2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/10/2025 | 10:05 AM - 10:35 AM | “Is Joy Legal? Exploring how to incorporate ‘joy’ in IFSP’s and hard conversations” | 302
“Is Joy Legal? Exploring how to incorporate ‘joy’ in IFSP’s and hard conversations”
This presentation, conducted jointly by two parent leaders and two professionals, will address why it can be difficult to broach the topic of ‘joy’ in Early Intervention. We will highlight some of the science of ‘joy’ as well as discuss why being mindful about ‘joy’ is beneficial for everyone. We will highlight areas within an IFSP where 'joy' can be legally infused and how to write goals that flip the script on ‘language deprivation’ and ‘fixed mindset.’ This presentation will provide suggestions on how to navigate challenging conversations and refocus participants on ‘joy’ and ‘growth mindset.’ We invite creative problem solvers, family members, and professionals, who wish to delve deeper into this topic and engage more directly to join us for this conversation.
- Participants will identify areas within an IFSP where it is legal to infuse ‘joy.’
- Participants will gain strategies for navigating difficult conversations centered on the joys and challenges of raising children who are D/HH.
- Participants will learn how to write ‘joy centered’ IFSP goals.
Presentation:
3545975_18119EmilyWojahn Small.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Emily Wojahn Small
(Co-Presenter), Gallaudet University, emily.wojahn@gallaudet.edu;
Emily (Wojahn) Small, a hearing teacher of the deaf by training, has been a classroom teacher, early intervention provider, and regional hearing resource coordinator in Hawaii and Colorado. Emily is currently the program coordinator for DC's EHDI Program while pursuing her PhD in deaf education with a specialization in early intervention at Gallaudet University. Having spent most of her career and higher education in Deaf-centric spaces, Emily is fluent in American Sign Language and an advocate for deaf rights and language access.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with .
Nature: .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Jennifer Clark
(Primary Presenter), University of Hawaii's Comprehensive Service Center, Jennifer.Clark.dhh@gmail.com;
Jennifer Clark received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Disorders and Deaf Studies: Sign Language Interpreting, from California State University, Fresno and her Master’s Degree from Gallaudet University in Deaf Education: Family Centered Early Education. Since 2010, Jennifer has been working an Early Childhood D/HH/DB Specialist in the state of Hawaii.
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.
Beth Jones
(Co-Presenter), Nevada Hands & Voices, bethj@nvhandsandvoices.org;
Beth Jones is the Executive Director and Programs Coordinator at Nevada Hands & Voices. Prior to beginning a family, Beth earned her master’s degree in Special Education and worked as an Autism Teacher and Behavior Mentor Teacher. Beth became involved with Hands & Voices when two of her three children were identified as being deaf/hard of hearing and has been a part of Nevada Hands & Voices since 2012. She serves on many state-wide and national committees, teams, and advisory boards as a parent leader to help advocate and support children who are deaf/hard of hearing.
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.
Cora Shahid
(Co-Presenter), California Hands & Voices , cshahid@cahandsandvoices.org;
Cora and her husband live in San Diego and are proud parents an adult daughter and two sons. Both boys were born with a moderately severe hearing level. From the very beginning she believed in early parent to parent support, DHH role models (adults and peers) and the importance of nurturing language development. Cora is a founding board member of CA H&V and currently oversees the chapter’s social media presence as well as managing membership, the database and our quarterly article submission for The Hands & Voices Communicator. She is on the planning committee for the CA H&V Family Camp in Southern California. Cora worked as a parent mentor with Parent Links for 6 years and has experience working with families of nearly identified DHH children. Her goal is for CA H&V to flourish so that non-judgmental support can positively impact every family in California raising Deaf and Hard of Hearing children!
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.