Family Resources
Guide By Your Side (GBYS) was created by Hands & Voices TM. Their parent guides are all parents of a child with hearing loss. The trained guides provide unbiased information about communication options, help families navigate through the system, link families with local and national parent-to-parent resources and assist families with advocating for their child in health care and school settings. Most importantly, GBYS encourages families, offering hope and the tools to fulfill the dreams they have for their children.
- Helen Keller National Center, Region 10
- Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
- Washington State Department of Social and Health Services – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
- Washington Sensory Disabilities Service
- Washington State Department of Children, Youth, & Families (DCYF) – Early Support for Infants & Toddlers (ESIT)
- Washington State Deaf-Blind Citizens, Inc. (WSDBC)
- WA State Hands and Voices
Purple VRS: https://purplevrs.com/
Convo VRS: https://convorelay.com/
Sorenson VRS: https://sorenson.com/
Online College Guide for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students
This article provides an overview of common challenges deaf and hard-of-hearing students face and what accommodations are available to help them in their post-secondary education. We’ll also review the top colleges and scholarships available for deaf and hard-of-hearing students and additional resources that may be helpful.
Deaf Pathways: Guiding Questions and Resources
This resource from the Washington Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth provides guiding questions and resources to help student reach their full potential as they work towards their post high school and transition goals.
Transition after High School
Start—and complete—your degree with a little extra help from cutting-edge technology and simple classroom modifications, and learn how online college courses can even the playing field.
Telecommunication Equipment Distribution
The Telecommunication Equipment Distribution (TED) program distributes specialized telecommunication equipment that enables Washington residents to have independent use of the telephone.
Dana Miles, the 2023 Washington State Teacher of the Year, has produced a multimedia project in partnership with OSPI. This five-part series is comprised of video interviews that Dana conducts with experts on Deaf education, as well as articles she wrote to accompany each video.
- Creating Magic with Deaf Students
- Exploring a Magical World for Deaf Students
- Unlocking Magic Potential in Deaf Students
- Equipping Deaf Students with Magic
- Embarking on a Magical Journey for Deaf Students
Least Restrictive Environment in Deaf Education: A Critical Examination (PDF)
The principle of Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) aims to ensure that students with disabilities, including Deaf and Hard of Hearing students, receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in a setting that maximizes their learning potential while being as inclusive as possible. However, applying the traditional understanding of LRE, often equated with mainstreaming in general education classrooms, can be detrimental to the linguistic, cognitive, academic, social, and emotional development of Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. This white paper argues that the optimal LRE for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students necessitates prioritizing environments that foster direct communication in their preferred language (often sign language), interaction with Deaf peers, and access to specialized instruction and support.
Why the Science of Reading Policy May Not Work for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students (PDF)
This position paper argues that the current SoR laws are unsuitable for DHH students and advocates the need for tailored approaches using the evidence that exists for language and literacy development of DHH students to meet the unique strengths, challenges, and needs of this population.
Learn more about how we can provide the necessary evaluation and services to help your child succeed.