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John H. Hager, assistant secretary of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), U.S. Department of Education, is pleased to share with you an important message about the newly updated publication, Opening Doors: Technology and Communication Options for Children With Hearing Loss, and the newly released Spanish version, Que se abran las puertas: Opciones de tecnología y comunicación para los niños con pérdida auditiva. One of the most amazing things a child will learn in his or her lifetime is language—words and meanings and their use for communicating with others. The early years are a critical time for learning language, and getting help for a child as early as possible maximizes his or her window of opportunity to do so. There are growing concerns surrounding the provision of essential early intervention and health care services for infants and toddlers with hearing loss. Early detection and provision of these services in a timely and effective manner are critically important for ensuring children’s future success and something the Department takes very seriously. Permanent hearing loss among infants and young children is a significant problem. Some 12,000 children are born each year with hearing loss. Several weeks ago the Department released proposed rules for Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, providing the foundation to support improved early intervention services to this population. Part C is a $436 million program serving infants and toddlers through age 2 who have developmental delays or diagnosed physical or mental conditions—including hearing loss—that have high probabilities of resulting in developmental delays. The proposed Part C regulations are intended to help ease burdens, increase flexibility and—most importantly—assure accountability by states in helping prepare infants and toddlers with disabilities for success in school. Impressive progress has been made in the last several years on identifying infants and toddlers early and providing them with appropriate services; however there is always potential for greater achievement. Toward that end, I am pleased to have the opportunity to celebrate the release of the updated publication Opening Doors: Technology and Communication Options for Children With Hearing Loss and the Spanish version Que se abran las puertas: Opciones de tecnología y comunicación para los niños con pérdida auditiva. These publications provide background on early intervention, the use of technology and other support available to children with hearing loss and their families. PDF and Word versions of both publications are on the Department's website. Sincerely, John H. Hager
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