New Booklet from RSD Delivers “A Positive Approach to Raising a Deaf Child” 01/13/10

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 13, 2010

CONTACT:
Frank A. Kruppenbacher
Public Relations Director
Rochester School for the Deaf
Perkins Hall, Room 201
1545 St. Paul Street
Rochester, New York  14621
585-336-5809 voice/TTY
fkruppenbacher@rsdeaf.org

New Booklet from RSD Delivers “A Positive Approach to Raising a Deaf Child”
Graduate students’ capstone project provides guidance for new parents of deaf infants and toddlers

ROCHESTER, NY – The Early Childhood Programs Department at Rochester School for the Deaf (RSD) is pleased to announce the availability of a new, resourceful booklet designed especially for families of deaf and hard of hearing children.

“A Positive Approach to Raising a Deaf Child: Information for New Parents of Deaf Infants and Toddlers,” written by Andrea Kahn-Richie, with support and co-writing by Dawn Rood and Marilyn Curley, is a helpful, 32-page booklet offering information and guidance that many parents seek during the early life of their deaf or hard of hearing infant or toddler.

In the winter of 2008, Kahn-Richie, a professional American Sign Language (ASL)/English interpreter from New Jersey, started her work on this resource when she was a graduate student attending Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), in Rochester, NY. It was there where she previously earned her Bachelor of Science degree in ASL/English Interpretation from RIT’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID). For her graduate capstone project, she conceived of a handbook for parents of deaf and hard of hearing newborns and toddlers. She sought advice and support for her project from RSD Early Childhood Programs Director Marilyn Curley and RSD ASL Teacher Dawn Rood, who is culturally Deaf.

“She approached us with a request to observe and interview people in the program,” said Curley. "She was also interested in conversing with our parents. From that interest, and the realization that there is little out there to support families new to deafness, this project grew.”

The booklet, illustrated by deaf artist Val Nelson-Metlay, the parent of two RSD graduates, includes eight sections. From personal accounts and perspectives provided by deaf adults and parents of deaf children, observations of teaching techniques practiced at RSD, and resources compiled on communication and language development, the trio of Kahn-Richie, Curley and Rood collaborated to create a useful guide from an important perspective.

“This handbook is unique in that it supports a positive view of deaf children through the eyes of the Deaf community and Deaf culture,” says Kahn-Richie. “It offers a discussion of the importance of early language exposure for deaf children and the opportunity for a deaf child to become bilingual.

“Through a cultural lens, it is my hope that families and educators, as well as medical and intervention professionals, will find that a deaf child is seen as a whole individual, rather than as one who is different from the norm. In a Deaf cultural perspective the focus is on a deaf child’s abilities and strengths, rather than his or her inabilities or deficits,” Kahn-Richie added.

“A Positive Approach to Raising a Deaf Child: Information for New Parents of Deaf Infants and Toddlers,” is available as a free digital download through the Web site for Rochester School for the Deaf: www.RSDeaf.org/PositiveApproach. Printed copies are available in limited quantities for a nominal charge per booklet, plus postage and handling. To inquire about printed copies of this booklet, contact: Info@RSDeaf.org.

Established in 1876, Rochester School for the Deaf is a private, tuition-free school, providing for the Regents-level education of deaf and hard of hearing children in grades K-12, from all parts of New York State. Visit: www.RSDeaf.org.

###