Deaf is Different:Unique Implications for EHDI Systems

Leeanne Seaver, M.A.Janet DesGeorgesHands & VoicesMarion Downs Center

Unique considerations

Different from Whom?– Other disability categories; other ‘medical’ conditions– The communication factor

The Systems that serve us– Health, Law, Education– Screening, Identification, Early Intervention

Beyond the Clinical…– Societal, cultural, family

Health Systems

Once “medical conditions/treatments” are ruled out or implemented – it no longer fits in the ‘medical’ category in families’ minds

– Genetics The ‘automatic assumption’ it should be done The ‘Timing’ factor

– Medical Home As “Hub” of information What medical professional holds the most area of expertise in

hearing loss? Sensitivity to the complexity of the decisions parents make

Early Intervention

– Early Intervention Choosing Sound

Specialized knowledge and skills– Generic vs. Hearing loss specific– Areas of specialty within deafness

By communication mode By professional Degree (Early Childhood, Deaf

Education, Audiology, Speech, Language Pathology Consumers/Parents

Part C of the IDEA

Navigating Part C’s generic based system– Identification/Eligibility

State to state criteria

– Natural Environments/LRE Reauthorized language in IDEA 2004 Least Restrictive Environment vs. Language Rich

Environment

– Transition to a ‘deficits’ based system EHDI systems need to advocate with families going into

the ‘next’ system

Beyond the Clinical…

Cultural/Societal– Language, culture, and community– History, literature, heroes, Accolades, political capital

Family– Steep hike up the learning curve – The need for information from a lot of sources– Impact on the Family

Hands & Voices NationalLeeanne Seaver, M.A., Executive DirectorJanet DesGeorges, Director of Outreach

PO Box 371926 Denver, CO 80237 1-866-422-0422 toll free 1-303-300-9763 (in Colorado) parentadvocate@handsandvoices.org www.handsandvoices.org

Hands & Voices and the Marion Downs Center Partnership

"The information provided in this material was supported by Grant/Cooperative Agreement Number UR3/CCU824219 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC."