Illinois Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side

Illinois Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side Parents of children who are deaf and hard of hearing and the professionals who work with them.

🛑 We NEED you AGAIN! 🛑Just over a week ago we asked for witness slip signatures for the SENATE bill. NOW we are asking ...
05/04/2026

🛑 We NEED you AGAIN! 🛑

Just over a week ago we asked for witness slip signatures for the SENATE bill. NOW we are asking for signatures on the HOUSE bill HB4215. Because it is a different bill and in a different committee the witness slip signatures "reset."

We ask that you take a moment to SIGN and SHARE this post/link far and wide! We had 341 signatures for the Senate bill - help us get just as many for the House bill!

Please EVERYONE sign as a "proponent" for sustainable funding for the EHDI program. You DO NOT need to be from IL to sign as a witness!

SIGN and SHARE this post far and wide!

The link to get to the form is here: https://ilga.gov/House/hearings/details/3051/22935/createwitnessslip
Follow instructions on the picture below.

There is legislation in the IL House and Senate to ask for a fee increase in the "heel stick" or "bloodspot" fee billed to insurance at baby's birth. The increase is to support the IL EHDI (Early Hearing Detection & Intervention) program. They are the folks at IDPH who follow up and provide support after a baby does not pass their hearing screen at birth. The IL EHDI program is funded through federal grants (which is not sustainable funding). Our request of an addition to this fee aligns with what 11 other states have done to secure funding for their programs (several of these are neighbors of IL).
IL identifies approximately 300 babies a year with hearing loss and that number DOUBLES by Kindergarten! Help us help the future!

Calling all Illinois parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing! We need 6 participants for our upcoming Guide ...
05/01/2026

Calling all Illinois parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing! We need 6 participants for our upcoming Guide By Your Side review sessions.
✅ 3 hours of total work
✅ Small Zoom group setting
✅ Earn a stipend for your time
Spots fill up fast! Register here: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdXg.../viewform

We’re hosting two virtual meet-ups this May! Swipe to see the flyers and save the dates:🗓️ May 4 @ 7PM: ASTra Advocates ...
04/30/2026

We’re hosting two virtual meet-ups this May! Swipe to see the flyers and save the dates:

🗓️ May 4 @ 7PM: ASTra Advocates (Zoom)
🗓️ May 13 @ 8PM: Microtia/Atresia Meet Up (Zoom)

Follow this link to register for ASTra event: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=xN_C6pTctU-RHJDEeoNDfllWP9IfIx9PtgcBwEOL_vJUNVdYTTI2ME9ZU05MWjRLREMxWjVKWFBWNS4u

Follow this link to register for Microtia/Atresia Meet Up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBXXepFfRy6VxLNZE3j2QC800wyFNTvUP-etnue-41xDwo7Q/viewform

Illinois Hands & Voices is expanding our team! We believe that the best support comes from those who have been there. We...
04/29/2026

Illinois Hands & Voices is expanding our team! We believe that the best support comes from those who have been there. We are seeking Parent Guides and Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH) Guides to provide non-biased, emotional, and informational support to families of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Apply today to turn your experience into a career of impact.

🔗 *updated link* https://form.jotform.com/240416269496161

We NEED you!Please EVERYONE sign as a "proponent" for sustainable funding for the EHDI program. You DO NOT need to be fr...
04/27/2026

We NEED you!

Please EVERYONE sign as a "proponent" for sustainable funding for the EHDI program. You DO NOT need to be from IL to sign as a witness!

SIGN and SHARE this post far and wide!

The link to get to the form is here: https://ilga.gov/.../details/3121/22893/createwitnessslip

Follow instructions on the picture below.

There is legislation in the IL House (stuck in rules) and Senate to ask for a fee increase in the "heel stick" or "bloodspot" fee billed to insurance at baby's birth. The increase is to support the IL EHDI (Early Hearing Detection & Intervention) program. They are the folks at IDPH who follow up and provide support after a baby does not pass their hearing screen at birth. The IL EHDI program is funded through federal grants (which is not sustainable funding). Our request of an addition to this fee aligns with what 11 other states have done to secure funding for their programs (several of these are neighbors of IL).

IL identifies approximately 300 babies a year with hearing loss and that number DOUBLES by Kindergarten! Help us help the future!

We NEED you!Please EVERYONE sign as a "proponent" for sustainable funding for the EHDI program. You DO NOT need to be f...
04/25/2026

We NEED you!

Please EVERYONE sign as a "proponent" for sustainable funding for the EHDI program. You DO NOT need to be from IL to sign as a witness!

SIGN and SHARE this post far and wide!

The link to get to the form is here: https://ilga.gov/Senate/hearings/details/3121/22893/createwitnessslip

Follow instructions on the picture below.

There is legislation in the IL House (stuck in rules) and Senate to ask for a fee increase in the "heel stick" or "bloodspot" fee billed to insurance at baby's birth. The increase is to support the IL EHDI (Early Hearing Detection & Intervention) program. They are the folks at IDPH who follow up and provide support after a baby does not pass their hearing screen at birth. The IL EHDI program is funded through federal grants (which is not sustainable funding). Our request of an addition to this fee aligns with what 11 other states have done to secure funding for their programs (several of these are neighbors of IL).

IL identifies approximately 300 babies a year with hearing loss and that number DOUBLES by Kindergarten! Help us help the future!

Check out this amazing opportunity! From June 25 to June 27 at the Illinois School for the Deaf, 360 Degree Academy, Inc...
04/22/2026

Check out this amazing opportunity!
From June 25 to June 27 at the Illinois School for the Deaf, 360 Degree Academy, Inc and Charity Reedy Wargion are hosting a specialized Summer Camp for students ages 14-22. This isn't a "sit and watch" program; it is a career launchpad.

Why this is a game-changer for your students/children:
A Professional Portfolio: Campers leave with a master file for their future.

The Assessment-Based Resume: A document that translates their unique skills into employer-ready language.

The DRS "Fast-Track": We assist families with "foreign" process of opening a Vocational Rehabilitation case--the engione that funds their future college or vocational training.

The Details:
Where: Illinois School for the Deaf, Jacksonville
Cost: $50.00
Goal: A clear roadmap for college, trade school, or a career.
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=nwgia7qOPEaE9TFxIQ-QBe9yxJXTXjxNkJZVPClvYhJUNk4yVEk5NDRXUlZFWDhUTjY4QlNEWUxQWiQlQCN0PWcu

04/15/2026

Happy National ASL Day from Hands & Voices!

Final Call for Mom’s Night Inn! The window is closing fast. We are down to the final few spots. If you’ve been waiting f...
04/12/2026

Final Call for Mom’s Night Inn!

The window is closing fast. We are down to the final few spots.

If you’ve been waiting for the "right time" to join us, this is it.

Deadline for registration is Monday, April, 13th.

Register here:
http://tinyurl.com/momsnightinn

Calling all hearing aid parents! 📣 Help researchers understand the journey of raising a child with hearing loss.Take a 1...
04/09/2026

Calling all hearing aid parents! 📣

Help researchers understand the journey of raising a child with hearing loss.

Take a 15-minute survey about hearing aid apps, and you could win a $50 Amazon gift card. Your voice matters!

Scan the QR code to participate!

Address

1212 Needles Court
Naperville, IL
60540

Telephone

+16306973544

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