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NAD Participates in 2008 National EHDI Conference
By advocacy | March 12, 2008
Part Two: “Through Deaf Eyes”
This year, for the first time, the National Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Conference opened with a plenary session (a main event scheduled so all conference participants can attend) presented by deaf individuals. The session, called “Through Deaf Eyes,” was based on the documentary movie of the same name. A small group of people who were involved in that movie was invited to share their life experiences. The session was moderated by Dr. Harry Lang, Professor of Education at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, and Senior Advisor to “Through Deaf Eyes.”
The group of people consisted of:
- Dr. Irene Leigh, Professor of Psychology at Gallaudet University;
- Dr. Gina Oliva, Professor of Physical Education and Recreation at Gallaudet University; and
- James Tucker, Superintendent of the Maryland School for the Deaf and President of the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf.
Dr. Lang opened the session by welcoming and asking each person to describe his or her background and experiences growing up. Each person told a very different story, with one person having deaf parents and a deaf sibling, one having a hard of hearing father who avoided contact with the deaf community, and one with hearing parents who did not know she was deaf until she was two years old. Each person attended school in a different setting, with one being the only deaf person in the schools she attended, one attending a school for hearing children for many years then switching to a school for deaf children, and another attending a school for hearing children that had a special program for deaf children. Each person learned about the deaf community at a different age.
Dr. Lang also asked each person how the professionals in the audience can use the information in the movie and the information they shared to better serve deaf and hard of hearing children and their families. They encouraged the attendees to pay attention to the views and experiences of deaf and hard of hearing adults and to learn from them. The backgrounds, views, and life experiences of deaf people are extremely varied. Professionals should recognize that every child and family is very different and should strive to serve them in ways that acknowledge and respect their uniqueness. They emphasized the importance of collaborating with all stakeholders, including the deaf community, to ensure that EHDI programs meet the needs of the children and families they serve. Then they answered questions from the audience.
Dr. Lang closed the session by emphasizing the diversity of the deaf community in life experiences and regarding identity, language, and communication. However, deaf and hard of hearing individuals are united in valuing self-determination and the protection of civil rights. Dr. Lang emphasized the importance of everyone involved in EHDI programs to work together for the benefit of deaf and hard of hearing children and their families.
Watch for more conference highlights coming soon in Part Three: Workshops and Wrap Up
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