Outreach Services for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing


About the Program

Outreach Services for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing provides consultative services through instructional leadership by providing training, support and guidance to all Wyoming school districts, child development centers and community members.

Outreach for the D/HH Mission

To improve the quality of life for students impacted by hearing loss through training, support and guidance to families and all related professionals who endeavor to empower all children who are deaf or hard of hearing to reach their full potential.

Outreach Staff Services

  • Technical assistance in the form of in-services, workshops and professional development tailored to the specific needs of students/children. Topics may include:
    • Information relatged to Audiology
    • Teaching Strategies
    • Language Strategies
    • Behavior Strategies
    • Sign Language Support
    • Educational Sign Language Interpreting
    • Materials available from the Outreach Library for the D/HH
    • Statewide Hearing Screening Training
    • Deaf Education Series via the WEN
      • Literacy
      • Audiology
      • Educational Interpreting
      • Sign Language Training

  • Conduct on-site observations of students/children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Provide immediate feedback to districts/centers by offering instructional suggestions and input specific to the student/child's needs.
  • Collaborate, plan, and conduct educational/social events for Wyoming's students who are deaf or hard of hearing, their families and service providers:
    • WY-HI (Wyoming Hearing Impaired Contact)
    • Academic Bowl
    • Secondary Transition

Outreach Library for the D/HH Resources and Materials
  • Instructional material for teachers
  • SignLanguage dictionaries, children's books and DVDs
  • Language development resources
  • Auditory Training Materials
  • Assistive Technology Materials (Cochlear Implants, hearing aids, FM systems)
  • Assessment/Evaluationtools
  • Biographies by deaf authors
  • Parenting children who are deaf materials
  • EHDI Hearing Screen Manual and CD

Contact
Jo Otterholt
Resource Specialist
(307) 577-4686
wsdlibrary@educ.state.wy.us
539 South Payne
Casper, Wyoming 82609


Upcoming Outreach Services Events

Spring WYHI

  • May 3, 2013
  • Location: Sunrise Bowling, Casper, WY
  • Contact: Jo Otterholt, jo.otterholt@wyo.gov, (307) 577-4686

Professional Development Workshop

  • May 3, 2013
  • For service providers working with students who are deaf or heard of hearing
  • Topics to include technology (incorporating iPad lessons with students and connecting a DVR) and Hands and Voices Support Group.
  • Location: Casper, WY
  • Contact: Janine Cole, janine.cole@wyo.gov, (307) 777-6376

Next Step Assessment Clinic

  • May 3, 2013
  • Educational and medical assessments for students with disabilities. Assessments are tailored to meet the specific needs outlined by the educational team and family. (See Next Step Assessment Clinic.)
  • Location: Wyoming Life Resource Center, Lander, WY
  • Contact: Joanne Whitson: joanne.whitson@wyo.gov

Outreach for the Deaf/Heard of Hearing Training

  • June 5-7, 2013
  • This program will focus on using internal data to determine next year's technical assistance and professional development.
  • Location: Buffalo, WY
  • Contact: Janine Cole, janine.cole@wyo.gov, (307) 777-6376

Western Regional Early Intervention Conference on Sensory Disabilities

  • June 19-21, 2013
  • This event, headlined by Dr. Jan van Dijk and Dr. Cathy Nelson, will offer assessment strategies for those with sensory loss from birth through life.
  • Location: Jackson, WY
  • Contact: Joanne Whitson, joanne.whitson@wyo.gov, (307) 324-5333

Sign Language Workshop

  • July 11-12, 2013
  • Location: WDE Outreach Library, Casper, WY
  • Contact: Janine Cole, janine.cole@wyo.gov, (307) 777-6376

Professional Development Webinars

  • October 18, 2013
  • These webinars are for service profiders working with students who are deaf and hard of hearing. Topics will include: Supporting school entry/transition; assessing student classroom listening challenges and strategies' learning to listen; and understanding children's aided hearing using the desired sensation level approach.
  • Contact: Janine Cole, janine.cole@wyo.gov, (307) 777-6376