Cochlear Implants and Sign Language: Putting It All Together
(Identifying Effective Practices for Educational Settings)

April 11-12, 2002

Conference Proceedings

Preface

This Web site includes presentation transcripts and associated handouts from the conference "Cochlear Implants And Sign Language: Putting It All Together (Identifying Effective Practices For Educational Settings)," which was hosted by the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University on April 11-12, 2002. Click here for the conference flyer.

As you navigate this site, please keep in mind that:

• Approximately 125 participants were in attendance at this meeting. Represented were 20 schools for the deaf and 16 regional/public school programs. There were 30 administrators, 44 speech and hearing professionals, 30 teachers, and 16 consultants (four based in hospital settings whose role includes working with school programs). There were 17 deaf/hard of hearing participants.
• The purpose of the conference was to provide an opportunity for professionals working in educational settings that include sign language to discuss issues and practices impacting effective programming for students with implants. The purpose was not to debate the appropriateness of various methodologies for implanted students.
• Information in these transcripts/documents (and this Web site) represents a compilation of the opinions and ideas of individual professionals and programs. Information documented does not represent a consensus of the group or necessarily reflect the opinions of the Clerc Center (exclusive of information directly related to sharing of Clerc Center programs).

For more information about the conference or this Web site, please e-mail Debra Nussbaum at Debra.Nussbaum@gallaudet.edu.

To view the text (without the handouts and PowerPoint presentations) of all of the presentations, program sharings, and discussion group summaries in one document, click here (for Word) (121 pages) or here (for PDF).

To open PDF files, you will need Adobe Reader. To download a free copy, visit: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html.

Welcome

By Dr. Jane Fernandes, Provost, Gallaudet University

Text of presentation (in Microsoft Word)

Conference Overview

By Debra Nussbaum, Coordinator, Cochlear Implant Education Center,

Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center

PowerPoint presentation (87KB)
Text of presentation (in Microsoft Word)

Presentations

A. Keynote Presentation: Cochlear Implants in Children: Ethics and Choices

By Dr. Irene W. Leigh, Professor of Psychology, Gallaudet University, and
Dr. John Christiansen, Professor of Sociology, Gallaudet University

Cochlear Implants in Children: Ethics and Choices (the book)
PowerPoint presentation (420KB)
PowerPoint presentation (in PDF, 336KB)
Text of presentation (in Microsoft Word)

B. Mid-conference Presentation (Pre-discussion Groups): Considerations for Effectively Integrating Spoken Language and Sign Language for Students with Cochlear Implants

By Mary Koch, Auditory Education Consultant, Towson University, Towson, Maryland

PowerPoint presentation (224KB)
Text of presentation (in Microsoft Word)
Handout: Sign Language as a Bridge to Spoken Language (in Microsoft Word)

C. Closing Presentation: Considerations for the Future: Putting It All Together

By Dr. Patricia Spencer, Professor, Department of Social Work, Gallaudet University

PowerPoint presentation (74KB)
Text of presentation (in Microsoft Word)

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Program Sharing

A. Columbia Regional Program, Portland, Oregon
By Nancy Rushmer, Language Consultant, and
Arla Melum, Pediatric Audiologist/Infant-Family Specialist

Text of presentation (in Microsoft Word)
Handouts:

• 10 Tips for Stimulation of Audition and Speech
• Resources
• Favorite Activity Ideas for Speech/Auditory Stimulation with Young Children
• Program for Dual Language Acquisition
• Key Elements of Educational Programming Offered to Families
• Our Wish and "To Do" List for Children with Cochlear Implants
• Learning to Listen and Understand Speech With a Cochlear Implant in a Dual Language Program
• Observations of Deaf Children With Cochlear Implants Aged Fourteen Months to Seven Years
• Videotaped Examples of Activities in a Dual Language Early Childhood and Beginning Elementary Program
• Letter From a Mother of a Toddler With a Cochlear Implant
• Why Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing Young People and Adults Important to Hearing Parents of Children With Hearing Loss?
  

