Canceled: Institute for Parents of Preschool Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Please note this event has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are sorry to announce that we must cancel this year’s Institute for Parents of Preschool Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. 

This decision follows the Governor’s executive orders to keep schools closed, keep people home, maintain social distancing and promote public health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although we cannot gather in person, you can still access presentations from the Institute’s experts. We recently recorded the Institute’s general session lectures for parents. These videos are available on the Illinois Sound Beginnings website.

The Institute is a one-week program for parents of children ages 5 and under who have a significant hearing loss. It takes place on the campus of the Illinois School for the Deaf in Jacksonville from June 7-12, 2020.

Participating parents attend daily lectures by experts in the field to learn about raising a child with hearing loss.  Lecture topics include child development, types of hearing loss, language development, communication choices, deaf culture and school programming. Other activities include meeting in small groups to discuss specific concerns and connecting with other caregivers.

During the Institute, children attend classrooms overseen by experienced teachers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. They have the opportunity to receive hearing, vision, psychological, speech, language and educational evaluations as well as play with other children who have a hearing loss.

Siblings who are 12 and under are welcome to attend.

There is no cost for families to participate, and meals and housing are provided at no charge.

UIC’s Division of Specialized Care for Children supports the Institute, along with other sponsors.

For more information, click on the Institute brochure. If you are interested in participating, call us at (800) 322-3722 or email Institute@exchange.dscc.uic.edu.

Read about last year’s Institute at https://dscc.uic.edu/institute-provides-support-connection-for-dscc-families-of-children-with-hearing-loss/