Colorado Families for Hands & Voices

Colorado Families for Hands and Voices is dedicated to supporting families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing without a bias around communication modes or methodology.

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  • About Us / Programs
    • Guide By Your Side (GBYS)
      • GBYS Coordinator
      • Northeast Region
      • Pikes Peak Region
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    • ASTra (Educational Advocacy: Questions and Support)
    • The Ascent Program: CO EHDI
    • O.U.R. Children’s Safety Project
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      • The Colorado Resource Guide
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      • Beyond The IEP…
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    • Products that might interest families: Masks during COVID-19
    • School Transition Resource Companion (preschool to 18)
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You are here: Home / Educational Advocacy: Questions and Support

Educational Advocacy: Questions and Support

  • What laws support my child’s education?  What rights do I have as a parent?
  • My school says this in response to my question about reading scores. What do I do next? 
  • What is the Communication Plan, and what should I know about it?  
  • I don’t understand what my child might be eligible for in preschool (or middle school, or high school) and don’t know who to ask. 
  • I need to learn the difference between an IEP and a 504 Plan. Help! 
  • What about education during COVID-19? 
Navigating the school system related to a child’s learning needs can be a huge learning curve. That’s where our ASTra Program comes in to help. ASTra stands for the Advocacy Support and Training Program, created by Hands & Voices as a formal and systematic way to educate parents and professionals who want to assist other families with these kinds of questions.

Where can you learn more about educational advocacy? 

Ask for an ASTra advocate by contacting our ASTra Coordinator, Brenda Elliott or complete an advocacy request form.

Learn about our Educational Advocacy classes, or join the waiting list for a Level One workshop by registering here.

Just want to research? Check out the many resources are available on the Hands & Voices HQ site at www.handsandvoices.org/astra/index.html 

Here are a few of our favorite resources:

  • IEP Meeting Planner
    www.handsandvoices.org/IEPmeetingplanner/
  • IEP/504 Checklist
    www.handsandvoices.org/pdf/IEP_Checklist.pdf 
  • Communication Plan
    https://co-hv.org/communicationplan/
  • Intro to the IEP for new parents
    Intro to IEP CO ASTra.pdf
  • Functional Listening Evaluation
    www.handsandvoices.org/pdf/func_eval.pdf
  • General Provisions of IDEA Part C and B* (Appendix B from Astra Guidebook pg 163)
    handsandvoices.org/astra/docs/appendix-B.pdf
  • FAQ’s on Effective Communication for Students with Hearing, Vision, or Speech Disabilities in Public Elementary and Secondary Education 
    Download the official FAQ’s in pdf form
  • Transition from High School Learning Module:
    Hands & Voices Post-Secondary Transition On-Line Module for Parents and Their Teens
  • Transition Resources (ages 16 – 21) NEW!
    Accommodation ideas, scholarships, employers, career exploration, and more.
  • Resources for COVID-19: Legal Information, Supporting Remote Learning, Access
    We Are Strong We Are Community – Hands & Voices Information 

Articles

  • Game Changer: Will Policy Clarification Level the Playing Field? 
    (This article is about the November 2014 release of the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education policy guidance titled, Frequently Asked Questions on Effective Communication for Students with Hearing, Vision, or Speech Disabilities in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools )
    handsandvoices.org/astra/docs/GameChanger.pdf
  • 10 Mistakes Parents of D/HH Kids Make in Preparing for their I.E.P.
    handsandvoices.org/articles/education/advocacy/V8-2_topten_parentsiep.htm
  • A Family’s Story: High School IEPs for the Weary Mom 

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Resources

  • Mission Statement
  • Supporting Families Without Bias
  • Become H&V
  • Roadmap For Families
  • Bridge to Preschool
  • Colorado Parent Funding Toolkit
  • Driver’s Visor Card for Teens
  • Late ID
  • Beyond The IEP…
  • O.U.R. Children’s Safety Project
  • Informacion en Espanol
  • The Colorado Resource Guide
  • Web Links
  • Site Map
  • Contact Us
  • School Transition Resource Companion

Welcome!

CO Families for 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’re a parent-driven, … Continue...

Mission Statement

Colorado Families for 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’re a … Continue...

Supporting Families Without Bias

In the early-1990s, the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., was preparing an exhibit called "Silent America." It was intended to raise positive awareness … Continue...

Donate to COH&V

Visit our online donation pages to take advantage of our secure online process to help families raising deaf or hard of hearing children succeed! Donations fund our outreach activities to parents from … Continue...

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