About the Summit
We believe this National State Leaders Summit was the first time that state leaders from various state agencies, schools and programs for the deaf and hard of hearing, and parents came together for the purpose of working to improve outcomes for all children and youth who are deaf and hard of hearing. The conference far exceeded our expectations. Our goal was 60 participants representing 20 state teams. We had 125 participants representing 35 state teams. This level of interest further reinforced the recognition that we must collaborate with all of our resources to find solutions to assuring that every deaf or hard of hearing child has the opportunity for full access to an appropriate educational program based on his/her communication needs, that every deaf or hard of hearing child is expected and supported to achieve the same as his/her hearing peers, that every deaf or hard of hearing child has the opportunity for authentic peer interactions and relationships, and that every deaf or hard of hearing child is expected to be a contributing member of his/her community in adult life.
This conference was the result of a grass roots effort that began with discussions among the planning committee of their states' efforts to address the issues and challenges educating DHH children. Representative states were in various phases of implementing deaf education reform initiatives and, in doing so, were committed to full communication access and high standards for each child. However, the realities of our public education systems continued to prevent these basic rights from prevailing. We recognized that until we achieve the 1:1 rule, minimally one year's growth in one year's time, we - the education system - were failing these children.
At this time we are short on solutions - at least those that have evidence to support they make a difference in educational outcomes. No matter what we have tried in the last thirty years of special education, we have not been able to significantly raise the overall academic performance of DHH students.
We must persist.
We need systemic and systematic change.
We need accountability to assure no DHH child is left behind.
We need to maximize our resources as teacher and interpreter shortages increase.
We need to recognize the changing needs of DHH students.
We need to maximize the benefits of early identification and intervention.
And we need to accept that we are about ALL DHH children - all communication modes, all placements, all languages, and those with additional disabilities. Our profession has demonstrated that we have passion - it is time that we channel it in a unified way towards the same purpose and without prejudice.
The Planning committee would like to recognize the assistance of the many sponsors and supporters and, in particular, Joe Finnegan and CEASD for their flexibility and support in allowing this meeting to be scheduled just preceding their annual meeting. This collaboration allowed participants to minimize travel, expenses, and time out of their busy schedules. The conference facilitators, Carol Massanari, Mountain Plains Regional Resource Center, Jay Innes, Gallaudet Leadership Institute, and Rhonda Tyree, Southeast Regional Resource Center also deserve recognition.
Sponsors whose contributions made this meeting possible included the Colorado Department of Education, the Nebraska Department of Education, Mountain Plains Regional Resource Center, Southeast Regional Resource Center, and Gallaudet University Regional Center at Flagler College.
Supporters included CEASD, NASDSE, CAID, DECSEA, GLI, Hands & Voices, the National Center on Low Incidence Disabilities, and the National Deaf Education Project.
And finally, this conference would not have been possible without a generous grant from the Marion Downs Hearing Center funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The mission of the Marion Downs Center is to provide services, resources, education and research to support the needs of individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing, their families and professionals. All activities value individual and family choice in communication needs and technology, and strive to optimize the quality of life for all who are served. The Marion Downs Hearing Center has recognized that hearing loss becomes a problem only when access and resources are not provided in a way that supports and promotes the basic right to communication and learning.
The Conference Planning Committee:
Cheryl D Johnson, Colorado Department of Education
Robert Hill, Nebraska Department of Education
Carol Massanari, Mountain Plains Regional Resource Center
Frank Nesbit, Georgia Department of Education
Ron Stern, New Mexico School for the Deaf
Leeanne Seaver, Hands & Voices