We are families with children who are deaf and hard of hearing.
We use many different types of communication modes:

Auditory Verbal, Auditory Oral, Cued Speech, American Sign Language, Signed English, Simultaneous Communication and Total Communication.

We are deaf and hard of hearing adults.
We are professionals.
We are from every corner of the state of Louisiana
We are united, because we are Hands & Voices.

ABOUT US

Hands & Voices is a nationwide non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families and their children who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as the professionals who serve them. We are a parent driven, parent/professional collaborative group that is unbiased towards communciation modes and methods. Our diverse membership includes those who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families who communicate orally, with signs, cue and/or combined methods. We exist to help our children reach their highest potentional.

Hands & Voices is passionate about improving the eductional outcomes and quality of life for our children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

How did we get to where we are today?

Louisiana Hands & Voices was incorporated November 1, 2007
Guide By Your Side program (GBYS) implemented 2013
Advocacy Support Training (ASTra) implemented 2018

We began as a group of parents and professionals who were seeking change in the Deaf education system in Louisiana. This group worked together to raise interest among family members, audiologists, speech therapists, teachers, early intervention specialists, and other professionals across the state. In 2007, we were honored to become an official chapter of Hands & Voices. Since that time we have continued to raise awareness for our cause while increasing our membership, creating family events and supporting parents state-wide.

Today, Louisiana Hands & Voices is a network of parents, family members and professionals with a strong commitment to the deaf and hard of hearing education community. We serve those who use American Sign Language, spoken English, total communication, cued speech, with cochlear implants, hearing aids and/or no hearing technologies from Louisiana (and the rest of the nation). Louisiana Hands & Voices is a safe place to explore options, get unbiased support, learn from one another and share common experiences. We value diversity and honor the role of parents and family as the single greatest factor in raising a well-adjusted, successful child.

Families can learn about the variety of resources and options available to them and how to access them. Through this network of resources, families can make informed decisions about their future in regards to educational options, the changing landscape of assistive technologies and many other issues facing families with children who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Families within the same geographic region within the state can share experiences and information as they support each other. They will be given the opportunity to gain knowledge and direction from families who have faced the same challenges and choices.