Education and Advocacy Summit

You are invited to the new Capital Connection! program powered by Hands On Travel which incorporates the 9th annual Education and Advocacy Summit hosted by the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf, the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center, Gallaudet University Maguire Welcome Center, Office of the Chief Bilingual Officer, Gallaudet University Government Department, American Society for Deaf Children, Center on Democracy in Deaf America and the National Association of the Deaf. The events will occur in-person in Washington, D.C. on March 3-8, 2024.

The purpose of those events is to promote awareness and advocacy on the behalf of deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, and deafdisabled children everywhere in the United States, including but not limited to improving provisions in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

After completing the form here you will be contacted by the contact person of each event you signed up for.

See below for the schedule of events:

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Youth Summit (SLLC Atrium and Co-Lab)

Register here: https://apply.gallaudet.edu/register/YouthSummit2024

9 a.m.-1 p.m.- Learn about Gallaudet University and meet with Gallaudet student ambassadors to learn from their experiences during this tour & lunch. (Sponsored by Gallaudet University Undergraduate Office of Admissions and Outreach)

1-4:30 p.m. – An interactive training session on legislative advocacy with special guest presenters and more! (Sponsored by Gallaudet University Deaf Studies Department, Gallaudet University Government Department, Gallaudet University Social Work Department, Center for Democracy in Deaf America, and National Association of the Deaf)

9 am- Icebreaker activity led by the Youth Program Staff @ SLLC Atrium

9:30 am- Gallaudet presentation by Admissions Counselors @ SLLC Atrium

9:45 am- Gallaudet Tour: Visit E-Sports, Field House, and Career Success

11 am- Panel on Gallaudet Student Experience @ SLLC Atrium

12 pm- Lunch at Plaza Dining Hall

1:00 Welcome/ Ice Breaker at Co-Lab

1:30 Overview of The Cogswell Macy Act

2:00 Panel of students with experience at Congress

2:30 Break/ Snack

2:45 Debate Team Spotlight

3:30 Hands-On Activity: “Meeting with Your Legislator!”

4:25 Wrap Up and Good Luck!

Photos will be taken

Questions about the Gallaudet University Visit? Contact [email protected]

Questions about the Youth Summit? Contact [email protected]

Professionals Summit (HMB Atrium)

1 p.m.-4:30 p.m.- A unique professional development opportunity hosted by the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf, National Association of the Deaf, and Gallaudet University. We are featuring three esteemed presenters who will discuss current statistics regarding educational placement of DHH students, Supreme Court case decisions regarding the education of deaf students, including the actual defendant of the very first case that tested the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Board of Education v. Rowley, 458 U.S. 176 (1982) and a lawyer from the very latest decision related to ADA and IDEA intersections, Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools, 598 U.S. 142 (2023).

1:00-1:15-Check-in and welcome

1:15-1:30- Opening Remarks by Assistant Secretary Glenna Wright-Gallo

1:30-2:30- Presentation by Dr. Amy Rowley

2:30-2:45- Presentation by Tawny Holmes Hlibok, Esq. on current statistics

2:45-3:15- BREAK with refreshments

3:15-4-15- Presentation by a lawyer from Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools

4:15-4:30- Concluding remarks

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6- Ninth Annual Capitol Hill Advocacy Day

8:30-10:00– Capitol Hill Legislative Briefing. In-person briefing on legislative issues for those who will be attending the Seventh Annual Capitol Hill Advocacy Day, below. (Sponsored by Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf and the National Association of the Deaf)

8:30-8:45- check in and enjoy breakfast

8:45-9:00- Opening remarks by CEASD Executive Director Holmes Hlibok and Comments on the importance of Cogswell Macy Act and data by President Bravin

9:00-9:05- Message by a major sponsor of the Cogswell Macy Act (video by Markey- captioned)

9:05-9:20- Dr. Amy Rowley presents

9:20-9:25- Remarks by supporting organizations and coalitions

9:35-9:50- Howard Rosenblum presents on the Perez case

9:50-10:00- Q& A and wrap up 10:15-10:30-

Photos will be taken by Jett Kelly

11 to 3 p.m.- Pre-arranged meetings with Congressional Legislators will be occurring with students and school representatives. Information will be sent out on this separately.

4 p.m. wrap up and debrief in the food court of Union Station

More information on Capital Connection!