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Below are articles submitted by California residents to The Communicator, a Hands & Voices newspaper. Additional Articles can be found on the Hands & Voices website.

Our goal is to educate and empower members throughout the world and we invite you to be a part of that! Your story is unique and we hope you will consider sharing it! We are always looking for up to the minute information on what’s new in deaf education, research, practices, technology and access. We especially look for thought-provoking pieces that illustrate the strengths and needs of our current educational systems, from birth to age 21. Submissions should support our mission and philosophical values of non-biased and non-judgmental family support.

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Here in Sacramento we have a claim to fame - we have Sean Esson, a Deaflympics Gold Medal Snowboarder! I had the privilege of interviewing Sean on January 14, 2020, and he told me his amazing story.

But because I know that not all of you will read this article to the end, I am going to start where Sean ended - with a plea to all of you to support the Deaflympics athletes. The Deaf athletes struggle for funding. Some countries pay their Olympic athletes, but the United States does not. Yet, hearing athletes in the Olympics and the Paralympics (which collaborate now) get lots of corporate sponsors. The Deaflympics, while under the umbrella of the Olympics, is still separate, so the sponsorships don’t come. The Deaf athletes have to pay for their own travel, food, lodging, competition fees, etc. and it is HARD. Please, please consider sponsoring the Deaflympics by going to their website.

by Melissa Smith, Ed.D.Professor of ASL-English Translation and Interpreting Studies

Perhaps you have a child who is Deaf or hard of hearing. Even if you know a lot about the Deaf community, there are a myriad of complex factors involved in making sure your child is surrounded by rich language opportunities. Maybe your child is mainstreamed in a classroom with an interpreter for part of the school day. If so, or if you care about the educational access provided through interpreters, please continue reading!

By: Lindsay Jack, California H&V

She’s Just Like Me: The 2020 American Girl Doll

When I first learned the American Girl Doll Girl of the Year was a doll who uses hearing aids and would be the first with any disability, I thought it was great and would be a perfect birthday present for my five-year-old hard of hearing daughter, Penelope. She already has two dolls that we bought aftermarket hearing aids for and attached them with glue to help them stay on. But this doll is different; she has a story about being Deaf/Hard of Hearing, and not just the accessories.

By Kristen Stratton, California Hands & Voices

Even with my own hearing loss, I am still working on feeling worthy enough to use an interpreter. For my son, I don’t feel the need to justify any of his access needs.
~The Stratton Trio

I have spent a lifetime trying to figure out where I fit in as a hard of hearing person in a hearing world. I grew up in a family with a strong history of hearing loss but without the richness of language or culture; that seemed reserved for only those who were truly deaf. I didn’t know “Deaf” as compared to “deaf”. I didn’t know about the world beyond mine that had a full and complete language which was as beautiful as it was intricate and complex. I didn’t know anything until I became the mother of a Deaf child.

by Chelsea R. Hull, M.A. H&V Military Project

Dear California Hands & Voices State Chapter,

I want to thank you for accepting my application to the Board. Even though you knew I was a military spouse who would be moving, you let me serve. By adding me to your Board, you helped shape me into a better professional. Serving on the California Board as a regional member, on the professional advisory committee, and becoming ASTra-certified, you allowed me opportunities to continue my journey as an educator of the deaf. Spending time with the other board members allowed me to develop more insight into who I am and how I can better support families.

by California Hands & Voices

California Hands & Voices proudly hosted an ASTra level 1 training on February 2nd 2019 in San Diego, California. There were a total of 95 parent and professionals in attendance from all regions of California. We also want to recognize and thank the Hands & Voices Military Project for attending from your home states. Stay tuned for future training opportunities in California.

Each attendee walked away empowered with a better understanding of the basic components of educational advocacy for children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and are now equipped to advocate for their child or the children they support.

More Articles ...

  1. Our Journey with Progressive Hearing Loss: In-between Two Worlds
  2. Why Do I Think It Is So Important to Encourage Parent Support?
  3. What I Wish I Knew When I was Sixteen Going through the College Search Process
  4. The Road We Travel TOGETHER: Our Family Journey
  5. The Funny Things on my Ears
  6. Staying Organized from the Start!

About CA Hands & Voices

California Hands & Voices is dedicated to supporting families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing in a respectful and non-judgmental manner regarding language opportunities, communication tools or educational approaches. We’re a parent-driven, non-profit organization providing families with the resources, networks, and information to improve communication access and educational outcomes for their children.

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California Hands & Voices is a non-profit organization that depends on the support of its members to succeed. Please consider donating or becoming a member.

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California Hands & Voices
c/o Kat Lowrance
2844 Gunn Ct.
Redding, CA. 96001-5484, USA

 

info@CaHandsandVoices.org

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