Parents at Family Learning Vacation (FLV) marvel at how their young deaf children gain the confidence to do all sorts of new things on the Gallaudet campus. Even just seeing them order food on their own in the cafeteria, where there are no communication barriers, can seem magical.
Latrina Harris-Lewis, ’02 & G-’04, FLV’s Family Activity Coordinator, says this is not the norm for many families with deaf children who don’t get to meet a range of deaf people in their schools and communities. With an emphasis on speech and cochlear implants, the focus is on “fixing the problem,” she explains.
“Being deaf is not the problem — that is the very pervasive medical perspective that parents are sold. But when families learn about culture, the necessity of sign language and communication, the whole picture of a Deaf individual emerges,” says Harris-Lewis.
Families may hear about the Deaf community and Deaf Culture, but without experiencing them firsthand, both remain abstract concepts. Situating deaf and hard of hearing children in a broader community where entire families are welcome is at the heart of the FLV experience.
Gallaudet’s School of Language, Culture, and Education Educator and FLV Director Candace Jones, ’08, says many parents in FLV have never been in an environment like this, where they are surrounded by Deaf people with advanced degrees, occupying professional roles, and healthy families. “This gives parents a powerful opportunity to envision future possibilities for their children,” says Jones. Lewis agrees: “Many parents were in awe to see how educated deaf people can be, and that gives them hope for their own children’s futures,” she says.
Finding a safe haven
In summer 2025, Family Learning Vacation (FLV) returned to Gallaudet after a 30-year hiatus. A labor of love spearheaded by Jones, the program welcomed eighteen families last year; that number more than doubled to 38 this summer. During a week at Gallaudet, caregivers attend workshops on family mental health, language learning and acquisition, cultural identity and empowerment, and supporting deafblind children, among other topics.
While their parents attend these sessions, a mix of deaf children and their hearing siblings attend camp with peers. This year, Jones hired student workers, most of whom study in Gallaudet’s Early Intervention Studies, Education, and Social Work programs. FLV children had access to some very fun and impressive role models, while Gallaudet students got hands-on experience working with families and children.
Dr. Mary Perrodin-Singh, Gallaudet’s Interim Assistant Dean of Graduate Education and FLV Youth Coordinator, said she was blown away by the children’s language skills, intuitive inclusivity, and how incredibly charming they could be. Over the course of the week, seeing the growth of the deaf children’s siblings, or SODAs, also stood out to Perrodin-Singh. “Most of these kids only know their deaf brother or sister. Here, they see their deaf siblings become fast friends with others independently, while they [SODAs] make their own friends,” she says.
With a healthy mix of structured and unstructured time, Families connect with one another over meals, fun activities, and DC field trips. It’s not a surprise that half of the families who attended FLV last year returned this summer — Jones says many parents crave the connection. They feel seen and valued at FLV and see it as a safe haven. “Here, they can celebrate their child being deaf, rather than someone to be cured. They get accurate information that goes beyond dualities,” she says. “Instead, all options are open; we make sure all children have access to all kinds of communication models, and we follow the child, based on their communication skills.”
Diversity is just the reality
Jones says families participating in FLV reflect the true diversity of deaf communities: they represent a range of ethnic and racial identities, language and language fluency, physical ability, neurodiversity, and regions of the country. The definition of family at FLV is also expansive and true to life: there were families with adopted children, blended families, stepchildren, and even some best friends. Harris-Lewis was also impressed by the increase in the number of father-figure role models involved this year. “Men can be shy to sign; my own was, but it is heartening to see fathers, grandfathers, and uncles getting involved and signing to each other,” she says.
Some families experienced culture shock upon encountering this diversity for the first time and were surprised that, despite never having interacted with each other, children formed bonds very quickly. “But it is natural how quickly they got along, because they share being deaf in common. They are all equal as peers, and no one is excluded or marginalized,” says Jones.
“FLV is not just about signing and being deaf. It is about community, family, and chosen family. One mom was reluctant to sign up because she has one deaf child and two hearing ones, but the point is they all come together and see what the Deaf World can be like,” Harris-Lewis says.
When learning comes home
FLV stays with families long after waving goodbye. From their evaluations and social media posts, parents say they leave feeling confident and inspired to apply what they learned. Some of those plans include prioritizing bilingualism or multilingualism, seeking out connections with nearby families with deaf children, and using the many resources they learned about, such as Sign Up Media, a free service that provides interpretation for shows on major streaming services.
Even bigger changes are in the works for others. At least one family plans to relocate to the area to attend Kendall Demonstration Elementary School, while others are laying early foundations to become future students at Gallaudet. As their orientation through FLV made crystal clear, they are more than welcome here.
Keep tabs on Family Learning Vacation through Instagram and its webpage.
