Skip to content

A Sound Investment in Our Children

Facebook X-twitter Instagram Youtube Linkedin
Search

A Sound Investment in Our Children

Facebook X-twitter Instagram Youtube Linkedin
Search
Donate Now
Join us
Donate Now
Join us
  • ABOUT US
    • PARTNERSHIPS
  • PARENT RESOURCES
    • NEXT STEPS AFTER A FAILED HEARING SCREENING
    • TECHNOLOGY
    • EDUCATION COORDINATOR PROGRAM
  • AGES AND STAGES
    • BIRTH TO AGE 3
    • PRE-K & KINDERGARTEN
    • 1st GRADE THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
    • BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL
  • MUSIC PROGRAMMING
    • MTME SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM – EARLY CHILDHOOD & INSTRUMENT MUSIC CLASSES
    • SCHOOL BASED MUSIC PROGRAMS
    • MUSIC THERAPY
  • EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
    • LITERACY
    • EDUCATION COORDINATOR PROGRAM
  • CLINICAL & COMMUNITY OUTREACH
    • LOANER HEARING AID PROGRAM
    • POLICY AND ADVOCACY
    • LURIE CHILDREN’S PARTNERSHIP
  • EVENTS
  • BLOGS
  • WAYS TO GIVE
  • ABOUT US
    • PARTNERSHIPS
  • PARENT RESOURCES
    • NEXT STEPS AFTER A FAILED HEARING SCREENING
    • TECHNOLOGY
    • EDUCATION COORDINATOR PROGRAM
  • AGES AND STAGES
    • BIRTH TO AGE 3
    • PRE-K & KINDERGARTEN
    • 1st GRADE THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
    • BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL
  • MUSIC PROGRAMMING
    • MTME SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM – EARLY CHILDHOOD & INSTRUMENT MUSIC CLASSES
    • SCHOOL BASED MUSIC PROGRAMS
    • MUSIC THERAPY
  • EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
    • LITERACY
    • EDUCATION COORDINATOR PROGRAM
  • CLINICAL & COMMUNITY OUTREACH
    • LOANER HEARING AID PROGRAM
    • POLICY AND ADVOCACY
    • LURIE CHILDREN’S PARTNERSHIP
  • EVENTS
  • BLOGS
  • WAYS TO GIVE

2025 - Our Year of Access & Inclusion

Education . Advocacy . Resources
EARS

FHSR believes in the power of Education and Advocacy so we work to create and fund unique education programs that help parents at each age & stage of their deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) child’s life. Literacy is the cornerstone of a DHH child’s successful school experience.  The Foundation works to foster a love of reading by encouraging parents to read to their child from birth and through our programs at key inflection points of a child’s education.  Together in partnership with parents and educators, we hope to build a strong foundation for children living with hearing loss, ensuring every opportunity for DHH children to achieve on the same level as their hearing peers.

From diagnosis to college our goal is to provide opportunities for families to learn to be their child’s best advocate and partner in their education.    

Ages & Stages Program:

When your child has been diagnosed with a hearing loss there are many emotions and lots of things to figure out.  FHSR was started by parents just like you and we continue to be a Board composed mostly of parents of deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children along with the professionals that serve children living with hearing loss in Illinois. The goal of Ages & Stages is to provide the parents and primary caregivers of children diagnosed with hearing loss a roadmap to understanding what is happening at each stage of their child’s life, how to best support their child and education advocacy.

LITERACY

Distributing books to students with hearing loss and providing a video literacy library for deaf and hard of hearing kids
VISIT PAGE

EDUCATION COORDINATOR PROGRAM

The FHSR Education Coordinator will serve as a resource for parents and their children living with hearing loss
VISIT PAGE

🗓 Literacy Training for DT-H and SLP’s:

  • Wednesday March 19th 6:00 – 8:00 pm

🗓 Literacy Training for Parents and Caregivers:

  • Saturday April 12th 9:30 – 11:30 am
    Cary Library

These seminars are FREE to attend, but registration is required!

Secure your spot today by signing up.

REGISTRATION FOR PROFESSIONALS
REGISTRATION FOR PARENTS

EARLY LITERACY TRAINING SEMINARS

Reading aloud to Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) children is a powerful way to promote language development, build literacy skills, and create strong bonds through shared stories. For DHH children, reading aloud helps provide visual language exposure, promotes comprehension, and fosters a deeper understanding of the world around them. At FHSR, we are committed to ensuring that these children have the resources and support they need to become confident, lifelong readers.

In honor of this mission, we’re offering two upcoming literacy training workshops designed to support families and providers in partnership with CHS – Chicago Hearing Society :

📅 Virtual Literacy Training for DT-H and SLPs

Date: March 19, 2025     6:00-8:00 PM (Virtual)

  • Free workshop focused on effective strategies for story-sharing and literacy development with DHH children.
  • 2 hours of EI Education Credits available.
  • Complementary set of books featuring characters with hearing loss for all providers attending the workshop.

📅 Literacy Training for Parents & Caregivers

Date: April 12, 2025.    9:30-11:30 AM

Location: Cary Library, 1606 Three Oaks Rd, Cary, IL 60013

  • Free training for parents of DHH children ages 2-5.
  • 4 complimentary books featuring characters with hearing loss.
  • FREE Musical Storytime will be provide for  children who’s parents/caregivers are attending the workshop.
  • ASL and Spanish interpreters available upon request.

We’re committed to helping foster early literacy in the home and empowering DHH children to develop strong language skills and a love of reading. 🌟

New Parent Resource Downloads Now Available!

Developed by Dr. Anna Tess our Education Coordinator, our Education Resources deliver valuable insights and information.

  • The Parent Resource Guide (available in English and Spanish) has information about parent rights, the IEP process, accommodation and modifications for children with hearing loss and 504 plans.
  • The Early Literacy Guide provides strategies and information to help you read with your child.
REQUEST YOUR COPY TODAY

FREE PARENT LITERACY TRAINING

Join us for this free workshop for parents and caregivers, designed to foster confidence in story-sharing and literacy development.

FHSR is partnering with Chicago Hearing Society (CHS) to present a workshop for parents and caregivers, focusing on the power of reading and language in the home. The research-based curriculum supports all communication modes and will include methodology, instruction, and hands-on practice related to early literacy and story-sharing skills. With this, parents will become better equipped to support their child and using books to create a language-rich environment within the home.

This workshop is geared for parents with children 2-5 years old.

You probably know that it is important to get an early start on reading with DHH children and that early reading contributes to increased vocabulary, language development, and print awareness. But families report that they are often at a loss when figuring out how to read with their  children with hearing loss.

With this curriculum, we can contribute to a new generation of DHH readers and better support early language and literacy milestones.

Each family that attends will be able to get a set of 4 books with characters with hearing loss.

During this workshop, your children will be able to attend an onsite Music To My Ears class with our Early Childhood music partner, The Merit School of Music. Age appropriate siblings are welcome.

This information-packed in person workshop will be offered:

Saturday, November 16, 2024
9am -11am
Chicago Hearing Society Office
2017 N. Mendell, Suite 3NE, Chicago, 60614

REGISTER TODAY
AND
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION
I have several families enrolled in the book scholarship. They all love having representation for their child with special needs – whether it’s related to hearing loss, mobility, etc. The kids get really excited to point out a child in the story who looks like them.
– Dana, Developmental Therapist of Hearing
FHSR End Quotes Small

HELPFUL LINKS

Schools & Local Organizations

Illinois Hands and Voices
Illinois Sound Beginnings

Illinois School for the Deaf

Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA)

Chicago Hearing Society
Child’s Voice
Illinois Department of Human Services & Early Intervention

National Organizations

AG Bell
Center for Disease Control
National Association for the Deaf
American Speech and Hearing Association
Cochlear Implant Help
National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders

Manufacturers

Advanced Bionics
Phonak
Octicon
Hearing Loop
Med-EL
Cochlear Americas

BE A PART OF IT ALL.

