Deaf Education Alliance Summit 2017 Follow-up

The Louisiana Deafblind Project for Children and Youth and the LSU Health New Orleans, Human Development Center hosted the Deaf Education Alliance Summit 2017 on January 27 & 28.  The Deaf Education Alliance is a grassroots organization made up of individuals, families, and professionals interested in advocating for improved educational services for students with deafness and hearing loss in Louisiana schools. 

The Summit 2017 program included two keynote speakers; Rachel Coleman, an American musician/actress and producer of the “Signing Time!” video series and Paula Rodriguez of Deaf Focus Services Baton Rouge who was the 2016 GOLD Service Provider of the Year Award recipient selected by the Louisiana  Governor’s Council of Disability Affairs.  The program also featured speakers from around the state that addressed topics of interest to the deaf education advocates.

The Summit 2017 enjoyed a live performance by Rachel Coleman as the closing activity for the conference.  The performance, which was open to the public, drew audience members from Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas.  Children of all ages and their families enjoyed the light hearted musical presentations while learning sign language.