The event will be held Friday, July 25, and Saturday, July 26, at the Lake Logan Conference Center south of Canton and will be led by Barbara Miles, co-author of “Remarkable Conversations,” a guide to developing meaningful communication with children and young adults who are deaf-blind.

Miles presentations’ specifically will cover the conversational basis of interactions and language development, and the importance of hands and touch for children who have severe disabilities. She will share stories and videos about her experiences with children and adults who are deaf-blind and their families, teachers and therapists.

“What I have learned most about, I feel, is conversation itself – how respectful two-way communication can benefit us all,” said Miles, in a letter inviting parents, colleagues and friends of children who are deaf-blind to bring to the conference questions and their own stories to share.

WCU’s Teacher Support Program offers support services at no charge to educators who request help and has specific funding to serve teachers of deaf-blind students. Program coordinator Ken Prohn said this event will be the seventh annual conference sponsored by the Teacher Support Program.

“Ms. Miles is a dynamic, interactive presenter with a wealth of information on communication for individuals who are deaf-blind or have significant disabilities,” said Prohn. “Attendees will leave the conference with functional strategies and interventions they will be able to use.”

All conference expenses will be paid or reimbursed for people who work directly with a student who is deaf-blind. Registration costs $20 for others, and the deadline to register is Monday, June 16. For more information, contact Prohn at (828) 227-3377 or prohn@email.wcu.edu.

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Last Modified: Monday, June 2, 2008