Following is a brief list of links to agencies, organizations and other web sites that provide information, services and resources of interest to the deaf and hard of hearing and to their families. The department exercises no control over the content of these sites and provides the links for informational purposes only. This information is not a substitute for medical care
Alexander Graham Bell Association — an international membership organization of parents of children who are deaf and hard of hearing, adults with hearing loss and professionals. The site provides general hearing loss information, book recommendations, along with information about financial aid and scholarships, and national legislative developments. Separate sections support teens with hearing loss (an interactive website devoted to teen issues and hearing loss), adults with hearing loss (supporting action on the local and national level and the mentoring of young children who are deaf or hard of hearing) and parents (providing emotional support, information, referral to appropriate services and advocacy).
American Academy of Audiology — the world's largest professional organization of audiologists. The consumer section of the web site has a series of articles on hearing loss, early infant hearing screening, hearing aids and more with some articles in Spanish.
American Academy of Otolaryngology — professional organization for ear, nose and throat specialists offering quality information for patients and families. The web site includes a Health Information section in English and Spanish on topics such as ears, hearing, and balance; a special section on children’s problems called Kids ENT; and timely updates on developments in the field at the In The Spotlight section.
American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC) — a national, non-profit membership organization providing support, encouragement, and information to families raising children who are deaf or hard of hearing. ASDC's primary mission is to advocate for the highest quality programs and services for parents so they can make informed choices about their children’s educational, communication, personal and social needs. Membership includes access to materials from ASDC's resource list and their free lending library, a subscription to their newsletter, a biennial convention, and more.
American Speech, Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) — professional and credentialing organization for speech, language and hearing professionals. Its web site contains information for the public on speech and language development, hearing loss in children and adults, hearing screening, treatment and rehabilitation, and much more.
Auditory-Verbal International — based upon a set of guidelines which enables children who are deaf or hard of hearing to learn to use even minimal amounts of amplified residual hearing or hearing through electrical stimulation (cochlear implants) to listen, to process verbal language, and to speak. The web site provides a parent’s guide on how to evaluate a child 0-6 years of age, a parent’s page that offers support with other parents via email or personal web pages, scholarship information, and more. Some information on the site is available in Spanish.
Beginnings for Parents of Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Inc. — nonprofit organization established to provide emotional support and access to information as a central resource for families with deaf or hard of hearing children, age birth through 21. Topics include early intervention, communication options, audiology, assistive technology, and school issues.
Better Hearing Institute — nonprofit organization devoted to raising awareness of hearing health issues, treatment options, and the prevention of hearing loss. The web site provides information on hearing loss, hearing solutions and a resource guide including information on adult support groups, advocacy, assistive technology, education, employment, financial assistance, scholarships and more.
Birth to 3 Connections — provides information on accessing free developmental screenings for children aged birth to 3.
Harvard Medical School Center for Hereditary Deafness — information on hereditary deafness, facts about genetic testing, and information on specific genetic tests.
Healthy Hearing — up-to-the-minute news, information and resources for those interested in hearing, the causes and treatment of hearing loss, and hearing amplification systems. It also offers opportunities for information exchange and support for those faced with hearing disorders and the challenges of hearing impairment.
Listen Up — provides cochlear implant information, products and resources. It includes a ListServ for parents, two innovative programs for children with hearing loss ("Listen Up" which emphasizes auditory skills and "Talk It Up" which develops verbal abilities), and an extensive resource section and bookstore. Resources in Spanish are also available.
National Cued Speech Association — membership organization provides advocacy and support on the use of Cued Speech. The web site offers information and services to people of all ages with hearing impairments, their families, friends, and professional colleagues.
MedlinePlus — government resource of information on hearing disorders and deafness with links to high quality information on diagnosis, treatment, anatomy and physiology, health check tools, specific conditions, clinical trials, prevention and screening, coping and more. A Spanish language version of the information is available.
National Association of the Deaf — local and national membership association for deaf people offers opportunities for advocacy, news and programs and services.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders — government resource from the National Institutes of Health provides reliable information on research studies, health information in English and Spanish, and health resources on deafness and communication disorders. Specific information on cochlear implants is available.
Raising Deaf Kids — this Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia site provides information on screening, early intervention, school choices, getting help and more in English and Spanish.
South Dakota Bright Start — Bright Start works to assure that every baby born in South Dakota has the opportunity for a good start in life including infant brain development, comprehensive early childhood development (physical, intellectual, emotion and social development), parent education and health care.
South Dakota Department of Education — focuses on promoting leadership and service among administrators and educators, who touch the lives of children on a daily basis. The agency also provides resources and services that directly impact children and their parents.
South Dakota Department of Health, Children’s Special Health Services — works to improve health care services for South Dakota children with special health care needs. Specialists, the primary care doctor, registered nurses, social workers, and dietitians work together to provide care coordination, diagnostic, and consultative services, This team works closely with the child's family to help them meet the child's needs. Assistance is available for families who meet financial guidelines.
South Dakota Department of Human Services — supports people with developmental disabilities and their families in a manner that is flexible, responsive to individual needs, and promotes inclusion, growth and choice, enhances productivity, and is cost effective.
South Dakota Department of Social Services — covers medical care provided to low income people who meet eligibility standards either under Medicaid (Title XI) or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
South Dakota Division of Rehabilitation Services — During the 2005 Legislative Session, the Department of Human Services’ Division of Rehabilitation Services received an appropriation to provide funding for cochlear implants for children younger than 5 years of age with a severe to profound hearing loss.
South Dakota Parent Connection — non-profit organization that believes a child's needs are best met by parents who are informed and active in the development of services for the children. The connection offers programs that train and support parents in meeting those responsibilities.
South Dakota School for the Deaf — meets the educational needs of sensory impaired children from birth through 21 by serving a dual leadership and resource role in statewide efforts to serve these children.
University of South Dakota Department of Communications Disorder Speech and Language Center — serves as a clinical service center for children and adults in need of diagnostic, therapeutic and counseling services for a wide variety of communication disorders.
University of South Dakota Scottish Rite Children’s Clinic — serves all children from birth to age 21 who have speech and language disorders. Children are considered for services without regard to family income or geographic boundaries.
