Hello Friends,

California Hands &  Voices is here to support you and your child on your journey, through all the ups and downs. 

Today is the last day of the month, the last day of Deaf Awareness Month. 

However, you know as parents of DHH children, DHH awareness is not a month, it's a daily, lifelong journey.

• This week, highlighting those journeys: “My Hard of Hearing Journey”, A Podcast(with full transcript):  Link 
• #DeafAtWork, which features over 35 DHH adults in different professions:  Link

How do we get from where we are today to there? DHH adults living their best lives, navigating and advocating for themselves?

• If you’re at the beginning of your journey, especially if you’re working on what communication modes are out there for your child start here: Link

As this packet discusses, make sure that you are aware of ALL options and are informed of everything that's out there. That you don’t feel pressured one way or another. This journey is about what's going to work for your child, for them to have accessible language in their life, for life. That can mean multiple approaches all at the same time. See what's out there, with what resources you may need to support you and your child.

“What works for your child is what makes the choice right”

• If you’d like to take a look at what these options are as a starting point:  Link
• There are many many resources at your disposal, start here:  Link

As always, there are parents, professionals, and DHH adults who have walked the path and will support you along the way.

What has helped you the most on your journey with your child?

Share below!

Together we can,

Ms. Leslie

Hello Friends,

California Hands &  Voices is here to support you and your child on your journey, through all the ups and downs. 

Most importantly: Know that as you walk this journey you are never alone and you are now part of a community, one that is not just widespread, but in fact, worldwide.

This whole week, in case you had not yet come across the news, is actually International Deaf Awareness Week! Learn about this year’s theme here: Link

The National Deaf Center says it best here:

“What we mean when we say "deaf"

The National Deaf Center is using the term deaf in an all-inclusive manner, to include people who may identify as deaf, deafblind, deafdisabled, hard of hearing, late-deafened, and hearing impaired. NDC recognizes that for many individuals, identity is fluid and can change over time or with setting. NDC has chosen to use one term, deaf, with the goal of recognizing experiences that are shared by all members of our diverse communities while also honoring all of our differences.”

Learn more and watch a powerful video here: Link

This means that your DHH child and how they identify can and will change over time, depending on who they’re with, how they choose to communicate, the communities they interact with and where they are. What works for the DHH person is what makes the choice right. Always.

There are many DHH world travelers who have vlogs to inspire others to follow their wanderlust and someday that might just be your child because: Today, specifically, September 23rd is International Sign Languages Day! Did you know that there are 200+ Sign Languages around the world?? 

Learn more from the World Federation for the Deaf here: Link

What have you learned this month during Deaf Awareness that you’d like to share with other parents? Share below!

Together we can,

Ms. Leslie

Hello Friends,

California Hands &  Voices is here to support you and your child on your journey, through all the ups and downs.

This month continues to  be Deaf Awareness Month! Happy September!

For this week I wanted to showcase Deaf/Hard of Hearing children who are out there, sharing their stories with the world. 

Maybe your own child would like to meet them. If its between the pages of a book, by watching a piece of media or maybe in “real life”.

Maybe you and your child will one day share your story! 

• Kaylee and her Dad on TikTok: Link?
• Maise Sly from the Silent Child: Link
• Millicent Simmonds, and others in this Blog: Link
• Cece Bell from El Deafo: Link
• Boy, A Brave boy who fights Dragons: Link

What other stories and books about DHH children do you know about and share in your home?

Please share in the comments!

Together we can,

Ms. Leslie

Hello Friends,

California Hands &  Voices is here to support you and your child on your journey, through all the ups and downs.

This month is Deaf Awareness Month! Happy September!

For this week I wanted to showcase Deaf/Hard of Hearing influencers, both historical and recent. This is by no means a comprehensive list. 

There are so many stories to tell, so many different histories to share. 

What kind of story does your DHH want to tell? Who would you like your DHH child to have as a model for themselves?

• William Ellsworth Hoy-Baseball Player Link
• Sean Forbes-Rapper Link
• Lauren Ridloff-Actress Link
• Nakita Smith-TikTok Influencer Link
• Melissa Elmira Yingst-Outreach Specialist, Vlog Show Host, Social Worker Link
• Michelle Hu-Pediatric Audiologist Link

Who do you know as a Deaf role model in your community? What does your child want to be when they grow up?

Together, We Can,

Ms. Leslie