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Hands & Voices:
Non-biased Support for Families of Children Who are Deaf or Hard
of Hearing
For more articles like this
visit
http://www.bridges4kids.org.
Hands & Voices
is a national, parent driven non-profit organization that
includes parents of American Sign Language signers, cued speech
users, kids with cochlear implants, and total communicators. The
organization values diversity and honors parents while creating
a safe place to explore options and receive unbiased support.
Parents learn from each other and are linked by their common
interest related to raising a child who is deaf or hard of
hearing. More information about the national organization can be
viewed at
www.handsandvoices.org.
A Michigan Chapter of Hands & Voices has been formed. A board is
in place and by-laws are under development. Now is an excellent
time for parents to become involved in creating an organization
that meet their needs. Future activities may include outreach
events, educational seminars, advocacy, parent-to-parent
networking, and a newsletter. By connecting families with
resources and information, informed decisions can be made around
the issues of deafness and hearing loss.
The chapter's motto is: what works for your child is what makes
the choice right. The chapter will strive to network with
families of Deaf/Hard of Hearing people and professionals. They
would like every child identified with a hearing loss to have
access to all the options available for communication and
resources. It is important that children and families are able
to talk with others who have similar experiences and have access
to resources.
The Chapter's support comes from the Early Hearing Detection and
Intervention (EHDI) program of the Michigan Department of
Community Health with grant funds from the Maternal Child Health
Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.
S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The board meets the fourth Saturday of every month in Holt,
Michigan. For more information or to become a part of this
dynamic and necessary organization, contact Amy Lester, Parent
Consultant for the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention
Program at
lestera@michigan.gov or 517-335-8273. You may also contact
Michigan Association for Deaf Hearing and Speech services (MADHS)
at 1-800-YOUR-EAR.
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