2027 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 22-24, 2027 • Bellevue, WA
Closing Plenary--Courage Plus Dreams Equals Success: A Call to Support Children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing Plus Presented by Paul Ogden
Studies have shown that 40 to 60% of children who are deaf and hard of hearing also have one or more health or learning issues that impact their development. In the Supplement to the Joint Commission on Infant Hearing (JCIH) 2007 Position Statement, goal four states, “All Children Who Are D/HH With Additional Disabilities and Their Families Have Access to Specialists Who Have the Professional Qualifications and Specialized Knowledge and Skills to Support and Promote Optimal Developmental Outcomes.”
But how do EHDI systems and stakeholders address the diverse needs of the children and families and what resources are available? Are services inclusive and welcoming to children who “DHH Plus?” Are EHDI systems able to support families with the patience needed when medical challenges take precedence? Do we ensure that each child develops communication, including children who are DHH Plus? Are we sensitive to their potentially complex social needs and their increased risk of isolation, even from DHH peers? What can we do to understand and nurture the strengths and dreams of “Plus” children?
With those questions in mind, what if each EHDI stakeholder (parents, professionals, DHH adults, EHDI Coordinators) pledged to take at minimum 1 or 2 steps to start to improve the access to and support of these children and families? Do we have the courage to stand committed as a community to see the value of these children, their engagement socially, and help them reach their highest potential so they can have the greatest positive impact in society as adults?
Through the experience of hosting an annual free conference focusing on Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and adults with special needs, parents and professionals already doing this work have proven to be incredible resources and advocates. This session will share input from parents of kids and DHH adults who are DHH Plus and professionals and will ask the audience to commit to take action to create better, more inclusive, and supportive EHDI and DHH Communities.
“Look out for kids, help them dream and be inspired. We teach calculus in schools, but I believe the most important formula is courage plus dreams equals success.”
Marlee Matlin
- • Explain 1 – 2 benefits of focusing programing/resources on the needs of children who are DHH plus health or learning challenges and their families.
- • Identify 2 resources to support families with children who are DHH Plus.
- • Commit to 1 - 2 action steps that will expand the access to and services for families/children who are DHH Plus.
Presenter: Paul Ogden
Paul W. Ogden, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Deaf Studies at California State University, Fresno, is the innovator and founder of The Silent Garden Endowment, which supports teachers, interpreters, families, professionals, alumni and people experiencing hearing loss through workshops, lectures and conferences at no charge. Each year, one of the Garden’s programs, Scarlett’s Park Conference, focuses on deaf and hard of hearing children with special needs. Dr. Ogden taught at Fresno State for more than 40 years. Born deaf to hearing parents, he overcame obstacles and prejudice to become one of the first deaf individuals to earn a Ph.D. Among all his publications, his most cherished are The Silent Garden: A Parent's Guide to Raising a Deaf Child (3rd edition) and El Jardín Silencioso: Una guía para los padres para criar a un niño sordo (Spanish Edition-2nd Edition), both coauthored with David H. Smith; and My Life of Language: A Memoir. He was honored with an honorary doctoral degree (LHD) in 2019 by Gallaudet University for his pioneer work in creative approach through The Silent Garden Endowment, which was established in 2008.
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