VI. Marin P. Allen, Ph.D.

Marin Allen, Ph.D., Chief, Office of Health Communication and Public Liaison, NIDCD, described the communication recommendation from the "NIDCD Working Group on Considerations for Developing and Implementing Genetic Diagnostic Tests for Hereditary Hearing Impairment and Other Communication Disorders" that preceded this meeting. The related recommendation was to evaluate methods for providing education and counseling to scientists, the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, and the public to facilitate informed consent. Allen gave the charge to the group to develop guidelines and recommend materials to be used to educate a broad variety of scientists in all fields, clinical practitioners, deaf and hard-of- hearing individuals and the general public, about the need for improving informed consent for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. She asked that, in addition to guidelines, the group provide recommended materials or identify areas where materials are needed to help facilitate this communication.

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