Teresa Sundberg of Southfield is not only hard of hearing herself and the mother of a profoundly deaf son, Rolan; she’s a long-time educator for the deaf and hard of hearing. Currently she serves as the president of the Michigan Chapter of the Alexander Graham (A.G.) Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. You can read about her family’s story and another local family’s story and learn about what decisions they made for their kids to ensure they have happy lives.
“I’d like for parents of a child with hearing loss to know that they are not alone and that there are professionals and parents ready to support them and help them,” she says.
Marcy Colton, executive director of Deaf Community Advocacy Network (DEAF C.A.N.!), wants parents of every child with hearing loss get a full range of options. Get started right here.
American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC)
Founded in 1967 as a parent helping parent network, ASDC believes deaf/hard of hearing children are entitled to full communication access in their home, school and community. It also believes language development, respect for the deaf and access to deaf/hard-of-hearing role models are key to optimal intellectual, social and emotional development.
Bear Lake Camp
Provides a one-week experience for youth who are deaf or hard of hearing, developed and coordinated by teachers of this population. Geared to meet the unique needs of kids who use listening and spoken language as their primary modes of communication. Based in Lapeer.
Deaf Community Advocacy Network (DEAF C.A.N.!)
Since 1981, this nonprofit has provided services to the thousands of deaf and hard of hearing in the Detroit area. It offers services to individuals and families and community education/information for professional groups. Its Learning, Educating and Parenting (LEAP) program facilitates the development of spoken language and American Sign Language for hearing children with deaf/hard-of-hearing parents.
Lions Hearing Center of Michigan
This nonprofit provides full, state-of-the-art hearing-related services to people and communities through screening, diagnosis, treatment, education and research, regardless of the ability to pay.
Michigan Chapter of the A.G. Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
A charitable organization with board members representing three branches: professionals in the field of hearing loss, parents of children who have hearing loss, and deaf and hard-of-hearing adults. The association’s mission is to advance listening and spoken language for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Michigan Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program
EHDI is a process of identification and intervention for newborns with congenital hearing loss. Services include Guide By Your Side, pairing parents of a child newly confirmed to have hearing loss with another parent of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing.
Michigan Hands and Voices
A parent-driven organization offering non-biased support for families of kids who are deaf or hard of hearing. Members are parents, professionals and deaf or hard-of-hearing adults.
This post was originally published in 2014 and has been updated for 2016.
