COVID-19 Related Resources and Support
Here at Virginia Hands & Voices, we know that life can be challenging enough without the added stress of a pandemic! That's why we have created this page dedicated to services, resources and support to help you navigate through our "new normal."
This page will be updated regularly, especially as we get closer to the beginning of the new school year. If you know of a resource that you have found valuable in your life, please share it with us at vahandsandvoices@gmail.com
We hope you are staying safe and healthy!
Resources for Parents and Caregivers:
From the ASDC (American Society for Deaf Children) - How to talk to your kids about COVID-19 in ASL and English:
https://deafchildren.org/2020/03/talking-to-kids-about-coronavirus-asl-english-resources/
From the NASP (National Association of School Psychologists - Helping Children Cope with COVID-19:
From the American Academy of Pediatrics - Keeping Children Safe During the Pandemic:
From Hands & Voices - Considerations for Families with DHH Children During COVID-19:
Language and Literacy Learning Tips for Parents from Hands & Voices:
https://handsandvoices.org/fl3/topics/tipsheets.html
Hearing First - Did You Know? Video Series:
https://learn.hearingfirst.org/didyouknow
Read Together Video Series from Hearing First:
https://www.hearingfirst.org/b/blog/posts/read-together-learn-together
Educational Resources
From the Moog Center in St. Louis, MO:
The Effects of Face Coverings and Remote Microphone Technology on Speech Perception in the Classroom
Many schools are facing critical decisions in the age of COVID-19, including how best to facilitate learning while wearing personal protective equipment, such as face coverings. Children, especially children who are deaf or hard of hearing (dhh), are entitled to quality access to auditory information for speech perception and learning—even when their teachers are wearing face coverings. This white paper addresses the question of how and to what degree face coverings (with and without remote microphone technology) are affecting speech perception in the classroom. It is important for all teachers, especially for those who work with children who are dhh, to consider the listening environment for any particular child in their classroom. It is our hope that this research will contribute to the ongoing considerations for supporting student learning in the time of coronavirus.
Rethinking DHH Classroom Accessibility:
https://www.cahandsandvoices.org/images/covid19/Copy-of-Rethinking-1.png
CDC Guidelines on Whether to Send Kids to School or Continue Online Learning:
Masks and Your Child's Educational Success:
Sanitation Advice for Phonak Roger Systems Used in the Classroom:
National Deaf Center (NDC) What Colleges Need to Know for Deaf Students:
Virginia Dept. of Education:
Department of Special Education homepage:
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/special_ed/index.shtml
Return to school plan:
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/health_medical/covid-19/recover-redesign-restart.shtml#
Department of Special Education FAQs:
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/health_medical/office/covid-19-sess-faq.shtml
IEP meeting tip sheet:
https://www.parentcenterhub.org/wp-content/uploads/repo_items/virtual-iep-meeting-tipsheets.pdf
COVID/Masks/Health Related Resources
COVID-19 ASL Hotline:
https://www.csd.org/coronavirus
Article about masks, hearing loss and
school:
DHH Friendly Masks:
https://maketakestudio.com/friggshandmade/lip-reading-friendly-mask
Clear Masks and Face Shields:
http://connect-hear.com/knowledge-base/clear-masks-and-face-shields-to-order/
From the Moog Center
Face Shield with Apron:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iUGnLZ0afPTsKIpoCLZckihQCq_Xarpn/view
Instructions for Face Shield with Apron:
https://form.jotform.com/202236021265038
Friendship Circle of Virginia - Buy one and they will donate one:
https://friendship-circle-of-virginia.square.site
Accessibility
Remote Conference Captioning (free for VA residents!):
https://hamiltonrelay.com/virginia/how-it-works/rcc-remote-conference-captioning.html
Streamer Automated Captioning:
Streamer is a new approach to captioning, note-taking and translation. Streamer users receive a private and secure website, created specifically for you, your firm, school, agency, or place of worship. Use your Streamer website as often as you like to caption and translate conversations with as many people as you want. User-friendly, accessible, private, and secure, Streamer has features to support all your communication needs in every situation
https://successforkidswithhearingloss.com/streamer-page/
Using Streamer with Zoom:
Automated Real time Linked directly into Zoom's closed captioning feature. Click on the link below for a tutorial: