Official State of Rhode Island website

Color scheme: Change the visual color theme between light or dark modes
Font size: Adjust the font size from the system default to a larger size
Line spacing: Adjust the space between lines of text from the system default to a larger size
Word spacing: Adjust the space between words from the system default to a larger size

State of Rhode Island Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Executive Department / Established in 1977. Restructured in 1992.

Language & Family Communication

For Parents of Newly Identified Deaf or Hard of Hearing Children:

Family practicing ASL

Getting Started

If you are reading this, you probably recently have found out your child is deaf or hard of hearing. The news may have come as a shock – maybe you never met a deaf person before. Alternatively, maybe it came as a relief – perhaps noticed your child wasn’t responding to your voice but were not sure why. In any case, you are looking for answers and support. Here are several tips to consider as you gather information and make decisions for your child and family.

Articles/Videos

Avoiding Assumptions (Hands & Voices)
Considerations for Using an ASL and Spoken English Bilingual Approach with Young Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing (NDEC)
Making Decisions (Baby Hearing.com)
My Deaf Child (Rachel Coleman)
Ways to Communicate with a Child with Hearing Loss (MN Department of Education)
Why Sign Language Is So Important to Me? (by Jessica Marie Flores)

Resources

Audiology/Speech/ENT (Where can I find Audiology/Speech/ENT services?)
Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center (NDEC)
Newborn Hearing Screening Program (RI Department of Health)
Rhode Island School for the Deaf (RI Department of Education)

Resources-Federal

Decision Guide to Communication Choices (CDC)
Learn Signs, Act Early! (CDC)
Opening Doors: Communication and Technology options with your Deaf Child (U.S. Dept. of Education)