2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/10/2025 | 11:25 AM - 11:55 AM | From the EHDI Years to the TEEN Years: A Panel Presentation | 319
From the EHDI Years to the TEEN Years: A Panel Presentation
We often hear from parents and professionals, but what about youth who are deaf or hard of hearing? This panel presentation will highlight several teens and preteens as they share their lived experiences. They will share their perspective on the pros and cons of being deaf or hard of hearing; what activities and/or sports they are involved in; and what their school experience has been like. Attendees will leave inspired and encouraged and be reminded of the importance of early detection, intervention, social supports, and advocacy.
- Attendees will learn from the experiences of a panel of teens and pre-teens who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Parents of newly diagnosed children will learn tips as they consider their own child's journey.
- Attendees will learn the role that early intervention played on the outcomes of panelists.
Presentation:
3545975_18156SarahRoof.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Alexis Jones
(Primary Presenter), Nevada Hands & Voices, ajsoclab@gmail.com;
Alexis is a 17 year old deaf high school senior from Las Vegas, NV majoring in Culinary Arts. She is a scholar athlete, maintains a 4.3 GPA while excelling in soccer and flag football, and track. Alexis also serves as the Student Council Senior Class Executive Officer, assists her school as Vice President of Ambassador Student Leaders, a member of National Honor Society, and she also serves on the Nevada Association of Student Councils as the State Board Secretary, to name a few of her accomplishments. As a representative of her school, Alexis also serves on the CCSD Superintendent Student Advisory Council and meets with school district leaders about the needs of DHH students and the importance of inclusion. Outside of school, Alexis has presented at multiple local conferences and workshops, and has been featured in a documentary entitled “Our World In Our Words” with other self-advocates. Alexis has also been involved with the Nevada legislature since 2019l testifying and meeting with multiple legislatures on DHH issues. As a proud member of the US Women’s National Deaf Soccer Team, Alexis also advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion rights by helping lead inclusive “Adapt and Thrive” soccer camps and helping to call on US Congress for SafeSport reform to protect all athletes against abuse.
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.
Isaac Roof
(Co-Presenter), Kentucky Hands & Voices, raisingtheroofs@outlook.com;
Isaac Roof is 12 years old and in the 6th grade at a public school in Richmond, KY. He was diagnosed shortly after birth with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Later, genetic testing confirmed he has EVA with Pendred Syndrome.
Isaac is in the gifted and talented program. Outside of school, he loves to play with friends and enjoys various sports. In 2024, he qualified for the state middle school golf tournament.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Isabella Johnson
(Co-Presenter), Arizona Hands & Voices, msheidilk@yahoo.com;
Isabella, affectionately known as Izzy, is an energetic 11-year-old and a 6th-grade student at a private school in Phoenix, Arizona. Diagnosed with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, she was fitted with hearing aids at just five months old. Izzy's journey began with American Sign Language as her first language, later transitioning to spoken language during Pre-K. Her connection to the DHH community is deeply personal, as her mother is also hard of hearing.
A strong advocate for herself, Izzy takes an active role in her annual student support planning alongside her Teacher of the Deaf and school staff. Outside the classroom, Izzy shines in theater and dance, embracing her passion for the arts. Creative expression is her true joy, fueling her vibrant personality and zest for life!
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.
Harrison Jones
(Co-Presenter), Nevada Hands & Voices, fluffyann@aol.com;
Harrison Jones is a passionate self-advocate from Henderson, Nevada in his 8th grade year as a theater arts major at a magnet school. Harrison is the founder and president of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Culture Club at his school, promoting DHH education and inclusion. He also has had a passion for karate for the past seven years and is months away from earning his black belt. In 2023 he was invited to join the inaugural Student Team of Role Models “STORM” squad at his karate dojo, and in 2024 he was promoted to the HEROES team, continuing to learn leadership and empowerment skills while teaching younger kids.
Diagnosed at birth as being deaf/hard of hearing, Harrison continues to utilize opportunities to both participate and take leadership roles within his community to improve his knowledge and self-advocacy skills.
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.
Sarah Roof
(Author), Kentucky Hands & Voices, sarah@kyhandsandvoices.org;
Sarah Roof is the executive director for Kentucky Hands & Voices. She is passionate about connecting with families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing and providing them with the resources they need to help their child reach his/her full potential. Her journey with deafness began when her son, Isaac, was identified at birth.
Sarah also serves on the Kentucky EHDI Advisory Board and the NCHAM Family Advisory Committee. She recently obtained a Master's certificate in the Infant, Toddler, & Family program at Gallaudet University.
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.
Caelan Pudelski
(Co-Presenter), Ohio Hands & Voices, cochlearkid710@icloud.com;
Caelan Pudelski is a 14-year-old freshman from the Cleveland Ohio area, where she attends private school. She was diagnosed at birth with bilateral profound hearing loss and was implanted with cochlear implants five days before her first birthday.
She saw a need for support in her small grade school when she saw an increase of others with hearing loss. She approached her principal (at the time) with a plan and a support group was started and that also carried on until Middle School. She now attends a regional support group made up of several school districts, thanks to the effort, advocacy, and work of her educational audiologists. Last year, she helped present at EHDI and has made some her closest friends from attending family DHH camps all over the country. She qualified for states the past two years in Science Olympiad and most recently advanced to Sectionals with her HS Mock Trial team. Outside of school, she loves being on the soccer field where she is a goalkeeper for her HS and Club teams.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -