Dancing with the Stars winner Nyle DiMarco’s nonprofit foundation reveals its first organizational partner, Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids (LEAD-K), a national education campaign promoting Kindergarten-readiness through early language acquisition.
Los Angeles, CA—August 18, 2016 – In a significant step towards its goal of supporting deaf and hard of hearing children acquire language and literacy, the Nyle DiMarco Foundation entered into a partnership agreement with Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids (LEAD-K). A key focus of this partnership is providing families with knowledge on how to give their deaf or hard of hearing newborn the gift of language.
LEAD-K will act as the Foundation’s partner for policy and advocacy. “LEAD-K’s efforts align with Nyle DiMarco Foundation,” DiMarco said in a video announcement. “We will work together to raise awareness and understanding about the need to end language deprivation and provide resources and tools for early language learning through American Sign Language (ASL) and English. Early language acquisition equals a lifetime of successes.”
“LEAD-K is honored to partner with NDF to work on similar goals to strengthen policies by advocating for equal access to language acquisition for Deaf and Hard of Hearing kids so they will be Kindergarten-Ready.” said Sheri Farinha, Campaign Director for LEAD-K. “Our work has only just begun.”
To kick off the partnership, DiMarco announced a fundraising challenge to raise $25,000 for LEAD-K. The Nyle DiMarco Foundation will donate the first $12,500 and is encouraging supporters to donate the remaining $12,500. “The funds raised from this challenge goes towards LEAD-K’s advocacy and public awareness efforts towards language competency for deaf and hard of hearing children in the United States.”
###
For more information on Nyle DiMarco Foundation’s partnership with LEAD-K, visit https://nyledimarcofoundation.com/lead-k- fundraising-challenge/
For Immediate Release
Press Contact: pr@nyledimarcofoundation.com