Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resources

This article explains how hearing loss can affect a child’s ability to develop communication (speech and sign language) and social skills. The earlier children with hearing loss start getting services, the more likely they are to reach their full potential. 

ASCD is a nonprofit organization that supports and educates parents of deaf children.

The Institute for Community Inclusion’s Deaf & Disability in Early Childhood Center (DDECC) supports research, training, and consultation related to families and their children with disabilities or children who are deaf (including D/deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind, or DeafDisabled). DDECC engages families, educators, service providers, medical and allied health professionals, and anyone working in systems that promote research and policy for deaf children, children with disabilities, and families. 

These resources focus on early intervention and early childhood education for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. 

For more than 100 years, IAD has been improving the lives of deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing people in Illinois.  

Illinois EHDI works with parents and providers to ensure all babies get screened for hearing loss no later than 1 month of age; all infants who do not pass their hearing screen receive a diagnostic evaluation no later than 3 months of age; and all infants with a hearing loss enroll in early intervention services no later than 6 months of age.

The Illinois School for the Deaf is an integral part of the statewide continuum of services for children who are deaf or hard of hearing, serving students ages 3 to 21, from preschool through the 12th grade, with a program designed specifically for infants and toddlers in the surrounding area who are deaf or hard of hearing. 

The scope of this Practice Portal page is children ages birth–18 years who are either born deaf or hard of hearing or acquire hearing loss later in childhood. It focuses on language and communication considerations following initial comprehensive audiologic assessment and identification. 

The National Association of 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. Established in 1880, the NAD was shaped by deaf leaders who believed in the right of the American deaf community to use sign language, to congregate on issues important to them, and to have its interests represented at the national level.  

NIDCD is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and supports research and provides information related to communication impairments. 

This webpage provides information about the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission. It describes resources related to advocacy, education, equipment, state employment, and ADA information for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Illinois. 

This brief focuses on American Sign Language (ASL) and the social, emotional, linguistic, and cognitive benefits that it provides for infants, toddlers, and young children. Learn strategies for supporting families who use ASL or want to introduce ASL to their child and find tips for building connections with deaf family members. Explore fun activities to support children’s language and ASL development.