PRESS RELEASE: LEAD-K Family Services

FOR RELEASE ON April 2, 2020

Contact: Chelsea Rummler, PR, NorCal Services for Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Phone: 916-475-2590
Email: Crummler@norcalcenter.org

Local Nonprofit Receives Federal Grant for CA Newborn Hearing Screening Program
LEAD-K Family Services

Sacramento, CA, April 2, 2020 —
NorCal Services for Deaf & Hard of Hearing is being awarded by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA-20-047) to support the current Newborn Hearing Screening Program (NHSP) with centralized services for families with infants who have been identified as deaf or hard of hearing. The NHSP is a state program that screens infants in hospitals for hearing loss and provide referrals to audiologists for further testing as needed. This $235,000 annual grant starting April 1st, 2020 for 4 years will allocate funding for the establishment of a statewide LEAD-K Family Services that includes Parent Mentor support (Parentlinks) and Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) related services, specifically Deaf Coach services. Under the new grant, the program will continue to collaborate with the California Departments of Education (CDE), State Schools for the Deaf; Healthcare Services Coordination Centers, Hearing Coordination Centers; Social Services, Deaf Access Program; and Developmental Services, Regional Programs. Additional collaborators include the California Academy of Pediatrics, California Educators of the Deaf, Center for Early Intervention on Deafness, and CCHAT.

The primary goal of this project is to increase the number of families with deaf or hard of hearing identified infants receiving early intervention and support services that ensure age-appropriate language development. A secondary goal is increasing the number of health professionals and service providers receiving training with the focus on understanding early language development and acquisition.

“By ensuring families are connected to early intervention and support services, this new statewide program is aligned with California’s law that was passed in 2015 to address early language acquisition of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.” Said Sheri Farinha, CEO and Principal Investigator of the HRSA grant.

“The Newborn Hearing Screening Program illustrates the importance of early detection and intervention. By ensuring that infants are screened for hearing at birth, parents can make informed choices about their care early on,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “I have long advocated for the federal government to prioritize these initiatives. Most recently, Congress successfully passed, and the President signed into law my bill, the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act, legislation to preserve federal funding that continually supports this critical work. I’m pleased that NorCal Services for Deaf & Hard of Hearing will be able to implement these funds locally to make sure newborn screening and intervention programs can continue to improve our kids’ health and well-being.”

“I applaud the award of this grant to NorCal Services for Deaf & Hard of Hearing,” said Rep. Ami Bera, M.D. “This grant will support their Newborn Hearing Screening Program to address early language acquisition of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. NorCal Services for Deaf & Hard of Hearing has been a tremendous asset to the Sacramento County community, empowering deaf and hard of hearing individuals across California.”

Congressman Garamendi on the grant: “I’m pleased that NorCal Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing has received this much-deserved support to bolster its services to the community. The organization will use these funds to educate, empower and advocate throughout our region. I’m deeply thankful for the work the people of NorCal Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing perform every day, and I congratulate them for earning this award.”

NorCal Services for Deaf & Hard of Hearing is a nonprofit community-based organization serving Deaf & Hard of Hearing individuals in 24 northeastern counties. To learn more about NorCal please visit www.norcalcenter.org email: info@norcalcenter.org or (916)349-7500.
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This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

 

 

 

FECHA DE PUBLICACIÓN: 2 de abril del 2020

Contacto: Chelsea Rummler, Relaciones Públicas Servicios NorCal para Sordos & Personas con Dificultades Auditivas
Número del Teléfono: 916-475-2590
Correo Electrónico: crummler@norcalcenter.org

Organización Local Sin Fines de Lucro Recibe Una Concesión Federal Para El Programa de Detección Auditiva Para Recién Nacidos de California
Servicios Familiares de Igualdad y Adquisición de Lenguaje para Niños Sordos
“Language Equality & Acquisition for Deaf Kids” (LEAD-K)

