Research / Survey Opportunities
Agencies, Organizations, Universities and others are often looking for participation of families and professionals for current research and survey projects. Each opportunity listed below has contact information if you would like to participate. Please contact the specific entity that is sponsoring each research/survey opportunity if you would like more information.
Unless otherwise noted, Hands & Voices does not necessarily promote the goals and objectives of listed research/survey opportunities and participants are advised to clarify any questions/concerns prior to participation with contacts listed for each research/survey opportunity.
For information on submitting your project for inclusion on this page please read our Submittal Request Sheet.
Parent Research / Survey Opportunities
- Descriptions of Studies -
Empowering Parents of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children: A Mixed Method Study to Develop a Comprehensive Framework for Understanding and Choosing Communication Modalities
Dear service providers,
My name is Sumaira Gul Mushtaq. I am a doctoral student and the principal researcher of this study. As a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) specializing in Early Intervention for deaf and hard-of-hearing children and their families and a mother of a deaf/blind child, I am passionate about understanding the factors contributing to parents' decision-making process regarding communication modalities/options.
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION: I am looking for service providers such as Audiologists, Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), or Teachers of DHH and their families nationwide.
AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to create a comprehensive framework that will empower hearing parents of deaf and hard-of-hearing children by providing them with the necessary information to make informed decisions. By understanding the perspective of service providers like you, we can enhance the support and guidance provided to parents, leading to more informed decisions and positive outcomes for the children.
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE STUDY? I invite you to participate in a critical survey exploring service providers' role in parents' informed decision-making process regarding choosing communication options for their DHH child. As audiologists, SLPs, and TODHH professionals, your expertise shapes the future for these children. With new IRB approval, I am embarking on a journey to uncover your critical role in guiding parents' choices.

Join me in this vital research endeavor, and let's empower families together. Your voice matters!
Take the survey now and be part of the change: https://alliant.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9nRq25gN0WEdb38
Sumaira Gul Mushtaq, M.S., CCC-SLP
Phone: 510-449-2092
E-mail: smushtaq@alliant.edu

Experiences of Deaf Parents Questionnaire
The Experiences of Deaf Parents Questionnaire is for deaf parents anywhere in the USA or UK with at least one child (hearing or deaf) who is under the age of 18 years old. The aim of the study is to learn more about deaf parents’ experiences finding accessible information on child development. It is also an opportunity for deaf parents to provide input that will shape future research projects on child development!
Participants can either take a 15-minute, online survey in English or sign up to be contacted for a live discussion later this year (ASL and BSL interpreters will be provided).
Link to Experiences of Deaf Parents Questionnaire: https://tinyurl.com/yeysmvrs
Link to captioned advert in ASL: https://tinyurl.com/pptr4au8
For more information about this study, please contact one of the researchers on the team, Dr Victoria Mousley at v.mousley@gold.ac.uk.
The DIVERSE Collective: Combatting Ableism and Other Oppression for the Health and Well-being of Children with Disabilities

A research study being conducted at the University of Pittsburgh would like to talk with people who have knowledge about how to improve the health and well-being of the children and youth with disabilities who are most likely to be treated differently due to their race or income or for other reasons.
We know that people with disabilities are sometimes treated differently by the services and supports available, which can lead to poor health. Children with disabilities who might also experience unfair treatment or discrimination related to their race or income or other factors are especially at risk for poor health. Because not much is known about how to fix this, parents or caregivers of children with disabilities (age 0-26 years) and young adults with disabilities (age 18-26 years) are invited to participate in virtual conversations about how to make things better. Our goal is to identify solutions for the unique problems faced by children and youth with disabilities who might also experience unfair treatment related to their race or income or other factors.
If you are willing to share your expertise, we would very much like to speak with you. We will usually use a Zoom video call and speak to people in small groups, but we are ready to offer accommodations or an alternative method if Zoom does not work for you. Following the group conversation, you will receive a $100 gift card with our thanks for helping us do this research. Please let us know that you are interested by filling out this brief form (https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b9JmeGls70MZJjg). If you are unable to do so, reach out to the study team via Kristyn Felman at kristynfelman@pitt.edu or call (412) 692-6410.
Study on Literacy and Outcomes of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (dhh) Students in Rural Public Schools.
Doctoral Student is doing a study and is seeking to learn the experiences and perceptions of parents, teachers, and all advocates who have raised, taught, and advocated for Dhh students/children in the past.
Confidential Individual Q and A interviews will be conducted In-person or via Zoom Conference Call. Zoom Chat and/or ASL Interpreter provided if needed. Interview Questions Provided in Advance. ALL interview participant names will be kept confidential.
CONTACT Lori Chapman for more information and to schedule an interview at: lori.chapman@national.edu or by phone at: (662) 416-7756 Flyer |

