John Tracy Clinic

When a child is born with a severe hearing loss, the impact on the parents and the problems facing the child and the entire family are staggering. The purpose of John Tracy Clinic is to provide, at no cost, support for parents in dealing with the impact of deafness and to train them in helping their young deaf child develop communication skills. What any child learn depends on the love, understanding, support, and knowledge of the parents. The Clinic is a place where parents of young deaf children may come or may write for information, encouragement, guidance and training. Its professional staff offers worldwide programs and services for parents to help their children learn to communicate, and to provide insight into the attitudes and the feelings of those in the family and community who so deeply affect a child's development.

Louise Tracy, wife of actor Spencer Tracy, founded John Tracy Clinic in 1942. This pioneering, parent-centered education center was named in honor of the Tracys' son, John, who was born deaf. Its mission is to rebuild dreams for preschool deaf children and their parents through education, training, counseling and other free programs offered worldwide.

JTC Highlights of 2004:

• Conducted hearing screenings for more than 15,000 preschoolers and toddlers in four regional counties.
• Performed over 1,200 audiological exams on young children suspected of having a hearing loss.
• Provided bi-weekly support groups and classes for 279 parents of deaf children on-site.
• Guided over 346 children and parents through the Demonstration Home and Preschool programs in Los Angels and Long Beach.
• Served over 3000 families across the United States and in 85 countries around the world through Correspondence Distance Education and International Summer Sessions.
• Educated hundreds of teachers and other professionals through a variety of seminars, tours, and conferences throughout the year.

Visit the John Tracy Clinic web page at www.jtc.org for more information.