DISCOVERING AG BELL

At the Atlanta Speech School, where Marin and later, her sister Nala – who was also born with hearing loss – were enrolled, the Zoccas learned about the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. AG Bell is an international nonprofit organization that brings families and professionals together to support children with hearing loss. AG Bell's community includes families who have children who are deaf or hard of hearing, adults who are deaf or hard of hearing, and the professionals who work with them. For 132 years, AG Bell has worked to ensure that every child who is deaf or hard of hearing has the opportunity to learn to talk, attend mainstream schools, and thrive in society.

Marin and Nala Zocca are among the more than 34 million children worldwide who are deaf or hard of hearing. More than 30 million of these children are born to parents who can hear. With training and technology, nearly all of them can learn to hear and talk. Early intervention makes all the difference. AG Bell's Cradle to Career concept ensures that families around the world have access to quality resources to help their child learn to listen, speak, and achieve their potential. Membership in AG Bell is free to friends and family. Professionals, who are vital to children's success, pay a fee and receive special benefits like: publications discounts for educational sessions, and networking opportunities to support their excellence.

When Marin was diagnosed, Michael and Naticia were both working parents. The school was 45 minutes away from their house. For the next nine years, Michael drove Marin and then her sister to school, Monday through Friday.

"Going from two incomes to one, adding the expense of school tuition, fuel for all the miles I was driving on a daily basis, wear and tear on the car, etc., was a real financial struggle," Zocca said.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

One of the ways in which AG Bell supports its families is with financial assistance. The Parent & Infant Financial Aid Program helps families as they take initial steps to provide their child with hearing technology and therapy. There are also financial aid programs for preschool and school age children, and one for arts and science activities. College scholarships are offered as well.

"The financial support from AG Bell allowed us to put both girls on a path to success by giving them, and us as parents, access to early intervention," Zocca said. Through this assistance, they met professionals and educators in the field, who helped them change the girls' lives for the better. They have also built lifelong friendships and connections with others in the community, such as other families like them.

AG BELL COMMUNITY

AG Bell does more than provide financial assistance and general support. There are four goal areas which help the organization carry out its mission: Advocacy and Communications, Community Building, Capacity Building, and Leadership and Management. AG Bell works to promote issues relevant to children and adults with hearing loss, to legislators, regulators, healthcare systems, the media, and educational and legal systems. The organization also participates in a variety of coalitions, like the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing.

NOW HEAR THIS: Gavin Frost (above) has recieved multiple scholarships and is an advocate for his community; (Opposite page) Nala Zocca, who, like her sister Marin, was treated with bilateral cochlear implants, is at the top of her grade at school.

AG Bell's vibrant community of 17,000 provides information and opportunities for its members like: online resources, parent advocacy training, a digital magazine, an e-newsletter, a Parent Hotline, a network of state chapters, and leadership programs for teens.

The Listen-Learn-Link Parent Hotline began in June 2018 to address the need for parental support. Starting the journey can be overwhelming, so this resource allows parents, caregivers, and guardians for children newly identified with hearing loss, to connect with Julie Swaim, AG Bell's Early Intervention Parent Consultant, who speaks both English and Spanish. Within 24 hours

ABOUT THE ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL ASSOCIATION FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING

AG Bell works globally to ensure that people who are deaf and hard of hearing can hear and speak. AG Bell provides support, information, resources and more to help guide you on your journey. AG Bell wants all families to be informed and supported, professionals to be appropriately qualified to teach and help children with hearing loss, public policy leaders to effectively address the needs of people with hearing loss, and communities to be empowered to help their neighbors with hearing loss succeed. Learn more at agbell.org