A diverse panel of experts including parents, deaf professionals, early intervention program leaders, specialists, and researchers from ten nations convened in Bad Ischl, Austria, in June of 2012 for the purpose of coming to consensus on recommended practices to guide family-centered early intervention (FCEI) with children who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH). The document described the practices, related program and provider behaviors, and evidence supporting their use (drawing upon studies from multiple disciplines and nations).
The goal of this effort was to promote widespread implementation of validated, evidence-based principles for family-centered early intervention with children who are deaf and hard of hearing and their families. The resulting “FCEI Principles” was published in the Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education in and made available on www.fcei.at.
In 2019, an update to the FCEI Principles included review and input from diverse stakeholders including DLIA (Deaf Leadership International Alliance), professional practitioners, program administrators, researchers, parent leaders from GPODHH (Global Coalition of Parents of Deaf/Hard of Hearing Children), and an Advisory Committee of approximately 50 members from all over the world. The FCEI principles update incorporates new evidence and resources supporting FCEI implementation. The update is in progress and the plan is to publish it as a set of papers, including expanded components (e.g., Introduction, Methods, Principles, Additional Citations, Resources, and Call to Action). Once published and authorized by the journal, the update will be accessible on www.fcei.at.
The FCEI Principles (Moeller et al., 2013) have been translated* in eight written languages and one signed language (see links below).
*Translations have not been verified for accuracy, but simply posted as provided by representatives from those countries or sources.
FCEI Principles for download
ASL (American Sign Language):