Sports Participation and Nonparticipation in Children with Hearing Loss
As a parent/caregiver of a child with hearing loss, you are being asked to take part in a confidential survey to examine sports participation and nonparticipation in children with hearing loss as well as what facilitators and barriers to participation may exist. This information will help us to identify ways to better support families of children with hearing loss who are interested in sports participation. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes, and participants will not be compensated for completing the survey.
For more information about this research study, please contact the principal investigator, Erin Schafer, Ph.D., CCC/A, at (940) 369-7433 or Erin.Schafer@unt.edu
Link to Survey for Parents and Caregivers of Children with Hearing Loss: https://unt.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9o5Zzd0uHo2LWNo
Parent Involvement and Transition Planning Survey
Take online survey, get $10 Amazon e-gift card! Our team at UC Riverside developed a survey to understand parent experiences supporting the learning and transition outcomes of youth in special education. This survey is voluntary. Your information will be confidential and anonymous. This survey takes roughly 20 minutes to complete.
Eligibility
- You are a parent/guardian of a youth between the ages of 14-25.
- Your child currently has an IEP or had an IEP in the last year.
- You are 18 years or older and can read English or Spanish.
What the survey will ask
- Your involvement in your child’s education and transition planning.
- Factors that affect your decision to participate in your child’s education.
- Your perception of your relationship with your child's school and staff.
- You and your child's demographic information.
Amazon gift card
- The first 200 participants who complete 90% or more of the survey will receive a $10 Amazon gift card
Contact: If you would like to take the survey please contact Tyler Womack twoma002@ucr.edu to receive a copy of the survey link.
Studies for Families with Young Children
Are you interested in what your baby is learning?
The NTID PLAY Lab and the RIT PAW Lab have in-person studies for families (children 6 months to 8 years of age and adults over age 18) in the Rochester, New York area. Our studies involve short, fun activities and typically take less than an hour. We have several studies for babies, children, parents, and adults. : If you have, or know somebody, with a baby or child, come to the PLAY Lab for our fun eye tracking studies! We have online and in-person studies. Testing takes about 15 minutes while your baby sits in your lap watching fun videos. We will pay $20 for your 30 minute visit and baby gets a present. We are specifically looking for 4-18 month olds and 4-6 year olds.

