2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/10/2025 | 1:55 PM - 2:25 PM | Read to Me: Story-Sharing with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children | 308
Read to Me: Story-Sharing with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children
Families report that they are often at a loss for how to read with their DHH babies. This presentation provides professionals with the language and tips they need to work with families on story-sharing in the home. We will discuss the importance of early reading for increased vocabulary, language development, print awareness, and other literacy outcomes. Then, using David Schleper’s principles for reading to Deaf children, we will explain and practice reading and rereading techniques. Through story-sharing efforts, we can contribute to a new generation of Deaf and Hard of Hearing readers and better support meeting early language and literacy milestones.
- Participants will be able to describe the connection between early story-sharing and literacy outcomes.
- Participants will learn strategies for reading and rereading texts with DHH children.
- Participants will be able to demonstrate the way reading practices change depending on how familiar the DHH child is with the text.
Presentation:
3545975_18089MaddieHinkle.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Maddie Hinkle
(Primary Presenter), CHS Youth and Family Connections, mhinkle@anixter.org;
Maddie Hinkle has been involved in the Deaf community for the past ten years and is fluent in American Sign Language. After receiving an undergraduate degree in English from Oberlin College, she went on to attend Gallaudet University to complete her MA in Deaf Studies: Early Language Advocacy. During her graduate degree, Maddie worked for the Northwestern Illinois Association in various deaf educator roles with a range of age groups, most recently with preschool students. Now, Maddie is the Youth and Family Connections Coordinator at CHS, working to provide access to support services and resources for families of children who are Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing. As a disabled person, she is especially passionate about accessibility and inclusivity. She specializes in the early development of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing children. Her master's thesis focused on this specialty topic of positive representational literature in picture books aimed at young Deaf audiences.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with CHS (Illinois-based nonprofit).
Nature: .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Anna Tess
(Co-Presenter), Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources , atess@fhsr.org;
Dr. Anna Tess is the Education Coordinator at the Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources (FHSR). Before that, she was a school principal and teacher of the deaf for 8 years. Anna has her doctorate in special education and two masters degrees in deaf education and educational leadership. Being deaf herself, Anna is passionate about ensuring success for all children with hearing loss and their families.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.