The Role of the Intervenor
The Intervenor’s primary role is to ensure that each learner
is an informed and active participant in every activity.
INTERVENTION = INFORMATION
Deafblindness is an information gathering disability.
The Intervenor’s role therefore becomes one of providing information that the individual is unable to gather on their own. How we go about doing this looks different with every individual who is deafblind.
The role of the Intervenor is very complex with many components. In addition to the direct hands on support, the role may also include aspects of public relations in helping others understand the needs of the learner with deafblindness, acting at all times as a communication partner, ensuring the safety of the person with deafblindness, advocacy, social development, concept development, etc. The individual aspects of Intervention can be as varied as the needs of the individual supported.
Intervention with learners who are deafblind includes the following throughout all activities:
The Intervenor engages the student in:
1. Developing conversation and the functional use of receptive and expressive communication.
2. Making the best use of vision and hearing as well as other senses, and using all senses together to understand his or her world.
3. Using both planned situations and teachable moments to develop skills and concepts, and to apply them in daily life.
4. Getting feedback from his or her actions, as a basis for future decisions, motivation, development and generally making sense of things.
5. Transferring skills, concepts and language to new situations in an ever-expanding environment.
6. Making informed decisions, and turning decisions into effective action by the student.
7. Interacting purposefully and enjoyably with people as a responsible participant in meaningful activities in the community, at school and beyond.
| 