Hand in Hand

Development of professional competences in the field of deafblindness at the Nikolauspflege Stuttgart (Germany)

Project overview

  • Project sponsor: Lipoid Foundation
  • Host institution: Nikolauspflege Stuttgart
  • Target group: 25 participants from various professional groups: special education teachers, educators, remedial teachers, healthcare support workers, orthoptists, physical therapists
  • Cooperation: Collaboration with other special schools: Recruiting colleagues as participants and as speakers.

Objectives

  • Imparting specialized knowledge in the field of deafblindness
  • Self-awareness and transfer to everyday life
  • Building on existing skills in the following areas:
    • Blindness/visual impairment
    • Cognitive development

Methodical approach

  • Practical training with high relevance to everyday life
  • Didactic integration of theory, reflection, and self-awareness
  • Interdisciplinary perspective through mixed participant groups
  • External expert speakers from Germany and Austria
  • Preparation for training through E-learning

Self-awareness through simulation on the topic of CHARGE syndrome. The participant cuts an apple while deafblind (blindfolds and ear protection) and wearing gloves (impaired motor skills).

The participant explores her surroundings as a deafblind person with the help of a hearing-sighted partner.

Participants are asked to line up in order according to their first names. They write their names in capital letters in the palm of the person opposite them.

Multiplier training on deafblindness

Module 1: Introduction, self-awareness
Module 2: Medical and audiological basics: structure of the ear, process of hearing, different types of hearing impairment
Module 3: Educational audiology:  
diagnosis of individuals with deafblindness and additional disabilities;  fitting ear molds and hearing aids
Module 4: Syndromes:  Focus on symptoms currently occurring at Nikolauspflege:
For example:
1. Down syndrome
2. DiGeorge syndrome 
3. Alström syndrome 
4. CHARGE syndrome 
5. Goldenhar syndrome 
7. Zellweger spectrum
8. Usher syndrome
Module 5: Characteristics of development:
Concept development
Module 6: Communication I: Contact, conventional forms of communication:
Lorm alphabet, tactile signs
Module 7: Communication II: Unconventional forms of communication:
bodily communication and individual gestures
Module 8: Tactile Working Memory Scale, possibilities for intervention
Assessment of cognitive development in people with deafblindness
Module 9: Video analysis:
discovering resources (both of the person with deafblindness and the communication partner) based on communication situations
Module 10: Didactics & school practice
Ways to engage in dialogue with people who are deafblind. E.g., about reference objects, bodily emotional traces...

 

Additional topics in the project

  • Development of sign language skills through: 
    • Sign language courses
    • Use of a app based dictionary 

Future plans

  • Further development of qualifications: advanced training courses
  • Integration of content from:
    • Independent living skills 
    • Orientation and mobility 
    • Kinaesthetics
  • Parent meetings