Sacramento, CA, 1º de abril del 2020 —
Servicios NorCal para Sordos & Personas con Dificultades Auditivas “NorCal Services for Deaf & Hard of Hearing” está siendo otorgado por la Administración Federal de Recursos y Servicios de Salud “Health Resources and Services Administration” (HRSA-20-047) para apoyar el programa actual de la detección auditiva para recién nacidos “Newborn Hearing Screening Program” (NHSP) con servicios centralizados para familias con bebés que han sido identificados como sordos o que tienen dificultades auditivas. El NHSP es un programa estatal que analiza a los bebés en los hospitales para detectar la pérdida de audición y proporciona las referencias a los audiólogos para que se hagan más pruebas según sea necesario. Esta concesión anual de $235,000 a partir del 1º de abril del 2020 durante 4 años asignará fondos para el establecimiento de un servicio familiar de Igualdad y Adquisición de Lenguaje para Niños Sordos “Lenguaje Equality & Acquisition for Deaf Kids” (LEAD-K) en todo el estado que incluyen a los servicios relacionados con el apoyo de ParentLinks y el Plan de Servicio Familiar Individual “Individual Family Service Plan” (IFSP), específicamente los servicios del Instructor Sordo “Deaf Coach” para las familias. Bajo la nueva concesión, el programa continuará colaborando con los Departamentos de Educación de California “ California Department of Education” (CDE), Las Escuelas Estatales para Sordos; Los Centros de Coordinación de Servicios de Salud, Los Centros de Coordinación Auditiva; Los Servicios Sociales, El Programa del Acceso para Sordos; Los Servicios para el Desarrollo, y Los Programas Regionales. Otros colaboradores incluyen a la Academia de Pediatría de California, Educadores de Californiano Para Sordos, el Centro de Intervención Temprana sobre la Sordera, y La Opción de los Niños para Escuchar y Hablar, “Children’s choice for Hearing and Talking” (CCHAT).

El objetivo principal de este proyecto es aumentar el número de familias con bebés sordos o con dificultades auditivas a ser identificadas y que reciban los servicios de intervención temprana y apoyo que aseguran el desarrollo del lenguaje adecuado a la edad. Un objetivo secundario es aumentar el número de los profesionales de la salud y los proveedores de servicios que reciben entrenamientos, centrándose en la comprensión del desarrollo y la adquisición temprana del lenguaje.

“Al garantizar que las familias estén conectadas con estos servicios de intervención temprana y otro tipo de apoyo, este nuevo programa estatal está alineado con la ley de California que se aprobó en el 2015 para abordar la adquisición temprana del lenguaje de los niños sordos o con dificultades auditivas.” Dijo Sheri Farinha, CEO e investigadora principal de la concesión de HRSA.

“El Programa de Evaluación Auditiva para Recién Nacidos, ilustra la importancia de la detección e intervención temprana. Al asegurar que los bebés tengan su evaluación auditiva de recién nacidos, los padres pueden tomar decisiones informadas sobre su cuidado desde el principio”, dijo la congresista Matsui. “Durante mucho tiempo he abogado para que el gobierno federal priorice estas iniciativas. Más recientemente, el Congreso la aprobó con éxito, y el presidente firmó mi proyecto de ley, la ley de Detección e Intervención Auditiva Temprana, esta legislación será para preservar los fondos federales que apoyan continuamente este trabajo crítico. Me complace que Servicios NorCal para Sordos & Personas con Dificultades Auditivas pueda implementar estos fondos localmente para asegurarme de que los programas de evaluación e intervención de recién nacidos puedan seguir mejorando la salud y el bienestar de nuestros hijos”.

“Yo aplaudo el premio de esta concesión a Servicios NorCal para Sordos & Personas con Dificultades Auditivas”, dijo la representante Ami Bera, M.D. “Esta concesión apoyará su Programa de la Detección Auditiva para Recién Nacidos para abordar la adquisición temprana del lenguaje de niños sordos o con dificultades auditivas. Servicios NorCal para Sordos & Personas con Dificultades Auditivas ha sido un gran activista para la comunidad del Condado de Sacramento, ellos están facultando a personas sordas y con dificultades auditivas en todo California”.

Congresista Garamendi sobre la concesión: “Me complace que Servicios NorCal para Sordos & Personas con Dificultades Auditivas haya recibido este merecido apoyo para reforzar sus servicios a la comunidad. La organización utilizará estos fondos para educar, empoderar y abogar en toda nuestra región. Estoy profundamente agradecido por el trabajo que la gente de Servicios NorCal para Sordos & Personas con Dificultades Auditivas realiza todos los días, y los felicito por ganar este apremio.”

Servicios NorCal para Sordos & Personas con Dificultades Auditivas es una organización comunitaria sin fines de lucro que sirve a las personas sordas y las que tienen difíciles auditivas en 24 condados del noreste. Para obtener más información sobre NorCal, visite:
www.norcalcenter.org correo electrónico: info@norcalcenter.org  o llámanos al (916)349-7500

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Este proyecto cuenta con el apoyo de la Administración de Recursos y Servicios de Salud (HRSA) del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos (HHS). Los contenidos son los del autor o autores y no representan necesariamente las opiniones oficiales de, ni una aprobación, por parte de HRSA, HHS o el Gobierno de los Estados Unidos.

