1. American Society for Deaf Children – Provides resources to empowering diverse families with Deaf/Hard of Hearing children and youth by embracing full access to language-rich environments through mentoring, advocacy, and collaborative networks.
  2. California Hands & Voices is a parent-driven organization for families with children who D/HH by providing resources, networks, and information to improve communication access and educational outcomes.
  3. Deaf Latinos y Families provides resources and ASL classes to Latino/a/x families and guides them through adapting the Deaf Culture and ASL into their lives.
  4. LEAD-K Family Services focuses on connecting families with their local school district, Early Start home visit teachers, parent mentors, Deaf coaches, and other supports as outlined in an Individualized Family Support Plan.
  5. Center on Early Intervention on Deafness maximizes communication potential through education, family support, and community audiology services for children and adults who are deaf and hard of hearing.
  1. California Department of Education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Division, provides technical assistance to and monitoring of local educational agency (LEA) operated programs serving Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing students, including information on Senate Bill 210 and language milestones
  2. NorCal Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing: A non-profit organization that provides advocacy, employment services, and specialized services, including a day program for Alta Regional Center consumers who are deaf or hard of hearing based in Sacramento. Also provide support for survivors of sexual violence, independent living skills to community education, and interpreting services. Manages the statewide LEAD-K Family services in providing services to deaf and hard-of-hearing newborn babies.
  3. CSDF Outreach Resource Center: California School for the Deaf, Fremont provides outreach services and resources.
  4. Thrive! – CSD Riverside (ca.gov) California School for the Deaf, Riverside Outreach Resource Center
  5. Supporting Success for Children with hearing loss aims to make resources and practical information readily available to the public.
  6. John Tracy Center provides education programs for children (age birth to 5) residing in Southern California.
  7. Dayle McIntosh Center Independent Living Skills training available for deaf individuals.
  8. National Association of the Deaf is the nation’s premier civil rights organization of, by and for the deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States.
  9. Sign Language Use for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Hearing Babies: The Evidence Supports It – English| Spanish
  10. Sign Language Center provides virtual ASL classes and one-on-one tutoring sessions for all levels of learning.
  11. Deaf Access Service Program Providers:https://www.cdss.ca.gov/deaf-access/deaf-access-program-dap-service-providers
  1. California DeafBlind Services: https://cadeafblind.org/
    • Serves individuals from birth through age 21 who have combined hearing and vision problems, with or without additional disabilities.
  2. San Francisco State University & California Deaf Blind Services Intervener Training: https://cpage.sfsu.edu/intervener
  3. Family Support Providers: https://cadeafblind.org/family-support-providers-fsps/
  4. Introduction to ProTactile and working with DeafBlind kids: Empowering Through Protactile Communication | ProTactile Kids YouTube PT Kids!
  5. DeafBlind Immersion Experience: The DeafBlind Immersion Experience (DBIE) is a comprehensive program offered by the Helen Keller National Center (HKNC). It provides an immersive experience for individuals who are DeafBlind with intellectual disabilities and their support team from transition age to seniors.DeafBlind Immersion Experience – Helen Keller Services
  6. Lighthouse Little Learners (Bay Area) Working with families, the program is designed to help young children, birth to age three, who are blind, DeafBlind, have low vision or neurological visual impairment, or whose developmental delays include blindness or low vision. LightHouse Little Learners – LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
  7. Birth to Five Vision Network (SoCal) A non-profit organization of parents and professionals with diversified expertise in visual impairment, early intervention, advocacy, deafblindness, orientation and mobility, ophthalmologic research, and optometry. Serving Infant and Pre-School Children with visual impairments Home – Birth to Five Vision Network
  8. The Braille Institute-Child Development Services (SoCal) provides resources, classes and training on child development. Child Development Services | Braille Institute
  9. Rady’s Center for CHARGE Syndrome, located in San Diego. Medical Professionals provides services statewide with education, resources addressing the needs of CHARGE Syndrome individuals. Center for CHARGE Syndrome | Rady Children’s Health
  10. National Center on Deafblindness: Provides free training modules on Early Intervention for Children who are Deafblind. Early Intervention for Children Who Are Deafblind | National Center on Deafblindness
  11. Indiana DeafBlind Services: Observations, Signs, Symptoms, and Risk Factors with a Developmental Screening Checklist: Functional Vision, entailing What Does Your Child See? What Does Your Child Hear? (Fact Sheet from Washington Sensory Disabilities Services)WACs
  12. National Center on Deafblindness: Families Matter: A collection of videos on children and young adults who are deafblind and their families. Families Matter Stories | National Center on Deafblindness

Interveners Resources:

Partners in Vision Testing:

Pro-Tactile ASL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zCzsmg7kdY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GrK3P15TYU

National Resources:

https://www.parentcenterhub.org/deafblindness/

https://www.perkins.org/nec/resource-directory/

https://nfb.org/resources/deafblind-resources

  1. DHHS – CA Department of Rehabilitation: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services offers support for people with disabilities, included Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind obtain jobs, develop or promote in their current jobs, live on their own, and enjoy a life equal to others.
  2. California Telephone Access Programoffers free, specialized phones and equipment for Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
  3. Hearing Aid and Cochlear Implant Assistance ProgramsA list of organizations that may offer financial assistance toward the purchase of hearing aids.
  4. Provider Director for Neurodivergent Deaf Individualsis a directory of providers in the United States.
  5. Ear Communityprovides a supportive community for individuals born with Microtia and Atresia, Treacher Collins Syndrome, and Goldenhar Syndrome.
  6. Helen Keller National Centerfor Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults.

Family Involvement in ASL Acquisition

Upcoming Trainings

There are no upcoming training at this moment. Please check back later.

Past Trainings

Neurodevelopment of Deaf Individuals: Social Alchemy
August 8th, 2025 – Presented by Dr. Kent Schafer

Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) Best Practices for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals
June 18th, 2025 – Presented by Quinn Kelly

The Impact of Deafblindness on Communication, Learning, and Development

Building Awareness of the Unique Needs of Deaf+ Individuals

Requirements Under The Americans with Disabilities Act To Provide Effective Communication to Deaf Consumers

Upcoming Events

Basic ASL Class In-Person Sponsored by Valley Mountain Regional Center

January 6, 2026 – March 10, 2026

basic ASL CLass Flyer

Deaf Plus Family Gathering Sponsored by San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center

February 7, 2026

Family Gathering flyer

Q

What early intervention services are available for infants identified as deaf or hard-of-hearing?

AInfants and toddlers from birth to 36 months of age may be eligible for early intervention services through Early Start. Early Start services are available to Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and their families with services tailored to your child’s developmental and language acquisition needs. The Regional Center and local schools will work with your family to develop an Individual Family Service Plan, or IFSP, based on the goals you have for your child.

The IFSP team will include your family, a service coordinator, and may include an Early Start teacher. A Deaf coach and family mentor may also be part of your IFSP team. This team will help you develop goals for your child and identify services and tools, like Language Milestones, to help you achieve them. Services may include:

  • Assistive technology
  • Audiology
  • Deaf Coach through our partnership with Lead-K Family services
  • Family training, counseling, and home visits
  • Health services
  • Infant/Toddler Developmental services
  • Medical services for diagnostic/evaluation purposes only
  • Nursing services
  • Nutrition services
  • Occupational therapy
  • Parent Education and Support
  • Physical therapy
  • Psychological services
  • Service coordination (case management)
  • Sign language services
  • Social work services
  • Special instruction
  • Speech and language services
  • Transportation and related costs
  • Vision services

For more resources, Click on Deaf & Hard of Hearing (DHH) (Resources for Families Navigating Services for their Child who is Hard of Hearing or Deaf) on the Early Start Family/Caregivers tab on DDS webpage: Early Start : CA Department of Developmental Services.

For more information on Early Start services or if you have additional questions, call (800) 515-BABY (2229) or email earlystart@dds.ca.gov.

