The information dissemination program focuses on providing information on childhood hearing loss to parents, deaf and hard of hearing students, other family members and the public at large. This program parallels the efforts of continuing education in its focus on the topics of early identification, effective education for children and families, and understanding of the causes of hearing loss. A goal of the information dissemination program is to make materials accessible to the widest possible audience. To achieve this goal, materials are developed in varied formats, from simple to highly technical. Materials include instructional videotapes, educational materials for CD-ROM, a World Wide Web site, fact sheets, interactive programs on etiology of hearing loss for the Internet, curriculum guides, software packages, public service announcements, and guidebooks for families.
Emphasis is placed on the production of enduring and practical programs.
A unique focus of this program is the development of a curriculum and related materials to guide parents in communicating with Deaf children in sign. The curriculum, Sign With Me, supports families with infants in learning to sign and interact. The companion series, Read With Me, provides parents with excellent models of storytelling from native signers. Additional videotapes have been developed to guide and support parents of children who are Deaf or hard of hearing.