Convo and LEAD-K PARTNERS AGAIN FOR “NEVER STOP DREAMING 2017”

Press Release

October 17, 2017

Contact:
Julie Rems-Smario
925-209-3537 (text)

Convo and LEAD-K PARTNERS AGAIN FOR “NEVER STOP DREAMING 2017”

Sacramento, CA– LEAD-K and Convo partnered for the second time to lead “The Never Stop Dreaming” competition. With over 190 Deaf children from K-12 programs throughout the USA participating with narrative videos about their dreams, LEAD-K participated with three judges, Sheri Ann Farinha, LEAD-K Campaign Director, LIndsay Dunn, faculty at Gallaudet University, and Else Lorraine Flores, ASL and Social Justice teacher at the California School for the Deaf, Fremont.

“LEAD-K loves working with Convo on this contest, because it provides an opportunity to showcase Deaf children’s healthy language and critical thinking skills by those who dare to dream big!” says Sheri Farinha, “The power of language acquisition is the basis for furthering their goals for the future and we’re thrilled to be part of shaping that future.”

After intensive reviewing of 190 videos by the three LEAD-K judges, two finalists were selected, Ariella Zfati and Dylan Duarte! The winners will have a fun-filled red carpet weekend to watch Wonderstuck in Austin, Texas, with Millicent Simmonds, the star of Wonderstruck movie, and Alex Abenchuchan from The Daily Moth.

“For the second year, Convo is partnering with LEAD-K in the Never Stop Dreaming contest. This campaign reflects the shared values that Convo and LEAD-K hold, which is to invest in our Deaf youth. Convo believes that this contest only further propels LEAD-K’s efforts to show how essential language acquisition is in the success of Deaf children’s futures. With language, all Deaf can thrive and achieve their dreams,” said Jarrod Musano, the CEO of Convo.

About LEAD-K
LEAD-K is a language equality campaign for American Sign Language and English to promote awareness about the importance of early language acquisition milestones for all Deaf babies. LEAD-K looks forward to more collaborative work with WISDO to gather a great wealth of stories from many more Deaf children’s families. We aim for the families, who chose signed languages to connect with their Deaf babies and children, to find and connect each other through their narratives. www.LEAD-K.org

About CONVO
CONVO is Deaf-owned and develops VRS technologies that allow phone convos for ASL users living in a global economy. www.convorelay.com

LEAD-K is Proud to be Partnered with WISDO to Share Deaf Children’s Family Stories

Sacramento, CA– Last April, LEAD-K partnered with WISDO to provide a platform for the families of Deaf children to share their wealth of experience.   The families met at the California School for the Deaf to have their narratives filmed by the WISDO crew.    Led by Sarah Snow, formerly a spokesperson for GLIDE, she worked with LEAD-K’s Public Relations Director to set up the interviews.Here are some of the powerful narratives, but first you have to meet Sarah Snow from Wisdo! (Click on her picture to watch her video that was posted on Facebook) 

Now meet this incredible hearing mother Harshada Kadu– She has a Deaf child in Kindergarten.

Brian Berlinski’s family touched so many lives– One of Brian’s three children talked about the importance of being proud of their many identities.

The Aguilar Family is super adorable–They are hearing parents whose lives changed to learn the language of their two Deaf children, age 7 and 1.

Meet our talented Ade!– We love strong and confident Deaf children who believe they can do anything they achieve to be! Ade is already a #DeafTalent.

Even LEAD-K’s Public Relations Director, a Deaf woman, was interviewed about her own hearing mother’s journey raising a Deaf child. 

Wisdo is an online community and platform, dedicated to helping people take on life’s greatest challenges and opportunities by relying on the wisdom of people who have “been there.” On Wisdo, people connect with people who have gone through similar experiences and milestones, to seek and share knowledge that can lead to healthier, wiser lives.

Wisdo celebrates the power and beauty of real life stories by creating inspiring and empowering online videos that so far, have reached an audience of more than 100 million on Facebook alone. These videos regularly feature community members who have wisdom to share and whose journey can shed a light on the road ahead for people who have walked or are walking in their footsteps. These videos are also an invitation to people everywhere to join Wisdo, connect, follow and interact with people with similar journeys – since although every life journey is unique, it can be enriched and enlightened by the experience and company of others.

“LEAD-K is thrilled to partner with Wisdo, a new way to outreach through social media with Julie Rems-Smario as PR Director sharing updates daily on different key issues.  Sarah Snow is phenomenal to work with and we look forward to more!” said Sheri Ann Farinha, LEAD-K Campaign Director.

LEAD-K is a language equality campaign for American Sign Language and English to promote awareness about the importance of early language acquisition milestones for all Deaf babies. LEAD-K looks forward to more collaborative work with WISDO to gather a great wealth of stories from many more Deaf children’s families.  We aim for the families, who chose signed languages to connect with their Deaf babies and children, to find and connect each other through their narratives.  

www.Wisdo.com

www.lead-k.org

 

 

RESEARCH PROVES THAT SIGN LANGUAGE IS CRITICAL TO DEAF CHILDREN’S ABILITY TO DEVELOP LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Feature of Visual Language and Visual Learning (VL2) at Gallaudet University by The Daily Moth

“Is sign language critical for deaf children’s ability to develop language and literacy? Research proves it beyond any doubt. [CC]”

To learn more about VL2 – visit http://vl2.gallaudet.edu
To learn more about The Daily Moth – visit http://www.thedailymoth.com

Author of Deaf Culture Fairy Tales is Donating a Percentage of Book Sales to LEAD-K

Hot off the press, Deaf Culture Fairy Tales has been wildly entertaining many book worms.  The book is written by Dr. Roz Rosen, a Deaf woman known for her trailblazing endeavors in Deaf education.  She grew up loving to go to the library to read books, but noticed that there wasn’t much literature about Deaf culture and American Sign Language.

Dr. Roz Rosen with her newly published book (image description: A white female presenting person with short brown hair is smiling at the camera while holding her book, Deaf Culture Fairy Tales. She is wearing a yellow top. On her right hand, she is wearing a wedding band and a bracelet with beads.)

In her book’s forward, Rosen wrote, “I especially loved the classics, adventure stories, and fairy tales.  Books were my friends. However, there was a disconnection: none was about my people or my community or my language.  Nothing about our way of life, our experiences, our culture, or our ability to navigate and create solutions for ourselves in a multifaceted, multicultural society.” Thus, Dr. Rosen conceived the concept of this book as a fusion between the classic Fairy Tales and Deaf Culture

Dr. Roz Rosen with Onudeah Nicolarakis at the Early Childhood Education Summit hosted at R.I.T. the Rochester School for the Deaf. (Image description: Rosen (L) and Nicolarakis (R) are standing next to each other while holding Rosen’s book and smiling at the camera. Roz is wearing a black suit while Onudeah is wearing a black dress with red and orange flower patterns. Onudeah has dark brown curly hair. In the background it a PowerPoint slide with LEAD-K logo and information about ECE summit).

As a cause close to her heart, Roz has announced that a percentage of the book sales will be donated to LEAD-K , a movement campaign for all Deaf children to have a healthy foundation of language acquisition in ASL and English from birth until the age of five, so they can arrive to Kindergarten ready to learn, read and write. “We sincerely appreciate Roz Rosen’s continuous donations, and her excelllent leadership and commitment to LEAD-K’s success”, said Sheri Ann Farinha, LEAD-K Campaign Director.

“I believe LEAD-K will be the tipping point to end language deprivation with early and quality access to language for Deaf and hard of hearing toddlers so that they will arrive at Kindergarten, ready to learn and with language and literacy, the lifelines for academic and social success in life,” said Rosen about why she support LEAD-K.

Dr. Roz Rosen presented at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at RIT about LEAD-K. In the photo with her (l to r) Gerry Buckley, Roz Rosen, Chris Kurz and Jeanna Behm. (Image description: All four are standing together will arms around one another. Rosen is holding her book with her left hand. The opening slide of Rosen’s presentation is in the background; It has LEAD-K logo.)

To purchase Deaf Culture Fairy Tales: http://www.savorywords.com/books/

ABOUT LEAD-K: The LEAD-K Campaign is a visual civil right movement to end the nationwide epidemic of language deprivation by promoting language acquisition and equality, American Sign Language (ASL) and English, as a basic human right for all Deaf babies, LEADING to a new generation of Deaf children who are Kindergarten-ready.

 

Love & Language: Meet the Kadu Family!

This video is powered by the grassroots community. Donate to help fight for Deaf children’s rights to equal language acquisition. 

Donate Today!

 

KADU FAMILY TRANSCRIPT

HARSHADA: I don’t think there is anything else that we, as parents, would want other than a great education, solid foundation, and language. She already has all of those, so we’re really happy.

My name is Harshada. I was born and brought up in India. A few years ago, we moved to America, and this is where my daughter, Devika, was born. I have other siblings, younger brother, sister, um, and I have a huge family. My in-laws, a big family. Four of us live here. Me, my husband, my younger son, Shiv and Devika.

Devika was born Deaf, and my second one, Shiv, was born hearing. So I have one of each, one Deaf and one hearing kid.

I was in a state of shock, because the audiologist said, “Your daughter was born deaf.” She’s “so sorry.” The minute she said “I’m so sorry, your daughter is deaf,” then I realized, “Oh ok.” So then my first reaction, I guess, was pretty natural for a hearing person. I just started crying in her office.

She told us that she cannot hear, and then, we have other choices like, we can try hearing aids, and we can try cochlear implants. And she started explaining then and there, so we told her, “Oh, we need some time to process this information first.” So she said, “Yeah, sure.” So we came back home and then we did a lot of internet research on what exactly that meant, being Deaf.

