The Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s Deaf-Blind Resource Team (DBRT) is excited to support local IEP (Individualized Education Program) Teams in meeting the unique needs of students who are deaf-blind.  Our team consists of educators with expertise in the fields of hearing and vision who have had specialized training in deaf-blindness.  We provide technical assistance to IEP teams to develop and foster the skills needed to educate learners who are deaf-blind.  Through collaborative efforts, IEP teams will be able to  develop appropriate, personalized supports and services to ensure growth for learners with deaf-blindness.  

In the fall of 2019, Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), through the PA Deaf-Blind Grant, invited the AIU to join the first cohort of Deaf-Blind Resource Teams being formed across the Commonwealth. To learn more about the Pennsylvania Deaf-Blind Grant, please visit the PaTTAN Deaf-Blind Webpage.

The AIU DBRT Core Members:

Administrator Jeanine Esch, jeanine.esch@aiu3.net 

Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ToDHH) Samantha Estremera, samantha.estremera@aiu3.net 

Teacher of the Blind or Visually Impaired (TVI) Melissa Kenderes, melissa.kenderes@aiu3.net 

Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) Melissa Kenderes, melissa.kenderes@aiu3.net 

Educational Audiologist Kim Uccellini, kimberly.uccellini@aiu3.net 

Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP), Pending

Training & Consultation (TaC) Scott Dougherty, scott.dougherty@aiu3.net 

Family Liaison Jennifer Pirring, jennifer.pirring@aiu3.net 

PaTTAN Educational Consultant Greg Lazur, glazur@pattanpgh.net 

PaTTAN Educational Consultant Jennifer Craig, jcraig@pattanpgh.net