| It has been found that approximately 14 million | | | | kids. The program includes sign language made easy |
| Americans have a degree of hearing impairment | | | | for the parents of deaf children as well as home |
| which bars them from communicating effectively with | | | | based lessons on speech and language. So that |
| others. From the week of Sept 21 to 28, Deaf | | | | hearing impaired kids can gain some confidence, the |
| Awareness Week shall be celebrated and with this, a | | | | Deaf Awareness Week was pushed by the center. |
| counselor representing the coop of East Harris County | | | | It is only a disability if they choose to see it in that way. |
| will ascertain that this will be one memorable and | | | | They must be perceived as children and deafness |
| successful week. Within some schools of that certain | | | | must be seen as a small part in their lives. She states, I |
| area, a dedicated counselor works with hearing | | | | want to change things especially as these can be so |
| impaired kids. Proving to be one astounding lady, she | | | | hard. |
| has a master's degree that is special education | | | | She shall also run through the devices that are made |
| certified in counseling and before that, a bachelor of | | | | for those with hearing impairment. They shall discuss |
| science degree in teaching hearing impaired and | | | | matters like hearing aid materials, tending these and |
| children that could hear as well. | | | | also other forms of hearing measures. One alternative |
| She reveals that the children until they are 21 years old, | | | | to hearing for the deaf is sign language. |
| deserve quality education and this is why the coop | | | | Sign language is something that is truly mesmerizing. |
| was formed. Diagnosticians, interpreters, speech | | | | Everyday, I remind the kids that they will have an edge |
| pathologists, counselors, advisors and reading | | | | if they can still communicate even with their mouth full |
| specialists make up the coop which is managed by | | | | of food, she shares. It would be wise to use the |
| another lady. She explains that they work together as | | | | available gadgets today to ease communication |
| a team. | | | | among the hearing impaired, such as flashing lights for |
| She also declares that worth of other teachers from | | | | telephones and fire alarms and closed caption |
| different schools. They have mastered how to | | | | television. |
| educate hearing impaired youth and also have aides to | | | | Throughout the Deaf Awareness Week, the municipal |
| ease the process. It is a must for all hearing impaired | | | | library is one in commemorating it by making special |
| kids no matter what degree of deafness they have, to | | | | books and bulletin boards available. The people |
| be enrolled in the program so that they can benefit | | | | working in the library has a deaf co worker and this |
| from it. She makes her students get into speech, | | | | enabled them to value the Deaf Awareness Week. |
| speech reading, auditory training, skimming, sign | | | | Right after she got diagnosed to have a disease called |
| language, spelling with the fingers, gestures and also | | | | spinal meningitis, she lost her hearing completely. |
| makes them do skits, pantomimes and body language | | | | When she was back in Washington, she shared that |
| exercises as soon as she looks into their special | | | | she got spinal meningitis and this was what made her |
| needs and does everything to exhaust this total | | | | lose her hearing ability completely. I suddenly lost my |
| communication philosophy as her guide. | | | | sense of hearing after thirty years of being able to |
| Another important aspect of the program is working | | | | hear effectively. I was scared and afraid, I didn't know |
| with the families of hearing impaired children. It is very | | | | how I would get along without being able to hear, she |
| important for the parents to be able to understand | | | | said. |
| deafness and to be able to communicate with their | | | | |