Iowa Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program

06/22/2026

If you are near the Iowa City area, checkout Hudson's on Wednesday night to socialize with others and support Iowa Hands & Voices!

Iowa Hands & Voices is excited to partner with Hudson's in Iowa City for a Community Night supporting families of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing!

📍482 Hwy 1 W, Iowa City, IA 52246
🗓️Wednesday, June 24th
🕓4:00pm-9:00pm

15% of net sales that evening will be donated directly to our organization, helping us continue our mission of supporting, connecting, and empowering DHH families!

We’d love to see our community come together for good food and great company!

06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, caregivers and father figures supporting deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Whether you’re learning new signs, cheering from the sidelines, fixing hearing devices or playing games after a long day, your presence matters more than words can say.

Thank you for showing up.
Thank you for learning alongside your child.
Thank you for the love, support and steady encouragement you give every day.

Wishing you a day filled with pride, joy and time with the amazing kids who call you Dad!

06/13/2026

Vacation season is here, and traveling with a deaf or hard-of-hearing child can be a wonderful adventure with just a little extra planning. Whether you’re heading to the beach, mountains or visiting family, here are some tips to help make your trip smooth, safe and fun:

• Let your child know what is happening and where you are going
• Pack extra batteries, chargers, waterproof cases or backups for hearing devices
• Use visual cues, signs, pictures or notes during busy travel moments
• Teach simple signs and words for things like help, wait and stop
• Let airport staff, hotel teams or tour guides know your child’s communication needs
• Keep favorite comfort items hand for long travel days
• Build in breaks – travel days can be tiring for everyone
• Try to maintain routines as much as possible
• Celebrate the small moments – talk and/or sign about what you are seeing, snacks you share and take photos together

Travel opens new experiences, language opportunities and building memories together. Enjoy your getaway!

06/06/2026

🌞Summer is here, let’s make it safe and fun!🌞

Water play is one of the best parts of summer, and with a few simple strategies, families of deaf and hard-of-hearing children can enjoy swimming with confidence and ease.

Here are some helpful tips for a safe, fun day in the water:

• Review safety rules before getting into the pool, lake or splash pad
• Establish clear, visual signs for stop, come here and help
• Alert lifeguards that your child is deaf or hard of hearing so they are aware and teach them about their communication needs
• Wear bright swimsuits that help your spot your child easily
• Use water safe covers for hearing devices if possible, or remove devices before swimming unless they are safe for water use
• Most importantly, have fun!

06/03/2026

🚲Today is World Bicycle Day!🚲

Biking is a fun, healthy way for kids to explore the world, and with a little extra planning, it can be safe and empowering for deaf and hard-of-hearing children too!
Here are a few tips to help your family enjoy the ride safely:

• Make sure helmets fit snug and secure even with hearing technology on
• Teach visual cues – look for cars, check intersections and use hand signals
• Practice simple signs for biking – Stop, go, look
• Consider adding a rear-view mirror to your child’s bike for extra awareness
• Talk and sign through your route together before you set off

Biking builds independence, confidence and family fun, and every child deserves that joy. Stay safe, enjoy the sunshine and happy biking!

05/29/2026

May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Awareness Month!
Did you know thousands of babies in the U.S. are born deaf or hard of hearing each year? Early detection and timely intervention are critical to supporting speech, language, and social development.

In Iowa, we help families achieve the 1-3-6 benchmarks:
• Screened by 1 month
• Diagnosed by 3 months
• Enrolled in early intervention services by 6 months

If your baby didn't pass their newborn hearing screening, we are here to support you at every step!

Learn more: https://hhs.iowa.gov/health-prevention/birth-maternal-care/ehdi/ehdi-families

05/13/2026

If you are the parent of a young child who is deaf or hard of hearing in Iowa, you can receive a free book from Iowa Hands & Voices!

Thanks to the generous support of the Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack & Hotel Community Betterment Grant, Iowa Hands & Voices is offering FREE board books to families of young children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing! Colorful Ocean and Wonderful Woods are designed to be easy to read and easy to sign, with QR codes that link to ASL videos. A great way to support early language and reading at home. You can sign up to receive a free book using the link below!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDiIrQjm-UoNN9-EvUnCLuG13E3jgMQjVA5bfTqIVxGwt_QA/viewform?pli=1

05/04/2026

Checkout these FREE, personalized Mother's Day cards for the mother or mother figure in your child's life!

Mother's Day is coming soon!! Get your editable ASL-themed mother figure cards for FREE and customize it with your child's name. They're perfect for any mother figure (grandma, nana, nonna, auntie) in your child's life.

Get yours at language1st.org/parent-handouts/p/editable-mother-figure-cards

04/30/2026

Disney has reanimated some of their favorite songs from popular movies in ASL!
Watch this song and more with Songs in Sign Language, newly reimagined sequences, now streaming on Disney+!

04/15/2026

Did you know that today is National ASL Day?

On this day in 1817, the American School for the Deaf opened its doors in Hartford, Connecticut where teachers and students came together and, by blending Native American signs, French Sign Language, and Martha's Vineyard Sign Language, ASL was born. That moment changed everything!