Program identity is the philosophy and values that guide how a program supports Deaf and hard of hearing children and families, its Deaf-centered character. Administrators use this checklist to make that identity real day to day. It prompts you to keep a clear language philosophy that supports ASL and English Bilingual development, ensure staff can explain and apply it, and reflect the families and communities you serve. It also covers consistent messaging across staff and partners, visible representation of Deaf adults and Deaf culture, and using family and staff feedback to keep growing.
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Inside the nation’s only ASL-English dual immersion program: how kids learn and thrive together.
A checklist providers use to help families experience a program's Deaf-centered values, from explaining the language approach to connecting families to Deaf culture.
A research list you can use to ground a program's Deaf-centered identity in evidence, gathering studies on Bilingual values, Deaf role models, and consistent messaging to families.