9/1/26

Visual Impairment

September is National Guide Dog Month

🦮 read this story from TXSenseAbilities to learn about guide dog training. If you have pictures or stories to share from North Carolina Guides please email me. 

Update your information

It is time to update your educator information, get new routines and schedules in place. Please share this with any educators serving students with visual impairments in North Carolina.

Together, let's make this a transformative year. ~ Crystal Patrick, IDEA Consultant for Visual Impairment

NC APH is our Current Focus

NC APH *NEW* Parent Permission Form

A short technical assistance video has been created to support the implementation of the new parent consent process for the APH Legally Blind Registration and the DeafBlind Census. In the 2026-27 school year, office hours supporting this implementation will also be held  Specific dates for the office hours will be shared in August 2026.  The new parent consent forms may be found in the General OEC Resources shared Google folder. These resources are “view only” and may be downloaded from the File menu for use in your PSU.  Question related to the new process may be directed to:

APH Legally Blind Registration:  Terri Terrell, ncaph@dpi.nc.gov

DeafBlind Census:  Dr. Alan Chase, alan.chase@dpi.nc.gov

NCAPH is currently out of Federal Quota Funds for the 25 funding cycle which runs from Oct to Sept. You may email orders for eligible students listed on the 2026 LBR to NCAPH@dpi.nc.gov Orders will be placed in the order that they were received starting when the 26 funding cycle opens in October 2026.

For all NC APH questions or technical assistance, please contact Terri Terrell at NCAPH@dpi.nc.gov.

The APH Hive and APH Access Academy offer FREE eLearning platform for educators and families that you can access at any time to earn ACVREP credits from the comfort of your home and office. Sign up to learn more about the HIVE and  APH Access Academy

Rethinking the Expanded Core Curriculum

Tuesday September 8, 2026, 5:00-6:30 PM ET For decades, the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) has guided instruction for students who are blind or have low vision. But as educational practices continue to evolve, so must the way we think about and implement the ECC. Rethinking the Expanded Core Curriculum is part of a webinar series that explores a modern approach to ECC instruction--one that moves beyond checklist-driven practices toward an interconnected system centered on student agency, collaborative leadership, and personalized learning. Participants will discover practical strategies for creating intentional, integrated instruction that promotes meaningful skill transfer and greater independence, while empowering school-based teams to implement the ECC as both a guiding framework and an individualized curriculum. Register here for Rethinking the Expanded Core Curriculum

New Horizons: eBraille with Duxbury

Thursday September 17, 2026, 1:00-2:00PM ET

As the first braille transcription tool to offer comprehensive born-eBraille support, Duxbury is making it easier for everyone to make and use eBraille!  Join us for a webinar with Willow Free, a creator of eBraille, for a practical look at how to make the most of the eBraille file format with Duxbury's latest update, including: thinking differently about styles, adding externals links, and incorporating tactile graphics. This webinar will focus on the BANA and UEB rulesets and how to use SWIFT when building eBraille files, but you are welcome to follow along even if your workflow is different.Register here for New Horizons: eBraille with Duxbury

2026 Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) Satisfaction Survey

If you have purchased APH products over the last 12 months, we want to hear from you! Access  the 2026 GPRA brief survey , the response deadline is Friday, October 16.

Tools You Can Use

From TeachNC Financial Aid & Scholarships are available

NCDPI Calendar of Events in Calendar View

NCDPI Calendar of Events in List View

Need Technical Assistance or Support ? Do you need more than an email or resource? Then schedule a time to meet with the IDEA Consultant for Visual Impairment.

Accessibility In Action 

The National Center on Accessible Digital Educational Materials & Instruction (NCADEMI), pronounced “n-cademy”. Be in the know! Check out the resources on IDEA and ADA

Optional Opportunity: Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) Needs Assessment Survey

HKNC is the premier agency offering comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services for individuals who are DeafBlind at its headquarters in Sands Point NY, at locations across the country, and through virtual assessment and training opportunities. Their network of regional representatives can work with you to students with DeafBlindness.

HKNC has recently undertaken a project to improve and expand services for DeafBlind youth with complex support needs, as well as the professionals, educators, family members, and home teams who support them in their communities.

As part of this effort, they are gathering input from professionals and others who support these youth.  HKNC would greatly appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to complete the needs assessment below. Your experience and perspective will help to better understand current needs, identify gaps in services and supports, and guide the development of future training, resources, technical assistance, and community-based supports.

If you are interested, please complete the Complete the Needs Assessment

September 1, 2026

Parent and Family Updates

When and How to Request a Team Meeting

A parent can request an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting at any time during the school year. When is it appropriate to request a meeting? 

• Your child is not making gains or not meeting their IEP goals;

• Your child has a new medical diagnosis, shows regression, or needs new or different accommodations; and

• You want to request new evaluations or discuss a change in educational placement.

If you want to ask a team to meet, make the request in writing. An email is the best form of communication for this request. Include your child’s teacher, case manager, the exceptional children’s teacher, and the school principal. The exceptional children’s teacher is often the case manager. Explain why you are requesting the meeting and which topics you want to discuss. If you do not get a response in a reasonable time, follow up with another email.

NC College Connect

The NC College Connect program offers all North Carolina public high school seniors a simplified pathway to higher education. In Fall 2026, graduating seniors will receive direct admission to select colleges and universities participating in the NC College Connect program. Each student's tailored list of admitted institutions is based on their weighted GPA at the close of their junior year, along with being on track to graduate, completion of a fourth-level math course, and fulfillment of program requirements. Note that the higher a student’s GPA, the more schools to which they will be directly admitted!

This year, all students on track to graduate will be eligible – yes, everyone! Here you will find resources about this program.

We are also hosting a webinar for students to answer questions in real-time – please join us on September 17, 2026 at 6 p.m.

Get Ready for the STEAM Career Showcase

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is hosting the 13th Annual STEAM Career Showcase for Students with Disabilities on October 13, 2026, at the Nature Resource Center in Raleigh. Students in grades 6-12 will meet role models with disabilities who work in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM). Students will learn about role models’ individual experiences, strategies for success, and future career paths and attend the Opportunity Fair with exhibitors. This event is free and requires registration. 

For those unable to join in person, the welcome and keynote speeches will be livestreamed on the Museum’s YouTube channel.

ASL interpretation and live captions will be provided for welcome, keynote presentation, and breakout sessions. If individual accommodations are needed, email Accessibility@NaturalSciences.org or call 919-707-9824.

Parent Advisory Council Meetings for 2026-2027

The Council on Educational Services for Exceptional Children (CESEC) meets quarterly and advises the NC State Board of Education (SBE) with respect to the unmet needs of children with special needs and in the development and implementation of policies related to the coordination of services for students with disabilities. 

The Council quarterly meetings are open to the public. The agenda and a link to the meeting are posted on the Resources for Families and Students web page10 business days prior to the meeting. Public comments are an essential and necessary part of CESEC fulfilling its role to advise the SBE. 

The Council will meet during the 2026-27 school year on:

• September 17, 2026

• December 17, 2026

• March 16, 2027

• June 17, 2027

Interested parties are encouraged to submit written comments at any time or attend the CESEC’s quarterly meetings and register for public comment. Fifteen minutes will be reserved on the CESEC agenda for public input at each meeting. 

Public comment is limited to no more than five minutes per person in the first fifteen minutes of the morning session. Sign-in must occur by 9:30 a.m.

Any individual may submit a comment via written letter or email, which must be received at CESEC Email or Johanna Lynch, Office of Exceptional Children, 6356 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-6356 by 4 p.m., 10 business days prior to the quarterly meeting. Any comments submitted after that time will be read and/or distributed at a later date. 

Additional information and requirements specific to public comment can be found on the CESEC website.

One Parent can Make a Difference: Are you Interested in Joining the Council?

The Council is seeking one parent to fill a vacant parent representative. CESEC provides recommendations to the State Board of Education (SBE) on matters related to the education of children with disabilities. Members play an important role in supporting students and families across the state. Appointments are for four-year terms.

The Council meets quarterly via Webex and occasionally in person. Member representation includes parents, school district personnel, community partners, and representatives from other agencies.

If you are interested in being considered for the appointment, please complete the Member Interest Form. If you have questions, please email Johanna Lynch.

Wrightslaw Training Coming to North Carolina

The Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC) is hosting a full-day, in-person Wrightslaw training session to help parents take an active role in their children's learning. There is no cost to attend. Topics include key sections of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), how to participate in meetings, prepare for meetings, develop SMART Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), maintain healthy relationships with their team, and disagree. 

From Emotions to Advocacy runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Central Library – Forsyth, 660 W. 5th Street, Winston Salem. The training includes three books for each attendee: Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy, Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, and Wrightslaw: All About IEPs. 

Participants are required to register and can find the agenda on the registration page linked here. Materials and lunch are included. Families and caregivers residing two or more hours away may be eligible for a one-night hotel stay prior to the training. If you require lodging, please indicate your interest on the registration form. An ECAC staff member will evaluate your request to determine eligibility and will reach out to verify and manage your booking, if approved.

Stay Tuned!

The Office of Exceptional Children will be offering virtual training on topics that will include transition to adulthood, how Individualized Education Program (IEP) decisions are made, how to work collaboratively with the IEP team, and how to address concerns about progress with the IEP team.

Join the 2026 Growing Well Conference at App State University – Registration Now Open!

The 2026 Growing Well Conference, “Moving Mountains for People with Special Health Care Needs,” will convene October 4 to 6 at the Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences at Appalachian State University. 

Session Topics

• Meeting the needs of people on the Innovations Waiver waitlist

• Autism services resources and updates 

• Medical management, behavioral therapies and communication tools, transitions from school to adulthood, and more.

Featured Speakers

Hear directly from top state and national policy leaders and autism advocates from California, Georgia, North Carolina, and across the country. Key featured leaders include:

• Kevin Tanner, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities;

• Kelly Crosbie, Assistant Secretary of the NC Division of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities;

• Dr. Andrea Davis, autism expert, clinical psychologist, and advocate from Pasadena, CA, specializing in developmental, relationship-based intervention, and autism advocacy; and

• Healthcare providers, researchers, educators, and individuals with lived experience offering a wide range of perspectives. 

Scholarships & Travel Assistance

Scholarships and potential assistance with travel expenses are available for families and individuals who need support to make the trip.

To apply for a scholarship or inquire about travel assistance, please contact Diane Coffey at coffeyd68@gmail.com.

Registration

View the full schedule, session tracks, and registration details by visiting the event page 2026 Growing Well Conference registration web site.

We look forward to welcoming you to Appalachian State University this October for a powerful weekend of community, education, and growth!

Policy Corner: Prior Written Notice

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires school districts to give parents a written explanation before they propose to initiate, change, or refuse to do something related to their child’s identification, evaluation, educational placement, or provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE). The document is called the prior written notice (PWN) and should be given to parents within a reasonable amount of time after the meeting, if not at the end of the meeting.

The notice must:

• describe the action that the school proposes or refuses to take;

• explain why the school is proposing or refusing to take the action;

• describe each evaluation procedure, assessment, record, or report the school used in deciding to propose or refuse the action;

• include a statement that you have protections under the procedural safeguards provisions in Part B of IDEA;

• tell you how to get a description of the procedural safeguards if the action that the school is proposing or refusing is not an initial referral for evaluation;

• include resources for you to contact for help in understanding Part B of IDEA;

• describe any other options that your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team considered and the reasons why those options were rejected; and,

• provide a description of other reasons why your school proposed or refused the action.

The notice must be written in language that is understandable to the general public and provided in the parent’s native language or other mode of communication you use unless it is not feasible to do.

The notice will include the implementation date for the IEP, or when services will start or change. If you disagree with a proposed or refused action, the PWN should document your disagreement. If you propose to initiate or change the IEP and the team rejects that proposal, the refusal should be documented in the PWN. However, the PWN is not used to document all discussions during the meeting.

These requirements can also be found in the North Carolina Procedural Safeguards: Parent’s Rights and Responsibilities in Special Education.

Agencies of Interest: 

Office of Special Education Programs (U.S. Department of Education) 

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (U.S. Department of Education) 

N.C. Department of Public Instruction

Upcoming events: 

Autism Society of North Carolina

Autism Speaks

The Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education

Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center

Family Support Network

National Alliance on Mental Illness

NC ABLE

NC Downs Syndrome Alliance

Special Olympics North Carolina

Triangle Disability & Autism Services

Do you have an event you would like to share with the community? Please email us with information. 

Contact information:

Johanna Lynch, IDEA Parent Liaison

Office of Exceptional Children, NCDPI

Email: johanna.lynch@dpi.nc.gov

Historical newsletters can be found in the Parent Newsletter Google Folder.

Blind and Deaf/Hard of Hearing Updates with links

Welcome back to another exciting and thrilling start to the 26-27 school year! We hope it has been a great and smooth transition back! Here are some upcoming events to add to your radar. Also, we watching out for some new and exciting developments around the upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities for Educational Interpreters this year!!

NC DeafBlind Census:

Effective July 1, 2026, the NC DeafBlind Census will require parent consent for an eligible student to be included on the DeafBlind Census.  This new consent form will be uploaded directly into the student’s ECATS documents.  Once uploaded, the form will remain with the student’s record, eliminating the need to complete a new consent form if the student transfers to another PSU.  All students currently included on the DeafBlind Census and new students added to the Census must have the new consent form completed and signed.

The signed parent consent must be attached to the most recent DeafBlind Census document in ECATS with the naming convention: NC DB Census Parent Permission

The NC DeafBlind Project does not provide direct service to students; rather technical assistance and professional learning is provided to school teams and families that benefit the student and improve outcomes.

For both the APH Legally Blind Registration and the DeafBlind Census, the beginning of school open house, parent-teacher conferences, or IEP meetings may be excellent opportunities to talk to parents and gain their consent.

Technical Assistance

A short technical assistance video has been created to support the implementation of the new parent consent process for the APH Legally Blind Registration and the DeafBlind Census. In the 2026-27 school year, office hours supporting this implementation will also be held. Specific dates for the office hours will be shared in August 2026. The new parent consent forms are provided in multiple languages and may be found in the General OEC Resources shared Google folder. These resources are “view only” and may be downloaded from the File menu for use in your PSU.  Questions related to the new process may be directed to:

• APH Legally Blind Registration: Terri Terrell, ncaph@dpi.nc.gov

• DeafBlind Census: Dr. Alan Chase, alan.chase@dpi.nc.gov

WNC Community Conversation with DSDHH 

The Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH) is collecting stories across NC to learn where communication barriers affect Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals. These sessions are now geared toward parents and educational professionals in order to learn more about the challenges faced in school and other settings. ASL Interpreters and CART captioning will be provided. RSVP is required. 

When: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 - 4:00-6:00pm

Where: Zoom Virtual Session

Please view the Community Conversation flier to learn more about how to join!

ASL Storytelling with DSDHH

The Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH) is hosting American Sign Language Storytelling Time for Children in memory of Stephanie Scott, Deaf Services Specialist, on numerous dates during the 2026-2027 school year. Each session features different Deaf ASL storytellers. 

Where: Zoom

When: Numerous Dates from 10:00-10:30am

Please view the ASL Storytelling Flier for more information. 

Community Event: From A (Audism) to Z (Zenith): My Personal Experience as a DeafBlind Individual: Dr. Victorica Monroe 

Join NC State University for a lecture from Dr. Victorica “Dr. V” Monroe, a DeafBlind scholar and educator, examining the educational experiences of DeafBlind, Deaf, and hard of hearing individuals and communities, audism, language access, and language acquisition. Drawing on their professional and academic experience, Dr. Monroe will discuss these topics and their connections to education, communication, language and the experiences of DeafBlind people. The lecture will be followed by a screening of Signing Black in America, a documentary exploring the history and development of Black American Sign Language (BASL) and the linguistic and cultural experiences reflected in its use.

The event is intended for students, faculty, staff, and members of the broader community.

Where: Talley Student Center, Coastal Ballroom 

When: Monday, Sept 14, 2026 from 6:00-8:00pm

To learn more about the event and register, please visit the NCSU event website. 

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Parent & Family Updates

Get Ready for the New School Year!

A successful school year starts with preparation, communication, and partnership. These tips can help students begin the year with confidence.

Before School Starts

• Review your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) to refresh yourself on their goals, accommodations, and services.

• Share important information about your child with new teachers, including strengths, interests, communication style, and strategies that work well.

• Visit the school, classroom, or bus route ahead of time, if possible, to reduce anxiety.

• Establish consistent sleep, meal, and morning routines a couple of weeks before school begins.

Build Positive Relationships

• Introduce yourself via email to your child’s teachers and related service providers early in the year. 

• Approach the school as partners working toward the same goal: your child’s success.

• Keep communication respectful, collaborative, and focused on solutions.

Help Your Child Prepare

• Talk positively about returning to school while acknowledging any worries your child may have. 

• Practice important skills such as opening lockers, organizing backpacks, using communication devices, or following daily routines.

• Consider requesting photos of your child’s new classroom, teacher, and/or an opportunity to meet the teacher during a less hectic time than Open House.

Stay Organized

• Create a system to track school communications, IEP documents, and progress reports.

• Use calendars, reminders, or apps to stay up to date on assignments, school events, and meetings. 

• Check backpacks, communication folders, online portals, and classroom apps regularly.

Monitor the Transition

• The first few weeks of school are an adjustment. Watch for signs that your child may need additional support with organizing, planning, and their emotions.

• Celebrate successes and recognize progress as your child settles in.

Encourage Independence

• If your child is able to, allow her/him to take on age-appropriate responsibilities, such as packing their backpack, tracking assignments, or communicating with teachers. If they need support, help them learn those skills.

• Remind your child of their strengths and celebrate their successes.

The IEP team is required to meet at least once annually to review and update a student’s IEP. If you have concerns about your child’s progress or goals, you can request an IEP meeting at any time by sending the request in writing to your child’s IEP Case Manager and the school principal.

Updated Notice of Procedural Safeguards

The Office of Exceptional Children (OEC) will soon release an updated Notice of Procedural Safeguards: Parent’s Rights and Responsibilities in Special Education, providing families with current information about their rights and protections available through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The Notice of Procedural Safeguards explains the legal rights parents have throughout the special education process, including participation in meetings, access to educational records, prior written notice, independent educational evaluations, dispute resolution options, mediation, state complaints, due process hearings, and protections related to student discipline.

Parents are encouraged to review the revised notice and keep a copy for future reference as they work collaboratively with their child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team.