Share the joy of literacy with a child.

Your donation to the EARS (education, advocacy, resources) Literacy Program is critical to bringing our services and programs to the children who need them most.

MAKE A DONATION
AND
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

STAY UP TO DATE

Sign up to be the first to know about new FHSR resources, programs, and events.  

Subscribe Now

A Sound Investment in Our Children

Facebook X-twitter Instagram Youtube Linkedin
  • ABOUT US
  • PARENT RESOURCES
    • NEXT STEPS AFTER A FAILED HEARING SCREENING
    • TECHNOLOGY
    • EDUCATION COORDINATOR PROGRAM
  • AGES AND STAGES
    • BIRTH TO AGE 3
    • PRE-K & KINDERGARTEN
    • 1st GRADE THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
    • BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL
  • EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
    • LITERACY
    • EDUCATION COORDINATOR PROGRAM
  • MUSIC PROGRAMMING
    • MUSIC CLASSES & INSTRUMENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
    • SCHOOL BASED MUSIC PROGRAMS
    • MUSIC THERAPY
  • CLINICAL & COMMUNITY OUTREACH
    • LOANER HEARING AID PROGRAM
    • POLICY AND ADVOCACY
  • EVENTS
  • BLOGS
  • WAYS TO GIVE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT US
  • PARENT RESOURCES
    • NEXT STEPS AFTER A FAILED HEARING SCREENING
    • TECHNOLOGY
    • EDUCATION COORDINATOR PROGRAM
  • AGES AND STAGES
    • BIRTH TO AGE 3
    • PRE-K & KINDERGARTEN
    • 1st GRADE THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
    • BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL
  • EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
    • LITERACY
    • EDUCATION COORDINATOR PROGRAM
  • MUSIC PROGRAMMING
    • MUSIC CLASSES & INSTRUMENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
    • SCHOOL BASED MUSIC PROGRAMS
    • MUSIC THERAPY
  • CLINICAL & COMMUNITY OUTREACH
    • LOANER HEARING AID PROGRAM
    • POLICY AND ADVOCACY
  • EVENTS
  • BLOGS
  • WAYS TO GIVE
  • CONTACT

FHSR is a qualified 501(C)(3) tax exempt organization. Tax ID number 36-6082810.

Gold Site Bug

FHSR’s MARCOM Gold Award-Winning Website was developed in collaboration with Carlson Integrated, LLC.

MarCom Awards is an international creative competition that recognizes outstanding achievement by marketing and communication professionals. MarCom Awards is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. Judges are industry professionals who look for companies and individuals whose talents exceed a high standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry. There were over 6,000 entries from 41 countries in the MarCom Awards 2021 competition.

Our new Education Resource Downloads are now available.

Developed by Dr. Anna Tess, our Education Coordinator, our Education Resources deliver valuable insights and information. All downloads are available in English and Spanish.

  • The Parent Resource Guide has information about parent rights, the IEP process, accommodation and modifications for children with hearing loss and 504 plans. 
  • The Early Literacy Guide provides strategies and information to help you read with your child.
  • We also recently added  Milestones and Deaf with Disability downloads.

To receive a copy of your  downloads, please complete the form below – and let us know the other ways we can support you with our great newsletters, special events, and programming to engage families and children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

MTME SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Candidate Information

Information regarding the applicant

A Sound Investment in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children
Thank you so much for your donation!

Recipient Information

Please complete the following information with regard to the person or persons you wish to receive notification of your gift.

Your Information

Thank you!

Thank you so much for your gift to support FHSR's goals! You just made a big difference in the lives of the families and kids we serve. Our entire community thanks you!
$0.00
Loading