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12th Annual Coalition for Global Hearing Health
January 20-22, 2022 • Fully Virtual
Coalition for Global Hearing Health 2022. Virtual Global Conference. 20 - 22 January 2022. 14h00 - 17h30 (CET)

Abstract Details

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10/26/2018  |   9:00 AM - 12:00 PM   |  Kramer Lecture Theater 2

Family and Community Empowerment

Children identified with a hearing loss need early intervention to develop language and communication skills. A delay in building language leads to delays in cognitive, socio-emotional and perceptual development, as well as consequent delays in future academic outcomes and vocational opportunities. In the absence of government funding for early screening and intervention for children born with hearing loss, the onus falls on the community to help support deaf children and their families. Research highlights that the two key determinants for the successful outcomes of deaf children are: early involvement in early intervention, and active family involvement. Families become actively involved when they are empowered. The process of informed choice is at the centre of first world intervention and is a key component of family and community empowerment for children with hearing loss. In developing countries there is a lack of understanding of informed choice and empowerment. This workshop will focus on addressing the following questions: what is informed choice; how do we equip communities to take on the dual task of early intervention and family empowerment; what resources are needed for family and community empowerment; what is partnership and what partnerships are needed; what roles do deaf adults and parent leaders have in the process of family and community empowerment. These questions will be discussed with practical examples from families and communities provided with early intervention services in South Africa.

  • Family
  • Community
  • Empowerment

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Selvarani Moodley (Primary Presenter), Wits University, selvarani.moodley@wits.ac.za;
Dr Selvarani Moodley is a dual qualified speech language therapist and audiologist, with a PhD focusing on audiology. Her doctoral research was in the area of paediatric diagnostic audiology and data management, with 5 articles currently published from this research. Selvarani works as a researcher and national project manager for the HI HOPES Early Intervention programme at the Centre for Deaf Studies, University of the Witwatersrand.
      ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -

Nonfinancial -


      AAA DISCLOSURE:

Financial - No relevant financial relationship exists.

Bianca Birdsey (Co-Presenter), tba, biancaemail;
Bianca Birdsey is a medical doctor currently training in Pediatric Neurodevelopment. Bianca's role as a mother of three deaf daughters has seen her be in the position to appreciate both the professional and parenting side of the journey of pediatric hearing loss. Bianca founded the THRIVE parent-led support group for families with deaf and hard of hearing children in South Africa and is an active member of the GPODHH (Global Coalition of Parents of Children who are deaf and hard of hearing).
      ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -

Nonfinancial -


      AAA DISCLOSURE:

Financial - No relevant financial relationship exists.