What is VOICE and What Can it Offer to Parents and Educators
Established over 50 years ago by parents to offer support to other families with children who were deaf and hard of hearing, VOICE has supported thousands of members during its existence and has expanded to several local chapters across Canada. VOICE for deaf and hard of hearing children is an organization committed to advocating on behalf of deaf and hard of hearing children and their families. VOICE offers support by providing access to information, education, and self-advocacy skills training.
VOICE has provided referrals to professionals, published books (including Learning to Listen: A Book by Parents for Parents), newsletters and 鈥淪ound Blasts鈥�. In addition to the many published materials, VOICE organizes an annual conference for parents and professionals, provides a Teen Outreach Program that connects youth living with hearing loss, and hosts the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program which helps foster more opportunities for parents to interact with their children using rhymes, songs and stories. Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic VOICE has pivoted on the delivery of these programs and moved many of them to an online environment. One event that has been suspended due to COVID-19 is the annual VOICE Camp. Normally held over a weekend in the summer, the camp is a wonderful opportunity for families of children with hearing loss to come together and reconnect with friends, enjoy the outdoors. With plenty of activities for children and parents alike, VOICE Camp has been a popular event for members for over 20 years. VOICE is hopeful that the annual camp can continue when it is once again safe to gather together beyond the current pandemic.
Dress LOUD Day is one of the most successful VOICE events on the annual calendar. Occurring in May (Speech and Language Awareness Month) Dress LOUD Day encourages schools and businesses to participate in a day where participants dress in their wackiest, loudest, and wildest clothing to encourage donations to support programs for children with hearing loss. It is a great opportunity to increase awareness and understanding of the needs of students with hearing loss in schools. Look for a future Dress LOUD Day event at your school in May 2022!
VOICE has active representation on Special Education Advisory Committees (SEAC) across the province, providing input and advice to ensure the provision of special education services by local school boards. The main purpose of SEAC within HCDSB is to advise on the Special Education Plan and Special Education Budget for every school year. Additional information on SEAC is available on the HCDSB website
The resources and supports available for parents, professionals and educators through VOICE are substantial and range from social supports and events to continuing education and ongoing advocacy. Parents of children with hearing loss, educators and other professionals are encouraged to visit the VOICE website for information and resources including guidance on how to create an effective Individual Education Plan (IEP). VOICE is dedicated to a world where deaf and hard of hearing children have the opportunity to maximize their listening and spoken language potential. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors composed of parents of children with hearing loss and friends of the organization. Join us and become part of the future for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families.