Mississippi Hearing-Vision Project

07/29/2026

If you have a youth with complex needs in transition or have recently (5 years or less) completed transition to adult life, we would love for you to be part of this event:

Transition for Teens with Complex Needs Listening Session

When: 12-Aug-2026
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 PM Central Time
Where: Zoom

EVENT DETAILS:

Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) is pleased to announce the launch of NEXUS, a national initiative that brings together people, expertise, and resources to improve outcomes for DeafBlind youth with complex support needs.

HKNC has asked NFADB to bring parents of these youth to the table for this listening session.

This initiative responds to a critical need: across vocational rehabilitation systems, schools, community programs, and adult service networks, the demand for specialized DeafBlind expertise continues to outpace the number of trained professionals available.

Families also need clear guidance, practical resources, and support as their children move from the education system into the adult service world.

Helen Keller National Center and the National Center on Deafblindness are partnering to strengthen capacity across educational and adult service systems through coordinated training, resources, and technical assistance for agencies supporting DeafBlind youth with complex learning and support needs and their families.

Building on HKNC’s DeafBlind Immersion Experience, which provides consultative training to one DeafBlind individual and their support team at a time, NEXUS will expand this impact by working with cross-agency teams to build local capacity, train staff, support families, sustain quality services, and establish communities of practice for professionals and families.

For more information about NEXUS, please contact your HKNC regional representative

or Deborah Harlin:
Deborah Harlin, Director NEXUS program
[email protected]
phone/text: 516-760-0158

07/11/2026

https://web.facebook.com/share/p/1983m98kPr/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Congratulations to Lion Greg Crapo 🎉

Please join us in congratulating Lion Greg Crapo on being elected as our newest International Director for Lions Clubs International!

This is an incredible honor and a testament to Lion Greg’s unwavering dedication, outstanding leadership, and years of faithful service to Lionism. His passion for serving others and strengthening our communities has made a lasting impact, and we are proud to see him represent our association on the international stage.

We know Lion Greg will lead with integrity, compassion, and the true spirit of “We Serve.” Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement, and best wishes as you begin this exciting new chapter of service!

Congratulations, International Director Lion Greg Crapo!

07/09/2026

Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D., highlights a nationwide collaborative study led by Rice University focused on braille education. The research emphasizes that braille is foundational literacy, rather than just a code, for the blind and visually impaired community. See the following: Braille is literacy: Rice researchers are reshaping the science of reading.

Rebecca can be seen in the photo contained in the article.

As schools across the country increasingly embrace evidence-based approaches to reading instruction through the science of reading, two Rice researchers are leading an effort to ensure students who learn through braille are not left out of the research shaping literacy education.

07/01/2026

https://preview.mailerlite.com/m0c5g3p5q1/3043009258078603625/s7i0/

Communication isn't limited to what we see or hear. During DeafBlind Awareness Week (DBAW), we're excited to share a new video series featuring our friend Narjis, who offers an inside look at how people who are DeafBlind communicate through touch and braille technology. 

06/29/2026

CVI Scotland provides an Illustrated Guide: Dorsal Stream Dysfunction with Typical Visual Acuity

Illustrated Guide: Dorsal Stream Dysfunction with Typical Visual Acuity This guide is designed to introduce and explain dorsal stream dysfunction in people with typical or near-typical visual acuity. The examples are children, but it is translatable for the many adults we know who are affected. We u...

06/29/2026

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/we-should-be-referred-to-as-accommodationally-share-7475695814254895104-x4b4/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAAAKSFVYBSbyRWV_grizLZVHedqrlhrfw5kA

"We should be referred to as 'Accommodationally Abled' and not "disabled,"... This means you can do anything you want; you can shoot for the stars. You might just need a little help. And you can control that—you can judge what accommodations will help you best." - Laci Lowell

06/25/2026

Families,
This week is nationally recognized as DeafBlind Awareness Week (formerly Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week) which occurs from June 25 to July 1, culminating on Helen Keller's birthday (June 27). The 2026 national campaign theme is "Connected by Touch: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges," which highlights how touch enables communication, access, and inclusion for the DeafBlind community.

