Improving language access:

We will continue to invest in and expand our use of American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, real-time captioning, and other assistive listening devices at our events and in our recorded content, and continue to translate all printed materials into Spanish. (You can view our website in its entirety in Spanish – access this by clicking on the Mexican flag with the “ES” next to it at the very top of the page.) 

Geographic program expansion:

We will expand the number of locations offering our programs to include more communities in the South and Southwestern suburbs of Chicago, where it is often difficult to access services.

Creating inclusive environments:

We will work to ensure that all our programs and activities are physically and socially accessible to all DHH children, including those with additional disabilities. An estimated 40-60% of children with hearing loss have at least one additional diagnosed disability. (You can read more about children who are “Deaf with Disability,” or DWD on our blog.) FHSR will continue to tailor music enrichment and instrument lessons to the individualized needs of our students.

Equipping professionals to welcome diverse learners:

In addition to tailoring instrument lessons to the needs of individual students, FHSR will provide continuing education for program partners on how to accommodate a broad range of students in classes and groups, including those who are “Deaf with Disability” or DWD. The FHSR Speaker Series event “When It’s Not the Hearing Loss” will provide education to parents and professionals on when and how to seek additional testing, accommodations or support for disabilities other than hearing loss. 

Raising awareness:

We will strive to increase awareness and understanding of pediatric deafness and hearing loss within the broader community. In addition to our ongoing advocacy efforts, we will create a book scholarship for elementary school libraries and classrooms which will provide books featuring dive protagonists with hearing loss, as a way to introduce typically-hearing students and teachers to the world of hearing loss, normalizing the use of different communication styles and hearing assistive devices.

Advocating for early detection:

FHSR will also continue to invest in our 1-3-6 Awareness Campaign, offering educational content to birthing professionals and pediatricians focused on increasing their awareness of the importance to follow up after a baby does not pass their newborn hearing screening. Congenital hearing loss is overrepresented in urban, particularly Latinx, communities, where a lack of follow up screening may prevent children from proper intervention at a crucial developmental stage.

Partnering with families:

We will strengthen our partnerships with families of deaf and hard of hearing children, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met. (To that end, you are always welcome to email us to let me know what challenges your family is facing on your journey with hearing loss. We love to hear from our families!

Partnering with professionals:

We will broaden and deepen our partnerships with the professionals supporting DHH children by creating an online professional resources library and offering support on best practices for educating a child with hearing loss. FHSR recognizes that hearing professionals are often our best source for referrals, and for feedback on the current issues facing children and families with hearing loss. We will honor and learn from these partners in care.

Partnering with other organizations:

FHSR will continue to network with other organizations serving people with hearing loss and children with disabilities, recognizing and capitalizing on our shared commitment to the wellbeing and inclusion of all.

Providing access to equipment:

In 2024, FHSR provided all five of our Chicago Public Schools partners with cochlear implant chargers and batteries, so that no student would go without access to the world of sound because of a dead battery. In 2025 we will expand this program, providing CPS schools with additional hearing aid equipment, and providing equipment packages to new partner schools in the Chicago suburbs.

We invite you to join us on this journey.

Your support, whether through volunteering, program participation, donating, or simply spreading the word, is invaluable. Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable world for all children with hearing loss.

Stay tuned for updates from FHSR throughout the year, including volunteer opportunities, fundraising events, and success stories. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter to learn more about our initiatives and how you can get involved.

Kristen Van Dyke,
Executive Director, FHSR