Welcome to the Intervener Community of Practice
Our purpose is to share information and resources and to facilitate discussions and networking related to the practice of using interveners with children and youth who are deafblind. By definition, an intervener is a person who has specialized training and skills in deafblindness and who works one-to-one with a child who is deafblind. The intervener:
• Facilitates access to environmental information that is usually gained through vision and hearing, but which is unavailable or incomplete to the child who is deafblind.
• Facilitates the development and/or use of the child’s receptive and expressive communication skills.
• Maintains a trusting, interactive relationship with the child that promotes social and emotional development and well-being.
The members of this community are professionals, parents, interveners, service providers, and administrators. Please ask questions, start discussions, and share your experiences and perspectives about interveners and their impact on the learning and development of children and youth who are deafblind.
As part of our efforts to establish the use of interveners as a recognized and credible service delivery option for individuals who are deafblind, we’ve been collaborating with the National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals and Related Service Providers (NRCP) to establish a National Intervener Credential. This Credential is now available, with guidelines having been set by NRCP for eligibility. Currently, there are 9 students who have completed the coursework, practicum, and portfolio and who will be receiving the Intervener Credential this summer. Detailed information about Interveners and the Intervener Credential is on our new website devoted to “all things” intervener found at www.intervener.org. You’re invited to visit this site often for information and resources. 8-2011