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"This Better Hearing and Speech Month, AG Bell will raise awareness of hearing loss and the resources available to parents of children with hearing loss."
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Dear Alexander Graham Bell Community,
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You have not heard from me in the last few days, but it's for a good reason. I'm still overcome by the turnout at the first AG Bell and Instituto Oral Modelo (IOM) International Symposium in Buenos Aires. It was the culmination of a year's planning between IOM and AG Bell.
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International Symposium attendees listen to Donald Goldberg's presentation.
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From the moment my good friend Percival Denham and I met, it was Percy's idea that we plan a symposium of this caliber to advance our learning agenda in Spanish-speaking countries. We originally planned for 200 attendees, and we were both excited to see that more than 450 attended. Apart from the Argentinian professionals, many also came from Chile, Mexico, Spain, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil and Venezuela.
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With Percival Denham at the International Symposium
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It was interesting to see over 80 families who came to the symposium to learn so that they could be a better resource for their children and families. Over 70 IOM staff members oversaw every detail and were always more than attentive to the families whom they work with.
The success of this symposium was of course due to our remarkable professionals who delivered outstanding presentations that the attendees rated highly. Our heartfelt thanks go to Donald Goldberg, Ph.D., CCC-A/SLP, FAAA, LSLS Cert. AVT, Jane Madell, Ph.D., FAAA, CCC-A/SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT, Teri Ouellette, M.S.Ed., LSLS Cert. AVEd, and Sharon Sandridge, Ph.D. Click here to view a photo album from the International Symposium.
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I'm delighted to return to DC at the beginning of Better Hearing and Speech Month!
Each May, AG Bell joins the world in celebrating and highlighting important news to identify the causes and solutions available to individuals with hearing loss. Twelve thousand - you hear this number from us so often - but it's critical to understanding the urgency of hearing loss - 12,000 babies are born every year in the U.S. with some degree of hearing loss. That number doubles by the time they reach kindergarten.
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AG Bell seeks to ensure that every parent of a deaf child knows how to speak to their school, their IEP team and their child's teacher. We believe that listening and spoken language is the best communication option for as many as 99 percent of these children.
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At AG Bell, we work to ensure that each parent has all the information required to make an informed decision on the best communication mode for their child. To help a child work towards a listening and spoken language outcome, we will support their journey every step of the way. AG Bell helps families through support networks, such as chapters, provides financial aid and scholarships, advocates for spoken language outcomes and early intervention services, and certifies the professionals who serve them.
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This Better Hearing and Speech Month, AG Bell will be raising awareness for hearing loss and the resources available to parents of children with hearing loss. This month, we ask that you
share your story with us
and catch up on the resources available to you at
agbell.org/bhsm
. Don't forget to join in on the conversation on social media by using these hashtags on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter:
#TheChoiceToMatters
#BHSM
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For individuals like Jennifer, the support of AG Bell is critical. Without her financial aid award, her academics and extracurricular activities would be set on a different path. We dream of making stories like this possible for each and every Jennifer with hearing loss.
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For adults like Susan Pollack, AG Bell's support and resources helped set them on the path to success. Your gifts helps make sure that children like Susan and Jennifer are given the opportunities to succeed.
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Your support of AG Bell helps guarantee that these services continue for families and professionals invested in a listening and spoken language outcome.
Every gift made in May will be matched 100%
by a long-time friend and partner of AG Bell's efforts. You can also make a difference by getting involved with your
local chapter!
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Listening and spoken language is a viable language option for up to 99 percent of children who are born with or acquire hearing loss. You can help them every step of their journey.
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Emilio Alonso-Mendoza
Chief Executive Officer
Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
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There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still.
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