17th ANNUAL EARLY HEARING DETECTION & INTERVENTION MEETING
March 18-20, 2018 • Denver, CO

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3/20/2018  |   3:45 PM - 4:45 PM   |  Transforming State Policies   |  Capitol 2

Transforming State Policies

Kelby Brick, Esq., CDI, will discuss how the Maryland Governor’s Office tackled language deprivation and delay by addressing statewide policies that address early detection and intervention of Deaf and hard of hearing infants and toddlers. The state of Maryland has undertaken a number of unprecedented steps to actually transform policies that affects early hearing screening and intervention. This includes ensuring that policies are data-driven and avoids pitfalls of common myths that have infected the EHDI field. Brick will discuss how stakeholders were brought together to ensure that information and resources provided to EHDI professionals and families are accurate, up to date and empowering. The state underwent a difficult process of changing the information in the initial contact the state has with families of newly identified Deaf and hard of hearing infants and toddlers. The State is now going through a review of resources and information that local infant and toddler programs provide to families. With accurate information and appropriate resources, there is no reason why Deaf and hard of hearing children should suffer from language deprivation or delay. This requires a conscious acknowledgement of how policies have served to perpetuate bias to hold back the development of Deaf and hard of hearing infants and toddlers. Attendees of the presentations will learn tips and strategies on how they can push for similar changes in their home states. Inclusive approaches and techniques will be discussed with a blend of hard policy decision-making along with the gentler approach of dealing with families. This presentation will be beneficial to all stakeholders involved in EHDI, whether they are educators, medical professionals, families, or policy makers.

  • How to address State policies
  • How to ensure state programs support families
  • How to transform state policies

Presentation:
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Handouts:
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Transcripts:
15805_8042KelbyBrick.docx


Presenters/Authors

Kelby Brick (), Maryland Governor's Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, kelby.brick@maryland.gov;
Kelby Brick, Esq., CDI, is an attorney, interpreter and Director of the Maryland Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. His involvement with EHDI goes back to the days before the first EHDI annual meetings when he worked closely with Congressman James Walsh on enacting the original “Walsh Act.” Brick represents the Governor and his goal of promoting equal and full access for all Marylanders by providing expertise that enhances the general welfare of Maryland’s Deaf and hard of hearing residents. The Office addresses policy gaps, provides expertise related to Deaf and hard of hearing issues, and facilitates the ability to access resources and services. In 2013, Kelby founded Brick Advantage, a consulting firm that works with and advises corporations and nonprofits. Prior to that, he was a vice president of Purple Communications, Inc., where he led the company’s regulatory and strategic policy to break down communication barriers for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. At Purple, Kelby transformed the telecommunications relay services industry—which provides full telephone accessibility to people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-disabled—by establishing a system (later adopted by the Federal Communications Commission) that enables relay equipment to be interoperable and accessible with real local phone numbers and emergency services. Prior to joining Purple, Kelby was the director for law and advocacy at the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). As director, Kelby successfully mobilized NAD in establishing precedents and landmark decisions in litigation, legislative and regulatory areas while increasing NAD’s profile.

ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist.

Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.