National Family Association for DeafBlind upcoming events

Transition for Teens with Complex Needs Listening Session #2 (16-Sep-2026)

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) is pleased to announce the launch of NEXUS, a national initiative that brings together people, expertise, and resources to improve outcomes for DeafBlind youth with complex support needs.

HKNC has asked NFADB to bring parents of these youth to the table for a 2nd listening session.

This initiative responds to a critical need: across vocational rehabilitation systems, schools, community programs, and adult service networks, the demand for specialized DeafBlind expertise continues to outpace the number of trained professionals available.

Families also need clear guidance, practical resources, and support as their children move from the education system into the adult service world.

Helen Keller National Center and the National Center on Deafblindness are partnering to strengthen capacity across educational and adult service systems through coordinated training, resources, and technical assistance for agencies supporting DeafBlind youth with complex learning and support needs and their families.

Building on HKNC’s DeafBlind Immersion Experience, which provides consultative training to one DeafBlind individual and their support team at a time, NEXUS will expand this impact by working with cross-agency teams to build local capacity, train staff, support families, sustain quality services, and establish communities of practice for professionals and families.

For more information about NEXUS, please contact your HKNC regional representative

or Deborah Harlin:

Deborah Harlin, Director NEXUS program

dharlin@helenkeller.org

phone/text: 516-760-0158

FATE Forward (06-Oct-2026)

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

FATE Forward

A DeafBlind Advocacy Workshop Mini-Series

We want advocacy to feel accessible, supported, and real. This October, we will begin a series of simple, practical workshops developed BY families FOR families, focused on equipping you in current advocacy initiatives happening right now in real time.

Our goals are simple:

Honor your lived experience
Connect that experience directly to policy change
Help you feel empowered, not intimidated

This program takes the "overwhelm" out of advocacy by breaking down what you need to know into a few focused sessions.

Foundational training meetings:

- October 6, 2026 - Advocacy 101

- October 20, 2026 - Power of Your Story

* additional writing workshops available via a shared calendar

- January 26, 2027 - DeafBlind Policy Now!

* Focused preparation for Day on the Hill spring 2027

Ongoing support along the way from experienced families who advocate!

FATE Forward is offered free to members, and $25 for non-members. Register to learn more and join us!

Your voice is powerful and needed!

FATE Forward (20-Oct-2026)

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

FATE Forward

A DeafBlind Advocacy Workshop Mini-Series

Our goals are simple:

Honor your lived experience
Connect that experience directly to policy change
Help you feel empowered, not intimidated

This program takes the "overwhelm" out of advocacy by breaking down what you need to know into a few focused sessions.

Foundational training meetings:

- October 6, 2026 - Advocacy 101

- October 20, 2026 - Power of Your Story

* additional writing workshops available via a shared calendar

- January 26, 2027 - DeafBlind Policy Now!

* Focused preparation for Day on the Hill spring 2027

Ongoing support along the way from experienced families who advocate!

FATE Forward is offered free to members, and $25 for non-members. Register to learn more and join us!

Your voice is powerful and needed!

FATE Forward (26-Jan-2027)

Wed, 27 Jan 2027 00:00:00 GMT

FATE Forward

A DeafBlind Advocacy Workshop Mini-Series

Our goals are simple:

Honor your lived experience
Connect that experience directly to policy change
Help you feel empowered, not intimidated

This program takes the "overwhelm" out of advocacy by breaking down what you need to know into a few focused sessions.

Foundational training meetings:

- October 6, 2026 - Advocacy 101

- October 20, 2026 - Power of Your Story

* additional writing workshops available via a shared calendar

- January 26, 2027 - DeafBlind Policy Now!

* Focused preparation for Day on the Hill spring 2027

Ongoing support along the way from experienced families who advocate!

FATE Forward is offered free to members, and $25 for non-members. Register to learn more and join us!

Your voice is powerful and needed!