The Regional Early Acquisition of Language (REAL) Project is a collaboration between Gallaudet University’s Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center and Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) and is housed on the campus of AIDB in Talladega, Alabama. The REAL Project serves nine Southeastern states including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

The mission of the REAL Project is to ensure that infants and toddlers randing in age from birth to 3 years old and who are deaf or hard of hearing has full access to languages, including American Sign Language and English. The first few years of life are critical for language acquisition because it prepares children to be “school- ready” when they enter school. The REAL Project establishes a network of resources and tools for Early Intervention teams and families. More information about resources and tools will come soon.

Suzanne Mattox, Director

Suzanne Mattox joined the REAL Project in 2019 as its Director. A native of Birmingham, AL, Suzanne was born profoundly deaf and raised by hearing parents.  Suzanne graduated from Samford University in 2006 with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood/Special Early Childhood/Elementary Education/Special Education and from Valdosta State University in 2013 with a Master’s Degree in Deaf Education.

Because of her background, Suzanne knew that she wanted to be a teacher for the Deaf and instill a passion for knowledge in her students. Suzanne worked as a preschool teacher for the Deaf at the Preschool Center for the Sensory Impaired in Mobile, AL, for 3 years.  Suzanne also worked part time as a special instructor/parent advisor in AIDB’s Early Intervention program, working with several families who had infants and toddlers who were deaf. In 2009 Suzanne moved to Talladega, AL to teach preschool – 3^rd grade at Alabama School for the Deaf.

Suzanne’s 13 years of teaching experience in preschool and elementary classrooms for the deaf led her in a different career path, which involves working with Early Intervention and families. Suzanne’s goal is to ensure that each child who is deaf and hard of hearing will be ‘school-ready’ with a strong foundation of language before enrolling in a preschool setting. When Suzanne is not at work, she enjoys reading and spending quality time with her family.

Suzanne Sayers, Administrative Assistant

Suzanne Sayers became the REAL Project Administrative Assistant in April 2020. Suzanne has been employed at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind for 18 years. Suzanne’s career at AIDB began in the Human Resource department before transferring to the E. H. Gentry Facility (EHG) where she worked for 7 years. E. H. Gentry is a training program/rehabilitation campus for Deaf, Blind and General Caseload clients where she enjoyed working with a very diverse population of clients through Adult Education, Independent Living, Assistive Technology, and Work Experience programs. Suzanne left EHG to join the staff of Alabama Industries for the Blind, which provides employment in the manufacturing field to individuals who are blind, visually impaired, Deaf, hard of hearing or multidisabled. 

When Suzanne is not at work, she enjoys going to the lake for the weekend, spending time with family, and visiting her daughter in Destin, FL.