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Family Resources
American Society for Deaf Children
A national organization of families and professionals that helps create opportunities for children who are deaf and hard of hearing to gain full communication access, particularly through the use of sign language.
Texas Hands and Voices
Nonprofit, parent driven organization that provides support to families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
BEGINNINGS for Parents of Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Inc.
Provides emotional support and access to information as a central resource for families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing, age birth through 21 years of age.
Family Voices
A national, grassroots organization that is a clearinghouse for information and education concerning the health care of children with special health needs
Therapy Services
Make preview sentence: “Find ASL therapists in your area”
Resources
Financial Assistance
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AUDIENT ALLIANCE
An affiliate of the Northwest Lions Foundation for Sight & Hearing
EPIC Hearing Healthcare
BETTER HEARING INSTITUTE
Financial Assistance Guide
CAROLINA CHILDREN’S COMMUNICATIVE DISORDERS PROGRAM
State funded program for North Carolina. Provide full coverage of hearing aids to children. Located at the University of North Carolina; however, families are welcomed and encouraged to receive their hearing aid fitting and care locally. Also, able to provide assistance with cochlear implant costs.
CHILDREN OF THE SILENT WORLD
Assists low-income children with purchasing hearing aids.
DISABLED CHILDREN’S RELIEF FUND
Provides assistance to families of children with disabilities, with preference for children with physical disabilities and little or no health insurance.
DOROTHY AMES TRUST FUND
Assists children in New England states with hearing aids and assistive technology.
EASTER SEALS
More than 400 local service centers with varying services; some assist low-income adults and children with hearing aids and other rehabilitative devices.
FOUNDATION FOR SIGHT & SOUND
The Foundation for Sight & Sound provides hearing aids to individuals with limited financial resources.
GEORGIA HEARING AID DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM
The Georgia Hearing Aid Distribution Program, enacted by the Georgia Legislature, provides hearing aids to Georgians, subject to eligibility requirements. The Commission has contracted with the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation, a nonprofit organization that has provided hearing aids to low-income Georgians for over 30 years.
GIFT OF HEARING FOUNDATION
Working closely with the medical community, the Gift of Hearing Foundation will provide financial support to help a select number of economically disadvantaged patients receive cochlear implants. Can provide financial assistance to those whose insurance coverage will not provide for the cost of CI Implants.
HearAid Foundation
HearAid serves children and adults who are in need of immediate hearing intervention, with a high standard of care to ensure that each patient doesn’t get just any hearing devices, but gets the right hearing devices and solutions under the care of a doctor.
HEAR NOW
Provides recycled and used hearing aids to low-income persons.
HEARINGHEALTH4U
Helping low income people break the barrier of the high cost of hearing aids – by providing quality new and used hearing aids at a very affordable price. Financial assistance available.
HELP KIDS HEAR.org
Founded by parents of hard of hearing kids and is dedicated to helping parents find the information and resources they need in dealing with a deaf/hard of hearing (DHH) child.
HIKE FUND, INC.
Provides low-income children from birth up to the age of twenty years with hearing aids and assistive devices. (Supported by Job’s Daughters International)
HOPE FOR HEARING FOUNDATION AND HEARING AID BANK
Offers hope, guidance and encouragement to families of infants and preschool children with hearing losses by providing free, parent-centered services worldwide.
MIRACLE-EAR FOUNDATION
Serves children and adults with hearing loss who have exhausted all possible resources for their hearing health with hearing aids. Visit a Miracle-Ear store to learn about eligibility or to apply.
OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL
Provides aids and services to hearing impaired youth.
SERTOMA
Assists low-income persons with purchasing hearing aids.
STARKEY HEARING FOUNDATION
Assistance for low-income individuals permanently residing in the U.S. with no other resources to acquire hearing aids.
TRAVELERS PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP TRUST FOR THE DEAF AND NEAR-DEAF
Provides assistance for mechanical devices, medical care, and/or specialized education or treatment, to those who demonstrate financial need. U.S. citizens only. Grants may be used to purchase hearing aids, assistive listening equipment, or may help with the cost of a cochlear implant.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND HEARING AND SPEECH CLINIC
Provides speech-language therapy, hearing evaluations, and aural rehabilitation services to the community at reasonable fees. NOTE: This is one example of a university that offers these services. Check universities in your area with hearing and speech clinics, they may offer similar services.
