Your Child’s Journey: An Ohio Guide for Deaf or Hard of Hearing Support
Family Support Groups
Learning about your child’s diagnosis or hearing condition can bring many emotions. You might feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or alone, but you are not. Many families have walked this path, and there are people and organizations ready to support you. Some groups are created just for families, while others bring together professionals and caregivers who understand what you are going through. They can help you find answers, connect with services, understand your child’s rights, and build a strong support system. You might also find comfort and connection through social media groups focused on your child’s specific needs—whether related to hearing, vision, health, or development. The list below is organized by state and national resources in alphabetical order.
Ohio Agencies for Families
OCALI – Family and Community Outreach Center
The Family Center equips and empowers families with knowledge, information, and resources. We believe that families are an important asset in the equation of ensuring people with disabilities have the opportunity to live their best lives. We strive to build families’ confidence and encourage a vision for the possibilities and opportunities for their whole family. To do this, we offer online tools, connect families to information and resources, and raise awareness and acceptance within the community.
Email: Jennifer_bavery@ocali.org
OCALI – Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness
The Outreach Center works to increase access and inclusion for children and youth who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, or deafblind. They support families and professionals by providing practical tools, high-quality training, and opportunities to connect with others. Their goal is to make sure every learner can learn, grow, and live their best life. Families can turn to the Center for clear, friendly guidance—especially when navigating the education, disability, and medical systems.
Email: michelle_motil@ocali.org
The Ohio Chapter of the Alexander Graham Bell Association was founded in 1988 to follow the mission of the national association, providing support, information, and advocacy at the state and local levels. The Ohio Chapter holds events throughout the Buckeye state to help support families with children and/or adults with hearing loss, educate families as well as professionals working with children with hearing loss, and to advocate for needed resources and laws for people with hearing loss. The Ohio Chapter aims to help people throughout their journeys by connecting families and resources.
Email: info@agbell.org
Ohio Center for Deafblind Education (OCDBE)
OCDBE is a federally funded project housed with the University of Cincinnati in Columbus. It provides services across Ohio to individuals from birth through age 21 with deafblindness. OCDBE supports families, educators, and service providers with training, resources, and technical assistance. They also maintain the deafblind census for Ohio.
Email: dowelljr@ucmail.uc.edu
Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD)
OCECD is a statewide nonprofit organization that helps families understand and navigate the special education system. They offer information and training to help families learn about their child’s educational rights, available services, and how to work with schools to make sure their child’s needs are met. Whether your child is just entering preschool or getting ready to transition to adulthood, OCECD provides tools and guidance to help you become a confident advocate. Their team includes professionals and parents who understand the challenges families may face and are ready to help.
Email: ocecd@ocecd.org
Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Office for Exceptional Children (OEC)
The vision of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is that Ohio students are prepared for success in the real world. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce supports Ohio’s students, families, and educators to ensure every student gains the knowledge and life skills needed for the future. Priority areas include literacy, accelerating learning, student wellness, and workforce readiness. The Office for Exceptional Children ensures all students are prepared for life after high school and are supported in becoming who they aspire to be – able to live, learn, work, and thrive in their communities. This is accomplished by the Office for Exceptional Children providing leadership and supports through collaboration with schools, families, and communities to improve learning experiences and outcomes for students with disabilities ensuring they gain the skills and opportunities needed for their future.
Email: megan.flowers@education.ohio.gov
The Ohio Family to Family (Ohio F2F) Health Information Center helps families of children with disabilities and special health care needs navigate the health care system. Ohio Family to Family is staffed by families who have lived experience.
Email: ucucedd@cchmc.org
Ohio Hands & Voices is dedicated to supporting families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing without a bias around communication modes or methodology. We are a parent-driven, non-profit organization providing families with the resources, networks, and information they need to improve communication access and educational outcomes for their children. Our outreach activities, parent/professional collaboration, and advocacy efforts are focused on enabling Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing children to reach their highest potential. ASTRA (Advocacy Support and Training) program provides advocacy, training, and consultation related to special education and accommodations in school settings. Currently, Ohio does not have an active ASTRA chapter, but there are still free resources available on their website.
Email: advocate@ohiohandsandvoices.org
Ohio’s Network of State Support Teams
(Contact your regional Family Engagement Consultant for support.)
State Support Teams (SSTs) are regional experts in school improvement, special education, and early childhood. They are part of a statewide system coordinated by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. SSTs work with families and schools at no cost to help improve student outcomes.
Click on the directory link to find your local family engagement contact.
Ohio Parent and Youth Ambassadors
Parent and Youth Ambassadors (PYA) are regionalized supports that can help individuals, families, and youth find answers to questions and help access support needed at the local level. Support is available before, during, or after a crisis at no cost. PYAs have lived experience navigating many of Ohio’s social services and special needs systems and are members of the communities they serve. PYAs are available to offer support for any type of need. Whether it be lactation support, finding childcare for a child with special needs, or even something more complex involving a child dealing with multiple systems, PYAs are there as a support to help open doors and get families the supports and assistance they need.
Email: Ambassadors@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov
Parent Mentors are experienced parents of children with disabilities who are trained to help other families. Through The Ohio State University’s Parent Mentor Project, these parents work in schools and communities to support families, answer questions, and help them understand special education. Parent Mentors are not lawyers or advocates, but they can help you understand your rights, prepare for IEP meetings, and connect with local resources. Because they have been through similar experiences, they understand what it is like to raise a child with a disability and they are here to listen, support, and guide you.
Email: parentmentor@osu.edu
Statewide Services and Outreach
Statewide Services, part of Ohio Deaf and Blind Education Services (ODBES), works with schools, families, and professionals across Ohio to support students who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Blind, Visually Impaired, or DeafBlind. They offer evaluations, help school districts tailor programs, provide training and family support, and build connections with local providers and agencies. Statewide Services helps families understand what their child needs, guides teachers on best practices, and connects communities so every student has the tools and trusted guidance they need to learn.
Email: lineberry@osdb.oh.gov
National Organizations
American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC)
ASDC supports families with deaf and hard of hearing children across the U.S. Their goal is to help families build strong communication and connections with their child. ASDC offers free webinars, sign language learning, parent-to-parent connections, and events like the ASDC Family Conference.
Email: info@deafchildren.org
Hearing Loss Association of America
The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) nationwide community offers education, connection, and support to people with hearing loss.
Email: inquiries@hearingloss.org
Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center (Clerc Center)
The Clerc Center, part of Gallaudet University, provides national support to families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) through information, training, and technical assistance. This support helps families navigate the educational and social aspects of raising a D/HH child from birth to age 21.
Email: infotogo@gallaudet.edu
National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
NAD is a national civil rights organization advocating for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. It provides resources on education, employment, technology, mental health, and accessibility. NAD was founded in 1880 and is led by members of the Deaf community.
Email: nad.info@nad.org