Program identity is the philosophy and values behind how a program supports Deaf and hard of hearing children, its Deaf-centered character. Providers use this checklist to help families understand and experience it. It asks whether you explain the program's language and communication approach in family-friendly ways, support ASL and English Bilingual development in your interactions, and use strengths-based conversations about language. It also covers sharing Deaf culture and community resources, connecting families with Deaf adults and mentors, and keeping your message consistent with the rest of the team.
Because of your selected audience type, you may also enjoy the following related resources.
A tip sheet you can use to understand what program identity means, why a clear one matters for families, and what a strong, Deaf-centered program identity looks like in practice.
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.
A checklist administrators use to make a program's Deaf-centered values visible across services, messaging, and family partnerships, and to keep improving through family and staff feedback.