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More than one and 5 Minnesotans
are deaf, deaf/blind or hard of hearing.
This weekend, Minnesota state Commision of
Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing
hosted a symposium about how to educate
children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Our Scott Shehean has more at Breezy Point.
More than 300 teachers, parents and professionals
attended Minnesota's first Deaf Deafblind and Hard of Hearing
symposium in five years.
The four day event
allowed teachers, parents and mentors to
come together about
the best way to educate children
who are deaf or hard of hearing.
We have very aggressive goals for
our children who are deaf and hard of hearing.
We expect them to have similar to their hearing peers.
And so how you do that, you have to bring
a lot of people together who are very
passionate about this work.
And in Minnesota, we're very fortunate to have
those type of individuals.
Between educators and deaf mentors
and adult role models.
>>>The symposium said that one of the bigest fears
for parents of deaf or hard of hearing children is
how their children will be able to survive without
them.
And by having these symposiums, it
will prepare both parent and child
By meeting those different adults
they're able to ask them about their life experiences
both growing up with hearing loss and
also now, as adults.
That allows those parents to get a better
idea of what their deaf or hard of hearing child will
be like as an adult.
The four day symposium will allow teachers and professionals to learn
from parents what challenges their deaf and
hard of hearing child faces so they can work together
towards a better means of communication.
Its really important for parents to be here
to be able to hear their opinions and
what they think their students need. Because
they're actually the students first teacher.
So its just important to have
a place where people that work with deaf and hard of hearing
can get together and get information.
We really need to look at the child first
and see what is best for that child
in particular
and to make sure that everybody
is working as a team.
>>>The symposium featured lectures, breakout
groups, and presentations
as well as promoted summer
camps for deaf or hard of hearing children.
In Breezy Point, Scott Shehean, Lakeland News.
And for more information about summer camps for
deaf or hard of hearing children
mentioned during the symposium
visit our website, LPTV.org
and click on our "As Seen On" Lakeland News page.
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