What is an intervener?
An intervener is a person who works consistently one-to-one with an individual who is deafblind. An intervener has training and specialized skills in working with an individual with deafblindness.
How do we include an intervener on the IEP?
Once the team has determined the need for an intervener, it would be documented under Related Services. OSEP has identified interveners as a related service for a child who has combined vision and hearing loss.
How do you write the intervener as a related service in the IEP?
DPI has recommended including the words, “has completed or is currently enrolled in a nationally credentialed intervener training program”.
How is an intervener different from a paraprofessional or an interpreter?
An intervener is an individual who has specialized training in Deafblindness. The individual provides one on one support to a student who is deafblind to provide equal access to communication and the environment. Oftentimes it is a paraeducator or educational interpreter that is currently supporting the student.
This chart provides a comparison of the similarities and differences of an intervener, paraprofessional, and an interpreter
Comparison of Possible Supports for Students Who Are Deafblind
This chart compares the roles of an intervener and a paraprofessional.
Comparison of interveners and paraprofessionals
If the student already has the need for an interpreter, can the interpreter be the intervener too?
Yes, as long as the interpreter is currently enrolled in or has completed training in a nationally credentialed intervener training program.
Does WDBTAP have additional funding for districts to pay for interveners?
WDBTAP does not have funding to pay the salary of an intervener, but they do offer scholarships for training. Additionally, WDBTAP can provide ongoing support to interveners in the field and to the school district on the use of an intervener.
Wouldn’t having a one on one intervener create dependency for a child in school?
The role of an intervener is an interdependent relationship. The intervener is providing the child with combined vision and hearing loss the same access that their hearing and sighted peers have. A large part of the curriculum in the intervener coursework is to “do with” the child and “not for” the child.
How long has the role of intervener been around?
Historically speaking, Annie Sullivan was an intervener for Helen Keller.
Who can be an intervener?
Anyone who has the desire to work with a child who is identified as deafblind, completes or agrees to complete a nationally credentialed intervener program, and has the skill set to meet the unique needs of a specific student as identified in the IEP.
Do all students who are deafblind require an intervener?
No. Every student with deafblindness is unique. It is up to the IEP team to determine whether or not a student with deafblindness may benefit from an intervener. Resources to help with that determination can be found here:
Comparison of Possible Supports for Students Who Are Deafblind
Comparison of interveners and paraprofessionals
Does an intervener need to be trained?
Yes. The Council for Exceptional Children has included a list of competencies required of someone acting as an intervener in the classroom. That information can be found here: CEC Intervener Competencies
What does the intervener training program entail?
The program consists of 3 courses. The first two courses are offered as online asynchronous classes. Each of the courses includes reading assignments, videos to watch, and written homework assignments. On average, people have reported they spend about 4 hours a week on the coursework. The 3rd course is a practicum. The practicum is done with the child who is deafblind that you are working with. During the practicum, you take part in 3 coaching sessions, meet with the professor and complete a portfolio of your work.
What does a school do if an intervener is sick?
Many school districts opt to train a secondary person to be an intervener in the case when the primary intervener is not available. In the situation when the primary intervener is unavailable and there is no secondary intervener it would be important to have someone familiar with the student and someone the student is familiar with act in that capacity.
Is there an agency or program where I can hire someone that has been trained as an intervener?
No. Currently, WDBTAP supports the training of individuals that are actively supporting a student who has been identified as deafblind as documented on the IEP and is on the WDBTAP federal registry.