HUGE NEWS!  HB1783 just passed out of House Committee!

A major win for our deaf community/education, Lead-K passed through the Education Policy Committee of the Illinois House of Representatives today! After years of hard work and advocacy, this bill will officially benefit deaf children. Thank you to everyone who called, emailed, and showed up to make their voice heard. Our LEAD-K (Language Equality & Acquisition for the Deaf Children-Kindergarten ready) team wants to thank Rep. Michelle Mussman to lead us all the way. She invested her belief in us.

Based on my experience, I learned English much later after 3rd grade because teachers did not teach me how to write English and they focused on teaching me how to speak even though I am profoundly deaf and can’t speak at all. They forcedly worked on my speech skills and hearing as well for four years. The education system has failed me. I have learned more at Illinois School for the Deaf and they provided communication accessible like American Sign Language. I do not want deaf children going through the same system as me for four years. The education system for Deaf Children needs to change. Through data analysis, we know LEAD-K will help deaf children’s milestones thrive.

Lastly, I wanted to thank Progress Center for Independent Living for allowing me to be part of the LEAD-K team.

For more information on LEAD-K, check the website:  https://www.leadkfamilyservices.org/.

Next stop: Onto the House and Senate floors and to the Governor’s desk!

Carol Ann Nemecek-Kowalski, M.A.

Deaf Services Coordinator

Progress Center for Independent Living

From Rep. Michelle Mussman:

Creates the Language Equality Acquisition for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind Children Act. Provides that the State Board of Education, in cooperation with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission and the Department of Human Services, shall establish a language assessment program for deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind children, and select language developmental milestones. Sets forth provisions concerning the scope and purpose of the program and the development of a resource for use by parents and guardians. Provides that the State Board, in cooperation with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission and the Department of Human Services, shall select tools or assessments for educators that can be used to assess the language and literacy development of all deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind children. Sets forth provisions concerning the tools or assessments. Provides that beginning on July 1, 2026, a language assessment shall be given to each child who is deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind and who is less than 6 years of age. Sets forth provisions concerning the assessment. Provides that an advisory committee on language assessment programs shall be established by the State Board, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission, and the Department of Human Services. Sets forth the membership and duties of the advisory committee. Provides that on or before July 1, 2026, the State Board, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission, and the Department of Human Services shall publish a joint action plan and may propose legislation and rules necessary to implement the recommendations of the advisory committee. Sets forth provisions concerning reporting and rulemaking. Effective immediately.