2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/16/2026 | 3:10 PM - 3:40 PM | Preventing Language Deprivation After Newborn Screening: A Deaf-Led, Home-Based Approach | City Terrace 7
Preventing Language Deprivation After Newborn Screening: A Deaf-Led, Home-Based Approach
Early hearing screening identifies Deaf and Hard of Hearing infants, but timely access to language remains a critical gap. This session highlights a Deaf-led, home-based language and literacy program that prevents language deprivation, improves outcomes, and explores system-level considerations for sustainability within EHDI and public health frameworks
- Explain why early access to fully accessible language is critical to preventing language deprivation and supporting healthy development in Deaf and Hard of Hearing children.
- Describe a Deaf-led, home-based language and literacy program that complements newborn hearing screening, audiologic care, and early intervention services.
- Discuss emerging funding considerations and system-level opportunities for sustaining Deaf-led language access programs within EHDI and public health frameworks
Presentation:
View Presentation File
Handouts:
View Handout File
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Erica Scorpio
(Primary Presenter), The Holley Institute and The Holley Family Village inc, escorpi1@hfhs.org;
Erica Scorpio is the Executive Director of The Holley Institute and Holley Family Village, where she leads programs that support Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals and their families through innovative screening, education, and community-based services. Before stepping into nonprofit leadership, Erica spent eight years as an American Sign Language interpreter and held roles at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf and Sorenson Communications. Throughout her career, she has focused on advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and is passionate about building collaborative, family-centered systems of care within the EHDI landscape.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from Executive Director .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with The Holley Institute and the Holley Family Village.
Nature: I am employed as the Executive Director of The Holley Institute and Holley Family Village, which operates the programs discussed in this presentation.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Maria Klein
(Co-Presenter), chlmeklein@gmail.com ;
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -