2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference

March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL

3/15/2026 | 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Implementing a Bilingual-Bimodal-Multimodal Early Childhood Program | Orlando

Implementing a Bilingual-Bimodal-Multimodal Early Childhood Program

This interactive session will offer strategies for implementing a Bilingual-Bimodal or Multimodal early childhood program. Known for its expertise in serving deaf children with additional needs, The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf (CCCBSD) expanded this work with an inclusive program that combines evidence-based early childhood practices, family-centered programming, the development of ASL and/or spoken language, Deaf Culture, and principles that support inclusive environments for children with additional needs. The program emphasizes family choice and child choice. Three connected classrooms offer instruction in ASL, spoken language, or a multi-modal approach. Families select where their child begins each day, while children make extended choices about where to spend time, essentially deciding how they communicate. Data on these choices, along with language and developmental assessments—including video documentation of ASL and spoken language outcomes guide team planning with the child's family. A Deaf/hearing interdisciplinary team collaborated to create this program using models from other schools, consultation, and family input. Presenters will share how staffing, curriculum, classroom setup, family-school partnerships, and assessment practices contribute to success. Parents will share perspectives on how empowering children to lead their own language and communication choices has supported both language development and social-emotional growth. Participants will learn about transition support from Parent-Infant Programs into this program, including joint home visits, family surveys, and collaborative decision-making. The session includes group discussion and structured planning time, giving attendees the opportunity to work with their teams to map initial steps for developing bilingual-bimodal programming in their own contexts. By the end of this session, participants will gain practical strategies to create programs that honor families, integrate Deaf Culture, and nurture holistic growth for young deaf and hard-of-hearing children.

Develop an initial plan with their team for implementing bilingual-bimodal programming in their own context, including classroom setup, staffing, family engagement, and transition supports
Analyze how assessments,including video-based language documentation and spoken/ASL outcomes, can guide collaborative team planning and program development.
Describe the key components of a bilingual-bimodal - multimodal early childhood program, including family-centered practices, Deaf Culture integration, and support for children who are deaf with additional needs.

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Presenters/Authors

Karen Hopkins (Primary Presenter), Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf, karenhopkins@cccbsd.org;
Dr. Karen Hopkins is the Executive Director of The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf.. She brings over 30 years of experience as a collaborative teacher of the deaf, special educator, early interventionist and educational administrator to her work with Deaf and hard of hearing children. Her work with families, coupled with her own personal experience as a Deaf adult and parent of a daughter who is hard of hearing have inspired her to create systems that empower families. Karen oversees early intervention and statewide educational programming for children who are Deaf or hard of hearing birth to age 22 at CCCBSD. She is active in many organizations and boards, the Hands & Voices HQ Board of Directors and is involved with international FCEI programming including the Deaf Leadership International Alliance. Karen is the Board President of Hands & Voices Headquarters. Karen's current research is focused on perspectives of family empowerment in early intervention systems for Deaf and hard of hearing children.

ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.

Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.

AAA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -
Financial relationship with The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf.
Nature: .

Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.

courtney harding (Co-Presenter), The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf, courtneyharing@cccbsd.org;
Courtney is a Teacher of the Deaf

ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -

Nonfinancial -