Introducing Our New Assistive Technology Study
Revolutionizing Sensory Perception for Deaf-Blind Individuals
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
The number of DeafBlind kids in the United States under 18 years old.
Families in our study from Arizona and Texas
The children in our study are engaged in a completely touch-based language, Protactile, with DeafBlind adults
Investigating early language acquisition for DeafBlind children through touch-based protactile communication.
Examining how DeafBlind children contribute to the development and evolution of protactile language.
Exploring the benefits of early exposure to protactile language for the enhancement of DeafBlind children's linguistic development.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Primary Investigator (PI)
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Deanna Gagne is a professor at Gallaudet University, with expertise in child development, specializing in how children acquire and create language.
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Protactile Experts & Consulting Team
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Hayley Broadway is a Protactile expert and education specialist with experience in curriculum design, teaching, and working with families of DeafBlind children.
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Research Team
Jenna Gorlewicz is a professor at Saint Louis University, who specializes in designing touch-based communication technologies.
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Staff
Ashley Jackson is a research assistant with the MAC Lab, contributing to studies on language acquisition and providing support across research projects in the areas of deaf and DeafBlind communication.
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Staff
Kenni Ramirez is a research assistant with the MAC Lab, supporting data collection and analysis across ongoing studies in protactile language acquisition and sign language learning.
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PhD Student
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Marjorie Bates is a PhD candidate in Linguistics at Gallaudet University. As a hearing, second-language learner of ASL and Protactile, Marjorie is interested in the cognitive processes (e.g., attention, metaphorical mapping) that contribute to understanding across modalities, including visual (sign, gesture, written), tactile, and spoken/auditory.
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Staff
Jessica Ennis is a member of the MAC Lab's Austin Team, supporting field research and data collection efforts related to protactile language acquisition and DeafBlind communication.
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Staff
Kim Powers is a member of the MAC Lab's Austin Team, contributing to research activities and community engagement efforts focused on protactile and DeafBlind language development.
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Staff
Jason Herbers is a member of the MAC Lab team, contributing to the study of protactile language and supporting research with DeafBlind children and families.
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Jelica Nuccio is a member of the MAC Lab team, bringing lived experience and expertise as a DeafBlind protactile practitioner to the lab's research and outreach.
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John Lee Clark is a DeafBlind author, poet, and protactile advocate who contributes to the MAC Lab's work on protactile language and DeafBlind culture and communication.
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DeafBlind Protactile Educator Expert
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My journey encompasses being a DeafBlind mentor, raising two Deaf children and following the Protactile movement. I interact with many DeafBlind folks from all backgrounds and in different environments/platforms, such as at retreats, through direct training and on listservs. Fostering access to information through touch allows us to lead meaningful lives.
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Roberto Cabrera is a member of the MAC Lab team at Gallaudet University, supporting research initiatives focused on protactile language and DeafBlind communication.
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Heather Holmes is a member of the MAC Lab team at Gallaudet University, contributing to research on language, cognition, and communication in deaf and DeafBlind communities.
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Marie Coppola, PhD is a collaborating researcher affiliated with the MAC Lab, bringing expertise in language emergence and the study of communication in deaf and hearing populations.
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Terra Edwards, PhD is a collaborating researcher affiliated with the MAC Lab, whose work focuses on protactile language and the linguistic and social practices of the DeafBlind community.
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Revolutionizing Sensory Perception for Deaf-Blind Individuals
PT Kids Study: From project launch to exciting milestones, empowering DeafBlind children through protactile language acquisition. Stay connected for updates!
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
