Resources for Parents

National and State Support groups for families of deaf and hard of hearing children:


Websites with information for families with deaf and hard of hearing children:

  • http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu Here you can learn about the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Educational Center at Gallaudet. On their home page, go to "Resources" or "Info to Go" where you can find a wealth of information on deaf children birth to age 21.
  • http://www.childrenshospital.org/centers-and-services/deaf-and-hard-of-hearing-program Boston Children's Hospital has a link to resources on the left hand side of their home page.  
  • www.mydeafchild.org  Rachel Coleman's website includes her message to parents, an online sign language class, "SIGNIT ASL", and resources.  Rachel is a parent of a deaf child.
  • www.raisingdeafkids.org This website is created by the Deafness and Family Communication Center (DFCC) at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
  • http://www.deaflinx.com/resources/resources-for-parents-with-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing-children.html You'll find many resources here.
  • www.infanthearing.org This is an extensive website for Early Hearing and Detection Intervention (EHDI) resources and information. Under the tab "Resources" you will find the EHDI E-book with 22 chapters you can download. Also click on the "States" tab to learn about each state's EDHI programs.
  • http://deafsense.com  This website has been created by Deaf educators and parents to promote the success of Deaf children.  It provides products, services and videos.  Check it out.   
  • http://www.babyhearing.org/index.asp This website sponsored by Boys Town National Research Hospital has information for new parents of a deaf or hard of hearing child. 
  • www.ncbegin.org BEGINNINGS is a non-profit in North Carolina dedicated to providing support and access to resources to parents of deaf and hard of hearing children.
  • www.educatingdeafchildren.org Experts answer your questions about the choices, controversies and decision faced by parents and educators of deaf and hard of hearing children.
  • http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/default.aspx This information from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders includes information on a variety of topics for parents.
  • http://www.asha.org The American Speech and Hearing Association's website has a tab for "The Public" where you can find information about hearing loss.  You can also search any topic and access abstracts of their journal articles.
  • http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hearingloss/parentsguide/index.html You'll find an extensive list of resources under the resources tab about different topics including communication, language, assistive technology and communication choices on this website from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • http://vl2.gallaudet.edu Visual Language and Visual Learning is a Science of Learning Center funded by the National Science Foundation. Here you can access their newsletters, download videos of their presentations and read about their research. The purpose of the learning center is to understand "more about how visual processes, visual language and social experience effect the development of cognition and language."
  • www.listen-up.org  This website was created by a parent and has not been updated since 2010. You might find some resources or information.
  • https://successforkidswithhearingloss.com This is a site for parents and professional with resources, products and consultation about learning and social issues of deaf and hard of hearing children.

Websites for Reading and Literacy Information:

  • www.dcmp.org The Described and Captioned Media Program provides free-loan educational media that is described and captioned.  Parents of deaf and hard of hearing children and educators can become members to receive these free materials that will be either mailed to you or video streamed to your computer. Check it out!
  • http://vl2storybookapps.com Visual Language and Visual Learning, vl2, from Gallaudet has produced an app in American Sign Language (ASL) and English.  Children can watch the story in ASL or start reading it in English. At any point throughout the story in English, children can tap the screen to watch that part of the story in ASL. Children can also touch specific English words to see them fingerspelled as well as being signed in ASL.
  • www.harriscomm.com Harris Communications carries books and DVDs for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children as well as products for the home such as light flashers.
  • www.dawnsign.com Dawn Sign Press publishes American Sign Language books and materials.
  • www.sign2me.com Sign 2 Me has products for learning ASL with your young child.
  • www.babiesandsignlanguage.com
  • www.mysmarthands.com A website with lots of information, games, apps and more about learning ASL with your child.
  • www.buttepublications.com Butte Publications publishes educational materials for deaf and hard of hearing children, parents and professionals.
  • www.1001booksinasl.blogspot.com This blog has videos of popular children's books told in ASL. There are some tips on reading to your deaf child.
  • www.projectnadine.org/PN?ASLstory.html Project Nadine narrates a new popular children's book in American Sign Language every month.  The stories are streamed online.
  • https://successforkidswithearingloss.com  This is a site for parents and professionals with resources, products and consultation about learning and social issues of deaf and hard of hearing children.
  • http://www.uniteforliteracy.com  Unite for Literacy has narrated five of its culturally relevant, diverse children's books  in American Sign Language. The company's books are written in English and are narrated in 24 languages common to the United States, now including ASL. When you select ASL under narration the site will show you the 5 books that have signed versions.  

Websites for American Sign Language information:

  • http://www.handspeak.com This website is an ASL resource with an online dictionary. It also gives language development milestones for children learning sign language.
  • http://aslnook.com  A nook like no others…Words, pictures, and stories come to life with the magic of American Sign Language (ASL). We welcome anyone who wants to learn ASL. Within our cozy nook, you will learn many new signs such as the alphabet, colors, emotions, animals, and beyond.
  • http://www.lifeprint.com Resources and sign language lessons for ASL.
  • http://aslpro.com Online ASL dictionary.
  • http://babysigningtime.com, http://www.sign2me.com, http://signingtime.com These 3 websites designed for hearing children learning to sign have many products and information about using sign language with your children. The signs are based on ASL signs.
  • www.mysmarthands.com A website with lots of information, games, apps and more about learning ASL with your child.
  • www.aslized.com This website's main focus is to produce teaching and learning materials in ASL with a focus on ASL literature and ASL linguistics. There are some children's stories on this website.
  • www.aslrose.com A website created to promote and develop ASL-English bilingual-bicultural materials.

State Resources: