Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education

09/25/2026

The Center attended the Fall Conference for the Indiana Council of Administrators of Special Education (ICASE) this week!
This event was a wonderful opportunity for us to connect with special education directors from across the state. Attendees stopped by our booth to learn more about the programs and services we offer at The Center.
If you attended ICASE, did you happen to stop by our booth? If you have any questions for us, feel free to leave them below—one of our staff members will be happy to connect with you.

Pictured: Sarah Kiefer, our Deaf Education Coordinator, along with our table of resources and swag!

09/23/2026

09/22/2026

We’re proud to share that our team had the opportunity to attend and present at the first Annual Indiana Sensory Access, Inclusion & Learning (INSAIL) Conference! This inaugural event brought together professionals from across Indiana dedicated to supporting students with sensory disabilities and advancing inclusive, accessible learning for all.
Our staff contributed to this important work by presenting on key topics that support meaningful access for students who are deaf/hard of hearing and blind/low vision. Thank you to Dr. Jacqueline Katter, Sarah Kiefer, Dr. Kelsey Large, and Kjari Newell for sharing your knowledge and best practices with attendees.
Staff Presentations at INSAIL 2026:
• Thinking About Thinking: Why Theory of Mind Matters
• Functional Listening Evaluations That Matter
• Beyond the FLE: Listening Assessments for the Classroom
• The Road to Readiness: What Educators Should Know about DHH Early Intervention

09/09/2026

🎓 Congratulations, Dr. Jacqueline D. Hall-Katter!🌟

We are incredibly proud to celebrate our colleague on earning her Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology (SLPD) from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions!

Her commitment to continued learning, professional excellence, and serving children and families is something worth celebrating. We are fortunate to have her knowledge, experience, and passion as part of our Assessment team here at the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Hall-Katter on this incredible accomplishment! 🎓👏

08/31/2026

🌟 Welcome, Shannon Wheeler! 🌟
We’re excited to introduce Shannon as an Early Intervention Specialist on our Center team!

Shannon brings a strong background in Speech-Language Pathology, including school-based and early intervention experience supporting deaf and hard of hearing children. Her expertise and passion for early communication support make her an incredible addition to our work.

In her free time, Shannon loves traveling and discovering new restaurants with her husband and son.

We’re thrilled to have her on the team—welcome, Shannon! 💛🙌

08/28/2026

🌟 Welcome, Claire Decker! 🌟
We’re excited to introduce Claire Decker as the Visual Language Specialist on our Center Assessment team and a Family Navigator in the CDHHE Network!
Claire is passionate about bridging the gap between families and the school system so every child receives the support they deserve. Her dedication to empowering families shines through in everything she does.
Outside of work, Claire loves traveling with her family, cheering on the Indiana Fever, and spending time in the kitchen cooking up something delicious.
We’re thrilled to have her on the team—welcome, Claire! 💛🙌

08/27/2026

🎉 Celebrating 19 Years of Service! 🎉

Please join us in celebrating Michelle Coleman, our dedicated Early Intervention Specialist, for an incredible 19 years of service at the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education.

Michelle supports families across Indiana from the very first DHH identification all the way through school-age transition at age three. Her guidance, compassion, and expertise help parents navigate each step with confidence and knowledge. Michelle’s long-standing commitment to early intervention continues to make a powerful difference in the lives of children and families statewide.

Thank you, Michelle, for your unwavering support and for continually advancing our mission. We are truly grateful for the impact you make every day.

08/26/2026

🌟 Welcome to the Team, Julie! 🌟
We’re excited to introduce Julie, our newest Early Intervention Specialist at the Center!

Julie brings a rich background in both education and early intervention. She’s passionate about empowering families with the knowledge and tools they need to advocate for their children and support healthy development.

When she’s not at the Center, you’ll likely find her traveling, reading, playing games, or enjoying the great outdoors.
We’re so glad to have Julie on board — please join us in giving her a warm welcome! 💛

08/20/2026

🎉 Celebrating Six Years of Service! 🎉

Please join us in celebrating Gigi Bartholomew, our outstanding Administrative Assistant, for six years of dedicated service with the Indiana Department of Health.
Gigi is the heart of daily operations at the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education. Her commitment, organization, and unwavering support ensure that our team can fulfill its mission every single day. She consistently goes above and beyond, making a meaningful difference in the lives of staff, students, and families across the state.

Thank you, Gigi, for your continued dedication and the steady strength you bring to our work. We appreciate you!

08/11/2026

🎉 Welcome to the 2026–2027 academic year!

✨ Join us Monday, August 17th for our Educational Interpreter Round Table(EIRT) focused on using space as a grammatical feature in ASL.

You’ll learn:
• 4 functions of space in ASL ✍️
• Subject/object agreement through movement 🔄
• Mapping a school layout into signing space 🏫
🆓 Free session • No registration
🎓 Up to .2 CEUs for RID • 2 contact hours for others
⏰ 6–8 PM EST / 5–7 PM CST
🔗 Same Zoom link each month:
https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1604863888?pwd=aHErQaqY1KHVqF0DJMcUi1WCdn3uXR.1
Meeting ID: 160 486 3888
Passcode: 934177
See you there! 🌟