Family Engagement and Leadership: Partnering Together in an Ever Changing World

1. Family Engagement and Leadership: Partnering Together in an Ever Changing World

2. National Family Association for Deaf-Blind Presenters: Clara Berg, NFADB President; EdgenieBellah, NFADB Affiliates Coordinator DeafBlind International Network of the Americas Conference – Cape Cod – April 2018

3. National Family Association for Deaf-Blind We believe that individuals who are deaf-blind are valued members of society and are entitled to the same opportunities and choices as other members of their community. 

4. National Family Association for Deaf-Blind MISSION STATEMENT   NFADB exists to empower the voices of families of individuals who are deaf-blind and advocate for their unique needs

5. National Family Association for Deaf-Blind Board of Directors: 5 Officers in the Executive Committee 4 Board Members 3 Special Advisors 1 Policy & Outreach Coordinator 1 Administrative Technician

6. National Family Association for Deaf-Blind • Advocating for all persons who are deaf-blind of any • age and cognitive ability • Serving as a unified voice that supports and advocates for national policies • Connecting people to information and resources • Partnering with national organizations to build strong service systems • Bringing consumer and family voices to researchers and state/national discussions about deaf-blindness • Providing opportunities for state parent groups to become NFADB Affiliates

8. Family Engagement and Leadership: Partnering Together in an Ever Changing World

9. Discussion Guiding Believes • Individuals who are deaf-blind are valued and equal members within their communities • Families are at the heart of the community • Families partner with self-advocates and professionals to ensure lifestyle choices that remain steadfast regardless of systems change.

10. Family Challenges • Acquiring the knowledge they need to effectively engage with systems • Families are widely dispersed

11. Turning Challenges Into Opportunities Everyone Benefits When Families are Fully Engaged & Providing Leadership! • Family Engagement • Leadership: • Family Leadership • Self-Advocacy Through Example

12. What is Family Engagement ? Let’s Discuss! • What does family engagement mean to you? • What are some examples of how family engagement?

13. Family Engagement

14. Family Engagement

15. What is Family Leadership Let’s Discuss! • What does family leadership mean to you? • What are some examples of family leadership?

16. Family Leadership • Upgrade school and adult service facilities • Improve school and adult services leadership and staffing • Obtain higher quality programs for students • Incorporate new resources and programs to ensure effective programming • Increase funding for deaf-blind programs • Create and sustain adult service programs specifically designed for adults with deaf-blindness

17. FAMILY Engagement & Leadership across the DBi Network of Americas

18. Opportunities & Tipsat All Levels Let’s Discuss! • Individual • Local • Regional • Global

19. National Organizations Partnerships

20. Affiliate Network Purpose • Mobilize a strong national network of families • Serve as a conduit for information sharing • Improve advocacy at the national, state and local levels • Influence national trends and legislation • Engage families and provide leadership development opportunities http://nfadb.org/who-we-are/state-affiliates/

21. Affiliate Membership A parent run group whose focus is deaf-blindness. A commitment to partner with NFADB and its mission.

22. Current Issues for Deaf-Blind Community Let’s Discuss! • What are some policies, procedures and trends? • How might we work together to address these?

23. Contact Information NFADB 141 Middle Neck Road Sands Point, NY 11050 1-800-255-0411 www.nfadb.org infonfadb@gmail.com

24. THANK YOU!