As we all cope with our “new normal” and struggle to grasp the magnitude of what’s happening — and the uncertainty of what’s to come — I want to take a moment to pause and check in with you. This is what I know for sure:
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People first, projects second.
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All plans can and may change.
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Flexibility and back-up plans are critical.
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Sometimes it helps to embrace the chaos.
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We need communication more than certainty.
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Computing systems and the internet are essential services.
And I know NDC will be here to support you through the challenges ahead.
Our NDC team will continue to keep a pulse on the most pressing issues and produce new resources you need to ensure all deaf youth can thrive and succeed through this hardship. As I told Inside Higher Ed last week, access is more than accommodations — now more than ever.
We are grateful to be part of a family of U.S. Department of Education Technical Assistance and Dissemination Centers. You can find more resources coming online every day at our sister centers such as NCSI, NTACT, NCDB, NCEO, IRIS, and more.
What else can we do for you? If there are other resources we can develop, forums we can host, questions we can answer, or ways we can improve our COVID-19 response, please let us know at help@nationaldeafcenter.org.
Remember: We’re in this together.
Most sincerely,
Stephanie W. Cawthon, PhD
Director, National Deaf Center
