What is early intervention?
Early Intervention in Oregon is a FREE service provided to infants and toddlers who have been identified as having a disability or being at risk for developmental delays. The goal of the service is to support the child’s development during this critical developmental period. For Deaf or Hard of hearing infants and toddlers, early intervention services focus on supporting the child’s language, communication, social, and cognitive skills.

What is Family-centered Support?
Early intervention services should be designed to support the family’s goals, values and priorities, and recognize the family as the primary influence in the child’s development. For Deaf or hard of hearing children, this means that if your goal is for your child to develop American Sign Language (ASL) skills, early intervention services should provide you with resources to teach them ASL.

Early intervention services should not be a one-size-fits all approach. Instead, the services should be tailored to your child’s unique needs and strengths, as well as your family’s needs and strengths. The services also should take into account your family’s culture and routines.

Is Early Intervention Worth Our Family’s Time?
The Deaf community recognizes that the quality of Early Intervention services can vary across the state. Depending on where you live, you may need to do more advocacy to get your child’s needs met by your early intervention program. We also recognize that each family’s situation is different.

Early Intervention programs may have trained professionals who can support you in making sure that your child is meeting their developmental milestones and provide valuable resources. We encourage you to give Early Intervention services a try to see if they are a good fit for your family’s needs.

Check out this resource, 8 Reasons to Say Yes to Early Intervention for your Child who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing

How Do I Get Connected with Early Intervention Services?
If you would like to get connected with Early Intervention services, it is as easy as calling the program that serves the county you live in. When you call, the intake specialist will ask you questions about your child and family and schedule your child for an evaluation. The evaluation will show what your child’s strengths are and where they could use some extra support. After the evaluation, you will join a meeting to discuss the services and support that would be helpful to your child and family. After this meeting, services will be provided by your local early intervention program or regional program.

This helpful flyer from the Oregon Department of Education lists the phone number to call for each county and explains what to expect from the process.

https://www.oregon.gov/ode/students-and-family/SpecialEducation/earlyintervention/Documents/dyhcfinalenglish.pdf

Help with Early Intervention Services
If you would like support with getting connected to your early intervention program, with understanding the process, or learning about your family’s educational rights, an advocate from Bridges Oregon can help you!

To connect with an advocate, send an email to ehdi@bridgesoregon.org.

ASL & English Language Milestones 0-5 Years of Age
Celebrate each milestone and be proactive in ensuring your child is on track. Remember you are your child’s best advocate!

If your Deaf/HH child is not on track with the language acquisition milestones in ASL and/or English, discuss this immediately with your child’s educational IEP team. Deaf/HH children are fully capable of being at age level for at least one language, ASL or English.

Make changes to your child’s program that might help your child gain age appropriate language skills. Remember, the goal is that your child acquires age-appropriate language skills and is ready for Kindergarten at age five.

Prepare Your Deaf Child to be Kindergarten-ready from
Birth to 5 Years.

0-3 Months
During the first three months, your baby is keenly observing and reacting to the world around them. They focus on faces, show early smiles, and are responsive to voices and movements. Although they may not be vocalizing much, they are absorbing language through your interactions, so consistent signing and talking are crucial.

4-6 Months
Between four to six months, your baby starts to engage more actively with their environment. They begin to babble with their hands and voice, mimic your movements, and react to changes in tone and facial expressions. This period is characterized by increased interaction and expression of feelings through sounds and gestures.

7-12 Months
From seven to twelve months, your baby will start to communicate more clearly. They point to objects, imitate simple words or signs, and engage in joint attention. They also begin to understand common words and respond to requests. Encourage their language development by naming objects, reading together, and engaging in interactive play.

1-2 Years
Between their first and second birthdays, your baby’s vocabulary expands significantly. They start using single words, simple phrases, and pronouns. They also begin to understand and follow simple commands. This is a crucial time for language acquisition, so continue to engage with them through reading, naming objects, and encouraging their use of words and signs.

2-3 Years
From three to four years, your child will communicate more fluently and clearly. They can use longer sentences, engage in simple conversations, and understand most questions. Their ability to describe actions and understand stories enhances. Support their language development by involving them in discussions, reading complex stories, and encouraging them to describe their experiences.

3-4 Years
During the second to third year, your child’s language skills grow rapidly. They can name objects, use simple sentences, and start asking questions. Their understanding of commands and ability to express emotions also improve. Encourage their curiosity and language use through interactive activities, storytelling, and answering their questions.

4-5 Years
Between four and five years, your child’s communication skills become more sophisticated. They use detailed sentences, ask complex questions, and understand time concepts and rhymes. They also start using more descriptive and conditional language. Foster their language skills by discussing various topics, exploring storytelling, and introducing them to new vocabulary and concepts.

Resources adapted from LEAD-K Family Services, California.

Communication and Language Opportunities

Have you heard that you need to make a “choice” about how your DHH child will communicate? The word “choice” suggests that this is a decision that you have to make for your child and that it is permanent. In reality, DHH children have a wide range of opportunities to learn language and communication and how your child communicates will likely change as they grow and throughout their lifetime.

There is a lot of debate about what is best for DHH children when it comes to communication and language opportunities. Some organizations and entities will claim to be unbiased, but in reality most organizations that are led by hearing individuals will have a bias that using any amount of hearing and spoken language is better than using a visual language. That bias is called audism. Audism is the belief that one is superior based on one’s ability to hear or behave in the manner of one who hears.

Visual language, such as American Sign Language, is completely accessible to a DHH child with typical vision regardless of their hearing levels. Tactile language, such as Protactile, is completely accessible to DeafBlind children regardless of their hearing levels and/or vision abilities. Both are full languages that are not just “English on the hands.”

There are many benefits to using a visual and/or tactile language with your DHH child as early as possible.

• Reduce the risk of language deprivation– by using a language that is 100% accessible to your child, you dramatically reduce the risk of language deprivation.
• Build language pathways in the brain from day one instead of waiting for access to auditory language through technology, surgical interventions, etc.
• Bond with your baby/child through a language that is 100% accessible to both of you.
• Gain belonging to a rich Deaf community and Deaf culture.

While many DHH adults regret not having been taught ASL earlier in life, no one ever says they wish they hadn’t learned ASL! Learning a visual or tactile language and using it to communicate with your child is a lifelong gift.

In addition to visual language such as ASL and tactile language such as Protactile, there are a wide range of communication opportunities for DHH children. These include:

• Bilingual/Bimodal
• Spoken Language
• Cued Speech
• Manually Coded English

When considering communication opportunities for DHH children, it is most important to ensure that the child has 100% access to a full language. The communication opportunities listed above may or may not be right for your child and/or your family. It is critical to closely monitor your child’s language acquisition to ensure that they are developing rich and robust language skills.

Monitoring Your Child’s Language Acquisition
While many of the systems designed to support your DHH child will focus on identifying their hearing levels, fitting them with listening technology, etc., remember that the focus should be on early language acquisition  and bonding with your DHH child. You may need to advocate to shift the focus. Below are some resources to support you in monitoring your child’s language acquisition.

• List of Language Milestones– This resource will help you make sure that your child is developing language skills on time. It will help you know what skills your child will gain next! (link).
• Language Evaluation– It is important to have your child’s language skills evaluated early and frequently. Language evaluations can help you know where your child is succeeding and where they need some extra support to stay on track. Before kindergarten, these assessments are done by early intervention  Connect with your local Early Intervention program today to request a FREE full evaluation.
• HB 3412 Taskforce Recommendations- Depending on where you live in the state of Oregon, your access to language evaluations might vary. HB 3412 was a law that was passed in 2017. It established a taskforce of experts to create a report of recommendations for language evaluations for DHH children in Oregon. These recommendations have not been put into place in many areas of the state. However, you can use this document to help advocate for language evaluation for your child. (link)

The Bilingual Bimodal approach supports the acquisition of both American Sign Language (ASL) and a spoken language. “Bilingual” refers to the fluent use of both languages. This approach includes early access to visual language, while providing the use of hearing technology for access to spoken language. The languages are kept separate, and not used simultaneously. The family prioritizes learning and using both ASL and spoken language throughout their day to day activities.

These methods focus on maximizing the use of residual hearing and hearing technology in order to learn a spoken language. The goal is for the child to use listening to understand and spoken language to communicate.  There are two approaches:

1. The Auditory Oral (AO) approach supports the use of visuals as a supplement to listening, such as gestures and sign support, to aid the child in understanding auditory information.
2. The Auditory Verbal (AV) approach emphasizes listening and speaking, without visual support.

