M.S., CCC-SLP
Germaine Graham is the founder and CEO of Deafinitely Communicating, a private speech language pathology practice that provides bilingual American Sign Language (ASL) and English services to Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and their families. Through her practice, Germaine educates families and the community at large about the importance of early language acquisition, its impact on the brain, and the benefits of ASL for Deaf children. Germaine has worked as a speech language pathologist (SLP) in Deaf Education for more than a decade in residential, day, and mainstream programs. Her interest in American Sign Language started in high school. While working her first job at McDonalds, Germaine met the 2 Deaf adults that would change the course of her life. Following this encounter, Germaine enrolled in ASL classes during her undergraduate studies at Jackson State University. She would go on to receive her Master’s degree in Communicative Disorders and complete her Clinical Fellowship Year at the Mississippi School for the Deaf. Germaine is a nationally certified SLP with her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) recognized by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). Outside of her work as an SLP, Germaine is wife to husband, Clifton, and a mom of 4 (1 disabled). She enjoys being outdoors and participating in a myriad of athletic activities, spending time with her family, and maintaining an active presence on social media.
Au.D., CCC-A
Michelle Hu has been a pediatric audiologist for over 12 years working specifically with the diagnosis, hearing amplification, cochlear implant evaluation, programming and aural rehabilitation. Something unique about her is that she grew up hard of hearing herself. She was fit with hearing aids at 3 years and now utilizes bilateral cochlear implants. Her personal experience lends to her uncanny ability to relate and be a role model for others with hearing loss. She is a source of strength and hope for parents of children with hearing loss. As a military spouse and mother of three, Hu strives to balance family life, clinical practice and entrepreneurship. During maternity leave with her second child, she found herself missing the relationships created in the clinic with patients and parents. Thus Mama Hu Hears was created as a space where she shares personal and professional experiences with hearing loss and the field of audiology. When thousands of deaf/hard of hearing (DHH) people and parents of DHH children reached out to her for help, guidance and to share their stories, Hu knew she had to do something more. She has created an online program titled “My Child Has Hearing Loss, Now What?” to support anxious and doubtful parents through their family’s DHH journey. Her mission is to serve and empower children/families - especially those who are underserved and underrepresented.
Germaine Graham is receiving compensation for this course. Michelle Hu is receiving compensation for this course.
Germaine Graham has no non-financial relationships to disclose. Michelle Hu has no non-financial relationships to disclose.
Germaine Graham has no additional content information to disclose. Michelle Hu has no additional content information to disclose.
This course, and all courses in the Equity Series, are being sponsored by Having Our Say and SLP Toolkit.
10 mins | Intro, speaker backgrounds |
20 mins | Equity: What is it? What is it NOT; Equity in the DHH space |
20 mins | How to create equity in educational settings; Challenges; Solutions |
10 mins | Q&A |