2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/10/2025 | 1:55 PM - 2:25 PM | Acknowledging and incorporating culture and identity for D/HH culturally diverse families | 319
Acknowledging and incorporating culture and identity for D/HH culturally diverse families
Working with culturally diverse families that have D/HH children is essential to the child's self-identity. Acknowledging and celebrating differences can foster a culture of inclusion, belonging, and empowerment. You can also create a positive and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Be more mindful and sensitive to those differences to adapt and develop greater insight into the child and family's needs. Cultural awareness can also increase new ways of thinking, provide new opportunities, and encourage your child's interests and abilities – essential ways to express who they are. As children grow, they can begin to appreciate the similarities and differences between individuals and groups, including the language, cultural, and religious groups that make up society, religions, ethnicities, sexualities, etc. Empowering parents to incorporate cultural beliefs, customs, and values for their children so they can embrace family identity and bridge gaps between deafness and family cultural backgrounds is crucial. Providing their children with a strong sense of identity is important for self-acceptance. From the moment they are born, young children learn about who they are and how they fit into the world around them. They become increasingly aware of themselves and curious about others through social interactions with peers and caregivers and develop a personal identity.
- Participants will create more inclusive and meaningful interactions with families
- Participants will support breaking down cultural barriers and building bridges between family culture and deafness.
- Participants will identify and acknowledge parent motivators to give them a sense of purpose and fuel their desire to excel for their D/HH children.
Presentation:
3545975_18283Maira Nava .pdf
3545975_18283MairaNava.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Maira Nava
(Primary Presenter,Author), Illinois Hands and Voices Guide By Your Side, mnava.gbys@gmail.com;
Maira Nava is the vice president and a parent guide through IL Hands & Voices: Guide by Your Side. She is a first-generation Mexican American and the mother of two special needs children: a daughter with a 22q genetic disorder and a son who is deaf/hard of hearing. She has experience as a Paraprofessional in a DHH program and a special needs program and is currently learning American Sign Language. She is a passionate and dedicated person who enjoys educating and spreading awareness to others!
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.