Early Language Centers: A New Pathway to Equity for Deaf Children

$0.00

This webinar will be hosted via Zoom for national and international attendees on Sunday, December 6, 2026 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm ET.

Speaker Disclosures:

Financial disclosures: Kim is the owner of Language First and is receiving payment for presenting.

Nonfinancial disclosures: Kim is a member of ASHA, ABCLLD, and ABDHHS.

Content disclosure: This presentation will focus solely on the Language First Early Language Centers (ELCs).

Course Description:

This session introduces a scalable Early Language Center (ELC) model designed to ensure early, robust language access for Deaf and hard of hearing children through bilingual ASL–English development and intentional family involvement. Participants will explore the core components of the ELC model, including Deaf-centered practice, language-rich environments, family coaching, and coordinated services—and how this approach bridges long-standing gaps between early intervention and educational systems. We’ll share how ELCs function as both a clinical and community-based solution, offering a replicable framework that can be adapted nationwide. Language deprivation is not inevitable—it is fully preventable. This session challenges us to move from awareness to action and to reimagine what true language equity can look like for Deaf children and their families.

Agenda

5:00-5:30: Early Language Environments (ELEs)

5:30-6:00: ELEs for DHH Children

6:00-6:40: Early Language Centers (ELCs)

6:40-6:45: Future Directions

6:45-7:00: Q&A and discussion

Learner Outcomes:

Participants will be able to:

Define the core components of the Early Language Center (ELC) model
Explain how Deaf-centered, bilingual ASL–English environments support early brain and language development
Apply key principles of the ELC framework to their own setting

Registration information:

This is a digital purchase only; no physical ticket is provided. A form will populate for you to complete your registration and then your purchase will be added to your cart in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. You will receive an email with instructions on how to participate as well as a Google Calendar invite with the Zoom link one week prior to the event. Registration ends one day prior to the webinar. All registrants will receive a copy of the presenter’s PowerPoint and the presentation recording. Please email info@language1st.org with any questions.

This webinar will be hosted via Zoom for national and international attendees on Sunday, December 6, 2026 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm ET.

Speaker Disclosures:

Financial disclosures: Kim is the owner of Language First and is receiving payment for presenting.

Nonfinancial disclosures: Kim is a member of ASHA, ABCLLD, and ABDHHS.

Content disclosure: This presentation will focus solely on the Language First Early Language Centers (ELCs).

Course Description:

This session introduces a scalable Early Language Center (ELC) model designed to ensure early, robust language access for Deaf and hard of hearing children through bilingual ASL–English development and intentional family involvement. Participants will explore the core components of the ELC model, including Deaf-centered practice, language-rich environments, family coaching, and coordinated services—and how this approach bridges long-standing gaps between early intervention and educational systems. We’ll share how ELCs function as both a clinical and community-based solution, offering a replicable framework that can be adapted nationwide. Language deprivation is not inevitable—it is fully preventable. This session challenges us to move from awareness to action and to reimagine what true language equity can look like for Deaf children and their families.

Agenda

5:00-5:30: Early Language Environments (ELEs)

5:30-6:00: ELEs for DHH Children

6:00-6:40: Early Language Centers (ELCs)

6:40-6:45: Future Directions

6:45-7:00: Q&A and discussion

Learner Outcomes:

Participants will be able to:

Define the core components of the Early Language Center (ELC) model
Explain how Deaf-centered, bilingual ASL–English environments support early brain and language development
Apply key principles of the ELC framework to their own setting

Registration information:

This is a digital purchase only; no physical ticket is provided. A form will populate for you to complete your registration and then your purchase will be added to your cart in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. You will receive an email with instructions on how to participate as well as a Google Calendar invite with the Zoom link one week prior to the event. Registration ends one day prior to the webinar. All registrants will receive a copy of the presenter’s PowerPoint and the presentation recording. Please email info@language1st.org with any questions.

Continuing Education:

This event is offered for 0.20 ASHA CEUs. Only participants who attend the live event will receive a certificate of attendance. Participants who attend the entire webinar and fill out the self assessment form will be considered eligible to earn ASHA CEUs.

Accommodations:

This event will be in ASL with English interpreters and captions. Please email info@language1st.org with requests for additional accommodations at least 14 days prior to the event.

Course Availability:

This course will be available in the Language First Learning Library after the live event is over.

Nondiscrimination Policy:

Language First shall not discriminate in matters of membership on the basis of age, creed, disability, ethnicity, hearing status, vision status, national origin, race, gender, or sexual orientation and promotes a learning environment of mutual respect that minimizes or eliminates bias.

Cancellation/Refund Policy:

Full refunds for webinars and other events are available up to 14 days prior to the event. No refunds are available after that time. If Language First cancels or moves a webinar or event, all participants will be given the options of a.) receiving a full refund; b.) applying the amount paid to another event; c.) transferring their registration to the new date. If a registrant has a complaint or is unsatisfied with a webinar or event, please email info@language1st.org with “complaint” in the subject line.