WHO WE ARE
We are parents of kids who are deaf or hard of hearing (to whatever degree). We are parents of ASL and other visual language signers, kids who use listening and spoken language, cued speech users, total communicators, kids with hearing aids and/or cochlear implants, and kids who do not use technology to hear. We are people who have common interests connected through the community of deafness.
Hands & Voices is a safe place to explore options, get unemotional support, learn from one another and share what we have in common. We value diversity and honor the role of parents and family as the single greatest factor in raising a well-adjusted, successful kid.
There is room in the community of deafness for an organization like Hands & Voices, and in fact, I think parents, and many professionals, have been crying out for a group like this” says Leeanne Seaver, of Hands & Voices. "Somehow parents connecting to other parents provides an element of credibility; there's a level of 'knowing & feeling' that only a parent experiences. And parents, especially parents of babies newly identified with deafness or hearing loss, need a way to connect like this without being wary of a sponsoring agenda from a service provider."
Hands & Voices is a non-profit, parent-driven national organization dedicated to supporting families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. We are non-biased about communication methodologies and believe that families can make the best choices for their child if they have access to good information and support. Our membership includes families who communicate manually and/or orally. From American Sign Language to cochlear implants and spoken language, our organization represents people from all different approaches to, and experiences with, deafness or hearing loss. We are one of over 40 Hands & Voices chapters comprised mainly of parents along with professionals.
Why We are Here
Many organizations for the deaf or hard of hearing rally around a philosophy of communication. Hands & Voices does not promote specific communication choices or methodologies, but we have information about them and can direct families or professionals to support organizations for specific information. Our rallying points are areas of interest that are common to all people, but especially parents, connected by the interests of the deaf or hard of hearing, and include these values ….
- We all want the best for our children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- We deserve respect and honor for our role as parents/families. We require a beneficial, successful educational experience for our kids.
- We need information from a wide variety of sources.
- We want to know about opportunities and resources.
- We need training and support to become effective advocates for our kids.
- We are stronger united by our common interests than divided by differing communication choices.
- We must lend our organized support to all kinds of efforts that promote our common interests - strength in numbers!
Join Hands & Voices
Whether you're signing up for the first time or renewing your membership to Alabama Hands & Voices, please take time now to download the membership form or visit our online membership page. Your contribution helps us to continue developing and disseminating resources designed to give families unbiased information for their children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. We are grateful for your support. Thank you!
Scholarships are available for parents upon request
Download our Membership Form or visit our membership sign-up page to pay online.