Learning from Deaf/Hard of Hearing Adults

Resources to inform the Parent Journey

What will my child’s future look like?
I’ve never met any adults who are deaf or hard of hearing. Where do I go?
Who will my child’s friends be?
How do I help my child feel strong and confident?
What is it like to grow up deaf or hard of hearing?

These are some of the questions we have encountered from parents of children who are deaf and hard of hearing children early in the journey. You likely have many more questions to ask.  Knowing the tremendous value in learning from adults who are deaf and hearing, families can explore these links with a wealth of diverse perspectives through stories, articles, websites and research on this page. 

FL3 Interviews with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adults

An interview with Teddy Dorsette, III

Alea Dugan

An interview with Bowen Tang and Tina Childress.

Aaron Rose

Luke Adams

Brian Evenstad

Christie Yoshinaga-Itano

Sara DesGeorges

Michael Casey

Stacy Abrams

Elle Mendiola

Melinda Stamp

DHH STEM Interviews Casual Conversations featuring Deaf and Hard of Hearing teens and adults in the STEM field. Visit the Casual Conversations page

Perspectives from Deaf/Hard of Hearing Adults

Deaf and Hard of Hearing CHANGEmakers - Interviews with Deaf and Hard of Hearing people who are making a difference for families with Deaf and Hard of Hearing children

Stories from D/HH Adults

Stories from D/HH Teens

Cochlear Implant Online-Speaking for Themselves

RIT-Stories from DHH Teens and Adults

Gallaudet-Stories from DHH Teens and Adults

North Virginia Cued Speech Association-Stories

AG Bell-Blogs from Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adults

Maximizing Your Child’s Visual Access

Babies with typical hearing can hear their parents/ caregivers and daily life at home or in the community, even without trying or not directly looking at the speaker. Children who are Deaf/ Hard of Hearing (D/HH) may not have the same access to language and information through sound and benefit from an abundance of visual information. This handy worksheet has some helpful tips and resources for parents from the perspectives of D/HH adults. [ Download Here ] [ Download Spanish Version ]

Articles:

Empowering Deaf Adolescents

Social Emotional Development in Deaf Children

Research:

Research and Published Literature (NCHAM) Lifetrack’s Deaf Mentor Family Program An Evaluation of the Experiences and Outcomes for Participating Families

Websites of Interest:

Books with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Characters

SKI-HI Deaf Mentor Curriculum

Other Resources

Tips for Meaningful Participation by Parents and Adults who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing Serving in Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Systems - Specifically, Advisory Committees and Learning Communities