2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/10/2025 | 10:35 AM - 11:05 AM | Spanish Speaking Families and Deaf Mentors | 306/307
Spanish Speaking Families and Deaf Mentors
The Statewide Outreach Center (SOC) in Texas recruited deaf mentors who were born and raised in a Spanish speaking household and knew basic Spanish to become mentors to Spanish speaking families. Many Spanish speaking families request mentoring services, however, there are limited resources for these families to foster their child’s early language acquisition due to language barriers. Data, testimonials, and key takeaways from the first year of serving Spanish speaking families with Spanish knowledgeable and culturally aware mentors will be shared with the audience. The SOC worked together to search, identify, and recruit individuals who are DHH with a Spanish language background, who were then trained and matched with families. According to the US Census, 40% of the Texas population indicated Spanish as their first language. What are we doing on our side to ensure that the babies who are identified with a hearing difference are offered equal opportunities when it comes to resources and services for children with a hearing difference and their families? Brainstorming will be included during the session to work together to create ideas for how to serve Spanish speaking families who have a child who is deaf who wants to learn ASL to support their child’s visual access to language.
- Participants will learn how they can serve Spanish speaking families with Deaf mentors in their state.
- Participants will learn the importance of adults who are DHH with similar cultural backgrounds as the families they serve.
- Participants will compose ideas of how to better serve Spanish speaking families through their mentoring program.
Presentation:
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Presenters/Authors
Heather Parker
(Primary Presenter), Statewide Outreach Center, heather.parker@tsd.texas.gov;
Heather Parker brings her 15+ years of experience in the education of the deaf into her current role as the Birth to Three Outreach Specialist with Texas Statewide Outreach Center. Heather is fervently committed to helping families and young children develop a strong language foundation and sense of belonging. In her role as the Birth to 3 specialist, she curates resources and fosters connections that meet the ever-changing needs of families with children who are deaf and hard of hearing.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with .
Nature: .
Nonfinancial -
Non-Financial relationship with .
Nature: .
Juan Bernal
(Co-Presenter), Heritage Sign Languages Center-Gallaudet University, juan.bernal.mondragon@gallaudet.edu;
Juan serves as a Connector for FLCP and was born in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. In addition, he works as an LSM (Mexican Sign Language) Deaf Interpreter and Deaf mentor, providing support to latino families throughout Texas. He is dedicated to empowering these families by ensuring their D/HH children have access to essential cultural and linguistic resources. With a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges faced by culturally diverse D/HH children and their families, Juan strives to bridge communication gaps and foster an inclusive environment.
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.