Introduction
Jodi Becker Kinner
My name is Jodi Becker Kinner. I am a Deaf adult who also has learning disabilities. I was diagnosed with a learning disability which includes visual processing disorder and slow processing speed, once in high school and confirmed again in college. My 14-year old Deaf daughter, DJK just diagnosed with learning disabilities. We have a similar diagnosis, as it is hereditary. See the link of my “Tearing Down the Wall” story to better understand the effects of the visual processing disorder.
Because I do not want my daughter to go down the same road as me, I have been searching for resources to find a solution, like tutoring center, Irlen Institute, etc. before we can move on with my daughter’s reading practice. While making phone calls, I encountered roadblocks. They were not familiar with the deaf issues, and the cost of the interpreter was another concern. The DVDs were not captioned. I even talked to some Deaf Education teachers; they were not familiar with the learning disabilities issues, as it was not highlighted in the Deaf Education Program. Most of its content focuses on ASL/English bilingual, language deprivation, and early language acquisition, but nothing about learning disabilities or visual processing issues.
To my knowledge, more deaf and hard of hearing individuals are diagnosed with a learning disability and ADHD. We also have more resources nowadays compared to my time. However, accessibility and resources are sparse for the Deaf community, particularly in the field of Deaf Education. I thought to myself, “Why can’t deaf and hard of hearing individuals take advantage of the resources and have the equal access to those, just like non-deaf peers can?”
Because I do not want my daughter to go down the same road as me, I have been searching for resources to find a solution, like tutoring center, Irlen Institute, etc. before we can move on with my daughter’s reading practice. While making phone calls, I encountered roadblocks. They were not familiar with the deaf issues, and the cost of the interpreter was another concern. The DVDs were not captioned. I even talked to some Deaf Education teachers; they were not familiar with the learning disabilities issues, as it was not highlighted in the Deaf Education Program. Most of its content focuses on ASL/English bilingual, language deprivation, and early language acquisition, but nothing about learning disabilities or visual processing issues.
To my knowledge, more deaf and hard of hearing individuals are diagnosed with a learning disability and ADHD. We also have more resources nowadays compared to my time. However, accessibility and resources are sparse for the Deaf community, particularly in the field of Deaf Education. I thought to myself, “Why can’t deaf and hard of hearing individuals take advantage of the resources and have the equal access to those, just like non-deaf peers can?”
@http://www.dys-add.com/dyslexia.html#anchorFamousLists
Out of frustration, this situation led me to establish a “Deaf, Learning Disabilities & Irlen Syndrome” website to raise awareness of deaf, learning disabilities, and Irlen Syndrome.
I have also created a Facebook Group, "Deaf, Learning Disabilities, & Irlen Syndrome Network" to build a network with Deaf adults with learning disabilities and parents who are seeking resources for their D/HH child who has a learning disability, ADHD, and/or Irlen Syndrome. The purpose of the group is to collect, expand and share research, resources, accommodations. This group also provides learning strategies for deaf and hard of hearing students with learning disabilities/ADHD/Irlen Syndrome. Teachers, counselors, psychologists and any interested individuals are welcome to join. Check it out!
Thanks for visiting this website!
I have also created a Facebook Group, "Deaf, Learning Disabilities, & Irlen Syndrome Network" to build a network with Deaf adults with learning disabilities and parents who are seeking resources for their D/HH child who has a learning disability, ADHD, and/or Irlen Syndrome. The purpose of the group is to collect, expand and share research, resources, accommodations. This group also provides learning strategies for deaf and hard of hearing students with learning disabilities/ADHD/Irlen Syndrome. Teachers, counselors, psychologists and any interested individuals are welcome to join. Check it out!
Thanks for visiting this website!
* Thanks go to Jennifer Young Leeds for proofreading my work. *