HIGHLIGHTS OF VOICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS 1964 - 2010

Parent Support

• New for 2010 – Published Learning to Listen: A Book by Parents for Parents
• Provide information and referrals to thousands of families annually
• Enhanced database to include parent to parent support network for multilingual and multicultural families
• Conduct an annual summer family camp
• Developed Yahoo Chat Group for parents
• Developed Facebook site for teens
• Expanded the chapter network to include 18 chapters in Canada
• Facilitate opportunities for one-on-one parent support through chapter monthly meetings and social gatherings for families
• Publish member newsletters and  chapter newsletters and Sound Matters magazine
• Conduct an annual conference for parents and professionals
• Conduct a Teen Leadership Full Day Workshop
• Published an Individual Education Plan Guide for Parents

Public Education

• New for 2010 DRESS LOUD DAY! Raising awareness of the needs of persons with hearing loss in schools and businesses
• 2009 and 2010 Weather Network safety broadcast
• Developed Public Service Announcements airing on national radio
• Advertised in national media with a message that Yes Deaf Kids Can Talk!
• Public information in Canadian Living Magazine about the importance of early infant hearing screening
• OMNI Television multilingual series on the success of children with hearing loss learning to listen and speak
• Publish Sound Matters news magazine
• Published  Directory of Health & Educational Services for Hearing Impaired Children

 Advocacy

• 2010 recipient of Consumer Advocacy Award, Canadian Association of Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists
• 2010 Expanded Mentorship and Training Program for professionals and educators in Ontario school boards across Ontario
• Successful in attaining audiological and communication supports through to age 6 under Ontario’s Infant Hearing Program
• Assured equitable access in Ontario to Assistive Device Program for Cochlear Implant recipients
• Past participant on the Ministers Advisory Council on Special Education (MACSE) and active on the Provincial Association Advisory Council (PAAC)
• Consultancy role to the Ontario Infant Hearing Program: ongoing participation as a parent support network and service provider
• Built a network of Special Education Advisory Committee representatives throughout the province to ensure the provision of special education services by local school boards;
• Conduct annual training workshops for Special Education Advisory Committee representatives;
• Lobbied for Ministry of Health  funding for cochlear implants
• Successfully acquired the first Ministry of Health funding for Auditory-Verbal therapy through Preschool Speech and Language Services
• Assisted in the creation of three hospital-based Auditory-Verbal clinics
• Effective lobbying for use of FM systems for mainstreamed children

Auditory-Verbal Therapy

• Auditory-Verbal Therapy Program providing intervention by 18 certified AV therapists – largest roster worldwide
• Mentorship Program in the Auditory-Verbal approach throughout Ontario to enhance the skills of professionals
• Conduct workshops for Auditory-verbal Therapy professionals (CEU approved by AG Bell Academy of Listening and Spoken Language)
• Developed partnership with York University which established the inclusion of the Auditory-Verbal approach in the curriculum of the Teacher of the Deaf program.
• Offer continuing education courses on the Auditory-Verbal approach to Teachers of the Deaf, Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists through York University