One of our five 2022-2024 priorities is "ASL Resources for Deaf Babies" -- learn all about it from Sarah Honigfeld, our NAD Early Childhood Policy Specialist!

What are the NAD Priorities? There are many important issues that the NAD focuses on -- however, the five NAD 2022-2024 Priorities help the NAD understand the community's wishes for the NAD to address during the next two years.

How were the NAD Priorities determined? At the NAD Conference, NAD members had the opportunity to discuss all proposals during the NAD Forums and narrowed it down to eight. Then the Delegates voted on the top five. A Delegate is an elected representative of a state association, organization, or NAD section.

We will share progress updates on our 5 priorities during the next two years! For more information about this priority, visit: Link . #AboutTheNAD

[Video desc and transcript: Sarah is standing in the center with a black backdrop.

Sarah: Priority - ASL Resources for Deaf Babies. Problem to be addressed: More than 90% of Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing babies are born to hearing parents and are often the first person the parents meet from the community. Parents often look to medical professionals for guidance and often get recommendations to “fix” the child. These recommendations can be and often are harmful to the child. Parents leave the hospital without meeting a Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, or Hard of Hearing adult and without getting appropriate resources and often have to wait until after their follow up appointment in 30 days to get any information. We believe that all parents should receive information on programs, services, and ASL resources upon getting screening results. ASL classes should be available to families as early as possible. The Proposed Solution: All hospitals and birthing centers must ensure that a Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, or Hard of Hearing adult is present when a medical professional informs the family of the hearing screening result showing that their child is Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, or Hard of Hearing. That adult will be able to provide accurate resources and answer any questions that families may have. The reason why this is important: It is urgent that each family receives appropriate information on language acquisition and on raising a Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, or Hard of Hearing child upon getting results from the screening. All information should include ASL and resources on learning ASL. This kind of immediate service is not currently required anywhere in the country, and because of this, the child is already at risk of language delays/language deprivation.]