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Families may struggle to find educational programming that is a fit for the unique needs of their child who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing. The tools, information resources below help families who have questions about special education law and how it applies to students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Parenting is delightful, complex, challenging and, at times, overwhelming!

An IEP Meeting can be all of these things too! One thing that helps is to come fully prepared. Consider asking a friend, another parent in your community, or a relative to attend the IEP meeting with you. They can take notes so that you can listen and be fully engaged as an active participant.

If you are in need of support, find out more information through the California Hands & Voices ASTra program.  Our Chapter Advocates have received specialized training geared toward advocating for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) children. The Hands & Voices Headquarters ASTra page is a great resource to bookmark and refer back to often. Please contact us today if you have any questions! We want to assist families in helping their children reach their highest potential. California Hands & Voices ASTra Coordinator, Johanna Wonderly at 

Please note that California Hands & Voices, including our ASTra Advocates, do not provide legal advice, or represent that their advice equates to legal counsel. Nothing in the relationship between the parent requesting support and the ASTra advocate should be construed as legal advice. California Hands & Voices strongly recommends that anyone seeking legal advice get an attorney.

  • Hands & Voices Advocacy, Support, and Training (ASTra)Program
    ASTra is a replicable Deaf and Hard of Hearing Educational Advocacy Program that embodies the mission and vision of Hands & Voices, which is to provide support to families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) without a bias around communication mode, method, and educational setting so that every child who is D/HH has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
  • Hands & Voices (Advocacy/Law)
  • H&V Guidebook: Educational Advocacy For Students Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
    The H&V Guidebook is the essential book for families, advocates, and professionals who support the education of children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Can also serve as a textbook for students in the field.
  • Guidance from ED and DOJ on Effective Communication for Students with Disabilities
    The guidance, in the form of a letter to educators (available in Spanish), Frequently Asked Questions document, and a fact sheet on guidance for parents (also available in Spanish) is intended to help schools understand and comply with federal legal requirements on meeting the communication needs of students with disabilities.
  • Pop up IEP – Hands & Voices
    This site helps parents prepare and advocate for their child during the IEP process.
  • IEP /504 CHECKLIST: ACCOMMODATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE DEAF AND HARD O
    Accommodations provide access to communication and instruction and are appropriate for 504 or IEP services; modifications alter the content, the expectations, and the evaluation of academic performance and are generally provided through an IEP as part of specialized instruction. This checklist contains many supports and services that should be reviewed to comply with IDEA Special Factors
  • Disability Rights California
    http://www.disabilityrightsca.org http://www.dds.ca.gov/ConsumerCorner/docs/CRAList.pdf (statewide contacts) http://www.disabilityrightsca.org/pubs/504001Ch04.pdf (IEP) Disability Rights California works in partnership with persons with disabilities to protect, advocate for, and advance their human, legal, and service rights. There is a newsletter and a number of great publications (including IDEA documents) available through this site.
  • California Center for the Law and the Deaf (CACLAD)
    The mission of the California Center for Law and the Deaf is to protect and advance the legal rights of deaf and hard-of-hearing people to enable them to live independent, productive lives, with full access to the rights, privileges, entitlements, services, educational and employment opportunities available to others.
  • The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. (COPPA)
    An independent, nonprofit, tax‑exempt organization of attorneys, advocates and parents established to improve the quality and quantity of legal assistance for parents of children with disabilities. A list serve is available where parents, advocates and attorneys post legal information and requests for help.
  • INFORMAL INVENTORY OF INDEPENDENCE AND SELF-ADVOCAC Y SKILLS FOR DEAF/HARD OF HEARING STUDENTS
    This inventory is intended to aid collaboration among students, parents, and educational team members in order to determine educational services and appropriate goals for the student’s Individual Education Plan. It is very important to include the student’s input and to recognize that even very young children should be building skills related to independence and self-advocacy. Discussion should include what would be considered appropriate for the child’s age, cognitive abilities, and mode of communication when determining the items that may or may not be applicable.
  • Mediation Conflict Resolution for Parents and School Districts outside the Courtroom
    Parents and school districts who can’t reach a resolution on IEP issues can access another option before resorting to due process. 1997’s IDEA regulations required states to offer mediation to resolve disputes for which there was a due process hearing request. Now 2004’s revision of the law opens up mediation as a possibility for all disputes, not only those conflicts involving a request for a due process hearing.
  • The difference between 504 plan vs. IEP
    Both Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans can offer formal help for students with learning and attention issues. They’re similar in some ways but quite different in others. This chart compares them side-by-side to help you understand the differences.
  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
    The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities. Infants and toddlers with disabilities (birth-2) and their families receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C. Children and youth (ages 3-21) receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.
  • Safety attachment for students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
    The IFSP/IEP/504 team has considered the need for a child’s safety within the home/academic setting in order to comply with FAPE. Research suggests that students who have special needs experience three-four times higher risk of maltreatment. Addressing the development of protective factors can decrease the child’s risk for maltreatment.
  • Comparison of Part B and Part C
    Comparison of Pertinent Part B and Part C IDEA Requirements Related to Children and Youth who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing with OSEP Analysis of Comments and Rationale for Part C Changes

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 Cora Shahid
15274 Andorra Way
San Diego CA 92129

 

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