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Massachusetts Family Sign Language Program: A Model for Effective Family-Centered Sign Language Instruction

Language acquisition at a very early age is critical and leads to the development of literacy skills needed throughout every child’s life. The primary goal of the Massachusetts Family Sign Language Program is to introduce family members who have a child with a hearing loss to Sign Language, enabling them to communicate with and begin their child’s language acquisition at the earliest age possible. Working closely with Early Intervention Centers across the state, this innovative program provides 20 weeks of Sign Language Instruction free of charge in the home for eligible families of children with a hearing loss 0-3 years of age. Extended family members and caregivers are encouraged to participate. The Gallaudet University Regional Center operates the program through a contract with the MA Department of Public Health and employs trained adults from the deaf community as instructors who serve as cultural and linguistic role models for families. In addition to the learning of age-appropriate sign vocabulary, families learn to apply the signs learned to everyday family life. FSLP instructors also share their knowledge of Deaf culture and teach the family to make their communications more visual and accessible for their child. Instructors also use familiar objects and surroundings of the home as tools for teaching communication skills and take advantage of incidental learning opportunities. The information shared in this presentation will assist professionals in the field of Early Intervention interested in providing families with culturally sensitive support in developing skills to communicate with their child with a hearing loss. Working with families from a variety of international communities will also be addressed. The Shared Reading Programs for families will also be described.

Kathleen Vesey (POC,Primary Presenter), Gallaudet University Regional Center, kvesey@necc.mass.edu;
Kathleen Vesey is the director of the Gallaudet University Regional Center at Northern Essex Community College. Previously she directed a large PreK-12 mainstream educational program in southeastern MA. She has a number of years’ experience as an educator, counselor and administrator. Kathy holds an MBA from Boston University; a MA from Gallaudet University; and a BA from Regis College. She has served on a number of Boards and Advisory Committees in the Deaf community including the MA Newborn Hearing Advisory Committee. Under Kathy's leadership, the GURC initiated Shared Reading Saturdays, a monthly program for families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The GURC was awarded a contract with the MA Department of Public Health to operate the state-wide Family Sign Language Program, providing classes for family members with children aged 0-3 in the Early Intervention System.

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