Agenda
October 24+25, 2025
Kalamazoo Valley Community College
6767 West O Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
October 26, 2025
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
230 N Rose Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Friday, October 24, 2025
(Online or in-person option)
5:00pm - 8:00pm Language Deprivation Syndrome: How Language Creates the Mind, Virtual Keynote Address, Dr. Sanjay Gulati, (0.3 PS CEUs)​​​ Multi-day attendees will watch Dr. Gulati present live via Zoom in Dale Auditorium. Friday-only attendees will receive a Zoom link to watch off-campus.
​Saturday, October 25, 2025
(In-person only)
8:30am to 9:00am Welcome
9:00am - 11:00am Did We Ever Leave 1880? A Discussion of Language Deprivation in 2025, Keynote Address, Dr. Wyatte Hall, Dale Lake Auditorium (0.2 PS CEUs)
11:00am to 12:00pm Lunch, Cafeteria​​​
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Breakout Session #1 (0.2 PS CEUs)
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Helping Deaf Children Thrive: Identifying & Addressing the Impact of Linguistic Overprotection, Sara Miller, Room 4230
- Determining The Least Restrictive Environment for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students, Brandi Czechowskyj and Rex Vernon, Room TBD
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Interpreting for Language Deprived Students in Educational Settings: A Conversation Starter​, Anna Trupiano, Room TBD
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Assessing Language in Students with Language Deprivation: Informal Tools and Practical Strategies, Dr. Kim Ofori-Sanzo, Room TBD
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Beyond Compliance: Developing Meaningful IEPs that Empower Deaf Students with Language Deprivation, Megan Ward, Room TBD
2:00pm - 2:30pm
Break​​​​​​​
2:30pm - 4:30pm
Breakout Session #2 (0.2 PS CEUs)
​
-
Helping Deaf Children Thrive: Identifying & Addressing the Impact of Linguistic Overprotection, Sara Miller, Room 4230
-
Determining The Least Restrictive Environment for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students, Brandi Czechowskyj and Rex Vernon, Room TBD
-
Interpreting for Language Deprived Students in Educational Settings: A Conversation Starter​, Anna Trupiano, Room TBD
-
Assessing Language in Students with Language Deprivation: Informal Tools and Practical Strategies, Dr. Kim Ofori-Sanzo, Room TBD
-
Beyond Compliance: Developing Meaningful IEPs that Empower Deaf Students with Language Deprivation, Megan Ward, Room TBD
​​4:30pm - 5:00pm CEUs and Wrap-up
5:00pm - 7:00pm Independent Networking and Socialization
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7:00pm-9:00pm Deaf performance by Sebastien Ianno. Sebastien will present a one-hour performance full of energy, showcasing his talents in juggling, LED shows, and Visual Vernacular. He will share a glimpse of his personal journey of discovering these passions, perform a short Visual Vernacular story, and invite members of the audience to join the fun and experience juggling or Visual Vernacular themselves.
​​Sunday, October 26, 2025
(In-person only)
8:30am - 9:00am Welcome
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9:00am to 10:30am Building Language from the Ground Up: A Message of Hope, Keynote Address, Zaineb Abdulla, Room TBD (0.15 PS CEUs)
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10:30am - 11:00am Break
11:00am to 1:00pm A Deaf-centered Conversation about Language Deprivation and Access, Panel Discussion, Room TBD (0.2 PS CEUs)
Moderator:
Kenya Lowe
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Panel Members:
Teddy Dorsette
Alayna Lail
Bretagne Whitford
Chase Magsig
Language Deprivation Conference
