2024 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 17-19, 2024 • Denver, CO
3/15/2022 | 10:35 AM - 11:00 AM | Statewide Campaign for Language & Literacy Excellence in Young Deaf/ Deafblind Children | Room 8
Statewide Campaign for Language & Literacy Excellence in Young Deaf/ Deafblind Children
Considering the professional literature is replete with research that indicates that many deaf and deafblind children are deprived of early language acquisition especially during the developmental phase when the plasticity of the human brain is more available to learning and language development. Early access to language; and augmentative approaches to enhance standard language acquisition is critical to prevent language deprivation and its negative effects (issues of identity and mental health).
This session will describe a statewide initiative entitled The Campaign for Language & Literacy Excellence (CLLE) that focuses on the promotion of early language development and the prevention of language deprivation in deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind infants and young children. The CLLE is a partnership between a state agency and a public institution of higher education: The NJ Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and The College of New Jersey / Center for Sensory & Complex Disabilities. The CLLE project addresses the issue of language deprivation through four related activities:
Family Language Immersion Opportunities – To provide opportunities for families to better understand Deaf Culture, learn/practice American Sign Language and pre-linguistic communicative behaviors, and have access to language /literacy development resources.
Statewide Educational Campaign for Language Equality – To establish a statewide initiative to increase knowledge and understanding of linguistic and cultural resources regarding New Jersey’s deaf and hard of population; and to promote the early language development of young deaf/HOH children through visual language systems such as American Sign Language.
Early Literacy Project for Families with D/HOH Children – To develop the capacity of parents to support visual communication through literacy development opportunities.
Statewide Symposium on Language Deprivation in Deaf/HOH Young Children – To conduct an annual conference that address research and practice; and a forum to foster Common Ground.
- To provide the components of a statewide initiative to promote awareness of the prevalence of language deprivation in deaf / deafblind young children;
- To provide information, training and technical assistance to families of deaf/deafblind young children through the efforts deaf adults and professional
- To report the initial research outcomes of the project and its coordinated initiatives.
Presentation:
3353554_14834Jerry GPetroff.pdf
3353554_14834MatthewHall.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Jerry G Petroff
(Primary Presenter), Center for Sensory and Complex Disabilities, petroff@tcnj.edu;
Dr. Petroff is a Professor at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), School of Education in the Department of Special Education, Language and Literacy. His experience working on behalf of students, youth and adults with disabilities and their families spans several decades. Holding a doctorate in psychological studies in special education, and a master’s degree in speech pathology and audiology, he has developed expertise in inclusive education, early communication, social network development, assistive technology (augmentative and alternative communication), and the transition of students with disabilities from school to adult life. In addition, Dr. Petroff is the Executive Director of TCNJ's Center for Sensory & Complex Disabilities and Faculty Director of the Career & Community Studies Program at TCNJ. He is a trained and experienced facilitator that has conducted hundreds of successful person-centered plans, systems-based strategic planning (e.g. schools, government agencies, etc.) as well as other group processes. Lastly, As a father of two boys, Jerry has a particular interest dad’s role in child development and the education of their children.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with New Jersey Division of the Deaf / HOH.
Nature: Receives funding to support project activities .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Elizabeth Hill
(Co-Presenter), NJ Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Elizabeth.Hill@dhs.nj.gov;
Elizabeth Hill is Executive Director of the New Jersey Department of Human Services' Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. With a career distinguished by accomplishments in various leadership roles and a steadfast commitment to innovative and visionary program development, Ms. Hill has consistently fostered engagement, forged partnerships, and advocated for policies that improve the lives of individuals with disabilities, with a special focus on children and families. Ms. Hill holds a Master of Social Work degree and an undergraduate degree in Government.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
• Has a Professional (Elizabeth Hill is Executive Director of the New Jersey Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The Division funds and oversees the Campaign for Language and Literacy Excellence at The College of New Jersey)
relationship for Other volunteer activities.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with The New Jersey Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; The College of New Jersey; Temple University.
Nature: Elizabeth Hill is Executive Director of the New Jersey Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The Division funds the language instruction program and oversees the Campaign for Language & Literacy Excellence at The College of New Jersey.
Matthew Hall receives a salary from Temple University, and provides support to CLLE via a paid contract with The College of New Jersey.
.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Steve Singer
(Co-Presenter), Department of Special Education, Language and Literacy, singers@tcnj.edu;
Dr. Singer is an Associate Professor at The College of New Jersey and serves as the Coordinator of the Education of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Program. He is a Family and Consumer Sciences Educator and Teacher of the Deaf. He serves on the national American Sign Language Honors Society board. He is presently editing a special series for Critical Education titled “Ableism in the Academy: A Series about Disability Oppression and Resistance in Higher Education.” Steve enjoys mentoring students and conducts ongoing research involving student researchers.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Matthew Hall
(Co-Presenter), Department of Special Education, Language and Literacy, hallm@tcnj.edu;
Dr. Hall received his Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning with a focus on Literacy from New York University in 2013. His research examines how youth make meaning when interacting with multimodal texts, shifting relationships between writers and audiences in digital, networked spaces, and how to best integrate these new practices in educational settings.
He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses focused on literacy instruction with a particular emphasis on elementary and middle school. He also coordinates and teaches courses in the Literacy graduate programs at TCNJ.
Prior to pursuing his doctorate, Dr. Hall worked as a literacy coach and a public school teacher in New Jersey. He holds certifications in General Education, Special Education, and Education for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -