LEAD-K Bill (Language Equality & Acquisition for Deaf Kids) has passed the Michigan House and is heading to the Senate – if it doesn’t get passed this year we are back to square one.This has been 5 years of hard work by Deaf activists and allies. Every year that goes by, our Deaf kids are falling further behind.
A main goal of this legislation is to create resources for parents to monitor expressive and receptive language acquisition by deaf and hard of hearing children from 0-5 years of age. Additionally, it helps children acquire language skills in both ASL (American Sign Language) and English, so as to improve their reading & writing proficiency in the long term.
Click here for more information on LEAD-K, which has been adopted by many states already. DDP supports this legislation, and the members of the Deaf, Hard of Hearing & Deaf-Blind community who have been fighting hard for LEAD-K passage for years. Please join us by telling your state Senator to support the Deaf community by voting YES! Let's get this done before the end of the legislative session.
The bill is in the Senate Committee on Education and Career Readiness. LeadK Advocates are asking everyone to email and text the Department of Education and these people:
State Superintendent - Michael Rice
Deputy Superintendent: Scott Koenigsknecht
Director of Special Education - Teri Rink
Assistant Director of Special Education - Jan Weikstein
Here's a link to find your Senator. Call or email today! The DDP Team
To see an ASL VLOG from LEAD-K Board member click here:
