Hearing+Impairment



Hearing Impairments


 * ** Source ** || ** Definition of Deafness ** ||
 * //Federal Government// || A hearing impairment that is so severe that the child is impaired in processing linguistic information through hearing, with or without amplification, that adversely affects a child's educational performance. ||
 * || ** Definition of Hard of Hearing (hearing impairment) ** ||
 * //Federal Government// || An impairment in hearing, whether permanent or fluctuating, that adversely affects a child's educational performance but that is not included under the definition of deafness. ||
 * //Federally Funded Technical Assistance Clearinghouse// || A person ho perceives some sound and has sufficient hearing to use auditory-based methods of communication, sometimes with visual supplements. Some people who are severely hard of hearing use oral-aural communication, which combines speech, speech-reading, use of personal hearing aids, and other augmentative devices. ||


 * Disability Specific Information **

Websites:

[|National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY)] The NICHCY website contains information about many disabilities. The hearing loss section informs about types, signs, prevalence, and causes of hearing impairments. It also explains the educational implications and lists some services that are available for individuals with hearing impairments.

[|Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center – Gallaudet University - Info to Go] The National Deaf Education Network Clearinghouse provides information for children from birth to age 21 who are deaf or hard of hearing. It explains about education, language, technology, laws, transition to adulthood, resources, among other things.

[|Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing] This website contains general information about hearing loss. It talks about early identification and intervention, communication options for the individual, as well as services and organizations that provide support.

[|Listen Up] The //Information and Resources// link on this website leads to other useful links for individuals with hearing impairments and their family members. Some of the links lead to general information about hearing impairments. Others lead to information on assistive listening devices and hearing dogs for the deaf. You can also find information on your rights. Furthermore, it has a list of resources in Spanish.

Books:

[|Taking Hearing Impairment to School (Special Kid in School Series)] By Elaine Ernst Schneider This is a children's book about a boy named Jacob who is hearing impaired and his experiences in school. The book talks about the use of different communication methods and other accommodations he uses in school, i.e. speech therapists etc.

[|Julia's Words] By Judith L. Roth This is a children's book about a girl who is deaf and her use of sign language to communicate.

[|For Hearing People Only] By Mathew S. Moore and Linda Levitan This book discusses some common questions and misconceptions about hearing impairments.

[|Not Deaf Enough: Raising a Child Who Is Hard of Hearing With Hugs, Humor and Imagination] By Patricia Ann Morgan Candlish This book provides advice for parents, educators, and all who come into contact and play a role in the development of a child who is hard of hearing.

[| Raising and Educating a Deaf Child: A Comprehensive Guide to the Choices, Controversies, and Decisions Faced by Parents and Educators] By Mark Marschark This book provides information on all areas of rearing a deaf child, from diagnosis to Deaf culture.

[|Choices in Deafness: A Parents' Guide to Communication Options] By Ph.D. Sue Schwartz This book details the different communication options parents can provide or choose for their child.


 * Education and Services **

[|Maryland Disability Law Center. Special Education Rights: A Handbook for Maryland Families and Professionals. 2008]. This handbook is for parents of school-aged children with disabilities. It helps guide them through the process of special education and supports them in becoming advocates for their children. It focuses on IDEA and the state law and regulations. The handbook informs on identification, special education, the IEP and related services, placement, among other important topics.

[|Maryland School for the Deaf] MSD offers a bilingual education for students with hearing impairments; teaching them American Sign Language as well as English. It has two campuses, one located in Frederick and the other in Columbia. There are day students as well as residential students.

[|Gallaudet University] Gallaudet University is located in Washington D.C. It provides graduate programs for deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing students. It also conducts research on topics pertaining to deaf people.

[|Tiny Fingers] Tiny Fingers offers baby sign language classes for deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing families.

[|DORS Services for People Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing] The Division of Rehabilitation Services in the Maryland State Department of Education offers services to people who are hard of hearing so that they are prepared for work and for leading an independent life.