SACHIN: We were kinda reaching out to any resource we could go to, like internet, people, calling back in India to who are friends who are doctors and stuff.

We did not know any Deaf person, uh, ahem, mmm, here in our lives, so we were— kinda… did not know what to do.

We were actually kind of almost leaning towards the decision of doing cochlear implants and stuff.

HARSHADA: She started in the baby class at the California School for the Deaf in Fremont when she was 18 months.

SACHIN: We came to know about CSDF, California School For The Deaf.

HARSHADA: The first day I went with her, I myself had a lot of anxiety about, “How is she ever going to learn, read, and write?” because me being an architect and my husband being an engineer, we have a very solid academic background. And so does my family have, so… We have lawyers and doctors and engineers, so that caused the first concern for us, always.

So how is she ever going to learn to read, and write? You know, become someone.

So the first day I went to the school, I was— I had a lot of anxiety, but I visited the school. I thought maybe all of the teachers might be hearing, because that is what the norm usually is.

So I went to the classroom and I saw. “Ohhh, the teachers are Deaf, oh, interesting.” All of the kids were Deaf there. Everybody was signing and everybody was happy, everybody was communicating, and… It was just like a normal routine, any other classroom. It was just like I went to a school the way it was. And everybody was talking, and yet everybody was signing.

SACHIN: After visiting that school, our perspective about the situation completely changed. Rather, we started thinking that this is not a problem. So then we thought, let’s give her a chance. And she actually really was so happy after going to that school, and everything literally just changed for her.

HARSHADA: It’s the best place for her because she has all of the Deaf role models around her.

DEVIKA: Dad is spelled D-A-D. Mom is spelled M-O-M. Devika is spelled D-E-V-I-K- A. Shiv is spelled S-H-I-V. My last name is K-A-D-U.

HARSHADA: Deaf families— they already know, what they’re supposed to do with Deaf kids, because… they grew up that way, they grew up with the Deaf experiences, but in a hearing family, usually the Deaf kid is the first one, or the first-born and they are clueless.

So we think if the audiologist probably would have maybe conveyed the information that she’s born Deaf, and “Never mind, there are ways to communicate with your child and all.” We would have been much more positive, because I guess, the way she said— the minute she said, “I’m sorry,” and she herself was pretty emotional about it. She, herself, was in tears by communicating the information, so I guess, it just, hit us.

Because like I’m an architect and I know I always have this solid academic background and… it was all because of a very good language foundation. So she has that. She has American Sign Language, so because of the foundation. And a Deaf kid is very visual so she simply connects so no matter how complex or complicated things we explain to her, she easily figures it out because it’s a natural language for her, so if she has ASL with her so she can become whatever she wants.

SACHIN: I want people to basically accept their Deaf kids and try to bank on their strengths instead of their weakness. Being able to talk and hear and being able to sign is actually the same thing.

HARSHADA: The first thing that a deaf kid needs is language from day one.

DEVIKA: Hey, no throwing. No, don’t throw.

SACHIN: For Shiv, ASL is his mother tongue, and we like it that way. It couldn’t have been better, because that way, Devika would have always from family who actually signs with her and kind of–

HARSHADA:—have a connection

SACHIN:—have a connection with her, so it’s beautiful. Whenever he thinks he has to convey something like, he’s hungry, he wants water, or some meaningful conversation he thinks it has to be done in sign language and everything else like, playing, shouting, it’s all fine in English, that’s what he thinks, so it’s, it’s beautiful.

DEVIKA: Give me a moment.

HARSHADA: We want to have ASL in the house so that Devika gets the access all the time and it’s working great.

SACHIN: Yes, I’m not worried he won’t be able to speak and all that, because I myself actually learned English when I was 14 or 15 years old, so.

DEVIKA: From over there, I got a look at the laptop and there was more in it, and my jaw dropped. Dad got one new book— I LOVE Powerpuff girls. Then I was confused and puzzled when I saw a Powerpuff girl. Was it a real Puff Girl?

SACHIN: Why would someone waste fifteen, sixteen years of their life to just teach them to speak few words and then they would actually start their actual education? It’s a complete waste of money, and whatever, right?

HARSHADA: If my child gets ASL as the foundation, only then is she going to pick up English read and write in English because right now we already notice Devika is really good with her writing and reading. She’s at par with her age level, so on her other assessments she’s always at grade level because her ASL skills are up to the mark for her age, so that’s all connected.

DEVIKA: Hello! My name is Devika. This is a butterfly and a rainbow. The fluttering butterfly is beautiful. It is right here.

There are many different stars from the top to the bottom. Some from left to right. All over.

