Deaf is Different: Unique Implications for EHDI Systems Leeanne Seaver, M.A. Janet DesGeorges Hands & Voices Marion 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 National Leeanne Seaver, M.A., Executive Director Janet DesGeorges, Director of Outreach PO Box Denver, CO toll free (in Colorado)

Hands & Voices and the Marion Downs Center Partnership "The information provided in this material was supported by Grant/Cooperative Agreement Number UR3/CCU 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."