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State Funding Resources
Audiology Services and Hearing Aids
State agencies and programs provide services to residents of their state. The Department of Health and Human Services has low income guidelines utilized by state agencies for eligibility for services.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a state administered program. Each state sets its own guidelines regarding eligibility and services. Learn more about your state Medicaid program by contacting the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Many groups of people are covered by Medicaid. Even within these groups, though, certain requirements must be met. These may include your age, whether you are pregnant, disabled, blind, or aged; your income and resources (like bank accounts, real property, or other items that can be sold for cash); and whether you are a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted immigrant. The rules for counting your income and resources vary from state to state and from group to group. There are special rules for those who live in nursing homes and for disabled children living at home.
The Hearing Loss Association of America (formerly Self Help for the Hard of Hearing or SHHH) also has information regarding Medicaid contact information state by state.
Title V Programs
Every state and the District of Columbia has a Title V Program for Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) that is funded, in part, through the Federal Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant. Title V (five), provides funds to states to develop and operate public health care programs for certain children with special health care needs as well as to establish other programs to promote the health of low income mothers and children, including hearing aids.
For a state-by-state directory, see the Directory of State Title V CSHCN Eligibility Criteria and Scope of Service.
The National Assistive Technology Technical Assistance Partnership (NATTAP)
NATTAP provides referrals to state programs for technical assistance in areas related to universal design, state procurement actions, and funding of assistive technology. For a state-by-state directory, contact the NATTAP.
State Rehabilitation ServicesState Vocational Rehabilitation Programs
If you need a hearing aid or similar device to help you perform your job or obtain employment, contact your local state vocational rehabilitation office. The Rehabilitation Council has state-by-state listings for Vocational Rehabilitation Programs.
The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center maintains listing of statewide services for people who are deaf and hard of hearing. The 2006 version of the list identifies two different types of statewide services: (1) commissions or state offices mandated to serve people who are deaf and hard of hearing, and (2) state coordinators of rehabilitation services for people who are deaf.
Louisiana Commission for the Deaf (LCD)
The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf was established by RS 46:2351 of the Louisiana Legislature in 1980 to promote, coordinate and facilitate accessibility of all public and private services to Deaf people, Deaf/Blind people, hard of hearing and speech impaired people. Some of the responsibilities of the LCD also include: advocating for the needs and rights of deaf people; developing and implementing a statewide program to insure continuity of services to deaf people; informing deaf citizens, parents, and families of the availability of programs and services for deaf adults and children at all levels of state and local government. For additional information regarding programs, please go to the LCD website.
Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
The Administration for Children and Families is a federal agency funding state, territory, local, and tribal organizations to provide family assistance (welfare), child support, child care, Head Start, child welfare, and other programs relating to children and families.
Actual services are provided by state, county, city and tribal governments, and public and private local agencies. ACF assists these organizations through funding, policy direction, and information services. Go to the ACF website for a listing of state programs for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Other Resources
Names of programs can also vary from state to state. Find local departments in the government listing in the phone book or search the Internet using the following search terms:
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Ministry
APSDA (Asia Pacific Sign Language Development Association)
The Deaf Bible Society works with various ministries to offer the global Deaf community unlimited and free Bible access in their heart sign language.
Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf (CCCD)
The Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf is a ministry that brings the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Deaf of Jamaica. The ministry provides the Deaf education in sign language, training in vocational areas, mentoring and encouragement of local leaders, and promoting outreach, community, worship, and continuing education.
Deaf Bible Society
The Deaf Bible Society works with various ministries to offer the global Deaf community unlimited and free Bible access in their heart sign language.
Deaf Family Ministries
An international, non-profit, Biblically-based, non-denominational ministry dedicated to deaf people and their families. Their mission is to provide teaching to win people to Christ, help deaf families grow in relationship with Christ and each other, and build Deaf ministries and churches. They offer family workshops and seminars as well as a variety of books, tapes, and other materials.
The Deaf Institute
This ministry, based in Cincinnati, OH, serves churches interested in starting Deaf ministries and also serves deaf children and their parents. They inform people about deafness, teach sign language, develop interpreters, and encourage the development of leaders in the Deaf community.
Deaf Ministries Worldwide
Sending HIS Light and Truth to Deaf people everywhere. That's the mission goal of this dynamic ministry from Sulphur, OK. Founded by a deaf man and his wife, DMW offers a number of ministry materials. They have a beautiful retreat center for Deaf pastors and missionaries to find rest and renewal.
Deaf Missions
This is one of the largest free-standing Deaf ministries in the US. Located in Council Bluffs, IA, they offer a number of videos, books, and other materials either for purchase or through their lending library. They are in the process of translating the entire Bible into ASL. They also produce Daily Devotionals for the deaf; they offer a Deaf family camp in the summer, in addition to too many programs to mention here. Their website is huge. Go check it out.
Deaf Video Communications
Deaf Video Communications of America, Inc. (DVC) has a wonderful facility in Carol Stream, IL, which houses a lending library of ASL and captioned videos, a video production facility which produces original ministry-oriented materials in sign language, and a conference center which hosts educational and inspirational workshops for deaf people and those who are involved in Deaf ministry. DVC is dedicated to (1) evangelize the Deaf with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, (2) assist the Deaf in their walk and growth with the Lord, and (3) support the pastors and missionaries worldwide who are already ministering to the Deaf.
Gospel Ministries for the Deaf
Founded in 1971, GMD exists to use all means available to win the Deaf to faith in Christ. Best known for their Northwest Christian Camp for the Deaf and their work with the Patterned Language method, they have also worked in the leadership of the D-E-A-F for Christ Education Coalition.
International Institute of Deaf Services
Paul William Ellis formed this ministry in 1994 to train and enable deaf individuals and interpreters, and work with the Deaf to evangelize and train others. They offer ASL workshops, seminars, and conferences.
DOOR International
DOOR International (formerly Deaf Opportunity Out Reach) is involved in developing strong Deaf churches in several nations of the world. They run several regional training centers where they seek to equip and empower Deaf “nationals” to bring the light of Jesus into their culture.
Deaf Teen Quest
The best way to understand Deaf Teen Quest is as a "Youth For Christ"-type outreach ministry for deaf teenagers. Currently there are six affiliates... Louisville, Cincinnati, Danville/Lexington (KY), Omaha, Mobile, and Portland (OR). Three more (including Indianapolis) are in the developing stages. They also sponsor the annual Deaf Teen Ministry National Symposium and two summer camps for Deaf teens. It's an exciting program.
Deaf Ministries Connections
This list, lovingly compiled and constantly updated by Earl and Shirley Wilbur, is the most complete "raw" list of churches, ministries, and resources we've found. There is a lot of stuff in here, and because people and ministries change so quickly, even with all their efforts, it's hard to keep up with everything. Still, it is worth your while to have a copy of this.
Silent Blessings Deaf Ministries
Silent Blessings ministry encourages and supports churches establishing Deaf ministries as well as supporting leadership training for Deaf pastors and church planters. Silent Blessings also produces a children’s television program, Dr. Wonder’s Workshop. Dr. Wonder’s Workshop is performed by Deaf actors in ASL and a wonderful tool to instill Biblical values in children.
Publishers & Technology
Dawn Sign Press
Publisher and producer of high quality books and videos. Titles include widely used ASL textbooks and products for children and students. Excellent source of Deaf-produced entertainment and instructional materials.
Harris Communications
Bills itself as a "one-stop-shop" for deaf and hard-of-hearing people. A mail-order catalog company carrying a number of products including TTYs, books, posters, novelties, and videos on Deaf culture and ASL.
Pyram, Inc.
Deaf owned business selling ASL dictionaries, books, novelties, pagers, and other technologies for the Deaf.
Captioned Media Program of NAD
Free-load open-captioned media program for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, teachers, parents and others.
Deaf Linx
This site provides further clarification about various things encountered in the Deaf culture. There's too much to list here, but you'll find the site helpful.