B. Judy Harrison, Educational Consultant (Beth Israel Medical Center), New York, New York
By Judy Harrison, Coordinator, Educational Services

PowerPoint presentation (44KB)
Text of presentation (in Microsoft Word)

C. St. Mary's School for the Deaf, Buffalo, New York
By Kathy Wilson-Ward, Audiologist

PowerPoint presentation (40KB)
Text of presentation (in Microsoft Word)

D. Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center's Cochlear Implant Education Center, Washington, DC
By Debra Nussbaum, Coordinator, and
Bettie Waddy-Smith, Speech Language Pathologist

PowerPoint presentation (11,326KB)
PowerPoint presentation (in PDF, 167KB)
Text of presentation (in Microsoft Word)

E. The Learning Center For Deaf Children, Framingham and Randolph, Massachusetts
By Nancy Maguire, Director, Randolph Campus,
Stephanie Angelini, Speech Language Pathologist, Randolph Campus, and
Wende Grass, Coordinator, Parent-Infant Program, Randolph Campus

PowerPoint presentation (5,498KB)
PowerPoint presentation (in PDF, 259KB)
Text of presentation (in Microsoft Word)

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Discussion Group Summaries

As part of the conference, 123 conference attendees were divided into 10 groups of approximately 10 to 13 members to participate in focused, two-hour discussion and brainstorming sessions on selected topics (see topics below). Professionals from the Clerc Center and other local professionals served as facilitators for the discussion groups. The groups were presented with discussion guidelines, specific questions to address, and a variety of handouts related to the specific topic being discussed.

The discussion groups provided a forum for participants to engage in small group interchange; the goal of each discussion group was for the members to identify and delineate concerns and recommendations within a specific topic area related to designing and implementing educational programs for students with cochlear implants in educational environments utilizing sign language. The points documented by the note taker during discussion represent individual participant input and do not necessarily reflect a consensus of the group.

Notes taken at the brainstorming sessions were compiled afterwards in outline form and presented by the group facilitators at a general session the next morning of the conference. The following are summaries of the presentations (both the speaker's comments and the outline that was presented via overhead).

Also included as an addendum is a philosophy statement from the cochlear implant subcommittee of the Bi-Bi committee at the California School for the Deaf in Fremont.

A. Topic: Rationale/basic beliefs about language/communication for implanted children who use sign language

Text of discussion group summary (in Microsoft Word)

Handouts:

• CIEC rationale and belief statements from ASHA Poster Session (PDF, 206 KB or the Full ASHA Poster Session, 787KB)
• NAD position paper (Web site outside of this one)
• "Sign of the Times" - Advanced Bionics, Loud & Clear, Vol. 4, Issue 2
  • Loud & Clear (page 1, PDF, 866KB)
  • Loud & Clear (page 2, PDF, 938KB)
  • Loud & Clear (page 3, PDF, 832KB)
  • Loud & Clear (page 4, PDF, 1,065KB)
  • Loud & Clear (page 5, PDF, 22,026KB)
  • Loud & Clear (page 6 and 7, PDF, 18,980KB)
  • Loud & Clear (page 8, PDF, 14,340KB)

B. Topic: Language/communication options and choices—when, how, why?

(Two groups discussed this topic.)

Text of discussion group summary (in Microsoft Word)
Text of summary of second group that discussed this topic (in Microsoft Word)

Handout:

• "Sign of the Times" - Advanced Bionics, Loud & Clear, Vol. 4, Issue 2 (See the links to the pages of the Loud & Clear handout above.)

C. Topic: Components of a comprehensive program for children with implants: supports for students

Text of discussion group summary (in Microsoft Word)

Handouts:

• Clerc Center Services to Students with CIs
• Clerc Center Student CI Orientation
• "Sign of the Times" - Advanced Bionics, Loud & Clear, Vol. 4, Issue 2 (See the links to the pages of the Loud & Clear handout above.)

D. Topic: Components of a comprehensive program for children with implants: supports for staff and families

Text of discussion group summary (in Microsoft Word)

Handouts:

• Clerc Center family education meeting (PowerPoint, 150KB)
• Clerc Center family education meeting (panel discussion guidelines)
• Clerc Center professional development activities related to CI
• Clerc Center Staff CI Survey
• "Sign of the Times" - Advanced Bionics, Loud & Clear, Vol. 4, Issue 2 (See the links to the pages of the Loud & Clear handout above.)

E. Topic: Early intervention: Planning and strategies for the emergent language learner with a cochlear implant

(Two groups discussed this topic.)

Text of discussion group summary (in Microsoft Word)
Text of summary of second group that discussed this topic

Handouts:

• Clerc Center Early Childhood Services for CI
• Clerc Center PIP PowerPoint (Teaming for Early Education Programming, 1,259KB)
• Clerc Center PIP PowerPoint (Teaming for Early Education Programming, as PDF, 155 KB)
• "Sign of the Times" - Advanced Bionics, Loud & Clear, Vol. 4, Issue 2 (See the links to the pages of the Loud & Clear handout above.)

