The majority of communication is non-verbal. And yet, for deaf children, we typically only prioritize providing an implant or hearing aid. Kyle DeCarlo argues that we're asking the wrong question: the question is not how can we give a deaf baby access to sound, but how can we give them access to language. Kyle DeCarlo is a TED Global Fellow and is a founder of the Deaf Health Initiative, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization bringing together organizations, policy makers, and world renowned researchers to address social and health issues which negatively impact the Deaf community.

Through advocacy, policy, and the creation of new technologies, DHI works to forge coalitions and campaigns that improve the public health and wellbeing of the Deaf community.

This past year, Kyle was named a TED Global Fellow as part of the TED organization’s “Builders. Truth-Tellers. Catalysts.” cohort. Kyle is a graduate of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, where he earned his graduate degree in public policy.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx