What’s Up Wednesday

Our What’s Up Wednesdays are back for 2025-2026!

A virtual meeting for families of children who are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing. Come meet other families, ask questions, share support, celebrations and stories. We meet regularly Oct-May (except in Dec) Visit our calendar page for more information.

Oct 22, 2025 – Accommodations in Extracurriculars (Sports)

Nov 19, 2025 – Supporting Sibling Relationships: Panel Event: Siblings of DHH Individuals

Jan 28, 2026 –Deaf/Hard of Hearing Plus Autism

Feb 25, 2026 – Listening Fatigue: Part 2

Mar 25, 2026 – Home Safety Preparedness: OUR Children Safety Project

April 22, 2026 -All About Me: Identity & Self-Expression

May 27, 2026 – Transition to Adulthood: Empowering Parents Away from the Driver’s Seat

Families are welcome to attend by joining our Zoom link

Join via Zoom
Meeting ID: 939 8330 9951
Passcode: whatsup

New! What’s Up Monday: For Families who are Spanish Speaking

Monday, Nov 17, 2025 from 7:00 – 8:00 PM

Come meet one another! This event will be in Spanish and hosted by our Parent Guide, Elisa Torres Sanchez

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98647200358

Online Recorded Webinars

Washington Hands & Voices has partnered with Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth and the Hands & Voices OUR Children Safety Project to bring families relevant information to support your children.

IDEA’s Special Considerations for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students

Presented by Carol Carrothers, Kris Rydeki Ching and Christine Griffin

Is a series of 9 short 5-7 minute recorded sessions on the six Special Considerations for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students and using the family input form to convey these needs to your child’s educational team.

In 1997 when Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA) was reauthorized, it included specific language that acknowledged the need for consideration of special factors for students who are deaf and hard of hearing – 34 CFR 303.324(2). This webinar series explains each of the six considerations teams must address annually; Language and communication needs, Opportunities for direct communication with peers and professionals, Academic level, Full range of needs, Opportunities for direct instruction in the student’s communication mode or language, and Assistive Communication Devices and Services. (34 CFR 300.5-.6)

Click here to view this webinar series

Parents as Observers, Teachers & Lookouts

Presented by Harold Johnson

Infants and toddlers rely upon their parents to understand and respond to the meaning of their behaviors, e.g., hunger, interest, fear, sleepiness, etc. Parent/child interactions serve to create a connection through which children begin to learn and use the language of their culture. Parent/child interactions also serve to teach children culturally expected behaviors (e.g., “Wave bye, bye”) and safety strategies (e.g., “No! No! Don’t touch that!”). Unfortunately, most parents are unaware of the need to interpret the meaning of their children’s behavior to others, or to insure that individuals who interact with their child will do them no harm. These needs are critical for parents of children who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Click here to view this recorded webinar. Scroll down to the bottom of the page.