(English Transcript)
Hi, my name is Marla Hatrak. I am currently NAD’s Educational Policy consultant.
I would like to discuss a new program, a new concept, or maybe a new approach to Deaf Education.
As you may know, the federal Department of Education will definitely be closed soon. Thus, Special Education will either be reassigned to a different federal department or moved to states who will be responsible for implementation of special education within their respective states.
As for deaf education, where does it fit in the scheme of Special Education? We at NAD propose a new Blueprint for Excellence in Deaf Education.
This BEDE will be discussed at the NAD Conference in San Francisco this summer.
If you are concerned about your state’s Deaf Education and Special Education, come and join our discussions on the three components of BEDE.
First is a reinvention of Deaf Education. If deaf people are in charge of
Deaf Education, what would it look like?
Second will be a model legislation for an Office of Deaf Education.
Third, there will be an Advocacy Tool Kit, ready for state’s engagement in Special Education and Deaf Education within their states.
We want to support state associations to be ready for Special Education when it is moved to states. We look forward to a robust discourse among people who are interested in Deaf Education.
Education, after all, is an important part of our lives.