USE AND IMPACT OF COACH WITH STUDENTS WHO ARE DEAF-BLIND

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use and impact of COACH (Choosing Options and Accommodations for Children: A Guide to Planning Inclusive Education) with 30 students with deaf-blindness who attende d general education classes in public schools. interview and observati onal data were analyzed qualitatively while document data were analyze d quantitatively. The findings and discussion centered around five eva luation questions: (a) How do people use COACH? (b) Does the use of CO ACH result in educational program components referenced to valued life outcomes identified by parents and/or students? (c) How do educationa l programs developed using COACH differ from those developed prior to its use? (d) In what ways did the use of COACH effect relationships. b etween parents and professionals? and (e) In what ways did the use of COACH effect valued life outcomes for students? Implications for plann ing in general education settings are discussed.