Maryland/DC Hands & Voices

Check out this fun weekend activity!

Join us THIS SUNDAY for a special ASL storytime session with Dr. Genie Gertz, featuring the classic “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle! 🐛📚 This event is perfect for little ones ages 0-6.

Mark your calendars: this Sunday, August 18, from 9:30 to 10:00 AM at People’s Book in Takoma Park, MD. Following the story, there will be a brief gesture activity. We can’t wait to have you with us! ✨



Image Description:
A flyer for Motion Light Lab’s upcoming ASL Storytime event featuring the book “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle. The title reads, “ASL Storytime with Dr. Genie Gertz.” The flyer includes vibrant illustrations of a caterpillar, sun, and grass from the book and provides event details in colorful squares, including the date, time, age range, and location. The event is for children ages 0-6 and will take place on Sunday, August 18, from 9:30 to 10:00 AM at People’s Book (7014 Westmoreland Ave Suite A, Takoma Park, MD 20912), followed by a gesture activity. On the bottom: GKLS and ML2 logos.

It's Friday... DC, make your weekend plans! Saturday: Get your free backpack and school supplies with MDP's DHH Unit. August 10, from 10am-2pm at the Seed School until supplies last. There will be food & drinks and family fun.
Sunday: Join Arlington's ASL Playgroup at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center to play & cool off at sprayground and watch a Deaf signer ASL story. DC GBYS is co-sponsoring with snacks and free shaved ice from ClayBoy's! August 11, from 3:30pm-5pm.

A conference scholarship is available for Washington D.C. residents who have a deaf or hard of hearing child aged 0-3. This includes lodging, conference fees, and travel expenses. For inquiries, please email [email protected]. To apply, scan the QR code today!

DeafBlind families: Save Thursday-Friday, August 8-9 for the two-day 2024 Connections Beyond Sight & Sound Virtual Summer Institute!

Thursday, August 8, 2024
9:30 - 11:30 am ET - Impact of Language Deprivation & Educational Approaches - Part 1

12:30 - 1:00 pm ET - Bond Communications

2:30 - 4:00 pm ET - Impact of Language Deprivation & Educational Approaches - Part 2

Friday, August 9, 2024
9:30 - 11:30 am ET - Using the AAC/CVI Matrix to Develop Communication Plans for DeafBlind Learners

12:30 - 1:00 pm ET - AI Learners

2:00 - 4:00 pm ET - The Power of Touch.

Register for $25 here:

lp.constantcontactpages.com

Congratulations to our very own chapter board member Thomas Horejes for being on the first DHH Advisory Council with Hands & Voices HQ! 👋. If you have any issues or ideas to share, please email us at [email protected] and it will be passed for Tommy to share

Introducing Hands & Voices HQ BRAND NEW! DHH Advisory Council

The purpose of the Hands & Voices Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advisory Council is to bring together DHH Leaders with a rich diversity of cultural and linguistic backgrounds, varying types and degrees of hearing status, communication mode and language, age of onset, educational and family background, to advise on HQ and Chapter specific needs, and to increase partnerships at the national level between parents of DHH children and the DHH community. The DHH Advisory Council is facilitated by Hands & Voices HQ’s DHH Infusion Coordinator(s) Emily Burke and Elizabeth Shuler-Krause.

Read more about the council here: https://www.handsandvoices.org/dhh-infusion/DHH-Advisory-Council.html

Happy July! Check out the Summer 2024's FREE digital version of the Communicator!
The Summer 2024 issue is available online as a "flipbook" style PDF. We hope that you will share this and distribute it to your colleagues, patients or families within your clinic and hospital. https://hv-library.com/communicator/summer-2024/

Through their quarterly newspaper, Hands & Voices influences policy, supports parent advocates, and connects individual families and professionals to both the day-to-day experience of raising a deaf/hard of hearing child and to our shared experience no matter where we live.

Also: Page 12 has a story submitted by our own board member and a Maryland parent. If you would like to submit your own article/topic, please feel free to submit it through our chapter! August 15 is the next deadline for the next print version, we will be happy to email you specific guidelines.

Summer 2024

It's almost summer! Check out these important hearing device tips to enjoy safe and enjoyable time in the water!

Meet-ups this weekend! Don't let the rain keep you away. Maryland/Harford County area: THIS AFTERNOON, Friday 5/17. Washington DC area: Sunday afternoon, 5/19.

To all the Sign Language Interpreters and Cued Language Transliterators... THANK YOU!
[May 1, 2024 - Interpreter Appreciation Day]

Off to a Great Start! 🚀⛵️✈️🚂🎈📖🚗

Explore resources and activities to support the early intervention journey for families of children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing through this virtual, interactive website.

https://handsandvoices.org/great-start/index.html

If your kid loves Arthur, Alma’s Way, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Donkey Hodie, Work It Out Wombats!, and Pinkalicious & Peterrific…. Then they can use the ASL feature!

https://www.fastcompany.com/91107318/pbs-kids-american-sign-language-interpreters-childrens-shows?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0BMQABHS8sx8H4vzu_kzjVq-wbthr-knkV2DLftvVLCGWD5ZxtOYJ58AhEGpay_g_aem_AfE2zzZZn4IYeQ3wY5dZOmX4mV_6LsWzpjUuMhhJ2gfqS1mNf9XCb54C1N0OLZHuttc

PBS Kids adds American Sign Language interpreters to some of its children’s shows Six PBS children’s series, including ‘Arthur,’ and ‘Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,’ will include ASL interpretations for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Tonight 🗣️🎙️

One day left! 📆

Join us tomorrow at 8pm for an inspiring session with Karen Maciver-Lux. Don't miss out on uncovering the keys to success in overcoming hearing challenges! Reserve your spot now: https://alexandergrahambellassociationforthedeafandhardofhearing-bloom.kindful.com/e/seven-ingredients-to-success.

Eastern Maryland Families, take a look at this fun summer event!

Do you have a Deaf or Hard of Hearing infant or toddler (birth - 3)? This special event is for you! We hope you can join us at the National Children's Museum on Friday, May 10th. Use the QR code to RSVP and reserve your free tickets!

Today is National ASL Day! How will you celebrate?
[Happy National ASL Day, April 15 2024 from Hands & Voices]

Sertoma Free Baseball Camp for all D/HH boys & girls ages 5-15 will be 3 days, August 14-16, from 9am-12pm with lunch included. All participants will receive a hat and shirt at check in and a participation medal upon completion of the camp.
They will have a variety of baseball related activities planned, a special visit from a few current Harrisburg Senators players and free tickets including food voucher for the Friday night game where all campers will have the option to stand on the field during the National Anthem. Photos from past years can be found on the Harrisburg Senators or Primal Sports pages. Additional information regarding Primal Sports can be found at www.primalsports.org or www.primalsportscharities.org. Sertoma information can be found at www.sertoma.org. Primal and Setoma are proud to provide this special experience for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

Hands & Voices Advocacy:

What Parents Hope School Staff Do and Say at IEPs compiled by Sara Kennedy, H&V Headquarters

https://www.hv-library.com/advocacy/what-parents-hope-school-staff-do-and-say-at-ieps/

Learn more about The Hands & Voices Advocacy, Support, and Training (ASTra) Program and find more advocacy resources at https://handsandvoices.org/astra/index.html

SAVE THE DATE!

The Clerc Center’s next live event explores how parents, teachers, related service providers, and IEP coordinators can navigate IEP meetings together. The panel will primarily focus on deaf and hard of hearing students from mainstream classrooms.

🗓️ May 15, 2024
⌚ 7-8:30 pm EST
💻 Zoom live event and panelist Q&A

https://gallaudet.edu/university-communications/gallaudet-university-to-establish-national-beacon-center-for-the-advancement-of-early-language-acquisition-for-deaf-children/?fbclid=IwAR1FDxYg_LGJvOtXFZ4iiwiTFdroznkpJWBFAcTn9g_CPNz9_LwoEvap9a4_aem_AfZ9btiiEhQKV-huMMx8Q_G0XT0xGZGd1j7Sc2Knn05v_vAt3KXdh9ThBKX0B4f47wY

Gallaudet University to establish “National Beacon Center” for the Advancement of Early Language Acquisition for Deaf Children | University Communications | Gallaudet University Gallaudet University has entered into a five-year, $3.75 million cooperative agreement with the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) in the Health

North East Maryland we have a Library meet-up for you! Parent Guide Jenny will be there with a fun spring craft and story time. Come meet other families with D/HH children!

