This article argues that the need for and right to communication and language is fundamental to the human condition. It contends that given the historic difficulties children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing face, a constitutional right to communication is both necessary and legally sound. Relevant case law is reviewed. (Contains references.) (CR)

The "ISSS Annual Conference Proceedings" is a peer-reviewed professional publication published once a year following the annual conference. (Individual papers contain references.) [For the 2009 proceedings, see ED504973.]