F. Topic: Elementary/high school: Planning and strategies for implanted students who are established sign language users

Text of discussion group summary (in Microsoft Word)

Handouts:

• Clerc Center High School Needs Assessment
• "Sign of the Times" - Advanced Bionics, Loud & Clear, Vol. 4, Issue 2 (See the links to the pages of the Loud & Clear handout above.)

G. Topic: Addressing the needs of signing students with implants in the mainstream

Text of discussion group summary (in Microsoft Word)

Handout:

• "Sign of the Times" - Advanced Bionics, Loud & Clear, Vol. 4, Issue 2 (See the links to the pages of the Loud & Clear handout above.)

H. Topic: Language and communication assessment and training (for habilitation specialists)

Text of discussion group summary (in Microsoft Word)

Handouts:

• Clerc Center Resources List (now available at: http://clerccenter2.gallaudet.edu/KidsWorldDeafNet/e-docs/CI/resources.html)
• "Sign of the Times" - Advanced Bionics, Loud & Clear, Vol. 4, Issue 2 (See the links to the pages of the Loud & Clear handout above.)

I. Addendum: California School for the Deaf in Fremont Philosophy Statement
on Cochlear Implants

Text of addendum (in Microsoft Word)

Compilation of Handouts/PowerPoint Presentations

Handouts:

• Sign Language as a Bridge to Spoken Language
• 10 Tips for Stimulation of Audition and Speech
• Resources
• Favorite Activity Ideas for Speech/Auditory Stimulation with Young Children
• Program for Dual Language Acquisition
• Key Elements of Educational Programming Offered to Families
• Our Wish and "To Do" List for Children with Cochlear Implants
• Learning to Listen and Understand Speech With a Cochlear Implant in a Dual Language Program
• Observations of Deaf Children With Cochlear Implants Aged Fourteen Months to Seven Years
• Videotaped Examples of Activities in a Dual Language Early Childhood and Beginning Elementary Program
• Letter From a Mother of a Toddler With a Cochlear Implant
• Why Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing Young People and Adults Important to Hearing Parents of Children With Hearing Loss?
• NAD position paper
• Clerc Center Services to Students with CIs
• Clerc Center Student CI Orientation
• Clerc Center Early Childhood Services for CI
• Clerc Center family education meeting (panel discussion guidelines)
• Clerc Center professional development activities related to CI
• Clerc Center Staff CI Survey
• Clerc Center High School Needs Assessment
• Clerc Center Resources List (now available at: http://clerccenter2.gallaudet.edu/KidsWorldDeafNet/e-docs/CI/resources.html)
• "Sign of the Times" - Advanced Bionics, Loud & Clear, Vol. 4, Issue 2
  • Loud & Clear (page 1)
  • Loud & Clear (page 2)
  • Loud & Clear (page 3)
  • Loud & Clear (page 4)
  • Loud & Clear (page 5)
  • Loud & Clear (page 6 and 7)
  • Loud & Clear (page 8)

PowerPoint presentations:

• Conference Overview
• Presentation A:Cochlear Implants in Children: Ethics and Choices (also available in PDF)
• Presentation B: Considerations for Effectively Integrating Spoken Language and Sign Language for Students with Cochlear Implants
• Presentation C: Considerations for the Future: Putting It All Together
• Program Sharing B: Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, New York
• Program Sharing C: St. Mary's School for the Deaf, Buffalo, New York
• Program Sharing D: Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center's Cochlear Implant Education Center, Washington, DC (also, available in PDF)
• Program Sharing E: The Learning Center For Deaf Children, Framingham, Massachusetts (also, available in PDF)
• Clerc Center PIP PowerPoint (Teaming for Early Education Programming, also available in PDF)
• Clerc Center family education meeting
• CIEC rationale and belief statements from ASHA Poster Session (PDF, 206 KB or the Full ASHA Poster Session, 787KB)

To view the text (without the handouts and PowerPoint presentations) of all of the presentations, program sharings, and discussion group summaries in one document, click here (for Word) (121 pages) or here (for PDF).

Conference Highlights: Emerging Issues

Text of conference highlights (in Microsoft Word)

Closing Comments

By Dr. Katherine A. Jankowski, Interim Dean, Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center

Text of closing comments (in Microsoft Word)

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