Click here if you are interested in participating with your child.

What is this study about?

We are interested in learning how DeafBlind children learn a new language that is completely accessible through touch, called "protactile language."   We are seeking participation from families with DeafBlind children aged 0-5.

While we are currently working with families in Arizona and Texas, we welcome interest from families in other areas of the country as potential future research sites. 

Email: ptkids@gallaudet.edu

Click here if you are interested in participating with your child.
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10,000+

The number of DeafBlind kids in the United States under 18 years old.

365

Every day brings new opportunities for DeafBlind children to unlock their linguistic potential with protactile language.

Millions

The number of concepts waiting to be explored and described in protactile.

Infinite∞

The possibilities that open up when DeafBlind children embrace the richness of protactile language in their lives.

Early Exploration

Investigating early language acquisition for DeafBlind children through touch-based protactile communication.

Language Evolution

Examining how DeafBlind children contribute to the development and evolution of protactile language.

Accessible Communication

Exploring the benefits of early exposure to protactile language for the enhancement of DeafBlind children's linguistic development.

A black and white photo of Hayley Broadway and her son Brennan communicating in Protactile.
Hayley Broadway and Jelica Nuccio communicate in Protactile.

What is protactile language?

Protactile language developed among DeafBlind adults since about 2007 as part of the Protactile movement. While many of those DeafBlind adults had learned American Sign Language before, the two languages are  now very different.  Protactile language has been shown to have its own, new grammar that is completely accessible to DeafBlind people.

Are you interested in participating in this study with your child?

What do participating families do?

Parents spend 1-2 hours per week learning protactile language.
Parents practice these skills with their children daily.
Children will spend between 1-8 hours per week interacting with a trained Protactile educator.
Children will have potential opportunities to interact with other peers.
Children's language development will be recorded through video recording, limited experiments with wearable haptics for pre-cognitive language assessments, team field notes, and family observations.
Study participation will begin in 2023, lasting through 2027.
A black and white photo of Hayley Broadway and her son Brennan communicating in Protactile.

Why children?

Protactile language is new; only adults have grown and used this language so far. But we know that learning language early in life is key to child development and that children contribute to language growth. We hope to teach DeafBlind children Protactile as a language that would be accessible to them from an early age.

What are the options for participation?

This study is designed to be flexible, using various approaches to meet the learning needs of families and schools serving DeafBlind children between the ages of 0 and 5 years old:

- Online lessons and support are available with pre-recorded videos and live video sessions. 

Sessions with your child are designed with several options: 
- Short in-person visits from the Protactile expert at your home.
- Classroom-based sessions between your child and the Protactile educator.
- Small group sessions led by the Protactile educator.

Heather Holmes holds a baby on her lab communicating in PT.
A closeup of two peoples’ hands exploring objects together in co-presence.

What do participating families receive?

As with all research, participation is completely voluntary.  Participating families will receive compensation for time spent video recording in the home and for completing research related forms.

While this study is not designed to provide therapeutic assistance, some families may benefit from the following:
- Access to resources about protactile language.
- Individualized sessions to learn protactile language with a protactile educator.
- Individualized sessions for their child with a protactile educator.

Meet The Team

Deanna Gagne, PhD: A headshot of Deanna looking into the camera with a slight smile, her hair down.
Deanna Gagne

Deanna Gagne is a professor at Gallaudet University, with expertise in child development, specializing in how children acquire and create language.

Research Team

Hayley Broadway, M. Ed.: An action shot of Hayley outdoors in a three-way PT conversation, grinning.
Hayley Broadway

Hayley Broadway is a Protactile expert and education specialist with experience in curriculum design, teaching, and working with families of DeafBlind children.

Protactile Experts & Consulting Team

Jenna Gorlewicz

Jenna Gorlewicz is a professor at Saint Louis University, who specializes in designing touch-based communication technologies.

Research Team

Marjorie Bates, MA: A headshot of Marjorie smiling against a plain background.
Marjorie Bates
Jessica Ennis, MA: An outdoor action shot of Jess mid- PT thought.
Jessica Ennis
Phoenix Cook
Hayley Broadway, M. Ed.: An action shot of Hayley outdoors in a three-way PT conversation, grinning.
Hayley Broadway
Kim Powers
Jessica Ennis, MA: An outdoor action shot of Jess mid- PT thought.
Jessica Ennis
John Lee Clark
Jelica Nuccio
Jason Herbers
Rhonda Voight-Campbell
Roberto Cabrera
Terra Edwards, PhD
Marie Coppola, PhD
Heather Holmes, MA
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PT Kids Fall Updates

PT Kids Study: From project launch to exciting milestones, empowering DeafBlind children through protactile language acquisition. Stay connected for updates!

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The Role of Children in Language Growth

Examines the dynamic and often overlooked contributions of DeafBlind children to the development and evolution of language.

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Exploring Protactile Language in Early Childhood

Protactile language, a touch-based communication system, has emerged as a groundbreaking linguistic innovation within the DeafBlind community.

Contact Us

Thank you for your interest in PTKids! We welcome your inquiries, collaboration opportunities, and feedback. Please reach out to us using the contact information provided, and our team will be delighted to connect with you.

800 Florida Avenue NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

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