Post on 11-Jan-2016
Deaf is Different:Unique Implications for EHDI Systems
Leeanne Seaver, M.A.Janet DesGeorgesHands & VoicesMarion Downs Center
Unique considerations
Different from Whom?– Other disability categories; other ‘medical’ conditions– The communication factor
The Systems that serve us– Health, Law, Education– Screening, Identification, Early Intervention
Beyond the Clinical…– Societal, cultural, family
Health Systems
Once “medical conditions/treatments” are ruled out or implemented – it no longer fits in the ‘medical’ category in families’ minds
– Genetics The ‘automatic assumption’ it should be done The ‘Timing’ factor
– Medical Home As “Hub” of information What medical professional holds the most area of expertise in
hearing loss? Sensitivity to the complexity of the decisions parents make
Early Intervention
– Early Intervention Choosing Sound
Specialized knowledge and skills– Generic vs. Hearing loss specific– Areas of specialty within deafness
By communication mode By professional Degree (Early Childhood, Deaf
Education, Audiology, Speech, Language Pathology Consumers/Parents
Part C of the IDEA
Navigating Part C’s generic based system– Identification/Eligibility
State to state criteria
– Natural Environments/LRE Reauthorized language in IDEA 2004 Least Restrictive Environment vs. Language Rich
Environment
– Transition to a ‘deficits’ based system EHDI systems need to advocate with families going into
the ‘next’ system
Beyond the Clinical…
Cultural/Societal– Language, culture, and community– History, literature, heroes, Accolades, political capital
Family– Steep hike up the learning curve – The need for information from a lot of sources– Impact on the Family
Hands & Voices NationalLeeanne Seaver, M.A., Executive DirectorJanet DesGeorges, Director of Outreach
PO Box 371926 Denver, CO 80237 1-866-422-0422 toll free 1-303-300-9763 (in Colorado) parentadvocate@handsandvoices.org www.handsandvoices.org
Hands & Voices and the Marion Downs Center Partnership
"The information provided in this material was supported by Grant/Cooperative Agreement Number UR3/CCU824219 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC."