SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel led a new law ensuring that children who are deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind have equitable access to early literacy development.
“Every student learns differently, and they should not be prevented from learning because of that,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “This law gives all children equitable language development access, guaranteeing they can learn in the way that works best for them.”
Realizing that people who are deaf often face hurdles for language equality access, Loughran Cappel sponsored House Bill 1783. The law creates a language needs assessment program for children who are deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind, informed by deaf educators, early childhood experts, Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission members, and Illinois state agencies.
The program will approach language and communication milestones inclusively, making sure that evaluations use English, American Sign Language, the primary language used in the child’s home, or protactile – a touch-based language developed by and for the deaf-blind community – developmental milestones for children who are deaf, hard of hearing or dead-blind. The law will help ensure that there are multiple visual and language education systems for deaf children, promoting language equity.
The law also establishes a language needs advisory committee to generate resources for deaf children’s families and recommend language and communication assessment implementation plans to the Illinois Department of Human Services.
“This law is a crucial step forward for the rights of children who are deaf, and it allows them to have alternate ways of learning,” said Loughran Cappel. “We want every student to have educational success, which means Illinois’ education system must meet the needs of children who are deaf and hard of hearing.”
House Bill 1783 was signed into law Thursday and takes immediate effect.
