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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Supporting Texas Families in Signing and Literacy Skills through Tele-Intervention' Track: - Keyword(s): Early Intervention, Family Education, Tele-Intervention Learning Objectives: The participant will be able to describe the goals of Family Signs and Shared Reading Project. The participant will be able to identify various videoconferencing technologies that can be used to offer sign language instruction and early literacy programs to deaf or hard of hearing children and their families. The participant will be able to explain the benefits that families who use sign language can receive by using “shared reading” strategies with their child. Abstract: The Educational Resource Center on Deafness (ERCOD) in Texas currently offers two programs that serve families through tele-intervention. These programs, Family Signs (FS) and Shared Reading Project (SRP), offer sign and literacy support for families of deaf/hard of hearing children in the state of Texas. Professionals who are interested in setting up similar programs will benefit from this hands-on session. First half of the session: Participants will be learn the background of Family Signs, learn how to set up the program, and experience the program from a student's perspective. Participants are asked to bring a laptop. While a laptop is not required, it is highly encouraged for hands-on participation. Second half of the session: Participants will learn the background of the Shared Reading Project, understand and apply the 15 principles of reading to Deaf/Hard of Hearing children, and view a video of a parent/tutor/child class. As a conclusion, the challenges and solutions of both programs using tele-intervention will be discussed, with sufficient time for questions and answers. Presentation: This presentation has not yet been uploaded or the speaker has opted not to make the presentation available online. Handouts: Handout is not Available
PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
Lynn Reichert - Primary Presenter Family Signs      Credentials: M.A. in Deafness Studies      Other Affiliations: Educational Resource Center on Deafness at Texas School for the Deaf       Lynn Reichert received her MA in Deafness Studies in Austin, Texas. She is a certified Deaf Education teacher, ASL teacher, and Interpreter. After working in the Deaf education field for over 12 years in a variety of settings, she began working with the Educational Resource Center on Deafness (ERCOD) and the Family Signs program. She has been with the Family Signs program for five years, four of those as Coordinator. Most recently, she co-authored ‘Pioneering Program Teaches Families Sign Language Through Tele-Intervention’ based on Family Signs in The Odyssey, 2015.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist. Avonne Brooker-Rutowski - Co-Presenter Educational Resource Center on Deafnesss      Credentials: Masters in Deaf Education; Degree of Education Specialist in Change Leadership in Education      Other Affiliations: Educational Resource Center on Deafness at Texas School for the Deaf       Born deaf to deaf parents, Avonne was mainstreamed in a public school without a certified interpreter for five years and she can relate well to students who are mainstreamed. Avonne attended Gallaudet University and graduated with BA in Psychology, followed with her Masters degree in Deaf Education at McDaniel College. She concluded her work at Gallaudet Leadership Institute with an Education Specialist degree. Avonne has 20+ years experience in Deaf Education as a classroom teacher and an administrator, she begins her fifth year as a statewide Outreach Program Specialist with Educational Resource Center on Deafness. Her current focus of work is to develop online resources for literacy and providing literacy support through Shared Reading to the families. Avonne is on the American Society of Deaf Children board as its President Elect. Avonne is also a proud mother of two beautiful children residing in Austin, Texas with her husband.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.