2024 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 17-19, 2024 • Denver, CO
Closing Plenary--Courage Plus Dreams Equals Success: A Call to Support Children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing Plus Presented by Paul Ogden
Studies have shown that 40 to 60% of children who are deaf and hard of hearing also have one or more health or learning issues that impact their development. In the Supplement to the Joint Commission on Infant Hearing (JCIH) 2007 Position Statement, goal four states, “All Children Who Are D/HH With Additional Disabilities and Their Families Have Access to Specialists Who Have the Professional Qualifications and Specialized Knowledge and Skills to Support and Promote Optimal Developmental Outcomes.”
But how do EHDI systems and stakeholders address the diverse needs of the children and families and what resources are available? Are services inclusive and welcoming to children who “DHH Plus?” Are EHDI systems able to support families with the patience needed when medical challenges take precedence? Do we ensure that each child develops communication, including children who are DHH Plus? Are we sensitive to their potentially complex social needs and their increased risk of isolation, even from DHH peers? What can we do to understand and nurture the strengths and dreams of “Plus” children?
With those questions in mind, what if each EHDI stakeholder (parents, professionals, DHH adults, EHDI Coordinators) pledged to take at minimum 1 or 2 steps to start to improve the access to and support of these children and families? Do we have the courage to stand committed as a community to see the value of these children, their engagement socially, and help them reach their highest potential so they can have the greatest positive impact in society as adults?
Through the experience of hosting an annual free conference focusing on Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and adults with special needs, parents and professionals already doing this work have proven to be incredible resources and advocates. This session will share input from parents of kids and DHH adults who are DHH Plus and professionals and will ask the audience to commit to take action to create better, more inclusive, and supportive EHDI and DHH Communities.
“Look out for kids, help them dream and be inspired. We teach calculus in schools, but I believe the most important formula is courage plus dreams equals success.”
Marlee Matlin
- • Explain 1 – 2 benefits of focusing programing/resources on the needs of children who are DHH plus health or learning challenges and their families.
- • Identify 2 resources to support families with children who are DHH Plus.
- • Commit to 1 - 2 action steps that will expand the access to and services for families/children who are DHH Plus.
Presenter: Paul Ogden
Dr. Paul W. Ogden has been a tireless advocate for deaf and hard of hearing children, including those with specific healthcare needs. Despite facing discrimination in high school, he graduated as the only deaf person in his class and was named co-valedictorian. Ogden went on to earn a degree from Antioch College in Ohio and continued his studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he earned master’s and doctoral degrees. As a professor of Deaf Studies at California State University, Fresno, he gained a reputation as an extraordinary educator and mentor. He was voted Outstanding Professor of the Year at the university in 1995 and placed second for the same award for the entire 23-campus California State University system. His illustrious career was recognized by the California Educators of the Deaf, who conferred upon him a Lifetime Achievement Award. Ogden’s knowledge in the field of deaf education has made him a highly sought presenter at conferences and workshops. His books have received worldwide recognition. The accomplishment he is most proud of is The Silent Garden: Raising Your Deaf Child (in English and Spanish), co-written with deaf colleague David H. Smith and published by Gallaudet University Press. Now in its third edition, the book has been an incomparable resource for 40 years, providing parents, teachers, and others with the tools they need to help a deaf child reach his or her fullest potential. He continues to coordinate the Silent Garden Lecture Series at Fresno State as well as the Scarlett's Park Conference, a free annual conference focusing on Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and adults with special needs where distinguished lecturers from across the United States share their knowledge and expertise on a variety of topics.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.