Texas Hands & Voices

I love Texas Hands & Voices! As their Executive Director, I get to see firsthand the magnificent work they do for families in Texas. All our events are fully language accessible and offered in ASL, Spanish and English.

I have been working with TXHV for almost 10 yrs now. Not only am I able to support families across Texas, but our team has been a great support for my family and each other. I have been blessed to be a part of the growth of this organization and to meet so many wonderful families, professionals and Deaf adults along the way.

This organization has many tools to help parents be more aware of what to ask in an ARD meeting. The ASTRA by your side still checks on us to make sure my family is receiving the services and to help in whatever she can. I hope that in the future they can get more funding so advocates can attend ARD meetings with the families they send information to.

I am the administrator for a non profit that also helps with the deaf and hard of hearing community and we often refer applicants to Texas Hands & Voices. This amazing group of people is able to help families navigate their child's diagnosis and find resources. Their experiences and knowledge are so comforting to families just beginning their hearing journey. They are often a lifeline for the parents going through a roller coaster of emotions. What a great group!!!

Texas Hands & Voices is a great organization that fosters a wonderful community of deaf & hard of hearing children and adults across the state. As a parent of a hard-of-hearing child, I have often felt alone in navigating the challenges of doctors, hearing aids, speech therapy, schools, etc for my child. Texas Hands & Voices has been great in providing me with a "guide", who has faced many of these same challenges with her child, as well as having a wealth of other resources available to share with me. It is truly a grass-roots organization, with many dedicated members and volunteers, who are always seeking to help others in similar situations.

Love this organization! They have given me great resources and direction in being a better advocate for my child. The Guide by your side program has been invaluable for my family as we learned how to manage my son’s diagnosis and determine the next steps. They are always so encouraging and helpful. We would not have our fantastic community of support without them!

So grateful to Texas Hands and Voices for all they have done to support our family since our son's diagnosis one year ago and their ongoing public outreach and support for deaf and hard of hearing kids in Texas. The Guide by Your Side program was a lifeline for us when our son was diagnosed. Our questions were answered and the volume of information shared was instructive and supportive and anticipated questions we did not know to ask.

You have helped provide information that isn’t always public and available. Your resources help us so much. The news letters we receive are so helpful. You have amazing people working for you. I met wonderful people at Deaf Educators conference year. Your presentations there were good as well. Knowing y’all are there for us deaf parents is so comforting - love y’all

What an incredible organization!! Not only does Texas Hands and Voices provide incredible resources, gatherings, and information, they also provide a vibrant community for families and their children, which is a lifeline to anyone navigating hearing differences. We love Texas Hands and Voices!!

This organization has helped our family so much. We are so greatful for their continued support and resources.

This group has a heart of gold and a passion for families. I’ve been severely hard of hearing my entire life. H&V is proud to stand with families who are walking through the journey of hearing impairment/ deafness. I’m proud to work with them and I recommend them for new or experienced families.

This is an awesome organization that support parents of deaf/hard of hearing children. They provide resources and support that parents wouldn't have gotten if this organization didn't exist. There is a huge need for this in our state and we are so blessed to have these people who work hard to support these parents!

I've served on the board of Texas Hands and Voices for 2 years, and am so proud to work with this amazing group of parents, professionals, and Deaf adults. The board's passion for serving families in Texas is unmatched.

As a professional in the field of Deaf Education, I am ALWAYS referring parents to this amazing organization.

wonderful organization, many resources. available to the community. I have the honor to be a part of organization. As a Parent Guide with my experience and the guidance of the organization and all the wonderful mentors, I have learned we have the ability to reach out to help those in need. I have received multiple resources for my own life experience with a successful outcome.

I have been on the receiving and giving ends of support with Hands & Voices and Texas Hands & Voices for over a decade now. I am so glad that i found this family of support and can share it with others!

It’s great to be a part of an organization that brings together families and professionals for the good of the child!

It’s great to be part of an organization that brings families and professionals together!

I am ever so thankful to know about Texas H&V for the connections to those with information on raising my child with hearing loss. We didn't know what to do or think, but it helps knowing there are resources and others going through the same.

Hands and voices was the first organization that I found after my son was identified. They have continued to be a great resource for information and socials. Absolutely amazing organization.

Texas Hands & Voices is AMAZING! They do so many wonderful things to help all of the families they serve however they can, from socials, to great information, to workshops and so much more!
Love them and all they do!!! I am glad my family got to benefit from their events and resources and that is why i volunteer now!

We moved to the Dallas area about 4 years ago from another state that had a Hands & Voices organization so I kind of new about them and how they could help my daughter and our family. When we got settled in Texas and finally got in contact with Texas Hands & Voices I was so happy to hear from my guide and get connected! My guide got me plugged into the deaf community here in DFW and helped with finding new doctors and specialist for my daughter. Since we have been here we have moved forward with one cochlear implant and one hearing aide. Having someone to talk with and get information from has been so very helpful!!! I am so thankful for all their help and support in all they have done for my family!

This organization is the go-to for all unbiased information for the Deaf/HH community and parents. Its GBYS program has been invaluable to me, educating me on options for my HH daughter and connecting me with the resources. I encourage anyone who needs guidance to contact this organization, join the organization and fully support their programs. There is not another comparable and generous organization in its field!!

Both of my daughters are hearing impaired and require hearing aids. The resources and support that TH&V has provided has been beyond belief. The incredible fear and concern new parents have to endure when their child is diagnosed can be overwhelming. Having an organization like this not only removes the fear but provided confidence that we can overcome and thrive!

God Bless Texas Hands and Voices and all parents and children experiencing hearing loss.

I love this organization! They come up with wonderful ideas on how to help families and to bring them together. My life has changed in a good way and I'm very grateful.

Texas hands & voices is a dedicated organization that has touched so many lives, including mine. They've provided me with so many resources and tools to become a better advocate for my 12 year old deaf child. Not only they've empowered me, but they gave me the confidence to better assist other families that I work with.

The leaders of this organization provide such a great resource for the families of individuals who are deaf/hard of hearing. I have worked with families who have told me how much this organization has impacted the strength of their relationships between the families and their loved ones who is deaf/hard of hearing. Seeing this--is a blessing as we didn't have this during my upbringing.

This group has been an invaluable tool and resource in supporting both our child who is hard of hearing and also our family.

EVERYONE AT TX HANDS& VOICES WORK SO HARD AT PROVIDING THE RIGHT RESOURCES AND TOOLS PARENTS NEED IN ORDER TO DO WHATS BEST FOR THEIR CHILDREN. THEY MAKE SURE THEY ARE SUPPORTIVE AND SENSITIVE TO EVERYONE'S NEEDS, IT IS A VERY REWARDING JOB WHEN YOU GET TO SEE A PARENT FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THE DECISIONS BEING MADE REGARDING THEIR CHILD'S HEARING NEEDS.

Texas Hands and Voices is a great organization because of the initiatives to think outside of the box to reach families all across the state of Texas. It's not easy serving a state as big as Texas but this group is connecting with families regardless of geographic location. May TX Hands & Voices continue to find success in growth!

I love how the experienced parents share resources with the other parents. It is a great support group and is greatly needed!

As the parent of 2 deaf daughters, living in the middle of nowhere, it's been hard to connect with others. Thanks to TH&V, and their workshops and retreat, I've made some incredible friends and connections. I've learned so much, and look forward to being able to continue to learn and grow with and for my children.

TX Hands and Voices has been incredibly helpful to me after learning that my baby had hearing loss. I quickly was matched with a donor, whom I now consider a friend. She is there to answer any questions and give me guidance if I need it. I also was grateful for the free books they sent that are full of personal stories of hearing loss. They organized a moms weekend retreat this year that was such a blessing to me as it allowed me to connect with other moms in similar situations and also to rest and relax! I'm so thankful for this organization!

I am a new parent to a 8 year old deaf boy. Prior to his adoption, I had no experience with a deaf person nor deaf culture. Thankfully I found Texas Hands and Voices. My husband and I met with a TH&V Liason , Pamela, who very patiently answered all of our questions.....even the silly ones! Her reassurance gave us confidence to go forth! It has been five months now since we picked up our new son and we have learned so much and have so much to learn! It is a great feeling knowing that someone is just a phone call away to help me!

Lucky Us!
Georgetown Texas

When my son was diagnosed with hearing loss, it was a huge shock for us. I didn't know what was going to happen or what to expect. Texas Hands & Voices has given my family access to the resources we needed to get on the right track. I'm especially thankful for the Guide By Your Side program. It has allowed me the ability to ask the questions I wasn't sure how or who to ask. Being able to talk to someone who's already been down this road has calmed my fears and given us so much hope for my son's future.

I am a parent of a hard of hearing child. When we learned of our son's hearing loss at age 3, it was a struggle to get him to wear his aides. We connected with the parent guide program and Texas Hands and Voices, and both groups have helped us so much. The regularly planned social gatherings where the children can play with other children in aides really improved my son's attitude about his aides! Of course meeting other parents has helped us. And we have also really appreciated being kept informed about services, educational opportunities, webinars, facebook chats etc. Both groups do a great job synthesizing services/what is out there so families can choose which ones to participate in.

When we found out our daughter was born with a hearing loss, I had no idea who to turn to for support. Luckily, Texas Hands & Voices was right there to lend a much needed helping hand! They provide a wonderful and necessary service to parents who are new to this world, and I value them greatly.

I have been benefited from the parent guide program and the news letter. The support from the guide and the experience shared by other parents are highly appreciated. At the very beginning of knowing the fact that my son was born of hearing loss, I was lucky to be connected to the parent guide program and was paired with a guide. I have also gone to several learning events. All these comfort me and let me realize that I am not the only person on the journey.

I am a current board member of Texas Hands & Voices and I am involved in this organization because both the National Hands & Voices organization and the Texas state chapter truly embrace the mission of providing unbiased support to families who have deaf or hard of hearing children. As a parent of a young deaf adult I know how important it is to receive encouragement and information, not only when you first discover that your child is d/hh but for many years afterwards! Hands & Voices is a wonderful place for parents and other family members to find information and a community of parents and professionals that can offer amazing support.

Texas Hands and Voices is an amazing organization! I am a professional in the field of Deaf Education. Our district has held many events in the past and this group has participated in each one. They are dedicated to helping families of students with hearing loss. I am proud to know these folks and to benefit from their knowledge and expertise.

Misty Johnson
Deaf Educator/Educational Diagnostician

My daughter was diagnosed with hearing loss at age 4. Texas Hands and Voices has been a great resource in many ways. They have provided and steered our family toward great resources and programs.

Texas Hands and Voices provides a great resource for parents that are navigating life with a child with a hearing loss.

I am a mother of a Deaf child as well as an interpreter in the Deaf community, but when I needed answers that would best fit my family, Texas Hands & Voices made sure that I know I had options. They gave me the support & encouragement I needed to make the decisions that would best meet the needs of my child. They made sure I had access to a parent advocate as well as a Deaf advocate that would understand my desire to ensure that my child received the best education possible in an environment that would meet his academic needs as well as challenges. They also sent me a book with the stories of other parents that had had to face the same challenges that I faced in dealing with a Deaf child in a hearing world, so I would know that I was not alone & that with the right support & resources I could successfully navigate through the system. I am eternally grateful to this organization for all the help, information, activities, & support they continue to give to families like mine at a time when we need it most.

Love all of their articles, facebook is great, always willing to help out parents. It's the best non profit for a parent with a deaf or hard of hearing child. Recently I wrote with a question on their facebook wall and they immediately answered my question and helped me help my daughter with her math homework.

Hands and Voices is an organization that is dedicated to increase awareness and discourage bias relate to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. I am a member of the public who has gained information and awareness as well as being humbled to learn that I did have misinformation that led to bias. My personal experience is that their style to teaching and advocating, while passionate, is also very positive and approachable. This is so important when attempting to increase awareness and advocate for change.

Texas Hands and Voices and their Guide By Your Side program was a wonderful resource for our family when we found out our daughter was deaf. I felt connected immediately to people that understood the path that I was walking and I could not place a value on the support I received!

This has been a wonderful resource for our family!

I was very lost and overwhelmed and Texas Hands and Voices really helped show me a way through. Their materials and volunteers are oustanding: phone calls, emails, events, books and more. I'm very grateful for their help.

As a mother of a child with hearing loss, I've found this non profit organization very beneficial for myself and family members. As well as their events and annual family weekend retreats, and supporting families in a non biased manner which brings families together and helps build lifetime friendships. THANK YOU!