You will be paid for your participation if you are selected for a study. Child participants also receive a gift. You can learn more about our studies here: NTIDplaylab.com or https://www.rit.edu/ntid/space.
For more information, contact playlab@rit.,edu or visit our website: ntidplaylab.com
Karen Putz, Lab Coordinator.
Study on Literacy and Outcomes of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (dhh) Students in Rural Public Schools.
Researcher is seeking to learn the experiences and perceptions of parents, teachers, and all advocates who have raised, taught, and advocated for Dhh students/children in the past.
Confidential Individual Q and A interviews will be conducted In-person or via Zoom Conference Call. Zoom Chat and/or ASL Interpreter provided if needed. Interview Questions Provided in Advance. ALL interview participant names will be kept confidential.
CONTACT Lori Chapman for more information and to schedule an interview at: lori.chapman@national.edu or by phone at: (662) 416-7756.
CHAMPS-DHH: study on a strengths-based parenting support program for families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Researchers from the University of Kentucky and the University of Colorado are enrolling 125 families to help learn if a strengths-based parenting support program, “The Family Check-Up,” is helpful to families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and use hearing devices. A parent or guardian and their child are involved in the study for up to 1 ½ years and will complete research activities up to two times per year. Families receive up to $150 each year for completing research assessments.
Eligibility:
- You are the parent or legal guardian of a 3-6 year old child who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing;
- Your child has worn a hearing aid, cochlear implant, or bone conduction device for at least six months;
- You are at least 18 years old;
- You are able to communicate in English or American Sign Language.
- You live in the US.
What does participation involve?
- You and your child will be a part of the study for up to 1 ½ years.
- All activities will happen remotely (by video or phone call, by online survey, or by mail).
- You will complete a set of questionnaires twice per year. Questions will ask you about you and your child, including your child’s behavior, family relationships, your well-being, and feelings about parenting.
- You and your child will participate in short tasks such as playing, talking, or drawing together once per year.
- Your child will complete speech and language assessments with a member of our research team once per year.
- About half of the families will also participate in virtual one-on-one meetings with a trained parent coach (who is also the parent of a child who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing), focusing on their strengths as a parent and learning about and trying new parenting strategies.
Contact info:
- Complete this form to have a research team member contact you: https://bit.ly/ukchampsdhh
- Email the research team at: champsdhh@uky.edu
- Call the project manager, Julie, at: 859-218-2018
- Learn more at: https://medicine.uky.edu/departments/ent/champs-dhh
[ FLYER }
Parents of transition-aged youth with disabilities: Perceptions of involvement in special education and transition planning
Greetings! I am a doctoral student at the University of California Riverside. I developed a survey to understand parents’ experiences supporting the learning and transition planning of adolescents and young adults in special education. Parents/Guardians are eligible if they have a child between the ages of 14 and 25 and currently on an individualized education program (IEP) or on an IEP in the last year. The survey is available in both English and Spanish. You may take the survey at the following link:
https://ucriverside.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0JV46dSZNdMXQ8u
[ Download Flyer ]
Eligibility
You are a parent/guardian of a youth between the ages of 14-25. Your child currently has an IEP or had an IEP in the last year. You are 18 years or older and can read English or Spanish.
What the survey will ask
Your involvement in your child’s education and transition planning. Factors that affect your decision to participate in your child’s education. Your perception of your relationship with your child's school and staff. You and your child's demographic information.
Benefits
Participants who complete 90% of the survey may be eligible for a gift card. Please read the consent form for more information.
Contact: Tyler Womack, MA at twoma002@ucr.edu; School of Education; University of California, Riverside
Family experiences seeking support services for children who are Deaf/ Hard of Hearing (D/HH) with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
The purpose of this study is to understand the experiences of family members and caregivers of children who were diagnosed as Deaf/Hard of Hearing in their first year of life and were later suspected or confirmed of having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). With the results of the survey, we hope to understand the how families are currently navigating the systems of care, the types of supports they were able access, barriers to care, and how it has impacted the child’s development and growth. This is an online survey on the topic of navigating healthcare and community support settings for your child/family member who is a child that is Deaf/Hard of Hearing, with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of Autism. You will complete an online survey that will take up to 30 minutes of your time. No identifiable information will be collected during the study.
Survey Link: https://gsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1yTCLlbSyRXY8Xc
Contact info: Akilah Heggs, PhD (Principal Investigator) at aheggs1@gsu.edu Kristina Ormond, AuD (student investigator) at kormond1@student.gsu.edu.
Listening & Literacy Among Children With Cochlear Implants
This study is done completely online.
Anyone who meets participant criteria and is interested can participate.
This study examines auditory perception factors that might impact literacy development in children with cochlear implants. There have been auditory perception factors implicated in reading abilities in hearing kids, but not much done in looking at these factors in kids with hearing loss, particularly those with CIs. Families who participate will be compensated.
Participants should meet the following criteria:
- Children age 7-12
- Child’s hearing loss (severe-profound) was detected at or near birth
- Child received at least one cochlear implant prior to the age of 3
- Child relies on spoken English for communication
- Child exhibits no other disabilities
For an overview go here: https://prezi.com/view/w1N9DI5BPOSfKoH6jyzc/
Those interested in learning more or participating in this study should contact Dr. James Mahshie at (301)-785-4428 or jmahshie@gwu.edu.
Registration can also be done at https://www.gwu-implant.org/
Neurocognition of Literacy in Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Researchers from Vanderbilt University at the Brain Development Lab are conducting a first of its kind study looking at how d/Deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing children’s brains develop reading skill. We are particularly interested in how varying communication modes (spoken English, ASL, or use of both) may change how the brain develops. Participants from around the country are encouraged to apply for our study in Nashville, Tennessee. Travel accommodations are provided to those eligible. Fluent signing members of the lab are available to meet with parents and participants who communicate in American Sign Language.
Who can participate:
- Children ages 10 – 16 who are d/Deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing
- No metal in the body - includes cochlear implants and bone anchored hearing aids
What to expect:
- A video interview
- Minimum of two sessions including fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
- Standardized tests with scores provided to parents after participation
- Hearing test
- Travel and food accommodations to participants coming from around the country
- Pictures of your child’s brain
Find out if you’re eligible:
Take the 5-minute survey here! https://redcap.link/DHHReadingStudy
Contact Us:
- Lab email: BrainDevelopmentLaboratory@gmail.com
- Lab PI Dr. James Booth: james.booth@vanderbilt.edu