Resources for Parents
Tools and resources from outside sources do not constitute an endorsement from the NC Department of Public Instruction Office of Exceptional Children, but are potential tools for teams to consider.
Parent Rights and Responsibilities in Special Education Links to an external site.
Parent Rights - English Links to an external site.
Parent Rights - Spanish Links to an external site.
NC Department of Public Instruction Parent Corner Links to an external site.
Parent Center Hub Links to an external site.
Early Learning
NC Early Learning Sensory Support Program Links to an external site.
NC Infant-Toddler Program Links to an external site.
Office of Early Learning Links to an external site.
Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC) Links to an external site.
ECAC helps parents navigate the special education system, know their rights, and use their voice. They provide information, support, training and resources to assist families caring for children with special needs from birth to age 26. They also support young adults with disabilities in becoming self-advocates and leaders and the educators and professionals who serve them.
BEGINNINGS for Parents of Children with Hearing Loss Links to an external site.
BEGINNINGS for Parents of Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Inc., has served families as a non-profit organization, incorporated under the laws of NC since 1987. BEGINNINGS was established to provide emotional support and access to information as a central resource for families with deaf or hard of hearing children, age birth through 21. BEGINNINGS provides an impartial approach to meeting the diverse needs of these families and the professionals who serve them. These services are also available to deaf parents who have hearing children. The mission of BEGINNINGS is to inform and empower parents as they make decisions about their child. In addition, BEGINNINGS is committed to providing technical assistance to professionals who work with these families to help the children achieve full participation in society.
BEGINNINGS was founded on the premise that parents, given accurate, objective information about hearing loss, could make sound decisions for their child. These decisions involve placement, communication methodology and related service needs. Our staff is committed to providing services in a family centered atmosphere to facilitate active involvement of parents in their child’s social, emotional and educational growth. BEGINNINGS actively assists hearing parents of deaf or hard of hearing children and deaf parents with hearing children during the early decision making stages and throughout the educational career of the student.
The CARE Project Links to an external site.
The CARE Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing hope to families who have children and/or adults with hearing challenges through counseling experiences aimed at the processing of the emotional stages of grief. CARE also is a tool for teaching professionals and pre-professionals about the importance of active listening with their clients/patients and validating their emotional state.
CARE is a multidimensional tool that addresses the grief associated with hearing loss for individuals, families, communities, professionals and pre-professionals. The CARE Project has a number of components designed to bring families and professionals together for sharing and processing emotions, with the ultimate goal being acceptance and advocating for the best life possible.
.
Hands and Voices Links to an external site.
Hands & Voices is a non-profit, parent-driven 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, our organization represents people from all different approaches to, and experiences with, deafness or hearing loss. We have local chapters comprised mainly of parents along with professionals. As the largest parent organization for families raising children who are deaf/hard of hearing in the U.S., we are called upon for thought leadership in health, education and parenting arenas, and work with families and the systems that support them from hearing screening, identification, early intervention, school-age, and transition from high school.
.
North Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Links to an external site.
The North Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing offer resources for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing as well as their families, including free virtual sign language classes. In order to inquire about these classes, find and contact your regional center Links to an external site..
American Society for Deaf Children Links to an external site.
The American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC) is committed to empowering diverse families with children with hearing loss and youth by embracing full access to language-rich environments through mentoring, advocacy, resources, and collaborative networks.
.
North Carolina Association of the Deaf Links to an external site.
NCAD is a non-profit organization founded in 1908 when Deaf citizens in North Carolina were concerned about the education of deaf children and the residential school. Since that time, NCAD has evolved into a broad organization overseeing important educational, civil, health and social issues of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind citizens in NC.
NC Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) - Parent Page Links to an external site.
North Carolina Schools for the Deaf
John Tracy Clinic Links to an external site.
John Tracy Center provides parent-centered services locally and globally to young children with hearing loss, offering families hope, guidance, and encouragement.
Parent to Parent Family Support Network Links to an external site.
At Parent to Parent Family Support NetworkTM-High Country, we believe that all children have abilities and gifts to give.
Parent to Parent Family Support NetworkTM - High Country provides free support, caring connections, information and hope to families who have a premature baby, a child with a disability, an emotional or behavioral challenge, a mental illness, a chronic health condition or to families who are grieving the death of a child. We provide information to help families see the possibilities for their children, and tools so that they can turn that potential into reality.
American Sign Language Resources
ASL Resources in English - Coming Soon!
ASL Resources in Spanish Links to an external site.
