Name
Breakout Session 9B: Sharing Deafblind Knowledge and Practice with Service Providers and Families Through Online Learning: A Pilot Program in Ireland
Date & Time
Thursday, July 27, 2023, 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Location Name
Room 203
Country of Submission
Ireland
Description

On the theme of Global Connections, we would like to present the development and delivery of an online course in deafblindness for professionals and families. Though developed before the pandemic, it was something we were able to offer our clients and their multidisciplinary teams, when we were not able to travel to do in person training. However, it has continued to be a useful educational tool for sharing information, strategies and tips for those working with someone who is deafblind, as well as connecting professionals and families from different parts of the country, giving them the opportunity to share their experiences with each other. Rationale: Living in a country where deafblindness is not recognised yet and there are no third level degree programmes for professionals to learn about deafblindness, we found that delivering an online course was a good way to share knowledge, common practice, and resources for professionals and families around the country. The 5 Module (6 hour) course was offered for free, so as not to exclude anyone who wished to learn more about deafblindness. Outcomes: We learned many lessons along the way and adapted the course to meet the needs of the attendees based on the feedback received after each course. Although we were not in the same room as the attendees, we tried to make the sessions as interactive as possible, using a variety of ways to learn about them and pose questions through use of surveys and Chat function.