About

childhood hearing loss

Our Mission

The Center for Advancement of NEXTGEN Deaf educates, equips, and champions people who are NEXTGEN Deaf, their families, and the professionals who care for them.

Core Values

representation

We amplify the voices of the NEXTGEN Deaf Community to raise awareness, promote understanding of their diversity, and support both current and future generations.

transparency

We are transparent about the realities faced by NEXTGEN Deaf and their families and honor and support those who are marginalized.

autonomy

We believe that providing families with unbiased information, full support, language resources, and advocacy skills fosters autonomy for both parents and children with hearing loss. Autonomy should be encouraged in families with NEXTGEN Deaf children and respected for NEXTGEN Deaf adults. Their lived experiences should be respected when considering public policy, hearing technology development/changes, and other matters that significantly impact NEXTGEN Deaf.

obey the window
We affirm there are neurobiologically sensitive windows of opportunity for language acquisition, language nutrition, and auditory development. These windows impact cognition, learning, socioemotional development, and executive function. Key decisions must be made during this time to promote strong outcomes. We believe that parents’ choices for language and mode of communication for their NEXTGEN Deaf or Hard of Hearing child is a protected human right that must be supported by the necessary interventions and services delivered by qualified personnel.
stewardship

NEXTGEN Deaf and their families often face inequitable funding for resources and support for their chosen language and communication methods. We commit to being transparent with our time and donations to equip, educate, and champion for those who lack access to the services and resources they need.

Founders

Andi Hill

Andrea “Andi” Hill

Founder & NEXTGEN Deaf Parent
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Jess Hissam

Jessica “Jess” Hissam

Co-Founder & NEXTGEN Deaf Adult, Executive Director
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Julibeth Jones

Dr. Julibeth Jones

Co-Founder, Director of Audiology Advancement, Professional of NEXTGEN Deaf
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Susan Bunyard

Susan Bunyard

Co-Founder, President of Board of Directors, Professional of NEXTGEN Deaf
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Board of Directors

Susan Bunyard

Susan Bunyard

Co-Founder, President, Professional of NEXTGEN Deaf
Matthew

Matthew Russ

Vice President, NEXTGEN Deaf Sibling
Denise

Denise Marden

Secretary/Treasurer, NEXTGEN Deaf Parent
Sean

Sean Vanden Heuvel

Director of Board, NEXTGEN Deaf Adult