Chair: Bill Ogletree

The primary purpose of DCDD is to promote the welfare, development, and education of infants, toddlers, children and youth with communicative disabilities or who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Committee Multiple and Severe Disabilities focuses on current issues, curricula and family centered practices for students with speech, language and/or hearing difficulties who also have multiple or severe disabilities. The purpose of this committee is to provide an opportunity for educators working with these students and their families to network, advocate, and reflect on challenges encountered on a daily basis. This committee seeks individuals who are willing to take a leadership role in ensuring positive interaction among educators, families and legislative bodies promoting best practice. This committee encourages a closer examination and discussion of such challenges as collaboration with families and community agencies, accessibility to general education programs/child care facilities, sensitivity to diversity within the population, careful understanding of medical and technological advances, current brain research, among others. In addition, this committee serves as a forum for proposed solutions.

How Can I Become Involved?
The Committee is in the process of identifying individuals within each state who are willing to act as a conduit of information regarding the Committee to other educators who work with students with multiple and severe disabilities in their states. If you want to make a difference in the lives of these children and their families, please consider becoming an active member of the Committee by contacting me (see below). I strongly encourage your participation! Make that critical difference for children in your state!

Bill Ogletree, Chair
Websites of Interest for Multiple and Severe Disabilities

For More Information, Contact
Ogletree@email.wcu.edu