| Presenter Information: |
| Presenter 1: |
Name: Beth Benedict
Affiliation:
Beth S. Benedict, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C. Her work has focused on family involvement in schools with deaf and hard of hearing children, early childhood education, advocacy, early communication and partnerships between deaf and hearing professionals.
Dr. Benedict is currently a member of the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing, representing the Council of Education of the Deaf that wrote a 2007 Position Statement. She has served on several boards and councils such as Maryland Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Council and is now the president of the American Society for Deaf Children.
Dr. Benedict has made presentations at national and international conferences, schools and for family organizations. Published works include articles and chapters in numerous books related to early communication development. Dr. Benedict, as a deaf mother of two deaf daughters (Rachel, 19 and Lauren, 17), and is married to A. Dwight Benedict.
|
| Presenter 2: |
Name: Ben Bahan
Affiliation:
|
| Presenter 3: |
Name: Marilyn Sass-Lehrer
Affiliation:
|
|
| Abstract Information: |
| Title: |
Power of Communities, Perceptions and Words |
| Primary Track: |
3-Early Intervention
|
| Keyword(s): |
Communication Opportunities, Visual technology, and Partnership |
Abstract: |
Research and the evidence base for establishing partnership with deaf and hard of hearing communities will be presented to help the participants understand the value of including deaf and hard of hearing adults. Too many deaf and hard of hearing adults grow up thinking that they are alone in a world of only hearing people. The involvement of deaf adults in the EHDI process from screening through early educational experiences provides both professionals and families with an understanding of the life experiences of deaf and hard of hearing people. The presenters will lead an open discussion on the perspectives of many deaf and hard of hearing adults on a range of issues from hearing screening, to communication and program “choices” and how they are sometimes at odds with the perspectives of professionals . Presenters will also discuss the use of terminology by medical professionals and audiologists such as “intervention”, “hearing loss”, “deafness”, “hearing screening pass and fail.” Participants will discuss these and other subtle messages that are communicated to families and the potential impact they have on families’ views about their children and what it means to be deaf. Finally, the presenters will share information about current visual technologies and the importance of both visual and auditory assistive technologies in the lives of people who are deaf. |
| Presentation(s): |
Not Available
|
| Handouts: |
Not Available
|
|
