media Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) (external link) A technical standard utilized by curriculum and other instructional publishers to produce XML source files that are used to present content in a variety of specialized formats, such as braille or audio books. These specialized formats are used by students who are blind, have low vision, or have a print disability.
The National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC) (external link) This electronic file repository is where NIMAS files are converted to printed instructional materials, and made available to authorized users in each state. Authorized users are responsible for distributing the accessible formats (e.g., braille, audio books, or large print) to students who meet eligibility criteria defined in IDEA.
InfiniTEXT (external link) InfiniText is a program to provide digital text for qualified K-12 students with print disabilities. This program is available to the Infinitec Assistive Technology Coalitions and K-12 schools across Kansas.
Learning Ally (external link) Learning Ally (formerly Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic) is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that houses the largest audio textbook library for students with print disabilities.
Bookshare (external link) This is the world's largest online accessible library for individuals with print disabilities, such as blindness, low vision, physical disabilities, or reading disabilities that make it difficult or impossible to read standard print.The library has - books, including fiction, non-fiction, textbooks, educational reading, newspapers and magazines, plus free software applications that read digital content.
Lisa Karney lkarney@ksde.org 785-296-6765 Education Program Consultant
Sarah Reed sreed@ksde.org 785-296-4602 Administrative Specialist
Director Bert Moore bmoore@ksde.org
Assistant Director Doug Boline dboline@ksde.org
Assistant Director Brian Dempsey bdempsey@ksde.org
Assistant Director Kerry Haag khaag@ksde.org
Assistant Director Tate Toedman ttoedman@ksde.org
Assistant Director Dean Zajic dzajic@ksde.org
Main Team Page Special Education Title Services Announcements Fact Sheets Kansas Integrated Accountability System (KIAS) Kansas Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS) (external link) Kansas’ Technical Assistance System Network (TASN) (external link)
Problems with this page contact: Evelyn Alden ealden@ksde.org
The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. (more information...)
To accommodate people with disabilities, on request, auxiliary aides and services will be provided and reasonable modifications to policies and programs will be made. To request accommodations or for more information please contact the Office of General Counsel at gc@ksde.org or by 785-296-3201.