If your child is d/Deaf or hard of hearing, it can affect your whole family. A variety of resources are available to help both you and your child find support and education.
National Organizations and Resources
- The Boston University Wheelock College of Education and Human Development Deaf Center: The BU Deaf Center generates Deaf-centered, evidence-based resources for families, educators, healthcare professionals, and communities so all deaf and hard of hearing children - through complete access to language - will thrive.
- Setting Language in Motion: Family Supports and Early Intervention for Babies Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: This web-based product is a collaborative effort between the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University and Boston Children’s Hospital for early intervention providers, educators of deaf children, early childhood specialists, allied professionals, parents, and other caregivers. Seven modules are provided to share information critical to promoting early language acquisition for young children who are deaf or hard of hearing. This product is available in American Sign Language and spoken English, both with closed captions.
- Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center’s Resources for Families: The NDEC provides additional resources for families and school teams about supporting d/Deaf and hard of hearing children’s language and educational development.
- Language First: Language First aims to educate and raise awareness about ASL/English bilingualism and the importance of a strong first language foundation for Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children. FREE virtual ASL learning strategies and programs can be found here!
- Hands & Voices: Hands & Voices is a nonprofit, parent-driven organization dedicated to supporting families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Their resources are also available in Spanish.
- National Deaf Center: Organization that shares information, networks, and strategies to improve continuing post-secondary education and training for deaf people. Information is available for students and families.
- American Society for Deaf Children: Organization that provides support, encouragement, and information to families raising children who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): The national professional group for audiologists, speech-language pathologists, speech, language, and hearing scientists, and audiology and speech-language pathology assistants.
- American Academy of Pediatrics Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Provider Education Center: The EHDI PEC aims to train and support healthcare professionals to screen, diagnose, and provide services to infants, children, and families who are DHH.
- Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: Provides support, advocacy, and training to help deaf and hard of hearing children hear, speak, and thrive.
Massachusetts-Specific Organizations and Resources
- Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH): MCDHH provides case management services for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families. MCDHH children’s specialists can identify issues, provide education, and connect families with needed services. A referral can be made by contacting the children’s specialist for your region.
- Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program (UNHSP): This program supports families through screening, identification of hearing loss, and early intervention services.
- Specialty Services for Infants/Toddlers Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: A list provided by UNHSP of specialty services for infants/toddlers who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing. Every child with a hearing difference is eligible to receive early intervention AND specialty services. Specialty services are staffed by providers who have special skills and knowledge around hearing loss and are trained to work with families of children with hearing loss. You can talk with your service coordinator about these and review a list of services.
- Financial Assistance for Hearing Aids: If your child is under 21 and your family meets certain income requirements, this program will pay for hearing aids for them.
- Massachusetts Family Sign Language Program: This program provides free weekly sign language instruction to families who live in MA and have a child aged 0 to 3 who is DHH and receives services through an early intervention program.
- Massachusetts State Association for the Deaf (MSAD): Promotes, preserves, and protects the civil, human, and linguistic rights of the Deaf community in the state of Massachusetts.
- Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE): The MA DESE maintains a list of educational programs for children who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing and resources for navigating educational decisions.
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Early Intervention Division (DPH EI): The Early Intervention Division is a program for babies (birth to 3 years old) who may have developmental delays or are at risk for a developmental delay, including hearing and language access. EI services help support families and caregivers to enhance the learning and development of infants and toddlers.
- The Decibels Foundation: The Decibels Foundation’s mission is to provide specialized early intervention, educational services, family support, and access to essential technologies for children with hearing loss from infancy through high school.
How and Where to Learn American Sign Language (ASL)
There are many ways to learn American Sign Language (ASL) so you can communicate with your child. Here are some options:
Language First: Language First offers a list of online and virtual resources for learning ASL for parents, families, children, and professionals.
ASL at Home: ASL at Home is a program for teaching ASL to families of deaf and hard of hearing children. The lessons are organized around routines such as mealtime, bath time, toileting, book sharing, playing, etc., so you can begin learning how to bond and communicate and support your child right away with the language they need. They offer a book in English and Spanish — with connected videos, flashcards, and worksheets — that can be purchased in print form (paperback) or downloaded as a PDF:
- ASL at Home: A Family Curriculum, 2nd Edition (English)
- ASL en casa: un plan de estudio para la familia, 2nda Edicion (Spanish)
Families of deaf or hard of hearing children can also apply to get the PDF for free, courtesy of Sacramento State University:
ASL at Home also offers online classes.
SignOn: SignOn is an online ASL tutoring and mentoring program that provides families and children with a 1:1 Deaf ASL Ambassador/teacher for a personalized learning experience to meet the language needs and goals of each family and child.