[|Deaf Independent Living Association, Inc.] DILA offers assistance to deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the Eastern shore of Maryland. They offer residential, community, and employment services.

[|Bridging Medicine and the Deaf World] Deaf MD provides health information in American Sign Language to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

[|CSD of Maryland] CSD offers relay and interpreting services as well as other programs for the deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing. Some of these programs include American Sign Language classes, Deaf Culture classes, Advocacy, Health Education, among others.


 * Local Support Groups and Educational Conferences **

[|NAD Biennial Conference] Held by the National Association of the Deaf, provide workshops and supports in various topics that affect deaf people, their family members and those that interact with them. Workshops cover everything from professional development, enrichment, networking, etc. This conference is held every 2 years on even years. The location varies for each conference.

[|Hearing Loss Association of America] This association has local chapters throughout the United States of America which hold meetings. They also allow for online discussion of questions or topics which can be e-mailed to the organization. Their headquarters are located in Bethesda, Maryland. They hold meetings on a monthly basis.

[|American Society for Deaf Children] ASDC was founded in 1967 as a parent helping network. It is a private non-profit organization. This organization hosts conferences, provides information on prevalent issues associated with raising deaf children, and lists many resources. It also hosts Biennial Conferences. The next one to be hosted will be on June 22-26, 2011 at the Maryland School for the Deaf.

[|Parent to Parent] This organization pairs families together with a trained family that lives close-by and is dealing with a similar situation. Parents can find guidance and support from other family members who are going through, or have gone through, similar things. [|Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center] This center is located on the Campus of Gallaudet University, a deaf liberal arts college. It provides many resources and workshops that are open to the public. There are workshops for parents, educators, children etc. They also provide programs for students who are deaf during the summer.

[|SayWhat Club] This is an online support group for hard of hearing people. It is divided into categories, which you can choose based upon how you identify yourself; i.e. parent of a child who is hard of hearing. You can also choose to be a part of a specific topic. It is required that you register to use this resource, but there are no fees associated with use or registration.


 * Recreational and Community-based Resources **

[|Lions Camp Merrick] Lions Camp Merrick is located on the shores of the Potomac River. It offers week-long residential camps for children ages 6-16 who are deaf, hard of hearing, visually impaired, or have type 1 diabetes. They also have shorter weekend camps as well as day sessions.

[|Maryland School for the Deaf Summer Camps] MSD offers camps for deaf and hard of hearing students in the summer. Their brochure changes every year

[|Maryland Association of the Deaf – Events Calendar] MDAD's website has a calendar of events being offered for the Deaf community.

[|Deaf Chat Coffee] This is a social event for the Deaf community. They meet on different days at various coffee shops, and socialize or meet new people. It is family oriented and hearing people practicing ASL are welcome as well.

[|OhSoez] This website encourages people and organizations to post events for the Deaf community that will be occurring in the state of Maryland.

[|Meetup] For ASL signers, students, and teachers to meet at various events in the MD, DC and VA region.


 * Funding/Legal Advocacy **

[|Social Services] This page provides information on how to receive social services benefits. It lists eligibility requirements, and assists in determining which programs you qualify for in order to receive payments.

[|Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing] This organization offers scholarships for students with hearing impairments. Some have specific qualifications while others do not.

[|Hear Now] The Starkey Hearing Foundation pays for analog hearing devices. Income requirements are the basis for eligibility. They expect that the audiologist does the fitting for these devices for free. Contact info: (800) 648-4327

[|National Association of the Deaf] Founded in 1980, NAD is a civil rights advocacy organization for deaf and hard of hearing Americans. Their work includes everything from accessibility to employment, health care, telecommunications, etc. Contact information: Address: 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 820, Silver Spring, MD, 20910-4500 Voice: (301) 587-1788 TTY: (301) 587-1789 Fax: (301) 587-1791 E-mail: www.nad.org/contactus

[|Funding Sources for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals] This book provides several funding sources for students that are deaf or hard of hearing.