For our celebration, please consider sharing with me any thoughts you might have regarding how your child or young adult brings you joy. If you wish, share a picture of your loved one with me via email or text (228-249-9668).
___
Join us this Friday for a special Helen Keller Birthday Celebration at the Mississippi Library Commission, located at 3881 Eastwood Drive in Jackson, from 2:00–4:00 PM!

Participants will enjoy a guided tour of the library, learn about the many services and resources available through the Mississippi Library Commission, and celebrate Helen Keller's legacy with birthday cake and refreshments.

This event is also a wonderful opportunity to connect with and meet other members of Mississippi's deafblind community, along with family members, friends, and supporters.

We hope you'll join in for an afternoon of learning, fellowship, and celebration!

-DeafBlind Community of Mississippi

___

Finally please see the email below regarding an article published yesterday in Mississippi Today that focuses on the Mississippi Schools for the Blind and Deaf in Jackson.

---------- Forwarded message ---------

Date: Tue, Jun 23, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Subject: MS Today's Article Dropped

Devna Bose texted at 4:30 p.m. today that the MS Today article regarding the schools for the deaf and blind is out.

Devna realizes this article is very surface level. She knows there's much more to get into and hopes to continue this reporting alongside us in the coming months.

Here is a link:

Petition notes school leadership issues - Mississippi Today

The petition lists issues at the Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.

06/25/2026

The Mississippi Hearing-Vision Project (MH-VP) is joining other disability advocacy groups across the country in a National Call-In Day. Today, June 25, to oppose the U.S. Department of Education’s recent transfer of OSERS (the agency that oversees the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We also oppose the move of the Office for Civil Rights to the U.S. Department of Justice.
You can help by calling your U.S. senators and representatives and asking them to urge the U.S. Department of Education to reverse this decision. (Please call rather than email to have the most impact!). Use the links to call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
Senators Suite & Telephone List (PDF)
Don't know senators and representative? You can find out who they are by simply typing in your address here - https://pluralpolicy.com/find-your-legislator/ . Scroll down to "Federal Legislators."

Call script
Once connected, you can speak to whoever answers the phone using the following script:
Hi, my name is _____ and I live in (City and State). I am a (parent of a child with a disability/educator/concerned community member, etc.) calling to express my opposition to the
U.S. Department of Education moving special education to the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Special education programs are education programs first and should be administered by an agency with that expertise. Additionally, moving the Office for Civil Rights to the Department of Justice further fragments oversight of special education and the rights of students with disabilities to a free, appropriate public education. Moving these programs risks disrupting services, creating confusion for states and districts, and weakening the federal commitment to ensuring students with disabilities have access to the supports and services they need to succeed.
I urge the Member to publicly call on the Administration to reverse this decision and keep OSERS and the Office for Civil Rights within the Department of Education. Families and schools rely on OSERS’ education-focused expertise to support the implementation of IDEA and protect the rights of students with disabilities.
Will the Member speak out and urge the Administration to reverse its decision to move OSERS out of the Department of Education?
Please let (congress member’s name) know how important this issue is to their constituents. Thank you for your time.

Thank you for your help. Please share this alert with others!

Additional resources including sample email and text wording:
https://docs.google.com/document/u/1/d/e/2PACX-1vRqJ1YSpn_DycVLIwhEgXgdF4tutsRYpzKYV7631ScB8qEv4UR3FEtb7qKLexoWPAXh_fzLgK7O9qx6/pub

Use this document to prepare for your support for the National IDEA call in day. Below are various options and recommendations for getting the word out about this call in day to families, educators, and professionals.

06/24/2026

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1557249916430897&id=100064377111655&rdid=xOdxCZbUIBBSic8b #

The Official U.S. Congressional website of Morgan McGarvey

06/24/2026

💙 Independence Starts with Accessibility 💙

The Drive Bellavita Whisper Bath Chair is now available through Project START!

Designed to assist individuals who have difficulty getting in and out of the bathtub, this innovative bath chair uses a simple remote control to safely lower and raise users during bath time.

✨ Lightweight and portable
✨ Waterproof floating remote control
✨ Comfortable reclining backrest

🔗 Borrow yours here for FREE: https://ids.myturn.com/library/inventory/show/629626

Because everyone deserves access to safe, comfortable daily routines. 💙