Cued speech is a visual system of eight hand shapes used in one of four positions around the face (called cues) that a speaker uses to clarify speech sounds and words that look alike or are not visible on the lips. Cued speech provides visual access to the sounds of spoken language, regardless of hearing levels, and may support literacy development.

Manually Coded English Systems were developed to provide visual access to spoken English. One example is Sign Supported Speech, which involves the addition of signs to support understanding of spoken language. Unlike ASL, manually coded systems use signs in English word order and may add certain signs to show the grammar of English.

Early language acquisition is the process of learning language and developing communication skills from an early age.

Language evaluation is when a trained expert uses a comprehensive process to assess your child’s language skills. The evaluator should be fluent in the language(s) your child uses. The evaluation should include a formal assessment tool that shows how your child’s skills compare to other children their age.

Early Intervention is FREE help from trained professionals to support your child’s development.

ASL RESOURCES

American Sign Language (ASL) is more than a method of communication; it is a vibrant language that provides access to a rich cultural community. For parents of deaf and hard-of-hearing children, learning ASL can be a transformative journey that enhances family communication, fosters connection, and supports their child’s development

Why Learn ASL? Learning ASL benefits both you and your child in numerous ways:

1. Improved Communication: ASL bridges the communication gap between you and your child, fostering deeper connections within your family. For a sighted Deaf child, their eyes are available to access language from day one. This means ASL can provide language exposure opportunities during the critical window of development during the first three years of the child’s life. Waiting for hearing technology to be fit or implanted and for the brain to learn to interpret the sound into meaningful language may mean that your child misses opportunities to develop language skills. Whereas, they can start learning ASL immediately and thus, avoid language delays.
2. Cognitive Development: Solid language skills increase cognitive development. If your child learns ASL early on, they will become bilingual! There are many cognitive benefits to being bilingual!
3. Cultural Awareness: ASL connects your child and your family to the Deaf community, promoting a strong sense of identity and belonging.
4. Inclusivity: By learning ASL, you demonstrate respect and inclusion for your child’s language and culture.
5. Social Opportunities: ASL opens doors to friendships, events, and cultural exchanges within the Deaf community.

Learning ASL From Deaf Adults Deaf instructors are the best teachers of ASL. Their lived experience provides a rich understanding of the language and culture. Here’s how to connect with Deaf instructors:

• Hire Private Tutors: Many Deaf individuals offer private ASL tutoring tailored to your family’s needs.
• Join Workshops & Classes: Look for Deaf-led ASL workshops or classes in your area.
• Participate in Deaf Events: Attend Deaf-led events to immerse yourself in the language and learn from native signers.
• Engage with Deaf Mentors: Some organizations match families with Deaf mentors who can teach ASL and share cultural insights.
• Follow Deaf Content Creators: Some Deaf content creators have ASL content on their social media platforms.
• Attend ASL Interpreted Events: Request an ASL interpreter for your child for community events or attend events that are marketed as having ASL interpretation.
• Utilize Online Platforms: There are some online platforms that can support you in learning ASL. Choose wisely though, as the quality of these resources can vary.

Oregon ASL Classes
Oregon School for the Deaf offers ASL Classes on Zoom

ASL Courses through Oregon Colleges

• Portland State University
• Portland Community College
• Western Oregon University
• University of Oregon
• Southern Oregon University
• Oregon State University

Helpful Web Resources for Families

• PCC Community Ed – ASL Classes
• American Society for Deaf Children
• OIC Movies
• Gallaudet University’s Free ASL Videos/Lessons
• College Guide for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students
• Portland Early Learning Project
• The Learning Center for the Deaf
• Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
• Described and Captioned Media Program
• VL2 Parent Toolkit
• Making Their Mark on the World: Life Stories and Reflections from Successful Young Deaf Adults
• Through Your Child’s Eyes: American Sign Language
• ASL-STEM Forum
• DeafStem
• Deaf TEC
• NTID Science Signs Lexicon
• Hands and Wrists: Learning American Sign Language
• ASL at Home
• Apps for Learning ASL ASDC suggestions to support family learning of ASL.
• The ASL App (ASL for the People), is about teaching conversational ASL. It includes over 1,000 signs and phrases for adults as well as ASL with Care Bears for kids to learn ASL.
• Four ASL apps links you to four popular apps to learn ASL: iASL, ASL Pro, Sign 4 Me, and ASL Dictionary
• Marlee Signs highlights video demonstrations of Marlee Matlin teaching the basics of ASL, including the signed alphabet, basic vocabulary, and common expressions in everyday life.
• VL2 Storybook Apps, developed by the Visual Language Visual Learning Center (VL2) at Gallaudet, providing interactive stories in both American Sign Language (ASL) and English.
• ASL Connect is an online resource for learning American Sign Language and Deaf Studies. ASL Connect provides paid learning content, as well as language learning services designed for businesses and families.
• ASL Deafined is a subscription-based website provides ASL video lessons. The content is for anyone who wishes to learn ASL, regardless of age. It has been designed to instruct deaf students, parents of deaf children, and the community-at-large. You may cancel your subscription at any time. Nationally certified interpreters teach all lessons.

Support for Parents/Caregivers
Did you know that 96% of deaf or hard of hearing infants are born to hearing parents? The Deaf community understands that hearing parents might feel unprepared for raising their deaf or hard of hearing child. We are here to support you by sharing about our own experiences, sharing our expertise navigating the world as a Deaf or hard of hearing person, and inviting you into our beautiful and vibrant Deaf community.

For Deaf parents of DHH infants, we understand that you may still benefit from support in navigating the systems that support children who are Deaf or hard of hearing, and we are here for you too!

Support from Deaf Leaders
Deaf leaders can provide families with Deaf children support in a variety of ways. Deaf Leaders can act as role models or guides, showing hearing parents what their Deaf children are capable of achieving. Deaf leaders can also help families navigate life in a hearing world by sharing their day-to-day experiences. Deaf Leaders may also be trained to provide language support and teach families ASL. Finally, Deaf leaders can provide families with emotional support by sharing their own stories of perseverance, overcoming barriers, and providing reassurance that empowers the parent to make decisions for their child.

Deaf leaders may provide direct support to families through structured programs such as the SKI-HI Deaf Mentor program or Hands & Voices’ Guide By Your Side program. Families might also receive support from Deaf leaders by taking ASL classes taught by Deaf instructors, attending Deaf community events, or attending events for parents/caregivers of DHh children. Finally, parents/caregivers can also connect with Deaf leaders on social media.

New research from Dr. Karen Hopkins, a Deaf researcher studying family empowerment, shows the power of parents/caregivers connecting with Deaf leaders early on. When parents who had the opportunity to connect with Deaf leaders were asked about their experience, over 85% of them said they wished they had connected with a Deaf leader 0 to 6 months after their child was identified as Deaf or hard of hearing.

Click here to connect with Deaf Leaders.

Support from Other Parents/Caregivers
Parents of Deaf or hard of hearing children may also benefit from connecting with other parents/caregivers of DHH children. Hands & Voices of Oregon offers the Guide By Your Side program, which pairs trained parent guides with parents of Deaf or Hard of Hearing children who are under the age of 3.  Hands & Voices of Oregon also hosts family and parent/caregiver events.

Other Support and Resources for Parents/Caregivers:
For a list of organizations that provide support to parents/caregivers of Deaf or hard of hearing children, please visit:

• Connect with Deaf Leaders page
• Local & National connections page

Why Should I Connect with Deaf Leaders?

When you connect with Deaf leaders, it is an opportunity for your family to learn from someone who understands the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of life as a Deaf person. It can be an empowering experience for both you and your child, and help you create a nurturing and affirming environment for your child.

The Value of Deaf Adults in my Family’s Journey: “I remember very early in our journey I asked my friend what it was like growing up as a child who was hard of hearing. All these years, I am thankful that she took the time to share with me her experiences.It was her ongoing support that helped me realize that I needed to raise my son just like ANY of my children. I never lowered my expectations because of his needs…but always made sure he had the support he needed to succeed.” – Rosabel Agbayani

How Can I Connect with Deaf Leaders?
Unfortunately, at this time, Oregon does not have a structured program for parents/caregivers of DHH children to meet with DHH leaders. This means that you will have to work a little harder to find the opportunity to connect with DHH leaders. (If you would like to advocate for a structured program, scroll to the bottom of this page for tips).

