Guide By Your Side

During the pandemic, our Parent Guides and DHH Guides are available to visit with families online or over the phone.

One Mom's Journey with Deafness/Hearing Loss During a National Tragedy

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Meet and talk with others who have been there.

Mild, Moderate, Severe or Profound.

One Ear or Both.

Discuss Next Steps. Feelings. Resources.

Whatever you need.

PARENT GUIDES

We will match your family with a Parent Guide for FREE.

A Parent Guide is a parent of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) and is trained to support newer families.

Visits at home, online, over the phone.
Day, evening, and weekend visits
Visit once or many times.

FAQs

More Info

Your first membership period in Michigan Hands & Voices is FREE when you meet with a Parent Guide.

Learn about membership here. (Up to Nov. 1, or if starting membership after March, to the second Nov. 1.)

DHH GUIDES

DHH Guides are adults who grew up deaf or hard of hearing (DHH). You can ask them anything, and we can provide suggested questions.

We have DHH Guides who:

Listen and speak
Use American Sign Language
Both speak and sign
Use cued speech

Included with your membership. Talk with your Parent Guide, or contact us.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What if I'm too OVERWHELMED?

Many parents say visiting with a Parent Guide helps with this feeling.

What if I have NO TIME!?

We can meet in the evenings and on weekends. We help you get the most out of all those upcoming appointments.

I don't need "SUPPORT," is this still for me?

Many families report their Guide discussed tips and advice they would have missed if they had not met.

Do you have anybody CLOSE TO ME?

We have Guides all over Michigan. We will find a way to meet with you. We also meet online or over the phone.

I'm already ENROLLED IN EARLY ON(R), how will this be different?

Great! We don't work with you on your child's development. We visit YOU. Talking with people from different experiences can benefit your whole family.

WHO should be at visits?

It is great if all caregivers can be at visits with your Parent Guide: spouses, grandparents, and more. But if only the main caregiver can be there, that's great too.

WHAT INFORMATION will you provide?

We will bring you a binder that includes stories, information on language and communication, education, emotional support, and more. (Online access also available.)

I'm NERVOUS about meeting DHH Guides because I don't want to offend. Will you help me?

Yes of course! You and your Parent Guide can meet with a DHH Guide together.