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See also:

Helpful Books for Parents of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children

Early Beginnings for Families with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children:Myths and Facts of Early Intervention and Guidelines for Effective Services

Clerc Center's Family Involvement

Family Involvement Useful Links

Raising Deaf Kids

The National PTA

The Listen-up Web

Locating Parent Groups

When parents first find out their child is deaf, many often feel unprepared for the prospect of raising a deaf child. More than 90 percent of these parents are hearing people who have little or no previous experience with, or knowledge of, deafness. Consequently, a parent may feel overwhelmed or confused by all the decisions that must be made on behalf of their child.

For this reason, many parents of deaf children find it helpful to become involved with other parents experiencing similar circumstances. Parent groups can serve as sources of emotional support, education, information, recreation, dialogue and discussion, as well as assisting with other parent needs.

When looking for a parent group, it is important to remember that each group will have a unique purpose and type of membership. For this reason, you should first assess what you need and expect from a parent group. Then when you find what groups are available to you, you will be better able to decide which group is the right one for you.

National Organizations

Several national organizations serving deaf and hard of hearing people maintain parent groups or provide information about them. Some of these groups are supported by agencies which promote specific philosophies. In beginning your search for a parent group in your area, you may wish to contact the following:

Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf, Inc.
3417 Volta Place, NW
Washington, DC 20007
202-337-5220 (V)
202-337-5221 (TDD)
202-337-8314 (FAX)
E-mail: agbell2@aol.com
http://www.agbell.org
Gathers and disseminates information on hearing loss. Promotes the early detection of hearing loss in infants. Encourages the use of speech and speechreading.

American Society for Deaf Children
P.O. Box 3355
Gettysburg, PA 17325
717-334-7922 (V/TTY)
717-334-8808 (FAX)
800-942-ASDC (V/TTY) (Parent Hotline)
E-mail: asdc@deafchildren.org
http://www.deafchildren.org/
Membership organization providing information to parents and families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Promotes the use of sign communication for deaf children and their families. PARENTDEAF-HH -- An internet discussion group for parents founded by ASDC. To subscribe send an E-mail message to listproc@list.educ.kent.edu with nothing in the body of the message except: subscribe PARENTDEAF-HH, your name (your real name--not screen name). Within several days, you will be part of this dynamic parent discussion.

BEGINNINGS for Parents of Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Inc.,
P.O. Box 17646
Raleigh, NC 27619
919-850-2746 (V/TTY, Local and outside of NC)
800-541-HEAR (V/TTY, for NC residents)
E-mail: info@beginningssvcs.com
http://www.beginningssvcs.com/index.htm
BEGINNINGS was established to provide emotional support and access to information as a central resource for families with deaf or hard of hearing children, age birth through 21. BEGINNINGS provides an impartial approach to meeting the diverse needs of these families and the professionals who serve them. These services are also available to deaf parents who have hearing children.

Hands and Voices
P.O. Box 371926
Denver, CO 80237
303-300-9763 or 866-422-0422 (toll free)
E-mail: parentadvocate@handsandvoices.org
http://www.handsandvoices.org/
Hands & Voices is a parent driven, non-profit organization dedicated to providing unbiased support to families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The organization provides support activities and information concerning deaf and hard of hearing issues to parents and professionals that may include outreach events, educational seminars, advocacy, lobbying efforts, parent to parent networking, and a newsletter.

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY)
P.O. Box 1492
Washington, DC 20013
800-695-0285 (V/TDD)
202-884-8200 (V/TDD)
202-884-8441 (FAX)
E-mail: nichcy@aed.org
http://www.nichcy.org/
Provides free information to parents and others related to various disabilities. Maintains groups for parents of children with any disability. NICHCY also offers helpful printed information on creating your own parent group where none exists.

State Organizations

California

IMPACT (Independently Merging Parent Associations of California)
877-322-7299
http://www.deafkids.org/
IMPACT, an affiliate of American Society for Deaf Children, is a statewide all-volunteer, non-profit organization of parents, teachers and professionals serving deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Established in 1986 by 12 parents, IMPACT has a current membership of more than 400 and is supported and encouraged by a host of organizations that serve the deaf community.

You may also find information about parent groups through state and local agencies. Most states have numerous offices and organizations that serve deaf and hard of hearing people, and these can be valuable resources for information. If you are not familiar with the resources available to you in your state look at: Statewide Services for People Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing or State Resources. The following are good places to begin looking for information on existing parent groups:

• State commissions for deaf and hard of hearing people
• Residential schools for deaf students
• Community agencies for deaf and hard of hearing people
• Mainstreamed school programs
• Centers on deafness

In some areas, such as rural areas of the country, it is possible that no parent groups are already in existence. If this is the case, you may want to consider establishing a group of your own. If so, the previously mentioned information available from NICHCY may be helpful in this regard.

We hope these suggestions are beneficial to you in your search for a parent group.

Copyright © 2003 Gallaudet University Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
800 Florida Ave. NE
Washington, DC 20002
Key Clerc Center Contact Information
File 117-last revised 02/2003
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