TX SenseAbilities – Spring 2025 Issue

Bringing Home the Family Engagement Priorities at the State and National Level

In this fifth installment of the TX SenseAbilities series inspired by the Family Engagement Report, we shift focus to the state and national priorities designed to empower families of individuals who are deafblind. These priorities aim to drive systems-level transformation, emphasizing families as leaders and partners in shaping impactful change. Drawing insights from the report and featuring voices from families and organizations, this article underscores how these priorities can serve as the catalyst for progress, foster inclusivity, and deepen community connections.

You Know You’re Adulting When You’re Excited About Buying a New Couch!

The Spring 2022 issue of TX SenseAbilities featured an article about Megan when she began attending classes at Texas A&M University. In this issue, Megan and her mom provide an update on her life after graduation from Texas A&M’s PATHS program as she moves into full time employment and living independently.

Family Support Makes a Difference with a Deafblind Child: Orion’s Journey

In this heartfelt account, the author invites readers into her family’s early journey of raising a son who is DeafBlind. Through personal stories and poignant insights, she illustrates how collaboration with early intervention services, state Deafblind Projects, and dedicated interveners can lay the groundwork for a bright future. This narrative emphasizes the vital role of teamwork and connection in building strong foundations for children who are DeafBlind and their families. This article, reprinted with permission, was first published in the January 2017 issue of Odyssey, a publication of Gallaudet University’s Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center.

Transition Tips from the Trenches: A Parent’s Perspective

A parent offers meaningful and practical tips from her family’s experience navigating her son’s transition path.

Changing Lives at Becka’s House

The author shares her family’s personal experiences and perspectives with Becka’s House. Inspired by their loved one who is deafblind with additional disabilities, the home was created to foster independence, meaningful relationships, and a sense of belonging for her niece, Becka, and other young women with multiple disabilities. Over the past five years, Becka’s House has become a thriving community that has transformed lives for both residents and caregivers.

A Voice of One for Many

This article reflects on a pivotal moment in 2019 when Christine Givens and her husband, George, faced a profound choice: to accept their daughter’s placement in a nursing care facility or fight for transformative changes in the Texas adult Medicaid system. Through a heartfelt late-night letter, Christine began her advocacy journey, laying the groundwork for a critical system change. This article shares part of that letter and its role in shaping a path toward improved support for individuals with complex medical needs and their families.

Inclusion is for Everyone

The authors briefly describe an authentic inclusion model and introduce a short but powerful video that demonstrates possibilities for meaningful inclusion for all students in a general education classroom.

Let’s Get Moving and Find Some FUNdamentals!!!

The authors describe the importance of Orientation and Mobility services in early childhood, including early introduction of cane use and parent coaching. This article is part of a presentation by the authors on “FUNdamentals of Birth to 3 O&M in New Mexico” at the Southwest Orientation & Mobility Association Conference (SWOMA) held in Austin, Texas in November 2024.

TDB! Coming this fall!

This article shares some history and the most current information about the certification of teachers of students who are deafblind (TDB) in Texas.

Occupational Therapy and Sensory Integration for Students with Visual Impairments (Revised 2025)

This article discusses the impact of visual impairment on sensory integration and how sensory integrative dysfunction manifests in students with blindness and visual impairments. Treatment approaches and educational interventions are also described. The information in this article was originally published in TX SenseAbilities in Fall 2008, and has been revised here by Emily Leeper, VI Outreach Consultant, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI), with the author’s permission.

Rule Changes in Early Intervention for Infants and Toddlers Who are Blind, Deafblind, or Have Low Vision

A few words in the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) code significantly changed how we determine whether a little one is eligible for services from a teacher of students with visual impairments (TVI), Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS), or teacher of students who are deaf or hard of hearing (TDHH) when referred through Early Childhood Intervention (ECI). The author explains what the changes mean and describes the updated rules for enrolling children who are ages birth to three in school.

Big Soccer (Football) Dreams

Blind soccer offers students who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision vital opportunities for physical activity, teamwork, and independence. Advocating for a blind soccer pitch at TSBVI aligns with empowering students to achieve "Big Dreams," fostering skills in leadership, collaboration, and mobility while promoting access to Paralympic-level opportunities and community engagement.

Early Access to Adapted Sports: Hands-On Training Hosted by the Blind Children’s Vocational Discovery and Development Program

Participating in adaptive sports benefits children with visual impairments by fostering physical fitness, social skills, teamwork, and confidence. The Blind Children’s Vocational Discovery and Development Program provides hands-on adaptive sports training to introduce children to paralympic sports like beep baseball and goalball, creating opportunities for lifelong skills, independence, and community connections.

DCMP: Providing Accessible Videos and Enhancing Learning for All

The Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) offers a wealth of videos on topics that cover all aspects of the school curriculum, including disability specific programming. The videos are described to support those who are blind or have low vision and are captioned to support those who may be deaf or need the additional support of closed captioning. Services are free to all educators and families who support those with a disability.

Opening New Worlds: The Talking Book Program (TBP) Enriches the Lives of People with Print, Visual, and Physical Disabilities in Texas

The Talking Book Program (TBP) empowers Texans with reading, visual, and physical disabilities by providing free access to thousands of accessible books, magazines, and games. Leveraging technology and community dedication, TBP enriches lives through an inclusive library of award-winning titles, fostering a love for learning and reading.

Unlock Financial Freedom With a Texas ABLE Account

For Texans with visual impairments or deafblindness and those who support them, financial planning can sometimes feel overwhelming—but a Texas Achieving a Better Life Experience (Texas ABLE®) account can help. Texas ABLE accounts offer Texans with disabilities and their families a way to save and pay for qualified disability-related expenses while maintaining eligibility for means-tested benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid.

TSBVI Media Minute: Fall 2024 Features

Learn about the latest TSBVI Media Minute posts on White Cane Day, Career Education, Residential Hobby Hour, and TSBVI’s partnership with the Girls’ School of Austin. The Media Minute is a campus resource which uses current and historical media to highlight programming across various TSBVI departments—Comprehensive Programs (Instructional and Residential), Short-Term Programs, Outreach, and the Curriculum Department.

2025 TSBVI LOW VISION CONFERENCE

Audio Description Contest for Students!