2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
3/04/2021 | 2:50 PM - 3:10 PM | Self-Advocacy for Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing | Topical Breakout
Self-Advocacy for Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Self-advocacy has become a buzzword in special education. It is the ability to make one's own decisions and learn how to speak up for oneself. While it may sound simple, it can be a difficult concept to teach.
Think of all the mixed messages we give our children. We tell them to self-advocate but then decide what accommodations they need and implement those accommodations without asking the student if they are effective.
Self-advocacy should begin at a young age. Children learn through day-to-day activities, like picking out what they will wear to school, or what after-school snack they want. As they grow older, the decisions they make should increase in frequency and difficulty.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case for children with disabilities. Oftentimes it is just easier to make decisions for them. Children with sensory disabilities frequently miss out on incidental learning opportunities; thus, parents and teachers must intentionally create educational situations. This takes time and considerable effort. If a student falls behind, it can become easier and easier to make their decisions for them.
Self-advocacy becomes extremely important for high school students as they begin to consider options for their futures. The IEP process encourages students to be active participants and be fully engaged in deciding their goals. However, school personnel being overworked, often find it easier to “handle things” rather than teach students all they need to know in order to make informed decisions.
The Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) has videos for all ages that can help teach self-advocacy. And because they are fully accessible, can promote independent learning opportunities. These videos can help children from preschool through high school learn self-respect, increased self-esteem, and self-advocacy skills. There are also videos for adults to improve their knowledge and skills in fostering self-advocacy.
- Participants will identify strategies for promoting self-determination in young children.
- Participants will explore opportunities for fostering self-advocacy skills.
- Participants will review self-advocacy videos and learn how to individualize the lessons for their children.
Presentation:
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Handouts:
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Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Cindy Camp
(), Described and Captioned Media Program, ccamp@dcmp.org;
Cindy Camp is the Marketing and Communications Specialist with The Described and Captioned Media Program. She holds a Master’s degree in English, is a nationally certified interpreter, certified in mental health interpreting in AL, as well as a C-Print captioninst and trainer. She has provided access services for students who are deaf and hard of hearing for over 30 years.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.