2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/16/2026 | 11:25 AM - 11:55 AM | Acquiring Command of the English Language through the use of Signing Exact English (S.E.E.) | City Terrace 11
Acquiring Command of the English Language through the use of Signing Exact English (S.E.E.)
According to research (Carol B. Traxler, 2000 study), at least 50% of American DHH students graduate high school reading at or below a 4th grade level. As educators in the field of Deaf Education, we know that a reason for low English literacy skills has much to do with the fact that DHH students have limited access and understanding of the English language.
In this presentation, participants will learn about Signing Exact English (S.E.E.) and its use in education. S.E.E. is a manually coded sign system developed to make English accessible to DHH students. When used in its most complete form, S.E.E. can expose students to English syntax, vocabulary, affixes, figurative language and the complex rules of English supporting DHH students as they begin their journey to English competency in whichever form they choose to communicate in (oral/aural or written form).
Participants will be introduced to a language acquisition model that explains the process of learning a language. Through this model the participants will understand the importance of providing an English model with fidelity to support mastery of English literacy.
- Participants will identify and explain the importance of exposure to English through the air.
- Participants will list the 4 pillars process learners take when acquiring a language.
- Participants will identify the role that S.E.E. can play in mastering English in all of its forms (listening, spoken and written forms) and how this can lead to English literacy.
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Presenters/Authors
Yvonne Delgado
(Primary Presenter), Education Service Center Region 13 - Austin, Texas, yvonne.delgado@esc13.txed.net;
Yvonne L. Delgado, MA, is currently a Special Education Coordinator for the Sensory Support Team at Region 13. Yvonne has been in Education for 27 years. She served DHH students as an elementary DHH teacher for 11 years at the Region 13 cluster site in San Marcos. She then served as an ARD facilitator, a DHH Specialist and the Regional Day School Program for the Deaf (RDSPD) Coordinator in Hays CISD for 13 years. She has been at ESC 13 for four years. As part of her work at Region 13, Yvonne supports local DHH professionals, the Region 13 DHH team, the Region 13 RDSPD cluster sites and The SEE Center.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from The SEE Center.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with The SEE Center.
Nature: Non-profit organization.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Kabian Rendel
(Co-Presenter), Northwest School for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children, k.rendel@northwestschool.com;
Kabian Rendel has worked at the Northwest School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children (NWSDHH) since 2004, where she has had the privilege of collaborating with dedicated, highly skilled faculty and staff while watching the school’s programs and campus grow. She holds a B.A. in Deaf Education and an M.S. in Educational Leadership and has served as Head of School since 2018.
A Teacher of the Deaf with 14 years classroom experience, Kabian also previously served as Director of Educational Programming. She worked with the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth (CDHY) as the Signing Exact English (S.E.E.) Specialist, providing observation, evaluation, and coaching for Teachers of the Deaf, General Education Teachers, and S.E.E. transliterators/interpreters serving D/HH students. She has contributed to comprehensive D/HH program reviews in Washington school districts to strengthen services statewide.
A lifelong learner, she is proud to support the powerful work of NWSDHH.
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.