Local/State resources

Local Deaf Community Events & Agencies

• Winchester/Martinsburg Deaf social: Local Deaf adults, sign language students, and more meet often to chat, learn sign language, and mingle.

• Access Independence: Provides independent living skills training, peer mentoring, information and referral, and advocacy services to the counties of Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah, Warren, and the City of Winchester.

• Parent Resource Center for Frederick County Public Schools: The Parent Resource Center provides information and support to parents of children with disabilities as they work with school staff to identify and meet their child's unique needs.

• Infant and Toddler Connection of the Shenandoah Valley: This program teaches, coaches and mentors families of children up to age three who exhibit a developmental delay or a mental condition which gets in the way of their development. Our ultimate goal is to work with families to address a child’s delays as quickly as possible in an effort to eliminate or minimize services later in the child’s life.

Local Audiology Offices

• Mountain View ENT: Audiologist, Theresa Bell, M.S., CCC-A. 112 Medical Circle, Winchester, VA22601. 540-542-1995

More local offices coming soon!

How to Find an Audiologist Near You:

• EHDI Pals: Early Hearing Detection & Intervention - Pediatric Audiology Links to Services is a web-based link to information, resources, and services for children with hearing loss. At the heart of EHDI-PALS is a national web-based directory of facilities that offer pediatric audiology services to young children who are younger than five years of age.

• Virginia Medicaid Providers: Search here for Medicaid enrolled providers in your area. Be sure to select "audiologist" from the drop down list, and enter your zip code.

State Agencies and Resources

Resources for all families of DHH children:

• The Virginia School for the Deaf & Blind’s Outreach Services: Resources for working with students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

• Virginia Families for Hands & Voices: Virginia Hands & Voices is dedicated to supporting families with children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing without bias around communication modes or methodology. We provide parents with the resources, networks, and information they need to improve communication access and educational outcomes for their children. They also have a Facebook page.

• VA Hearing Aid Loan Bank: The Virginia Hearing Aid Loan Bank is open to children under age 18 whose hearing loss is confirmed by an audiologist. The bank lends hearing aids and FM systems for up to six months. The initial loan period can be extended for an additional three months in certain circumstances.

• Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH): The Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) works to reduce the communication barriers between persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and those who are hearing, including family members, service providers, and the general public.

• Center for Family Involvement: The Center for Family Involvement at the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University partners with the Virginia departments of Education and Health, the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau, the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and others in supporting a variety of activities to strengthen family involvement.

• Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center: The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center builds positive futures for Virginia's children by working collaboratively with families, schools and communities in order to improve opportunities for excellence in education and success in school and community life. Our special focus is children with disabilities.

Resources for families of preschool-aged children:

• Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia: The Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia provides early intervention supports and services to infants and toddlers from birth through age two who are not developing as expected or who have a medical condition that can delay normal development.

Resources for families and high school-aged children:

• Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services: The program promotes DHH advocacy and awareness within the rehabilitation community and various publics; provides technical assistance and consultation to field staff, and develops and monitors interagency cooperative efforts on behalf of people with hearing impairments