HARSHADA: The stronger the American Sign Language, give your child the stronger the English, reading, writing skills will be, because that’s all we want like as parents, the first start of the process our mind goes, “Ok, my child is Deaf. What about the academics? What about the education? What about the college? University?” So that’s what— that’s what starts— crosses your mind, so if you give the ASL, the other things naturally fall into place.

DEVIKA: I messed up, the book went missing, so I went to the library and took home with me two new books.

HARSHADA: She makes a lot of pretty things in objects with clay so that is one of her favorite art and hobbies she has, so she has told me, “Mom you can never stop clay classes for me you should always continue, ok?” Ok, so we try not to stop it. She is a very confident girl. She has a lot of dreams. She wants to do a lot of things. She’s at grade level when it comes to everything like reading, writing, academic, she’s doing great. It’s all because ASL is her first language. She does great even outside in other environments, she goes to hearing parties. She socializes with hearing kids and she’s perfectly ok with it. She’s very aware of her identity she knows she’s Deaf and she knows others are talking but she finds a way to communicate with other kids. So she’s doing great. She’s a very curious kid and we’re very happy.

The National LEAD-K Campaign Team Releases a New Informational Document – LEAD-K Mythbusters

Sacramento, CA – On February 14, 2017, the National LEAD-K Campaign Team released a new informational document titled LEAD-K Mythbusters. This document was produced with an intent to address misinformation about the LEAD-K bill. The goal of LEAD-K is to ensure a foundation for English literacy among Deaf and hard of hearing children whether they use one or both languages, American Sign Language and English for kindergarten readiness.

To find, to print or to share this document, please click below:

LEAD-K Mythbusters

This document can be also found on the LEAD-K FAQ page: http://www.lead-k.org/leadkfaq 

ABOUT LEAD-K: The LEAD-K Campaign is a visual civil right movement to end the nationwide epidemic of language deprivation by promoting language equality, American Sign Language (ASL) and English, as a basic human right for all Deaf babies, LEADING to a new generation of Deaf children who are Kindergarten-ready. http://www.LEAD-K.org

Thank you, Convo Relay! Your Support Means a Lot!

LEAD-K’s partnership with the Nyle DiMarco Foundation, with support from Convo Relay, created a dynamic trio to educate the world about Deaf children’s right to early language acquisition.

LAUNCHED WITH ANNOUNCING THE PASSAGE OF FIRST LEAD-K LAW
2016 was a very exciting year in promoting awareness about the importance of language acquisition with ASL and English during the first five years of each Deaf child’s life to ensure Kindergarten-readiness for literacy and academic success.   Starting with this video directed by Julie Rems-Smario, PR Director of LEAD-K and filmed by Convo Creative Director, Jay Kowalzcyk, with Nyle Dimarco and California’s State Senator Cathleen Galgiani announcing the successful passing of the first LEAD-K law, SB 210.  This video was launched last March at the EHDI conference in San Diego, California, and went viral with nearly one million views.  Since this announcement, two more states passed their LEAD-K laws.

THE #TOSIGNISHUMAN CAMPAIGN

Since the launching, LEAD-K and Convo partnered again to launch a beautiful campaign called #ToSignIsHuman, which was launched during Nyle DiMarco’s competition on Dancing With the Stars.  Many children submitted their videos to explain in ASL about their dreams.

It was a very tough competition, and it came down to two finalists, Hiruni Hewapathirana and Savannah Brown.

To the judges’ surprise, we all also learned that both girls are already best friends and classmates at the same school!  Hiruni and Savannah and an exclusive trip with their mothers to Los Angeles to watch Nyle DiMarco.  compete in Dancing With the Stars and have a private meeting with Nyle himself!

CONVO’s support did not stop here for LEAD-K!! Last August they launched the “Never Stop Dreaming” campaign by selling t-shirts, also through Route 66, to fundraise for LEAD-K.  Each child who joined the #tosignishuman competition received this t-shirt to express our gratitude for their participation.

 

NYLE DIMARCO FOUNDATION IMPLEMENTED

Inspired by the language equality and acquisition movement, Nyle DiMarco along with his friends and family founded a foundation in his name, Nyle DiMarco Foundation (NDF).  The current focus of NDF is to fundraise for Deaf children called Love and Language to support early language acquisition initiatives.   For NDF’s fundraising effort, Nyle did a social media challenge to his fans to match his donation of $12,000 to support LEAD-K’s advocacy for policy changes campaign.

To participate, click on this link: Nyle DiMarco Foundation and LEAD-K Fundraising Challenge. 

STORIES OF DEAF CHILDREN’S FAMILIES CHOOSING ASL & ENGLISH

NDF also supported LEAD-K’s efforts to bring stories of families who chose to raising their Deaf children in homes with ASL and English.   The one of the families’ stories, the Rogerson’s,  was launched during December 2016, which also went viral inspiring many families who cannot find sufficient resources about raising their Deaf children with ASL and English.  