Deaf-led Organizations
Interacting with Deaf-led organizations is a GREAT way to connect with Deaf leaders in Oregon! Oregon is fortunate to have four AMAZING Deaf-led organizations that you should connect with and follow on social media.

1. Bridges Oregon is a Deaf-led statewide nonprofit organization that offers FREE services to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Oregonians of all ages and their families! These services include advocates, career/job coaches, independent living coaching, co-navigation and communication facilitation and more! To connect your family with services at Bridges, email ehdi@bridgesoregon.org
2. Oregon Association of the Deaf mission is to preserve, protect, and promote the civil, human and linguistic rights of the Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened and those individuals with additional disabilities or intersectional identities in the state of Oregon.
3. Oregon School for the Deaf mission to create a safe and empowering learning environment, rich in language where Deaf students can thrive, entering the world with new connections. OSD also hosts many events including ASL classes for families with Deaf children. Check them out!
4. CymaSpace/Woodstock Sign Language Cafe: CymaSpace is a nonprofit, Deaf-owned technology hub in Portland, Oregon. The CymaSpace mission is to make arts, media and culture accessible and inclusive to the Deaf community through Technology, Education and Outreach

Attend Deaf-led Events
Attending Deaf-led and Deaf centric events is a great way to connect with DHH leaders! The Deaf community will embrace your child and family with open arms at our events.

Take ASL Classes Taught By Deaf Instructors
ASL classes can be hard to find! Visit our ASL resources page to find ASL instruction opportunities that are taught by Deaf instructors.

Frequent Deaf Owned Businesses
Visiting Deaf owned businesses and/or utilizing services from Deaf owned businesses, is a great way to connect with Deaf leaders in Oregon!

• A5 Interpreting (link)
• Camp Taloali (link)
• Cymaspace (link)
• Jennifer Jo Deily Fine Art (link)
• King’s Hookah Lounge (link)
• KrakenGeek (link)
• Looslea Holsteins Dairy Farm (link)
• MAXimize Your Tech (link)
• Sign Class (link)
• Tactile Communications (link)
• Talking Hands Massage Therapy (link)
• Tattoo Artist at Grizzly Tattoo (link)
• Tim Baker’s Lawn Care (link)

Follow Deaf content creators on social media
Following Deaf content creators on social media can be a great way to learn from Deaf leaders in the comfort of your own home!

There is a great list of social media content creators hosted at Rochester Institute for Technology. Check it out!
https://infoguides.rit.edu/c.php?g=1203916&p=8805957

Want to Advocate for a Program that Connects Deaf Leaders with Parents/Caregivers of Deaf Children?
If you want to advocate for the implementation of a structured program in Oregon here are some steps you can take.

1. Contact the Oregon EHDI team  and demand that they allocate some of their federal funding towards this goal.
2. Contact your early intervention program or regional program administrator and tell them what a program like this would mean to your family.
3. Contact Oregon Hands & Voices  and tell them you’d like them to implement a DHH Guide By Your Side program alongside their parent Guide By Your Side program.
4. Know of a funding source such as a grant, donor, etc who would want to support this project? Contact ehdi@bridgesoregon.org

Legal & Legislative Resources

To understand the rights entitled to your child and your family, it is important to understand current legislation. This page has resources to help you understand federal and/or Oregon laws that may apply to your family.

Federal Laws

• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects people with disabilities from discrimination in many areas of public life. (link)
• The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities and ensures special education and related services to those children. The IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services. (link)

Oregon Legislative Bills (passed)

• 2023 Regular Session. House Bill (HB) 2994 Modifies requirements for health insurance coverage of hearing-related items and services. (link).
• 2023 Regular Session. Senate Bill (SB) 569 Requires closed-captioned television receivers in public areas within places of public accommodation to display closed captioning unless exception applies. (link)
• 2023 Regular Session. Senate Bill (SB) 685 Modifies the definition of “Communication Facilitator” (link)
• 2023 Regular Session. House Bill (HB) 2669 Bill of Rights for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Children relating to Education. (link)
• 2021 Regular Session. House Bill (HB) 3183. “Requires parents of child who is deaf or deafblind or who is hard of hearing to be provided information about relevant services and placements offered by school district, education service district, regional programs and Oregon School for the Deaf whenever individualized family service plan or individualized education program is developed, revised or reviewed.” (link)
• 2019 Regular Session. House Bill (HB) 3205. “Expands Telecommunication Devices Access Program to include provision of communication facilitator.” (link)
• 2017 Regular Session. House Bill (HB) 3412. “Establishes Task Force on Assessments of Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.” (link)

Position Statements

• Position Statement on Improving Child Protection Services for Families with Deaf Individuals (link)
• Position Statement on Quality Foster Care Services Continuum for Deaf Children (link)
• Position Statement on Mental Health Services for Deaf Children (link)
• Oregon’s own version of ADA law (ORS 659a)

Legal Resources

• Disability Rights Oregon helps people with disabilities with their disability-related legal issues in Oregon. (link)
• Attorneys who represent parents and children in special education disputes in Oregon. (link)

Advocates at Bridges Oregon can help you understand your/your child’s legal rights, current legislation that may be relevant to your family, and to help you connect with legal resources. To connect with an family advocate, email ehdi@bridgesoregon.org

Disability Rights Oregon helps people with disabilities with their disability-related legal issues in Oregon.

Advocate For Your Child

Raising a Deaf or hard of hearing child comes with unique challenges and opportunities. You may have new systems to navigate. Some of these systems are complex and can be difficult to navigate. In addition to learning how to make your way through the educational system, medical system and more, you might also face barriers, uneducated providers, discrimination and more. When a system isn’t working for your child or your family, you may need to advocate for a better experience. Advocacy is one of the most powerful tools you can use to ensure your child has access to the resources, education, and opportunities they need to thrive.

What Is Advocacy? Advocacy involves speaking up for the rights and needs of your child to ensure they receive the appropriate support and services. As a parent, you are your child’s first and most important advocate. Advocacy can take many forms, including:

• Communicating with educators about accommodations in school.
• Ensuring access to qualified interpreters or assistive technology.
• Promoting inclusion in community activities.
• Navigating healthcare systems for specialized care.

Advocacy is about removing barriers, building bridges, and ensuring equal opportunities for your child.

Becoming an Advocate For Your Child: Learning how to advocate for your child and your family can take time, but it is a skill set that anyone can learn!

Here are steps you can take to become an effective advocate for your child:

1. Educate Yourself: Learn about your child’s rights under laws like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Familiarize yourself with state-specific resources for deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
2. Understand Your Child’s Needs: Every child is unique and you know your child best. Work with professionals to understand your child’s specific needs and ensure that the approach is tailored to your child, not a one size fits all approach.
3. Build Relationships: Establish positive relationships with teachers, school administrators, healthcare providers, and community leaders. Collaboration is key to effective advocacy.
4. Develop Communication Skills: Be clear, assertive, and respectful when advocating for your child. Practice explaining your child’s needs in a way that emphasizes solutions and benefits for all parties involved.
5. Stay Organized: Keep detailed records of meetings, evaluations, and correspondence related to your child’s education and care. This documentation can be invaluable during disputes or planning sessions. Some parents/caregivers find it helpful to keep a binder or folder to organize their documentation.
6. Join Support Networks: Connect with other parents, advocacy groups, and organizations for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Sharing experiences and resources can strengthen your advocacy efforts.

How a Trained Advocate Can Help
While you are your child’s primary advocate, there may be times when you need additional support. A trained advocate is a professional who specializes in navigating systems and ensuring that the rights of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals are upheld. They can assist your family by:

• Interpreting Laws and Policies: Advocates can help you understand your child’s rights and the responsibilities of schools and other institutions.
• Attending Meetings: Advocates can join you in Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan meetings to ensure your child’s needs and your family priorities are addressed.
• Preventing Conflict: Working with an advocate can help you avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, and barriers in services/care. You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from support from an advocate.
• Negotiating Solutions: Advocates are skilled in building consensus and understanding of the child’s needs and appropriate solutions.
• Providing Resources: Advocates can connect you with local and national resources, including parent support organizations, language access services, and more.
• Empowering Parents: A good advocate doesn’t just represent you—they teach you how to effectively advocate for your child in the future.

