01/03/2025
Greetings ADC Members!
The Alaska Deaf Council would like to invite you to our Town Hall on January 9th from 5:45 – 7:15pm that will be held at the BP Energy Center (1014 Energy Court, Anchorage AK 99508) in the Birch Room where we will invite everyone in the community to attend and share their thoughts, concerns, and feedback for a stronger Deaf Children's Bill of Rights (HB 111). This Town Hall will also be available through Zoom Video Conference for those who are unable to attend in person (more information in the image).
The mission of the Alaska Deaf Council is to Preserve, Protect, Promote the civil, human, and linguistic rights of Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, and Late-Deafened people in the state of Alaska and we strongly assert that all children have the right and the capacity to be educated, to graduate high school, to obtain further education, and to pursue a career. To achieve this essential goal, all families of those children have the right to appropriate early intervention services as well as quality family educational services, which is why we are reaching out to the communities that we serve.
This key piece of legislation addresses the unique educational needs and rights of deaf and hard of hearing students that allow them to thrive in an academic environment that is accessible. The key provisions of HB 111 address the critical gaps in current educational practices and recognize where the state of Alaska can improve to overcome challenges encountered by students in rural Alaska. However it does not address the logistics of how the State of Alaska can achieve this due to a lack of understanding in special education and a lack of data behind the science that supports our findings in HB111.
The Alaska Deaf Council met with key stakeholders in the community from the Alaska State School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Deaf Education Board (DEB), the Deaf Supports program at Hope Community Resources, and other organizations that advocate for inclusion of all Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing children in the state of Alaska. Parents of those children have the right to make an informed decision to choose what is the best for their children and it is essential that we all work together to draft a stronger and codified piece of legislation with the support of the community.
If you are not able to attend the Town Hall but have thoughts or concerns. You may email [email protected] and the Board of Directors will share your voice with the community at the Town Hall.
Sincerely,
Ryan Di Giovanni
Vice President
Alaska Deaf Council