Additionally, the Rogerson’s and their 4 year old Deaf son, Heath, also had the wonderful privilege of having a private meeting with Nyle DiMarco. Heath had the biggest smile when he met Nyle.

POWERFUL INFOGRAPHIC FACTS ABOUT LANGUAGE ACQUISITION

Convo supported NDF and LEAD-K campaign to spread awareness about the importance of language acquisition with ASL and English by creating infographic videos.

The NDF infographic made a powerful visual impact globally educating the world about the grim reality of language deprivation happening to many Deaf children and the power of language acquisition with signed language(s).

MORE LEAD-K and NDF PROJECTS COMING IN 2017!

Through LEAD-K, NDF, and Convo Relay’s inspirational partnership, more media exposure will be forthcoming in the coming months of 2017!  LEAD-K will launch more interviews with families who bravely chose ASL and English despite the oppressive discriminatory systematic barriers to push for one option only, and limited ASL resources.. NDF will continue to spread its Love & Language awareness for parents about the importance of language acquisition with ASL and English.    

Thank you Convo Relay for serving as amazing community partner to support LEAD-K and NDF!  You are helping us create public awareness toward  this important paradigm shift.  It’s only the beginning.

Cheers to you, all Parents with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children, our Deaf Community!   Onward for another amazing year!

Learn more about how you can donate to LEAD-K:  http://www.lead-k.org/donate/  

Your tax-deductible donations help make LEAD-K advocacy work possible!

Special Announcement from LEAD-K National Team

LEAD-K has taken a life of its own because of incredible people who supported LEAD-K!

In 2016 alone, with YOUR help, we have raised over $45,000!!!  These donations helped to pay for our annual summit, trainings, advocacy, operations, and more! LEAD-K is a social and legislative movement to help empower the families of Deaf babies with knowledge about early and healthy language acquisition through ASL and English, especially during first fives years of the child’s life for Kindergarten readiness. 

We are SO grateful to the following who donated in 2016:

  • Purple Communications has been OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR supporting LEAD-K’s work throughout the year!!

 

  • Thomas Otto-Brunc -Route 66 – did a t-shirt drive with Nyle DiMarco’s first sales and its ongoing! Thank you, Route 66 and Nyle!

 

  • Melody and Russ Stein, owners of Mozzeria, also sold t-shirts through Route 66 with percentage of the proceeds going to LEAD-K!  Thank you, Steins and Mozzeria!

 

  • Alternative Communication Services (ACS), a company that provides captioning promised $5,000 to LEAD-K if Nyle DiMarco won Dancing With the Stars.  LEAD-K received the wonderful donation! Thank you, ACS!

(Right to left) Becky Bennion from ACS with LEAD-K Campaign Director, Sheri Farinha, and PR director, Julie Rems-Smario

 

  • Nyle DiMarco Foundation (NDF) donated $12,500 to LEAD-K to cover the expenses of the 2016 LEAD-K summit which provided information and advocacy training to state representatives from 23 states.  By the way, Nyle is still challenging the community to match him.  We are halfway there. Thank you, NDF!

 

  • Amy Cohen Efron and Dawn Elaine started a donation drive with the community to donate for every week Nyle remained on the Dancing With The Stars (DWTS) show! Thank you, Dawn Elaine and Amy!!  

  

 

  • Amy Cohen Efron also, donated her artworks and raised $2,000 on the spot… to help match Nyle’s $12,000 challenge.  Thank you, Amy!

 

  • DawnSignPress (DSP) staff chose LEAD-K as their charity for 2016 and chipped in holiday funds. Thank you DSP!

 

  • Oak Park High School Associated Student Body ASL Club fundraised for LEAD-K!  It’s always wonderful to have the younger generation supporting this important cause!

 

  • Di Herron’s 60th Birthday party had friends donating to LEAD-K in lieu of gifts! Thank you Di!

 

  • Alyce Slate and David Reynolds and chose LEAD-K as one of four organizations for their family and friends to donate in honor of their 10th wedding anniversary. Thank you Alyce and David!

 

  • Jon Savage, a DeVia artist, sold limited edition his ASL FIRST  with 20% proceeds of the sales going to LEAD-K!  This limited edition will be sold out soon!  Thank you, Jon!

 

  • Last July, Denny Voreck hosted a large pool party in Las Vegas with Nico DiMarco as the “Deaf DJ”!  Part of the proceeds from the party was donated to LEAD-K!  Thank you, Denny!

There are many more who have donated and supported our LEAD-K Campaign.  It takes a village to support the families of Deaf children!  Thank you for being a wonderful village of support during 2016.  We look forward to continuing our partnership in 2017!