Don’t wait until you are in a crisis to connect with an advocate! To connect with a family advocate at Bridges Oregon today, email ehdi@bridgesoregon.org.

Local & National Connections
Connecting with the Deaf Hard of Hearing Community and with other parents/caregivers of DHH children can be one of the most empowering steps you can take! Below are organizations you might want to explore.

Local Connections:

• Bridges Oregon is a Deaf-led statewide nonprofit organization that offers FREE services to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Oregonians of all ages and their families! These services include advocates, career/job coaches, independent living coaching, co-navigation and communication facilitation and more! To connect your family with services at Bridges, email ehdi@bridgesoregon.org
• Oregon Association of the Deaf mission is to preserve, protect, and promote the civil, human and linguistic rights of the Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened and those individuals with additional disabilities or intersectional identities in the state of Oregon.
• Oregon Hands & Voices is a parent led organization that supports parents of children who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
• Oregon School for the Deaf mission to create a safe and empowering learning environment, rich in language where Deaf students can thrive, entering the world with new connections. OSD also hosts many events including ASL classes for families with Deaf children.
• Bridge City Montessori is a private Montessori school for ages 18 months-6 years old, located in Portland, OR. The program serves both Deaf and hearing children using a Bilingual/Bimodal model where every lesson is presented in both ASL and English. They also run the Deaf Look Club which is an ASL club for Deaf and Hard of Hearing teens.
• CymaSpace/Woodstock Sign Language Cafe: CymaSpace is a nonprofit, Deaf-owned technology hub in Portland, Oregon. The CymaSpace mission is to make arts, media and culture accessible and inclusive to the Deaf community through Technology, Education and Outreach.
• Tucker Maxon is a nonprofit private school located in Portland Oregon that teaches hearing and Deaf/Hard of hearing students. Tucker Maxon has an oral/listening approach and they do not teach or use ASL in the classroom.
• Oregon Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs Institute on Development and Disability, OHSU: The Oregon Family to Family Health Information Center supports families and caregivers of children with special health needs when navigating complex health care systems. Staffed by parents of children and youth with a variety of health conditions, we provide free one-to-one support, training, and printed materials to families and professionals who serve them.
• Oregon EHDI is the state’s early hearing detection and intervention program. It is currently housed at Oregon Health Authority. OR EHDI has an advisory council that parents might be interested in joining.
• Oregon DeafBlind Project is a federally funded project that provides technical assistance and training to support students who are DeafBlind. It is currently housed at Columbia Regional Inclusive Services.
• Helen Keller National Center Regional Network- Northwest is a national organization that has a regional representative for the Northwest region which includes Oregon. They may be able to connect families with DeafBlind children with resources.
• CHARGE Syndrome National Foundation- Oregon Family Liaison is a national organization that has an Oregon family liaison. They provide resources and support to families who have a child with CHARGE Syndrome.
• FACT Oregon is a nonprofit organization that supports families with children with disabilities and serves as Oregon’s Parent-Information-Training-Center.

National Resources:

• The Family Leadership in Language and Learning Center (FL3) is a federally funded technical assistance center that works to increase family engagement and leadership, and strengthen family support in the Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) systems of care to enable families to optimize the language, literacy, and social-emotional development of their children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
• The Beacon Center is a federally funded Implementation Change Center (ICC), a resource and catalyst for change, helping states and territories create optimal environments for deaf and hard of hearing newborns, infants, and young children to thrive.
• American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC) empowers all families with deaf* and hard-of-hearing children and youth by embracing full language and communication access in inclusive environments through mentoring, advocacy, resources, and collaborative networks.
• National Association for the Deaf (NAD) is the nation’s premier civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America.
• The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center researches, trains, and models best practices in the education of deaf and hard of hearing students from birth to 21. Our work supports families and caregivers, education and healthcare professionals, and state leaders.
• SKI-HI is a organization that created the SKI HI Deaf Mentor program.Their program trains Deaf Mentors to provide family-centered, home based, and curriculum-led early education in the home, focusing on Visual Communication, American Sign Language, and Bridging and Navigating Deaf and Hearing Experiences with the families with deaf children.