videos released: December 18, 2025
Application Groups: January 2026
4
Expert Speakers
6
Breakout group opportunities
12
hours of professional development
TIME IS RUNNING OUT!
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON
PRE-RECORDED SESSIONS LAUNCH IN:
00
DAYS
00
HOURS
00
MINS
00
SECS
About thIS Event
It's NOT YOUR AVERAGE VIRTUAL CONFERENCE.
That's All We're Sayin'.
Virtual conferences are convenient—we get it. But let’s be honest: they’re not always inspiring.
That’s why CAID is flipping the script.
We’re bringing you a fresh take on virtual learning: watch the keynotes when it works for you, then join live sessions designed for connection, collaboration, and real-world application.
No more passive webinars. This is professional development that actually sticks.
Buy Your Ticket
Conference Theme:
A SAFE PLACE TO BE
3 KEYNOTE SESSIONS:
Creating Linguistic Environments Where Deaf Children Can Thrive
Creating a Rich and Inclusive Language Environment for All Deaf Students: How?
From First Read to Fluent Read with DHH Students
FEATURING
Keynote
Creating Linguistic Environments Where Deaf Children Can Thrive
Kimberly Ofori-Sanzo
LANGUAGE FIRST
Dr. Kimberly Ofori‑Sanzo is a nationally recognized speech-language pathologist and one of the leading voices in the field of language deprivation among deaf and hard-of-hearing children. With over a decade of experience, she has worked in a variety of educational settings, including schools for the deaf, and currently serves as the founder and director of Language First, an initiative dedicated to promoting early, accessible bilingual language acquisition. She holds advanced degrees from the University of Vermont, Gallaudet University, and a clinical doctorate in speech-language pathology. She is a board-certified specialist in child language (BCS-CL) and co-founder of the American Board of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialists.
As both a clinician and researcher, Dr. Ofori‑Sanzo bridges theory and practice to advocate for systems that recognize and address the lifelong impact of early language access.
Keynote
Creating a Rich and Inclusive Language Environment for All Deaf Students: How?
Candace Jones and Reginald Bess
Doctoral Student
Lecturer II & Ph.D. Candidate
Gallaudet University
Candace Jones and Reggie Bess bring a powerful dual perspective drawing from their lived experiences as Black Deaf individuals and accomplished educators. Candace, a proud alumna of the Florida School for the Deaf and a current doctoral student in Critical Studies in Deaf Education at Gallaudet University, brings 20 years of experience across K-12 and higher education settings. Her work centers on supporting families, educators, and communities in creating inclusive, culturally responsive environments. Reggie, a Gallaudet Ph.D. candidate and mathematics lecturer, contributes insight from his mainstream public school experience and over a decade of teaching math and serving as a behavior specialist at the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf. Together, they will explore how school environments—both Deaf and mainstream—can foster rich language access and equitable outcomes for all Deaf learners. Their session blends research, experience, and passion to inspire a more inclusive future in Deaf education.
Keynote
FROM FIRST READ TO FLUENT READ
Kelsey Spurgin
Ball State University
Kelsey Spurgin, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor and Deaf Education Program Manager in the Department of Special Education at Ball State University. Her work focuses on preparing pre-service teachers to effectively support deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students across diverse language and learning backgrounds. Dr. Spurgin’s teaching and research center on equitable literacy instruction, with particular emphasis on language, writing, and reading development for DHH learners. Her research also explores applications of culturally responsive teaching and interdisciplinary collaboration to promote meaningful learning outcomes. Dr. Spurgin brings eight years of K-12 classroom experience to her work, having taught English Language Arts and reading with DHH students in both self-contained and inclusion settings. She draws from these experiences to inform her research, teaching, and service.
Conference Schedule
Pre-recorded Sessions Launch
December 18
Watch the recorded trainings on your schedule, at your own pace.
Dive into the content before the live networking and application sessions—so you show up ready to connect, reflect, and apply what you’ve learned.
Creating Linguistic Environments Where Deaf Children Can Thrive
Creating a Rich and Inclusive Language Environment for All Deaf Students: How?
From First Read to Fluent Read with DHH Students
Networking and Application Groups
January 10-25
Take your learning further with live, small-group networking and application sessions. These gatherings are designed to help you translate knowledge into action—offering real-time collaboration and meaningful conversation with peers and presenters.
From First Read to Fluent Application Group #1
From First Read to Fluent Application Group #2
Creating a Rich and Inclusive Language Environment for All Deaf Students: How? Application Group #1
Creating a Rich and Inclusive Language Environment for All Deaf Students: How?Application Group #2
Creating Linguistic Environments Where Deaf Children Can Thrive Application Group #1
Creating Linguistic Environments Where Deaf Children Can Thrive Application Group #2
Official Sponsors
Registration
Why become a member of CAID?
