Meet an Intervener

Amie Abernathy who is an intervener

My name is Amie Abernathy.   I am a proud mom of two boys and love art.   I have been working one to one with my student for over eight years.   However, it was not until 2022 after I had enrolled in the USU Intervener training program that I developed the knowledge and skills to become a Credentialed Intervener Specialist for the Deafblind (ISDB).

While I do go occasionally to school with my student, most of my time with her is within her home.  Being an intervener is one of the most rewarding jobs I know!  Our motto is, “To do with, not for.”  I strive to do that everyday, to be a bridge, to paint our world for her through my eyes and communicate that to her.  Over the years I have had the honor to watch her grow exponentially!    Below is a quote from my student’s Grandfather that I would like to share about the progress he has seen.

“She has a higher skill level, cognitively, physically, and emotionally than anyone thought possible because of the skills and

natural talent of her intervener.”   Curt – Grandfather

What we do matters.  It makes a difference. We are leaving our footprint wherever we go!

What's Happening

  1. The Cogswell-Macy bill has new legislative sponsors: Representative Morgan McGarvey (D) and Representative John Rutherford (R).  The bill may be introduced during Helen Keller week in June.

  2. The Helen Keller Education Act is identical to Title III (DeafBlind portion) in the Cogswell Macy Act.  This will be a small stand-alone bill that hopefully can pass through Congress sooner than the Cogswell-Macy bill.  There is a legislative sponsor from the House of Representatives, but a Republican co-sponsor is needed. 

  3. The DeafBlind DATA Act, H.R.2947, was introduced in the House of Representatives in April of this year by Representative April McClain Delaney of Maryland.   This bill requires the census bureau to count and publish the number of individuals who are DeafBlind.

  4. There is a movement within Congress to start a DeafBlind Caucus . This Caucus will bring together advocates, individuals who are Deafblind, and lawmakers to expand representation and increase support for the Deafblind community.