Language is fundamental to quality of life. Language fosters ideas and allows us to build on concepts that shape our education. Imagine if you weren’t able to share your feelings, express an idea, or seek to understand and learn. That is the reality for millions of deaf and hard of hearing children in developing countries who do not have a means to communicate or access to a basic education.

We are committed to changing that. Our programs are designed to help the world’s deaf and hard of hearing children acquire the language skills and education they need for life success.

We customize and continually strive to improve our work to meet the needs of those we support. Our core focus areas are:

TEACHER TRAINING: Teacher Training includes in-country workshops, global exchange, and mentorships between teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing in foreign countries and international experts in audiology, speech/language pathology, auditory-verbal, and special education. 

HEARING AID PROGRAMS: This program is designed to deliver high-quality hearing devices to children in developing countries and help facilitate ongoing support and maintenance. 

OUTREACH/PUBLICITY: The Foundation fosters partnerships with like-minded organizations, both domestic and international, to educate communities about the implications of hearing loss in infants and children and how to address them. 

CONSULTATIONS: Consultation services are provided to government officials and representatives who wish to establish frameworks for identifying and implementing educational resources and programs to meet the needs of hard of hearing and deaf infants and children.

RESEARCH: The Foundation supports universities and research organizations that work in the area of speech and hearing sciences to collect empirical data about hearing loss in developing countries that can be used to advance practices in deaf education.

MEDIA COVERAGE ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS

Hearing Loss Magazine - March/April 2010 (pdf)

University of Washington Columns Alumni Magazine

Evergreen Speech and Hearing Newsletter - page 2 (pdf)

American Speech and Hearing Assoc. ASHA Leader