Voice Nation Live
Did you know there is more than one ASl alphabet? This site attempts to gather in one location all of those being used today, including "dialects."
Communication Resources
Life Print
Life Print offers an online curriculum for learning American Sign Language. There are video lessons, practice sentences as well as Deaf culture and history lessons.
ASL Pro
ASL Pro is an online dictionary. Search by the English word to find the corresponding sign.
ASL Nook
ASL Nook provides the opportunity for you to learn sign language by entering into the home of a Deaf family. Their YouTube channel is loaded with numerous heart-warming videos that are easy to follow.
Communication Services for State Agencies (CSSA) Contractors
Interpreter services listed by state
Signing Savvy
ASL online dictionary
Visual Language and Visual Learning Center (Gallaudet University)
A wealth of resources on sign language and Deaf culture. The site contains a parents’ package with information on how to foster and encourage Deaf children.
National Deaf Association
Information on Deaf culture
Auditory Learning Centre
The Center’s objective is to promote listening and speaking as a way of life for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Cued Speech
A comprehensive source of information on Cued Speech. Includes resources, online forums, general information, and a link to CuedSpeech.net for further information.
National Cued Speech Association
Nonprofit membership organization that provides information about Cued Speech and its applications and educational services. Establishes standards for Cued Speech and certifies Cued Speech instructors and transliterators.
The S.E.E. (Signing Exact English) Center for the Advancement of Deaf Children
Although this is not strictly a site for information on Total Communication, S.E.E. is often used in Total Communication programs.
Nonprofit organization to work with parents and educators of children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Provides information on Signing Exact English and its uses with the goal of improving English skills and communication.
National Advocacy Organizations
National Association of the Deaf
The nation's largest organization working for accessibility and civil rights of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing. They have a number of programs you need to know about.
Substance and Alcohol Intervention Services for the Deaf
Substance and Alcohol Intervention Services for the Deaf (SAISD) is a grant base program operated by Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and located on the RIT Campus, Rochester New York. SAISD provides drug and alcohol information, education, prevention, and intervention and referral services to the deaf/ hard of hearing community residing in the Greater Rochester area of New York State.
Laurent Clerc National Information Center on Deafness
This site, provided by Gallaudet University, is a great source of up-to-date, objective information on topics dealing with deafness, hearing loss, and the Deaf community in the United States. Bookmark this one for sure.
Association of Late-Deafened Adults
Supports the empowerment of people who are deafened. Provides resources and information and promotes advocacy and awareness of the needs of deafened adults.
American Society for Deaf Children
Parent-helping-parent organization promoting a positive attitude toward signing and Deaf culture. Also provides support, encouragement, and current information about deafness to families with deaf kids.
National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID
A professional organization that certifies interpreters, provides information on interpreting, and publishes a national directory of certified interpreters.
Self Help for Hard-of-Hearing (SHHH)
Promotes awareness and information about hearing loss, communication, assistive devices, and alternative communication skills through publications, exhibits, and presentations.
Telecommunications for the Deaf (TDI)
A consumer advocacy group promoting full visual access to entertainment, information, and telecommunications for people who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard-of-hearing and people with speech problems.
Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
Offer a wide variety of member-oriented programs, publications, and financial grants. Advocates oralism rather than reliance on signed languages.
Deaf Education
Sunshine Cottage School for the Deaf (San Antonio, TX)
Providing the very best early identification and intervention services for infants, birth to three years of age, Sunshine Cottage offers a comprehensive day-school program for children, preschool through fifth grade, with state-of-the-art educational and hearing technology. Classes are taught by master-level educators, certified in deaf-education.
Texas School for the Deaf
Texas School for the Deaf ensures students learn, grow and belong in a language- rich environment while supporting students, families and professionals through statewide outreach service.
Gallaudet University
The world's first four-year liberal arts university exclusively for deaf students. All undergraduate courses taught in ASL. A true center for Deaf cultural awareness. Located in Washington, DC.
Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID)
An outstanding program featuring technical training in a variety of areas. Classes taught in ASL. A part of the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY
UT Health & Science Center San Antonio
This program is one of only a handful in the country that provides intensive training in how to help children with hearing loss develop spoken language through the use of residual hearing, high-powered hearing aids and cochlear implants.
