Baystate Health, Willie Ross School to Co-Sponsor Conference November 15

September 27, 2011 - Willie Ross School for the Deaf is partnering with Baystate Health Continuing Education in sponsoring “Educating Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children: From Research to Practice,” a one-day conference being held on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at Baystate Education Center, 361 Whitney Avenue.

The conference is geared toward physicians, nurses, audiologists, speech language therapists and educators of the deaf and hard-of hearing. Families of deaf or hard-of-hearing children are also encouraged to attend.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the program adjourns at 3 p.m. Tuition through November 1 is $50 online and $60 by mail (after November 1 is $60 online and $70 by mail), which includes continental breakfast and lunch. Those who are interested can register by mail or online at baystatehealth.org/learn. Tuition is waived for parents of deaf or hard-of-hearing children, who can register on the Willie Ross website at www.willierossschool.org.

The goal of “Educating Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children: From Research to Practice” is to support ideal care for the deaf or hard-of-hearing child by increasing the knowledge and ability to apply current research to practice. The seminar will offer perspectives on the development and education of deaf and hard-of-hearing children and provide information and guidance in educational placement decisions, amplification choices and early intervention.

Presenters include C. Tane Akamatsu, PhD, co-founder of Reach Sudbury School in Toronto, Canada; Daniel Koo, PhD, Assistant Professor–Department of Psychology at Gallaudet University; Marc Marschark, PhD, Professor and Director of National Technical Institute for the Deaf; Connie Mayer, EdD, OCT, Associate Professor of Education at York University in Toronto, Canada; and Linda Spencer, PhD, CCC-slp, Assistant Professor–Department of Communication Disorders and Special Education at New Mexico State University.

The Willie Ross School for the Deaf provides a comprehensive educational program stressing academic excellence that focuses on the development of students’ intellectual, social, and emotional growth. The school provides a comprehensive educational program from the early childhood level through high school. Willie Ross serves students at its main campus in Longmeadow and at its partnership campus located in the East Longmeadow Schools. Mainstreaming opportunities are provided at the partnership campus.