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Frequently Asked Questions about H&V Chapter Websites
(H&V Website Policy Guidance)
1. Since Hands & Voices has a website already, does our chapter need its own website?
Having a website just for your state chapter is not a requirement, but it’s highly recommended. At the very least, H&V will help you create your own chapter “page” on this site with contact information for your chapter leadership that links right off our homepage from the map. Beyond that, many chapters have recruited from local members who have the necessary skills to create a website that features events and information specific to their chapter. Here is a partial list if chapter sites:
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Michigan |
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
Texas
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming |
2. Are there any requirements that chapters must adhere to on their website?
Yes, your chapter website needs to include the officially trademarked Hands & Voices logo, mission statement, and slogan. If your state chapter uses an H&V approved custom version of the org logo, that logo should appear prominently, but the H&V official logo should also appear next to a required link to our national website, www.handsandvoices.org
Your website must also be designed in accordance with H&V graphic standards and should at least incorporate in some prominent way the required H&V colors, graphics, etc…, all of which are published in the Hands & Voices Organization Manual which is downloadable from the “Chapters” link at “Chapter Log In” (password required). Indicate that this is the website of a state chapter of the national organization of Hands & Voices.
Finally, it’s not required, but it’s probably a good idea to include a disclaimer on your website that points out that “This H&V chapter and its website may publish articles or commentaries from authors presenting their own perspectives. All contributed material is solely the viewpoint of the authors and may not reflect the viewpoint or indicate the sponsorship of Hands & Voices. It is intended for informational purposes only.”
3. What information should we feature on our website?
One way to answer that question is to think about the kinds of information people are likely to need from a chapter-specific H&V website. They’ll probably be searching for news of upcoming events that are of interest to families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH). They may be looking for contact information and directions on how to become a member of your chapter. Whenever possible, include DHH resources available in your state and links to important websites like your chapter’s Parent Education, Advocacy & Training Center, the department of education, school for the deaf, private DHH schools, and local chapters of other DHH support organizations like AGBell and American Society for Deaf Children if they exist.
4. What kind of resources should we include that are topical but not specific to our chapter, for example, information on hearing loss, communication options, etc…?
One important advantage of your chapter association to the HQ organization of Hand & Voices is that a lot of this type of information is already available for your use on our official website, www.handsandvoices.org. There is no need to reinvent the wheel: start with Hands & Voices. In fact, it’s important to link back to H&V published resources first and foremost to ensure that your chapter website is featuring materials that are consistent with our H&V philosophy, mission and style.
For example, H&V doesn’t promote the “menu” approach to communication options where modes & methods are listed with alpha order definitions…this promotes a ‘pick one’ mentality that places the mode/method ahead of child-focused priorities. The drawbacks to that traditional treatment of this topic prompted us to develop our own H&V Communication Considerations A to Z ™ series. This H&V series explores the topic of choosing communication modes or methods from a more holistic, child-centered approach, plus it passes our “sniff” test for unbiased presentation of information. It also demonstrates our collaborative/partnership style between parents and professionals—visit the link right off our homepage and you’ll see what we mean. Sure, the definitions are all there, along with a whole lot more. This is a good example of why our official H&V website resources and newspaper, The Communicator, should be your first stop when it comes to populating your chapter's website. We should all be doing things the H&V way.
If you have family stories and pictures that you have authorization/release to feature on your website, it’s really helpful to provide such personalized perspectives so include them whenever you can. Just be sure you’ve published a disclaimer so whatever diverse topics, information, and points of view are presented can be understood as belonging to the author, not necessarily your chapter or is leadership.
5. Does Hands & Voices provide technical support to chapters who are setting up their own websites?
Hands & Voices can provide limited technical support to help your chapter get started on a website. Feel free to contact webmaster@handsandvoices.org for more information.
6. What if we already set up a website for our chapter before we were aware of H&V requirements?
If your chapter website is up and running, congrats! If its design and content are not consistent with the content requirements stated in this H&V Website Policy Guidance, your chapter has one year (Calendar 2009) to bring the website into compliance. Hands & Voices will work with you to provide guidance and input to that process as necessary.
