Early Language Acquisition Project

The Early Language Acquisition Project (ELAP) is a collaboration between Gallaudet University’s Laurent
Clerc National Deaf Education Center and AIDB. It is housed on the campus of AIDB in Talladega, AL.
The ELAP serves nine states in the Southeast, which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana,
Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
The mission of the ELAP is to ensure that each deaf and hard of hearing infant and toddler ranging in the
age of birth to 3 years old 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 them to be “school-
ready” when they enter schools. The ELAP establishes a network of resources and tools for Early
Intervention teams and families. More information about resources and tools will come soon.