College Tuition Paid for with Deaf Certificate
Requirements for teachers seeking the Teacher of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing certificate.
Council on Education of the Deaf
This site facilitates informational sharing and collaborative activities within the field of deaf education.
National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID)
This site provides information on the world’s first and largest technological college for deaf and hard of hearing students. NTID provides deaf and hard-of-hearing students with technical and professional education programs, complemented by a liberal arts and sciences curriculum.
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS), U.S. Department of Education (ED) (Federal Website)
OSERS supports programs that help educate children and youth with disabilities, provides for the rehabilitation of youth and adults with disabilities and supports research to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities.
Parents as Teachers National Center, Inc. (PAT)
PAT is an international early childhood parent education and family support program. PAT serves families throughout pregnancy until their child enters kindergarten, usually age 5. The program is designed to enhance child development and school achievement through parent education accessible to all families. It is a universal access model.
Raising and educating deaf children
Website provides information and resources on hearing loss for parents.
Deaf Employment
Hearing Loss Association of America
Looking for work, landing a job, and keeping your job can be difficult under the best of circumstances, but it can seem to be minefield if you have a hearing loss. There are ways to be successful at the workplace with a hearing loss. But you need the right tools, do your homework, find out what’s right for you and for your employer, and find ways to successfully advocate for yourself.
PCSI – Professional Contract Services, Inc.
PCSI is a nonprofit that employs over 1,400 people—a majority of whom have disabilities—to fulfill support service contracts valued at over $120 million annually.
Books
No Excuses by Derrick Coleman - This book tells the inspiring story of how Derrick Coleman overcame many obstacles and became the first deaf athlete to play defense in the NFL. Even from a young age, he refused to let his hearing loss define him and achieved his dreams.
Let's Hear it For Amigal! by Wendy Kupfer - This outstanding children's book tells the story of a little girl with hearing loss who finds her place in a hearing world. It is a great story that will be loved by children with and without hearing loss.
Rally Caps by Stephen J. Cutler, Jodi Cutler Del Dottore- This story of a friendship that forms between two adolescent boys - one deaf and the other hearing - is an inspiring, riveting, and thought provoking novel that is sure to entertain readers with hearing loss or without.
Abby Gets a Cochlear Implant by Maureen Cassidy Riski - This children's story about Abby's journey through hearing loss and her family's decision to use a cochlear implant is inspiring for children with hearing loss and informative for children without hearing loss.
Happy Birthday to My Ears by Elizabeth Boschini and Rachel Chaikof - Follow Jack, a little boy who is profoundly deaf, but is now experiencing sound with the help of a cochlear implant.
Sophie's Tales by Melanie Paticoff - This adorable fictional children's book about a dog named Sophie with hearing loss is sure to entertain and inform children.
Dawnsign Press
American Sign Language and Deaf Culture Materials (books, videos, workbooks, etc.)
Sign Media, Inc
Videotapes and print materials on American Sign Language and American Deaf Culture
Teaching Tools
Friends Like You - This is an amazing resource which includes a children's book that tells the story of two young children with hearing loss and an educator's guide.
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About Hearing Loss
Tinnitus: Causes, Types and Treatment Options
Deaf with Other Disabilities
American Association of the Deaf-Blind (AADB)
National consumer organization of, by, and for deaf-blind Americans. “Deaf-blind” is a broad term that describes people who have varying degrees and types of both vision and hearing loss together.
Center for Hearing and Communication (League for the Hard of Hearing)
Nonprofit hearing rehabilitation and human services agency for infants, children, and adults who are hard of hearing, deaf, and deaf-blind.
Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths & Adults
Deaf-blind school that offers intensive and comprehensive rehabilitation training to youth and adults who are deaf-blind. Also provides field services and general information.
The National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness
Federally funded information and referral service that identifies, coordinates, and disseminates information related to children and youth who are deaf-blind
info@aidthesilent.com | Shop Returns | Privacy Policy
8126 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209
210-868-6616 (Voice) - 210-996-8648 (Text)