H&V/ FL3 Leadership Webinar Series #2: Leadership Essentials: Navigating the Path to Success

Thursday, April 18, 2024 Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm MT

This presentation explores the leadership journey, exploring components of how to become a leader, engaging others, finding strengths, and leading effectively as a parent leader in the EHDI system. By reflecting on oneself, building trust, and embracing diversity, individuals learn to inspire and motivate others. Key aspects discussed are setting a clear vision, nurturing teams, and handling challenges with resilience. This webinar offers actionable insights for aspiring and current leaders, emphasizing continuous growth. Register now: https://handsandvoices.org/fl3/register/

Primary Audience

Family leaders, family-based support organizations, Deaf-based organizations. EHDI program staff, EHDI systems stakeholders, and Pediatric Healthcare Professionals are also welcome.

Presenters

Anita Cervantes-Bowen, IL H&V GBYS Statewide Lead Deaf Parent Guide

Anita grew up with deaf parents and acquired hearing loss early in her life. She has four children who are special, unique individuals; one was born Deaf, one with Spina Bifida at birth, three had hearing loss later at a young age and one became Deaf-Blind including various usage of special communication modes. Individually, they taught her to recognize every potential in their lives to accomplish their goals. She has a BS in Human Development and Family Science from Illinois State University. She has served as a Statewide Deaf Parent Guide of Guide By Your Side since 2012 and now serves as the DHH Lead. Anita enjoys working with families whose children are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. In 2023, she graduated from the Hands & Voices L2L (Leadership-to-Leadership) Program. Anita joined the Illinois Hands & Voices Board of Directors to identify potential resources, organize events, and assist families with our projects.

Carrie Balian, IL H&V GBYS Coordinator, H&V HQ GBYS Program Lead

Carrie is a mother of five children. Her oldest son, Jack, was born deaf. She has been the Coordinator of her state Guide By Your Side (GBYS) program for the last 15 years and has presented to groups nationwide and co-authored several publications. She is a member of the Illinois Universal Newborn Screening Advisory Committee and the Illinois Hands & Voices board. Carrie also works with Hands & Voices HQ as a Region 5 Coordinator and as the GBYS Program Lead. She is a graduate of the Hands & Voices L2L (Leadership-to-Leadership) Program. Carrie has also been recognized and awarded most recently with the 2022 Family Leadership award for her support, commitment, and leadership within the field.

Family Leadership in Language & Learning (FL3) Family Leadership in Language and Learning (FL3) works to ensure that United States subsidized EHDI systems incorporate certain elements that support the families, parents and caregivers of deaf or hard of hearing infants/children identified through newborn hearing screening in optimizing language,....

Questions parents should ask about an interpreted education! 🗣️

Hands & Voices Advocacy:
Questions Parents Should Ask About An Interpreted Education by Mah-rya Proper, Colorado, H&V

https://www.hv-library.com/advocacy/questions-parents-should-ask-about-an-interpreted-education/

A parent of a DHH teen who is also an educational interpreter weighs in on what parents should be asking about an interpreted education.

Learn more about The Hands & Voices Advocacy, Support, and Training (ASTra) Program and find more advocacy resources at https://handsandvoices.org/astra/index.html

We had a great afternoon at Baltimore's Port of Discovery Children's Museums. There were a lot of fun exhibits, and ASL story time!

Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow. Tickets will be given out at the museum!

We have enjoyed our time in Denver at the EHDI conference this week! Board member Nicole (DC), MD GBYS Coordinator Connely (MD) and our wonderful MD and DC sponsorered families attended many engaging presentations.