A great "Go To" support group for Deaf / Hard of Hearing children and adults, their families, friends, teachers, professionals, and coworkers. A must-need for a successful life-long transition and networking source.

As a parent of a child with hearing loss and as coordinator for another family support program in Texas, I find great value in the resources and support that Texas Hands & Voices strive to provide for families. Their program is well-organized and comprehensive as they reach out to educate and provide emotional support to those affected by hearing loss.

As a consultant who has worked with deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and their families for many years, I have seen firsthand the results the programs and services offered by Texas Hands & Voices has on families. To see the look of concern on the face of the mother of a deaf child change into a smile with the realization that everything is going to be OK on this manageable journey with their child is a blessing. The organization is parent-driven and allows access to diverse possibilities for any family choice when it comes to seeking out answers to help deaf or hard-of-hearing children.

As a provider who works every day with families of deaf and hard of hearing children, I lean heavily on Texas Hands and Voices GBYS program to help make sure families have the critical support they need from other families. The feeling of isolation as a parent of a deaf child can be overwhelming, and GBYS addresses it immediately and thoroughly. The executive staff at Texas H&V is a very passionate a commuted group of parents, and it has been a real pleasure to collaborate with them!

My son was diagnosed with severe hearing loss in both ears and after searching for support groups, I found Texas Hands & Voices. The information they provide is invaluable and so informative. As a parent of a hard of hearing child, it is comforting to know that there are organizations out there to turn to for support.

Texas Hands & Voice has helped our family by providing workshops and family weekend retreats where my husband and I can learn how to become our child's advocate and educate ourselves in how to help him succeed in life. By attending the workshops we have the opportunity to meet families facing similar challenges and know we are not alone. During the family retreats held each June our son has the opportunity to be with deaf role models and be in a world that is just like him-wonderful. We have seen his self esteem and language skills jump to higher levels just spending a weekend at the retreats. Thank you Hands & Voices--we love you all.

Texas Hands and Voices offers the best information and support to parents and professionals that work with students who have a hearing impairment. They have become the go to source for many people all around the state and outside the state and this type of involvement and genuine interest is appreciated. Keep up the good work.

As an Advocate Educator, I teach parents about the laws and services regarding their child in Special Education. The good people I know at Texas Hands & Voices are always there to help me do a better job of serving these families. While I don't often encounter parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing, when I do, I look to TXHV as a great resource and referral for these families. It's all about networking and I'm pleased to have such a great relationship with the Abilene area representatives from Texas Hands & Voices!

As a professional serving parents and their children who are deaf and hard of hearing for more than twenty years, I see incredible value in Texas Hands and Voices in meeting the needs of families. They provide parent-to-parent support, education and resources, and simply connect families in a way that empowers them. I especially appreciate the mission-mindedness of the organization, and the value placed on family decisions without promoting a specific philosophy. My new favorite feature is the Tuesday evening Facebook chats that inform and support in such practical ways.

As a kid growing up with partial hearing loss I sometimes struggled with the challenges of being hearing impaired. As an adult, Texas Hands & Voices has given me the opportunity to help parents of children with severe hearing loss become more confident about facing their challenges. This is a great family-focused organization and they provide a valuable resource to parents and hard-of-hearing children.

My family including my two hard of hearing sons ages 3 and 5 attended the weekend retreat this past summer. The Texas Hands & Voices representatives were very helpful and caring. My boys had a great time and my family and I learned a lot. We started to learn more about the services and support and will continue to attend some events around the Houston area. I hope anyone with deaf or hard of hearing children learns more about this organization.

This non-profit is true to it's mission and provides support to the families that I work with in countless ways throughout this HUGE state of Texas. Texas Hands & Voices is by parents and for parents of Deaf and hard of hearing children, but demonstrate a true collaboration between parents and professionals working toward common goals for this group of parents and children that starts with their dedicated Executive Director and Board of Directors. They demonstrate an impressive use of social media to bring families together and provide a broad range of needed resources to families. Their website is full of valuable information about upcoming events around the state and resources for families, and has become the "go-to" site for families with Deaf or hard of hearing children in Texas. I'm proud to be affiliated with this wonderful organization.