To encourage the gift of giving, please go to:  http://www.lead-k.org/donate/  

Your tax-deductible donations help make LEAD-K work possible! 

Thank You and Happy New Year!

 

What is Language Deprivation?

 

What is Language Deprivation 

ONSCREEN TEXT:        Do

You

Know

What

Language

Deprivation

Is?

Do you know what language deprivation is?

Let’s start with two babies.

Two images of babies appear. The one on the left is gray, and above it the text reads: ‘Hearing Baby.’ The one on the left is blue, and above it the text reads: ‘Deaf Baby.’

The camera pans to the left, focusing on the gray baby alone. An image of an adult, colored gray, appears. The adult is kneeling and facing the hearing baby. The baby is crying. A speech bubble appears next to the adult’s mouth: “Milk.” An exclamation point appears above the baby, and a smaller speech bubble appears next to the baby’s mouth: “Milk.” The adult hands the baby a bottle.

The camera pans to the right, focusing on the blue baby alone. Another image of an adult, colored gray, appears. The adult is also kneeling and facing the deaf baby. The baby is crying. A speech bubble appears next to the adult’s mouth: “Milk.” The baby continues to cry. A second and then a third speech bubble appear: “Milk, Milk.” The baby continues to cry. The adult hands the baby a bottle.

The hearing baby and deaf baby are on all fours, facing each other. A red ball bounces between them. A speech bubble appears above the hearing baby: “Ball.” A speech bubble appears above the deaf baby, with the image of the ball inside it.

The hearing baby and deaf baby are side by side, each held by a gray-colored adult. The adults speak simultaneously, a single speech bubble: “I love you.” The hearing baby smiles. A speech bubble appears above the hearing baby: “I love you too.”

The camera zooms into the deaf baby’s head. A white outline image shaped like a brain appears.

ONSCREEN TEXT:        Did you know that

A white outline image of a speedometer appears on the corner of the screen. A needle sweeps across, picking up speed.

ONSCREEN TEXT:        the brain forms 700 new neural connections every second from age 0 to 5.

A white outline image of a brain appears. It is filing up with gray. The camera zooms in on it.

The hearing and deaf babies are side by side, each facing a gray adult. Between them are two bars, one gray and one blue. The gray bar is rising faster than the blue one.

A speech bubble appears next to both gray adults: “Book.” A speech bubble appears next to the hearing baby: “Book.”

More speech bubbles appear next to the gray adults: “Food.” “Car.” More speech bubbles appear next to the hearing baby: “Food.” “Car.”

The gray bar continues to rise faster than the blue bar.

The hearing and deaf babies grow into children. They are seated at desks. A speech bubble appears next to the gray adults: “10 – 2 = “ A speech bubble appears next to the hearing child: “8.” The gray bar continues to rise faster than the blue bar. It is close to the top of the screen, while the blue bar has risen only a little above the bottom of the screen.

The hearing and deaf children grow into adults. They each stand in a crowd of gray adults. Speech bubbles appear above the gray adults. A speech bubble appears above the hearing adult. The deaf adult’s head sinks into its shoulders.

The hearing and deaf adults each stand in front of a mirror. The hearing adult’s hands are on hips, and a smile spreads on the face. The deaf adult’s head sinks into its shoulders. The hearing adult disappears, leaving only the deaf adult.

ONSCREEN TEXT:        This is language deprivation.

The camera zooms out. The image of one blue child appears. The camera zooms out, and next to the blue child are gray children. The camera continues to zoom out, to hundreds and then thousands of gray children. Occasionally, a blue child appears amongst the rows of gray children.

ONSCREEN TEXT:        3 out of 1,000 children are born deaf and hard of hearing.

The camera zooms out, on countless gray babies outlined in the shape of the United States.

ONSCREEN TEXT:        Imagine how many children are deprived.

The camera zooms back in on a single blue child.

ONSCREEN TEXT:        Fact

Against a full blue background, a white image outline of a brain appears.

ONSCREEN TEXT:        The brain

                                    has no preference

                                    for

                                    language input

                                    as

                                    long

                                    as

                                    it has a strong language foundation.

The blue background fades into white. A blue baby appears onscreen, facing a kneeling gray adult. The gray adult extends a hand and squeezes it: “Milk.”

The deaf baby extends a hand and squeezes it: “Milk.” The deaf baby smiles. The gray adult hands the baby a bottle. The adult smiles too.

ONSCREEN TEXT:        This is language acquisition.

                                    This is sign language.

                                    To learn more: nyledimarcofoundation.com

                                    Created by Convo                            

Two logos appear, side by side: “LEAD-K: Language Equality and Acquisition (hand holding up 4 fingers) Deaf Kids.” “Nyle DiMarco Foundation” (two hands grasp each other, the sign for ‘partnership.