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The NAD Education Strategy Team shares an update on the EHDI re-authorization bill that is currently in the Senate. The NAD-EST supports the re-authorization of EHDI with recommendations including terminology change and a shift of focus on language instead of medical. We also request changing the name of the bill from EHDI Re-authorization to the Family Support Act.

Video description and transcript: Donna stands in front of burnt orange background. A small white NAD logo appears on bottom right corner.

DONNA: Hello, my name is Donna. I work with the NAD Education Strategy Team (EST). Our group has an update related to the EHDI Act. EHDI stands for Early Hearing Detection and Intervention. The NAD recommended a few changes. The EHDI Act focuses on hearing loss, detection and intervention such as how to support children with hearing loss. Instead, the NAD recommends a family approach that is child centered. Accordingly, we propose that the name EHDI be changed to the Family Support Act. The NAD also recommends that the term “detection” be changed to “confirmation”, which has a more positive lens of identifying hearing loss. Also, the NAD recommends that American Sign Language be incorporated in the act, along with English. The goal is to shift EHDI’s focus on hearing loss and/or hearing levels from ear-centered to consider the child’s language approach, home environment and family support. We want the EHDI bill presented as the Family Support Act, providing services to ensure success for children’s language development. Another important recommendation from the NAD is a change in supervising agencies. Currently, two agencies, HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration) and CDC (Center of Disease Control and Prevention) oversee the EHDI Act. We recommended that oversight of the EHDI Act be transferred from HRSA and CDC to the United States Department of Education. The US Department of Education currently manages programs for children ages 0-3 such as Child Find and Headstart. These two programs have similar goals to EHDI. We believe that it is more appropriate for EHDI to be under the US Department of Education purview due to the fact that language acquisition is the foundation for success in education.

TEXT-ON-SCREEN: "Early Hearing Detection and Intervention" in teal color. "Family Support Act" drops down over "Early Hearing Detection and Intervention" in teal color. "Early Hearing Detection and Intervention" turns to grey. A white outline of the U.S. Capitol drops down and pops towards the screen.

DONNA: As I recently explained about the Family Support Act, the NAD has sent a letter to the Senate. Even though the NAD has submitted a letter, that is not all there is to be done. The NAD needs your support and partnership. How can you help? The EHDI Act is now being discussed in the Senate at the Capitol! We need you to join us as partners by sending letters, making calls and writing e-mails to your U.S. Senator from your state. It is critical to work together with the goal of changing the future of our children!

Video fades to a soft white background with several different font types showing "NAD" very quickly. Copyright video ends with the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) logo centered. Blue text below the logo appears, "A production of the National Association of the Deaf (copyright) 2016 All Rights Reserved".

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   CoolPJR Reply

   8 years ago

   ReplyTo:   NAD
   Title:   Link for petition ?