PAST presentations
"Learn to Embrace your Child's Deafness" Presented by Ryan Orlick Simka
December 4, 2021
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Eastern Time
Did you just find out your child is deaf/hard of hearing? Not sure what to do? Feeling confused and alone in the world as you try to handle this? You are not alone. It’s normal not to be sure what to do. No need to feel worried or ashamed. Your child will be ok. Attend this presentation to discover ways to cope with such a significant lifestyle change and to see what resources are available to you and your family.
About the presenter: Ryan Orlick Simka (pronouns: She/Her) was born and raised in Northern Virginia in a hearing family. She is Deaf and a native user of American Sign Language with some familiarity with cued language. She graduated from Gallaudet University with a Bachelor of Science in Family and Child Studies.
"Dignity & Disability" Presented by Kirsten Stratton, J.M.
Postponed
Date TBD
Learn about the eligibility determination and development process of an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) for students with qualifying disabilities between the age of 3 and 22 years old. Each state and local educational agencies will vary in IEP format. However, protections and requirements for IEPs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are uniform among all 50 states. This presentation will discuss procedural safeguards, an essential tool protecting parental/guardian participation and the right of the student to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Understand the eligibility determination process for a student with a qualifying disability, how to write a comprehensive IEP including identification of areas of need, writing measurable goals that are reasonably calculated, and which supplemental aids & services are appropriate for the student’s offer of FAPE.
Where: Zoom (link provided after registration)
Cost: $15 (until June 25) or $20 (after June 25)
Free for VALIDEAF Members
Access: Presented in spoken English with visual language access (ASL & cued English)
To register: Text ValidDignity to 41444 or click the link below.
Previous presentations
"The LGBTQIA+ Alphabet: Gender and Sexuality" Presented by Jaemi Hagen and Ryan Orlick
It was Pride month! Jaemi and Ryan discussed LGBTQIA+ terms, the differences between gender, sex, and sexuality, and about identity versus expression in a safe, nonjudgmental, and open-minded space where all werewelcome!
About the presenters: Jaemi Hagen (he/him/his or they/them/theirs) identifies as trans and nonbinary. He defines his sexuality as pansexual and demisexual. Jaemi became involved with the LGBTQIA+ community in college and has been a panelist, facilitator, and presenter at events, workshops, and conferences. He currently serves on the Board of Directors at Family Tree Clinic in St. Paul, MN which is a medical clinic that provides sexual health services and sex education programs to LGBTQIA+ and other minority communities. Jaemi graduated from Gallaudet University with May with a Master of Social Work in May 2021. "The LGBTQIA+ Alphabet: Gender and Sexuality" Presented by Jaemi Hagen
"Research Based Language and Literacy Support through Cued American English " Presented by Donna Morere, PhD
Early, consistent, accessible language exposure is critical for both literacy development and academic success. Language and literacy go hand in hand. Reading is a complex process, depending on a number of cognitive processes in addition to language skills. Word decoding/identification, while necessary for reading success, is not sufficient to provide access to reading comprehension. During this workshop, research will be presented which supports the contention that early access to a true first language is required for advanced literacy outcomes. The complexities of reading comprehension and the key components required for reading success will be discussed. The use of Cued American English to provide early, consistent access to an accurately modeled language to support the development of language and literacy will be presented. About the presenter: Donna Morere has been involved in research and services with deaf and hard of hearing individuals for over three decades. She was a faculty member in the Clinical Psychology Program at Gallaudet from August, 1990 until her retirement in December of 2020. Dr. Morere has offered Clinical Neuropsychology services to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing using signs, cued language, and oral communication with a focus on children with complex special needs, primarily those affecting language development.
"Facts and Myths of Deaf Cultures and History" Presented by Kathleen L. Brockway
In preparation for National Deaf History Month in April , this presentation is open to anyone who wants to be prepared and look forward to discovering “the surprises in the bag!“ Did you know that Alice Cogswell was the inspiration for Thomas H. Gallaudet to start a school for the deaf in Hartford, CT? Do you know which manual alphabet she first learned? Come find out the answers to these questions and many more during this lively presentation. Attendees will also learn about other facts and myths of Deaf Culture and history. It's sure to be a worthwhile learning experience.
About the presenter: Kathleen is a Culturally Deaf author of two books, Baltimore's Deaf Heritage and Detroit's Deaf Heritage. She is also a notable Social Media Content Creator with a passion to expose authentic stories across social media platforms. Currently, she is working on more book projects and taking graduate classes at Goucher College, majoring in Cultural Sustainability.
"Black ASL" Presented by Roxie Dummett
Join Roxanne Dummett for a discussion about the documentary Signing Black in America which focusses on the unique use of space, hand use, directional movement and facial expression exemplified by Black ASL users. Dummett will expand on the concept of Black ASL as an analog of spoken African American Language. The Black Deaf Community is now embracing the notion of Black ASL as a symbol of solidarity and agency in constructing ethnolinguistic identity. Come learn about the conditions that gave rise to the development of spoken African American language and its affect on the development of Black ASL—residential, educational, and social segregation along with the internal development of an autonomous cultural community indexing black identity. To learn more about The Language of Life Project at North Carolina State University which includes the documentary Signing Black in America, visit languageandlife.org
"Making Holidays (and Life) Inclusive" Presented by Ryan Orlick Simka & Mollie Kropp
How can Deaf and Hard of Hearing children be included among family and friends during holiday celebrations? For that matter, how can they communicate with family and friends any time? What about learning to read? Visual Supports are crucial for breaking down communication barriers and for bridging education at school and at home.
"When Form Matters" Presented by Jennifer L. Cranston
The presenter provides background information regarding deaf students’ literacy rates, causes for the significant delay, and newer approaches being utilized to promote English and ASL literacy in deaf and hard-of-hearing students. In addition, personal research conducted will be shared regarding strategies employed by ASL interpreters working in educational settings to provide access to content related to English phonology presented during language arts lessons in mainstream classrooms. Finally, benefits of bilingualism/multilingualism will be discussed, as well as resources available to develop new skills discussed in the presentation.