In recognition of the International Week of the Deaf, the Family Resource Center and PSD hosted a Deaf Adults Panel on Friday, September 25th, 2020. This hybrid zoom webinar event consisted of a pre-recorded video of Deaf adults sharing their experience as a deaf or hard of hearing individual. The panelists have various communication modalities, experiences, and backgrounds. We had a live Questions and Answers session at the end and viewers were able to ask our panelists questions!

December 8, 2020: In this family workshop offered by the Family Resource Center at PSD, Stacy Abrams from The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center discusses the 4 E’s of raising a Deaf/Hard of Hearing child (Expose, Educate, Embrace, and Elevate). These concepts and messages were expanded upon by discussing evidence-based Clerc Center resources that will help support families’ journey with their deaf or hard of hearing child. With understanding of these evidence-based research, families can learn how to best advocate for their child and ensure that they have all the E’s to elevate their child’s language, identity and success.

February 27, 2021: In the Anti-Bias in Children’s Literature workshop, Victorica Monroe, of Monroe Pedagogy, discusses how families can use children’s literature to talk with their children about social change and current events. Victorica alsos shares how families can assess children’s literature for anti-bias. This family workshop included a question and answer session at the end.

About the Presenter: Victorica Monroe, M.Ed. is a Black Deaf Genderqueer chief executive officer and an educational consultant of the Monroe Pedagogy company. With over ten years of experience in Deaf Education with a heavily transformative justice focus, she brings a wealth of knowledge in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in ASL/English Bilingual Deaf Education and works closely with deaf programs, organizations, universities and colleges, and businesses.

March 17, 2021:  Let’s Chat: Deaf Education In the first part of this 3-part family advocacy series, Tawny Holmes Hlibok discusses Deaf Education at the Federal level: IDEA/ADA/Section 504; the evaluation process; medical vs educational services and related services & support. This interactive presentation includes discussion with educational advocate, Maria Vetter, and Disability Rights Pennsylvania attorney, Jeni Hergenreder.

About the Presenter: Tawny Holmes Hlibok, Esq., is the education policy counsel at the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and provides policy consultation on a local, state, national, and global level. She is one of the rare (if not the only) deaf attorneys with a masters degree in deaf education and experience in teaching deaf students of all ages. Ms. Holmes also teaches at Gallaudet University focusing on sign language rights and advocacy.

The purpose of this presentation is to provide general information only. Information presented does not constitute legal advice or advice specific to anyone’s individual situation. For legal advice and/or advice specific to your situation, you will need to contact an attorney directly and outside the context of the presentation.

March 24, 2021: Let’s Chat: PA Laws and Transition: In the second part of this 3-part family advocacy series, Jeni Hergenreder presents a brief federal law overview, shares state-specific laws and regulations, transition from preschool to Kindergarten and state resolution processes. This interactive presentation includes discussion with educational advocate, Maria Vetter, and National Association of the Deaf attorney, Tawny Holmes Hlibok.

About the Presenter: Jeni Hergenreder, Esq. received her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 2008 and has since practiced exclusively in the area of special education litigation, representing parents of students with disabilities in due process hearing and federal court appeals. Ms. Hergenreder has trained hundreds of parents, teachers, school administrators, and attorneys on the educational rights of students with disabilities.

The purpose of this presentation is to provide general information only. Information presented does not constitute legal advice or advice specific to anyone’s individual situation. For legal advice and/or advice specific to your situation, you will need to contact an attorney directly and outside the context of the presentation.

April 7, 2021: Let’s Chat: Family Advocacy and Rights: In the final part of this 3-part family advocacy series, Maria Vetter shares advocacy tips for parents, more information about IEPs/504/Communication Plans, placements and programs and suggestions of who to have on your child’s IEP team. This interactive presentation includes discussion with Disability RIghts Pennsylvania attorney, Jeni Hergenreder, National Association of the Deaf attorney, Tawny Holmes Hlibok, and questions & answers from webinar participants.

About the Presenter: Maria Vetter is a versatile and devoted education consultant and child advocate who works with families of students with special needs, from diagnosis and early intervention, to school age and transitioning out of school into independent living. She helps families understand the education process and aids them in securing the specialized services their children require. Ms. Vetter also supports parents and students by attending IEP meetings, conferences, mediations and team meetings to advocate for the students’ rights.

The purpose of this presentation is to provide general information only. Information presented does not constitute legal advice or advice specific to anyone’s individual situation. For legal advice and/or advice specific to your situation, you will need to contact an attorney directly and outside the context of the presentation.

February 22, 2022: Strengthening Executive Function in Deaf/Hard of Hearing Children: As Easy as Child’s Play? Dr. Matthew L. Hall from Temple University shares current scientific debates about why Deaf/Hard of Hearing children may struggle with Executive Function (EF), and explains the powerful ways that play can strengthen Deaf/Hard of Hearing children’s executive function. Stronger EF skills in childhood are linked to a wide range of good outcomes later on in life. Unfortunately, research has also found that EF skills are often a vulnerable area in deaf and hard-of hearing (DHH) children. Viewers will learn how to analyze their child’s favorite activities to see how they may (or may not) be helping to improve their child’s EF skills.

About the Presenter: Dr. Hall (Ph.D. in Psychology, UC San Diego) is an Assistant Professor of Communication Sciences & Disorders at Temple University, where he directs the First Language Foundations Lab: dedicated to maximizing the development potential of all DHH children through theoretical and applied research. He is committed to increasing the quality of the empirical evidence so that families and the professionals who serve them can make better-informed decisions toward the shared goal of promoting the long-term and holistic well-being of DHH children.