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The
AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language Strategic
Plan 2006-2008
In
January of 2006, the Academy’s Board of Directors
began an ambitious three-year strategic planning process
to define its priorities. The Academy expects to create
a foundation on which it can build future successes
while embracing the opportunities that are now available.
MISSION
Advancing listening and talking through standards of
excellence and international certification of professionals.
VISION
The AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language
will be the global organization to certify professionals
in the delivery of listening and spoken language options
for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and
their families.
The
Academy
The AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language®
(the Academy) is an independently governed, subsidiary
corporation of The Alexander Graham Bell Association
for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The Academy was established
in 2005 in response to the integration of Auditory-Verbal
International, Inc. and to ensure the continuation of
the Cert. AVT® credential as well as the desire
to develop new credentials for spoken language professionals.
The
Academy is uniquely positioned to advance the revolutionary
global opportunity for deaf or hard of hearing individuals
to listen and talk via proven technologies and with
guidance and education from certified professionals.
It currently has one certification program -- Auditory-Verbal,
and we will be adding other programs over time.
THE
CHALLENGE
Significant advances in hearing and communication technology
and interventions have considerably improved the opportunity
for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to listen
and communicate in spoken language. The expansion of
universal newborn hearing screening worldwide promotes
the early identification and diagnosis of hearing loss
in infants and toddlers with any degree of hearing loss.
There is a critical window for learning spoken language
particularly in the first six months of life.
Some
professionals who serve children or other individuals
who are deaf or hard of hearing see the need to continue
their education so that they might better reinforce
the advantages of these new technologies. A standards-based
practice that cuts across the various fields of training
should ensure a knowledge base in audition and spoken
language. This consistent quality of service will meet
the growing needs of this population.
The
access of infants and young children with hearing loss
to adequately trained professionals is essential to
ensure auditory brain development within critical periods
for brain growth. With this newly focused intervention,
they will enjoy the full benefits of early identification
of hearing loss. Every year four children in every thousand
are born deaf or hard of hearing. Many more acquire
hearing loss in early childhood. An increasing number
of parents will choose spoken language communication
for their children.
THE
OPPORTUNITY
The majority of these deaf and hard of hearing children
can now learn to listen and talk comparably with their
hearing peers by the age of three. The Academy, in collaboration
with AG Bell, will help provide guidelines for the training
of these professionals.
In
order to meet the growing demand for trained professionals,
the Academy, working with AG Bell, will be a part of
an ambitious professional preparation strategy that
will include developing and managing professional educational
standards to raise competency among professionals. Rigorous
standards and certifications will be set to demonstrate
this. To capitalize on the opportunities at hand, the
Academy has adopted the following four strategic goals.
STRATEGIC
GOALS
- Refine
the existing Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist®
program for accreditation by the National Commission
for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and develop up to three
new accredited international certification programs
for listening and spoken language professionals.
Objectives
- Perform
an audit of the existing Cert. AVT® credential
with particular emphasis on aligning the program
with NCCA accreditation standards in order to
have the credential NCCA accredited by 2008.
- Perform
market analysis to determine receptivity and feasibility
for up to three new certifications in alignment
with NCCA standards. Target audiences for proposed
new certifications include:
- Master’s
level professionals who provide services in
group or classroom settings with pre-school
or school-aged children who are deaf or hard
of hearing and their families.
- Bachelor’s
level professionals who provide services in
one-to-one, group, or classroom settings with
pre-school or school aged children who are deaf
or hard of hearing and their families.
- Bachelor’s
level professionals who provide services in
one-to-one, group, or classroom settings with
adults who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Engage
AG Bell International Affiliates and others to
create program development and funding partnerships
for cultural adaptation and translation of examination,
professional development, test preparation, and
marketing materials.
- Create
examination preparation tools and collaborate to expand
availability of professional development, mentoring,
and practicum requirements.
Objectives
- Develop
exam preparation guides for all Academy certifications.
- Develop
mentoring guidelines and tools for all Academy
certifications.
- Establish
a policy for mentor referral and make relevant
contact and other information for mentors readily
available to interested parties.
- Establish
a policy for practicum-site referral and make
relevant contact and other information about practicum-sites
readily available to interested parties.
- Collaborate
with AG Bell Center for Professional Excellence
to review and compile worldwide sources for professional
education and exam preparation.
- Collaborate
with AG Bell Center for Professional Excellence
to identify gaps in professional development materials
and programs and jointly develop or expand offerings
to fill identified gaps.
- Introduce
the Academy internationally, generate program development
sponsorships and underwriting, and gain strong candidate
response through sustained targeted marketing and
recruitment strategies.
Objectives
- Develop
and implement Academy brand identity within the
AG Bell family of brands.
- Develop
and launch a robust Academy website to include
an automatic translation service for accessibility
across language borders.
- Develop,
implement, and continually update a comprehensive
worldwide contacts database.
- Develop
and implement a comprehensive, phased international
communications and marketing plan.
- Demonstrate
exemplary governance, alliance management, resource
development and financial stewardship.
Objectives
- Develop
and implement an annual board self-assessment process
and implement ongoing board development activity
as necessary.
- Establish
Certification Committees as required and provide
support and monitoring to ensure effectiveness.
- Establish
an Alliance Management Committee composed of the
Academy President, AG Bell President, AG Bell Chief
Executive Officer and AG Bell Chief Operating Officer
and others as determined to jointly oversee the
Alliance and to maximize opportunities and synergies
between the two organizations.
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