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Families

Families of deaf and hard of hearing students play a vital role in their child’s education and future life success, as they bridge the gap between what happens at school and what happens at home. As deaf and hard of hearing children grow from infancy to adulthood, their families are the constant; they are part of the full spectrum of growth. Families have insight and information to share that can benefit professionals and systems; their input helps others to understand and better support their deaf/hard of hearing child. The resources on this page are designed to provide families with quick and easy access to information and opportunities that can be helpful as they support their children in becoming confident, successful students and young adults.  

Family Resource Group

  • The PaTTAN Family Resource Group shares monthly newsletters containing resources, upcoming events, and community networks that support families of students who are deaf or hard of hearing, deafblind, or blind/low vision. Signing up is an easy way for you to get updates and opportunities delivered straight to your inbox! 

    • Who should sign up? 
      • Pennsylvania families and educators of children who are blind or visually impaired (BVI), deaf or hard of hearing (DHH), or deafblind (DB) are invited to sign up for the PaTTAN Family Resource Group. Please pass this invitation on to any other families you may know who have a child with hearing concerns, as well as school staff and medical professionals who can help spread the word 
    • How do I sign up? 
      • To sign up to receive monthly newsletters from the Family Resource Group, complete the brief sign up form  and you’ll begin receiving the newsletters each month.  
    • Why sign up? 
      • The Family Resource Group is a way for PaTTAN to send up-to-date resources, opportunities, and connections directly to your family. It helps you and your child have more access to what you need for success in school and beyond. It will keep your family more informed about the special education process and available supports across Pennsylvania.  
    • What information do I need to provide? Will my information be kept private? 
      • Your information will not be shared outside of the PaTTAN initiatives. You do not need to provide any identifying information about your child. Information will be grouped according to your area of interest (BVI, DHH, DB). You may unsubscribe at any time.  
    • Who can I contact for more information? 
      • If you’d like more information, please contact Erin Campion (DHH Parent Coordinator) at ecampion@pattan.net  
Family Engagement

The PaTTAN Family Resource Group shares monthly newsletters containing resources, upcoming events, and community networks that support families of students who are deaf or hard of hearing, deafblind, or blind/low vision. Signing up is an easy way for you to get updates and opportunities delivered straight to your inbox! 

  • Who should sign up? 
    • Pennsylvania families and educators of children who are blind or visually impaired (BVI), deaf or hard of hearing (DHH), or deafblind (DB) are invited to sign up for the PaTTAN Family Resource Group. Please pass this invitation on to any other families you may know who have a child with hearing concerns, as well as school staff and medical professionals who can help spread the word 
  • How do I sign up? 
    • To sign up to receive monthly newsletters from the Family Resource Group, complete the brief sign up form  Fill out the form and you’ll begin receiving the newsletters each month.  
  • Why sign up? 
    • The Family Resource Group is a way for PaTTAN to send up-to-date resources, opportunities, and connections directly to your family. It helps you and your child have more access to what you need for success in school and beyond. It will keep your family more informed about the special education process and available supports across Pennsylvania.  
  • What information do I need to provide? Will my information be kept private? 
    • Your information will not be shared outside of the PaTTAN initiatives. You do not need to provide any identifying information about your child. Information will be grouped according to your area of interest (BVI, DHH, DB). You may unsubscribe at any time.  
  • Who can I contact for more information? 
    • If you’d like more information, please contact Erin Campion (DHH Parent Coordinator) at ecampion@pattan.net  
PA Expanded Core Competencies for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
  • What is the Pennsylvania Expanded Core Competencies for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (PA ECC-DHH)? 
    • The Pennsylvania Expanded Core Competencies for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (PA ECC-DHH) is a comprehensive description of the unique needs of children/students who are deaf or hard of hearing, including the supplemental learning and functional skills that may be needed to support their educational success and the delivery of a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). 
  • What areas does the PA ECC-DHH cover? 
    • The eight content rubric areas of the PA ECC-DHH: Academic Language Development, Audiology: Hearing & Listening, Career & Work Readiness, Communication: American Sign Language, Communication: Spoken Language, Self-Determination & Advocacy, Social-Emotional Competencies, and Technology are designed to help educators, students, and families identify the skills which deaf and hard of hearing students must develop to fully access their education and succeed in school and beyond. Many of these skills are those that are incidentally developed by their typically hearing peers, but which must be acquired through explicit instruction by deaf and hard of hearing students.  
  • How can the PA ECC-DHH be used to support my child’s educational needs? 
    • Educators can utilize the assessments section to help attain a baseline of your child’s present levels of performance; this data can then be utilized to identify areas of need in the various content rubrics and subskill areas. These needs can then be paired with core standards to help inform the creation of your child’s IEP goals.  
Student-Led IEPs
  • What is a Student-Led IEP?  
    • A Student-Led IEP is your child’s annual Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting in which your child plays an integral role in planning, providing input, and/or leading. 
  • How does the Student-Led IEP Process help my child? 
    • Having an active part in ther IEP process helps your child: 
      • Be a leader 
      • Be a good communicator for themself 
      • Work with a team to solve problems 
      • Focus on how to reach their goals 
      • Take responsibility for their learning 
      • Plan for their future 
  • How can our family benefit from the Student-Led IEP Process? 
    • Supporting your child to lead their own IEP process helps you: 
      • Understand the IEP process 
      • Increase your input, and your child’s ideas, in the IEP process 
      • Build partnerships with the entire IEP team 
      • Grow your advocacy skills and your child’s self-advocacy skills 
      • See your child’s current growth and envision the road ahead 
      • Show your child’s abilities and keep the focus on your child’s plan for their future 
  • Where can I get more information about the Student-Led IEP process? 
    • Visit the Student-Led IEP page of the PaTTAN website for more information 
Community Organizations
  •  Hands and Voices is a parent-led, professionally-collaborative organization infused with the life experiences of adults who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, that is dedicated to serving families with children who are D/HH without a bias around communication modes or methodology 
  •  American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC) is committed to empowering all families with deaf* and hard-of-hearing children and youth by embracing full language and communication access in inclusive environments through mentoring, advocacy, resources, and collaborative networks. 
  • The AG Bell Association) mission is to help deaf and hard of hearing children hear, speak, and thrive. 
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  •  The PEAL Center works with families, youth and young adults with disabilities and special health care needs across Pennsylvania to help them understand their rights and advocate for themselves. 
  •  HUNE (Hispanos Unidos para Niños Excepcionales) is a not for profit organization that provides free bilingual (English and Spanish) programs, supports, and services on all aspects of special education for children and youth with all disabilities from 0-26 years of age and their families. 
  •  Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing) is an information, resource, and advocacy center for deaf and hard of hearing Pennsylvanians.