Technical Assistance Center for Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Project Description:
Research from 1997 (Yoshinago-Itano) to date, continues to show that babies
identified with hearing loss and who receive effective early intervention beginning
no later than 6 months of age are able to function on level with hearing peers.
The overall goal of the TA HRG project is to increase competencies of
professionals who work with children, birth - 21, who are deaf and hard of
hearing and their families in order to optimize their development. This is done
through regional and statewide trainings and technical assistance in the area of
deafness and hearing impairment. An unusual feature of the project is the
Virginia Network of Consultants for Professionals Working with Children Who are
Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VNOC), a cadre of 25 specialists with expertise in
various areas of deafness and hearing impairment. VNOC assistance is available
to Virginia public school divisions and state operated programs in areas such as:
amplification; assessment (educational and/or psychological); assistive
technology; behavior interventions; communication competency of children,
educators and interpreters in the spectrum of modalities (American Sign
Language, Cued Speech, Listening and Spoken Language, etc.); instructional
strategies; and meeting the needs of children with listening devices, including
those who use cochlear implants. By increasing the competency of professionals,
it is expected that children who are deaf and hard of hearing and their families
will benefit with improved education and quality of life.
Keyword(s):
Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Hearing Impaired
Core Function(s):
Training Trainees, Developing & Disseminating Information
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Urban, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
