READ to Your Child
Through the generosity of Patrick Murphy of the American Library Association (ALA), Paul Graller of the Exposition Management company Hall-Erickson and John Loveless of GES Exposition Services, exhibitors at the annual ALA conference donated their new books to CHOICES for Parents to promote literacy among children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing.With 11 volunteers, donated books were sorted, stamped with CHOICES information, boxed and distributed to programs throughout the state of Illinois that serve children with hearing loss. In 2009 our program grew to an international level, as additional books were sent to the newborn hearing and early intervention program of Saipan.
A child’s most important learning takes place during the first years of life. With ninety percent of deaf babies being born to hearing parents, the hearing loss can create communication barriers that may delay a child’s emotional, cognitive and social development. We believe that one way to minimize this impact is through an early exposure to books.
To request books for your program, contact Karen Aguilar, CHOICES for Parents Coalition Director.
Children with hearing loss received books through the READ Program.
Children with hearing loss receive books from the READ Program.
A mother receives books from the READ Program and reads to her child with hearing loss.
CHOICES Coalition Director Karen Aguilar (center) sorts books with Matt Graller, Dawn Maniskus, Leslie Lynch and Ginger Mullin.