2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
2/27/2017 | 11:05 AM - 11:35 AM | Inside, Outside, Upside Down: The EHDI System with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Partners | Hanover A
Inside, Outside, Upside Down: The EHDI System with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Partners
EHDI is about Early Identification and Intervention for Babies and Toddlers who are deaf or hard of hearing. The vast majority of parents, screeners, Audiologists, Early Interventionist, Speech/Language Therapists and other experts involved in this young child’s journey mostly likely have grown up with normal hearing. Parents, other experts, and the newly identified baby may not have the opportunity to interact with a person who grew up deaf or hard of hearing. Come and enjoy an hour with Deaf and Hard of Hearing adults, who were identified as young children and work in EHDI systems or Early Intervention programs! Meet the panelists inside, outside and even upside down - in and out of the workplace. Do they turn things upside down or right-side up? The average age of identification for the panelists was 5 years and EHDI was not available to their families. Find out how their unique perspectives of being deaf or hard of hearing add to their programs. What inside connections and insight do they have that other experts might not have? What additional voice can they bring to EHDI and EI services? How does their personal history and experience impact and affect change in their EHDI systems? What kind of expectations can we have for today’s children identified and obtaining EI services sooner than previous generations? What potential impact on child outcomes might we expect to see with deaf and hard of hearing input into the EHDI systems? What does this type of support do for today’s parents? How can states collaborate with deaf and hard of hearing adults to ensure the wisdom and experience they bring to the table is available to parents and other experts. We are who we are. A fun time will be had by all!
- Participants will gain the perspective of deaf and hard of hearing adults on how they can positively impact EHDI systems.
- Participants will be able to explain the importance of including a deaf or hard of hearing staff member or partner to their work team.
- Participants will leave with creative ways they can incorporate D/HH adults into their services
Presentation:
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Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Karen Hopkins
(), The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Governor Baxter School for the Deaf, karen.hopkins@mecdhh.org;
Karen Hopkins is the Executive Director of The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Governor Baxter School for the Deaf and the principal investigator of Maine's HRSA grant. She brings over 30 years of experience as a collaborative teacher of the deaf, special educator, early interventionist and educational administrator to her work with Deaf and hard of hearing children. Her work with families, coupled with her own personal experience as a Deaf adult and parent of a daughter who is hard of hearing have inspired her to create systems that empower families. Karen oversees early intervention and statewide educational programming for children who are Deaf or hard of hearing birth to age 22 throughout the state of Maine. She is active in many organizations and boards in Maine, the Hands & Voices HQ Board of Directors and is involved with international FCEI programming including the Deaf Leadership International Alliance. Karen's current research is focused on perspectives of family empowerment in early intervention systems for Deaf and hard of hearing children.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary,Grants for Management position from HRSA Maine Educational Center for the Deaf.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Stephanie Olson
(), Hands & Voices, Headquarters, stephanie@handsandvoices.org;
Stephanie Olson currently works as the Co-Director of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Infusion with Hands & Voices Headquarters and is the Family Consultant at Children’s Hospital Colorado. She previously worked for the Colorado Home Intervention Program as a family facilitator. During 2009, she was part of a team from Children’s Hospital Colorado that traveled to London, South Africa, Brazil and New Zealand and presented on best practices in supporting families. Stephanie has presented at the International Family-Centered Early Intervention (FCEI) Austria, in 2012, 2014,2016, and 2018. She participated in the U.S. and Russian cultural exchange in 2015 and 2016 with Hands & Voices to increase the understanding and impact of Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the parenting journey and professionals who work with those families.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Nan Asher
(), Michigan EHDI, ashern@michigan.gov;
Nan Asher was diagnosed with a bilateral severe hearing loss at age four and has one sibling with a profound hearing loss. She has worked/volunteered in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing field for much of her professional career, Past President of Michigan Coalition for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People and past Executive Director of Michigan Association for Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She’s a member the Advocacy committee with the Hearing Loss Association of Michigan. Nan graduated from Eastern Michigan University (EMU) with a Masters in Liberal Arts in Interdisciplinary Technology, and received her BA with honors in Health Administration, also at EMU. After graduation, Nan owned her own business in Hearing assistive technology and taught classes on adapting to hearing loss, assistive technology and speechreading to people of all ages. In addition, Nan spoke on Capitol Hill on Entrepreneurs with Disabilities hosted by the Paralyzed Veterans of America. As the Program Consultant for MI-EHDI, which she had previously served on their Advisory board for a few years, Nan has frequent contact with medical providers, midwives and parents, encouraging appropriate and timely follow-up. She spearheaded the Michigan Midwives Project, now currently in its 5th year. Nan is a strong advocate for finding communication modes that work for each individual and getting each person to reach for the stars.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Karen Putz
(), Hands & Voices , karen@handsandvoices.org ;
Karen Putz is a deaf mom of three deaf and hard of hearing kids. She worked in early intervention as a Deaf Mentor for 13 years and is the Co-Director of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Infusion for Hands & Voices. Karen is the author of several books, including
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Melinda Meyers
(), Maine Educational Center for the Deaf, melinda.meyers@mecdhh.org;
Melinda Smith Meyers received her Bachelor of Social Work from Gallaudet University and studied Early Childhood Special Education at the University of Maine. She has worked as a home based early interventionist for deaf children, ASL Family Trainer, and family case manager. She worked for The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MECDHH) in the preschool, parent infant and Deaf Mentor programs. Melinda is currently the Deaf Mentor and ASL for Families Coordinator at MECDHH where she supports children and families in the Parent Infant, Preschool and Early Childhood and Family Services and Outreach programs. Melinda is married to a deaf man, and has two hearing grown children and three granddaughters in Maine.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -