Deaf and Disability in Early Childhood

Fostering Joy

Fostering joy is important for families with children who are deaf and hard of hearing. We focus on families’ strengths: celebrating connections, nurturing relationships, and supporting caregivers through challenges.

Fostering Joy includes intentional collaboration between families and professionals.

Janet DesGeorges from Hands & Voices supports and facilitates Fostering Joy for families, and Dr. Szarkowski from the ICI supports and facilitates Fostering Joy for professionals.

Interested in joining a Fostering Joy Working Group for professionals? Contact Dr. Szarkowski.

Learn more about Fostering Joy in this recorded informational webinar for Audiologists from the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) from 2024: Fostering Joy for Audiologists: Why and How to Embrace a “Joy Lens” in Working with Families.

Watch this uplifting video about Fostering Joy.