New York Deaf-Blind Collaborative

Overview

The New York Deaf-Blind Collaborative (NYDBC) is a federally funded project (10/1/2018 – 9/30/2023) that provides technical assistance to improve services for children and youth who are deaf-blind between the ages 0-21. NYDBC is fiscally managed by the CUNY (City University of New York) Research Foundation and provides services throughout the entire state of New York. NYDBC is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (#H326T180025), under the direction of Dr. Susan Weigert, OSEP Project Officer. NYDBC maintains a statewide child count of children and youth with combined hearing and vision loss, provides training to families and professionals and acts as a resource on deaf-blindness.

Who We Serve

NYDBC is a statewide federally funded grant that provides support to schools, agencies, professionals and families on behalf of children and young adults with both hearing and vision loss between the ages of 0–21. Anyone in New York State can access NYDBC as a resource on deaf-blindness. All services are free and do not conflict with services listed on the Individualized Education Program that is supported through the school district.

Professionals: NYDBC provides technical assistance (TA) to educators, administrators and related service providers on various levels. The type and level of intensity of TA will vary significantly depending on the needs of the professional(s) and their level of commitment to the process.

Families: NYDBC provides information, support, resources, training, training stipends, networking opportunities and family-to-family linkages to family members of children who are deaf-blind in order to increase their knowledge of and involvement in their child’s education.

Consumers: NYDBC acts as a resource to assist individuals who are DeafBlind in being connected to the appropriate resources within their local community. NYDBC also facilitates peer-to-peer connections and mentoring opportunities as well as linkages to adult service agencies in order to support a comprehensive, seamless transition from the educational system to adult life.