Se Habla y Se Oye Español
Help for Deaf and hard of hearing (D/HH) Hispanics is becoming more accessible. The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell), the National Council of La Raza’s Institute for Hispanic Health (IHH) and The Max Factor Family Foundation are leading the effort. AG Bell and IHH are jointly promoting early screening for all Hispanic infants and earlier intervention for those with hearing loss. Campaign materials targeted to community-based initiatives and healthcare professionals include English and Spanish versions of “The ABCs of Early Intervention” and “Hear the Difference.” To request one, visit www.oraldeafed.org or www. agbell.org.
More than just a pretty face, the Max Factor Family Foundation is also doing its part to help Latino communities with a $100,000 grant to the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, a college of Rochester Institute of Technology, to create a series of information technology training and career development workshops for D/HH Latino adults in the Los Angeles area. For more information visit www.rit.edu/NTID and search “Max Factor.”
Prep School Hosts Open House
The Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD), part of the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center, is opening its doors to potential students and their families on February 24, April 28, and June 23, 2006. Located on the campus of Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., the tuition-free residential high school accepts students from across the nation. Although MSSD graduates do not get preferential consideration when applying to Gallaudet University, it is a solid stepping stone to the University with approximately 60 percent of MSSD graduates enrolling in Gallaudet University the fall following their high school graduation. For more information about open house events or MSSD, e-mail Michael.Peterson@gallaudet.edu or Susan.Flanigan@gallaudet.edu.
This Should Make Some Kids Smile
Ear infections are the number one reason why sick children visit the doctor and the cause of many tears. According to Advance for Audiologists, the Columbus Children’s Research Institute, the National Institute of Health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and pharmaceutical companies have jointly developed a vaccine to prevent ear infections. Dr. Lauren Bakaletz, principal investigator of the vaccine, affirms that human trials of a vaccine candidate are expected to begin within a year. An effective vaccine could eliminate many visits to the pediatrician and emergency room, surgery, overuse of antibiotics and hearing loss. For the full report, visit www.audiology.advanceweb.com and search “Lauren Bakaletz.”
