2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
| Strengthening Family Engagement with Digital Learning Tools in DHH Early Intervention
Strengthening Family Engagement with Digital Learning Tools in DHH Early Intervention
The British Columbia Family Hearing Resource Society (BCFHRS) provides province-wide early intervention and language services to approximately 500 families each year. These families have children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH), ranging in age from birth to school entry. Services are delivered through both in-person and online sessions, ensuring accessibility across British Columbia. Notably, about half of these families live in rural and remote communities, where DHH individuals may be few and far between, making access to specialized support especially vital.
As Moeller et al. (2013) highlight, BCFHRS is committed to family-centered care, placing a strong emphasis on educating families. The organization equips parents with the knowledge and tools needed to support their child’s development. Topics covered include types of hearing loss, equipment use and retention, language acquisition options, effective communication strategies, and barriers to accessing language and communication.
Since 2017, BCFHRS has offered Foundations Workshops to support families. Initially designed as a two-day in-person event, the format evolved into a half-day information fair to better accommodate diverse family needs and schedules. As family dynamics and lifestyles diversify, and as parents increasingly turn to social media and other digital platforms to consume information regarding their children’s health, (Gruebner et al., 2022; Frey et al., 2022), BCFHRS further adapted the workshops into a series of short 10–15-minute webinars. These webinars offer families flexibility and promote engagement by allowing them to access content at their own pace.
The webinar series is hosted on The Learning Place, a secure online portal for families receiving services. Parents can explore topics alongside their Early Interventionist, either by watching together or discussing them afterward. This digital evolution ensures that the Foundations Workshops continue to empower families with practical tools and relevant knowledge, supporting their children’s learning both at home and within their communities.
- Participants will learn about BCFHRS, an early intervention and family-centered care program
- Participants will describe how BCFHRS supports equitable parent education opportunities
- Participants will explain how the Foundations for Families Workshop has evolved over time
Presentation:
View Presentation File
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Carolyn Hawrish
(Primary Presenter), BC Family Hearing Resource Society, chawrish@bcfamilyhearing.com;
Carolyn Hawrish has worked at BC Family Hearing Resource Society as a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist since 2008. Carolyn became interested in working with families whose children have hearing level differences while studying Linguistics and Psychology at McGill University. Her fascination with language and the brain led her to pursue Audiology at Dalhousie University. She spent the first part of her career working as a Cochlear Implant Audiologist while certifying with the AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language. Carolyn loves learning about the languages and cultures of the families with whom she works.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Grants for Other activities from BC Early Hearing Program.
• Receives Salary for Employment,Teaching and speaking from BC Family Hearing Resource Society.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with BC Family Hearing Resource Society
BC Early Hearing Program.
Nature: Employed by BC Family Hearing Resource Society
Grant received from BC Early Hearing Program.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.