National Association of the Deaf

NAD joined nearly 100 other participants for the “Cochlear Implants and Sign Language: Building Foundations for Effective Educational Practices” conference held at Gallaudet University on April 15-17, 2009. The conference was attended by representatives from deaf schools and mainstream programs, as well as advocates and other interested parties. The purpose of the conference was to discuss effective practices to meet the needs of children with cochlear implants. Participants considered the challenges of effectively designing programs that include both spoken language and sign language. Conference goals were to:

• share current research to practice considerations;
• share effective strategies from individual programs;
• explore issues of mutual concern in the field;
• identify and share high impact strategies for the field; and
• identify actions to move the field forward.

The agenda included speakers addressing the psychosocial aspects of cochlear implantation, real life experiences, and the design of services and programs. In addition, it included a panel discussion with members of the deaf community and a panel discussion with parents. Throughout the conference, participants broke into work groups to collaboratively explore issues and challenges, identify strategies to better serve children and families, and make recommendations for future actions in the field.

The conference was held under the auspices of the Cochlear Implant Education Center (CIEC), a component of the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center. The CIEC is a national center with a focus on identifying and sharing effective practices that support the development of both spoken language and sign language with cochlear implants. Conference proceedings will be posted on the CIEC web site, http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu, click on “Information and Resources.”