For information on Early Start Program eligibility, families can learn more here:  Information Packet for Consumers & Families : CA Department of Developmental Services.

Q

When my Individual Program Plan meeting is scheduled, how do I request an interpreter?

A The Regional Center will provide accommodations according to the Americans with Disabilities Act. You may contact your Service Coordinator to submit a request before your next meeting.
Q

Regarding emergency Preparedness, are there any support materials available for deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals to use?

A Yes, the Department created a list of communication cards to assist with 2-way communications with shelter staff and first responders. Digital Copies of these communication cards can be found under the Deaf Individuals Resources tab here: Emergency Preparedness – Provider : CA Department of Developmental Services
Q

Can regional center consumers who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind participate in the Self-Determination Program (SDP) to access services and supports that meet their specific needs?

A Yes, the Self-Determination Program allows the participant to choose the services and supports that best meet their needs and individual program plan (IPP) objectives. All participants in the SDP must work with their planning team to develop an IPP utilizing a person-centered planning process. Person-centered planning is based on an awareness of, and sensitivity to, the lifestyle and cultural background of the consumer and family. (Welfare & Institutions Code Section 4646.5(a)(1)). The person-centered planning process leads to a written plan that is consistent with the person’s needs and desired outcomes and includes the person’s goals and preferences in areas such as recreation, transportation, friendships, therapies, home, employment, and family relationships.Regional centers can purchase initial person-centered planning services to assist participants as they transition into the SDP.  More information on SDP can be found on SDP Homepage DDS.
Q

Can participants who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind in the SDP choose who provides their specialized services and support?

A Yes. Participants in the SDP have employer authority over who provides their services and supports and may be able to recruit staff that are qualified to help the participant meet their goals. An example of this might include recruiting and hiring staff that are fluent in American Sign Language to assist them with accessing their community, employment goals or supports in the home.
Q

Does the SDP offer specific services that may be beneficial to those who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind, such as ASL interpreters and deaf interpreters?

A Participants in the Self-Determination Program (SDP) have access to Communication Support services designed to meet their individual needs and preferences, such as communication aides necessary to facilitate and assist persons who use sign language, including those who use visual gestures. These services empower individuals with hearing, speech, or vision differences, to communicate effectively and participate fully in their communities.
Q

With the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule, are training videos available in American Sign Language (ASL) for Direct Support Professionals? If so, how do you access them?

A Yes, training videos are accessible in American Sign Language (ASL) and are specifically designed for Direct Support Professionals. The training videos cover an overview of the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule, focused on the role of the Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) in promoting person-centered practices, informed choice, collaborative decision-making making and helps DSPs support individuals in making informed decisions while focused on the HCBS Final Rule’s focus on the critical role of DSPs and frontline supervisors in this process. DSPs may continue to access the training in the ARCALearn platform at no cost.
  1. Collaborative Psychology Group (CPG) is proud to offer a dedicated Deaf Mental Health Program. Our program provides in-depth psychological assessments and therapy services that are fully accessible in American Sign Language (ASL) and grounded in Deaf culture. Our program is led by experienced and compassionate clinicians fluent in ASL.
  2. Deaf Community Counseling Services (DCCS) empowers Deaf & Hard of Hearing clients to live self-sufficient lives through a transformative focus on their overall well-being.

    3. DCCS supports and educates the community on the importance of healing through a comprehensive lens, integrating care for their cognitive, emotional, and behavioral health. Services are offered in Alameda County and San Francisco, with therapists fluent in American Sign Language.

  3. Deaf Counseling Center offers comprehensive psychological and consulting services for Deaf people and their families. Our therapists are Deaf themselves and fluent in ASL, bringing lived experience and cultural insight that hearing therapists cannot replicate.
  4. 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline for Deaf in ASL.
    If you are experiencing a suicidal crisis or emotional distress, connect twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by video phoning, texting, chatting at 988.

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Last modified: December 10, 2025