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10/09/2015  |   1:45 PM - 3:00 PM   |  SAC Auditorium

Education Starts at Birth: Hearing Health and Inclusion

In the past decade, the rate of inclusion for deaf and hard of hearing students on the global scale is at an all-time historic high. For example, in United of States of America, 86.4% of deaf students are mainstreamed, and out of this number, 53% of students are alone, often at schools without peers, adult role models, or experienced or trained teachers. This number is higher in many developed countries, particularly in Europe and China , deaf children receive no or little education. We are only now beginning to fully realize the benefits and consequences of this policy push particularly with hearing health professionals working on the front lines more than ever in history. Research shows inclusion for students unprepared for mainstreaming or without appropriate support often results in lower academic growth particularly in language, cognition, and socioemotional development. At the same time, technological advances have made it possible for deaf and hard of hearing students to achieve in inclusive education settings. As an attorney uniquely situated to provide an educational perspective based on global policies (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) due to having degrees in education and law and experiencing various modes of inclusion, Ms. Holmes will discuss the meaning of inclusion and how it can be successful in both policy and practice. Mr. Josa brings to the table an international perspective of how inclusive education affects global hearing health and highlights examples of best practices from select countries.

• Participants will increase understanding on the meaning and implications of inclusion for deaf and hard of hearing clients/patients
• Participants will create applications for policy practice to ensure education accessibility for their deaf and hard of hearing patients.
• Participants will become capable of articulating concerns and recommendations related to follow-up education and care to parents and school administrators.

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Josh Josa (Co-Presenter), USAID, jjosa@usaid.gov;
Josh Josa, a returned Peace Corps volunteer and a delegate to the 2015 World Federation of the Deaf, Youth Section. While in Kenya, he founded and established the Deaf Advocacy Group to advance Deaf rights in Kenya and partnered with the Early Assessment Resource Center in Migori County to develop and disseminate educational materials. He currently works as a Program Analyst at USAID with the Office of Education.