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- Educational Programs
- Community Support Programs
- American Sign Language (ASL) Classes
- Audiology Center
- Deaf Vermonters Advocacy Services (DVAS)
- Employment Support Program (ACCESS)
- Intensive Case Management Program
- Mental Health/Counseling Services
- Northern Vermont Resource Center
- Vermont Interpreter Referral Services (VIRS)
- Vermont Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (VTEDP)
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Overview
Sign Language Mentor Program
Coordinator - Tami Trowell
802-258-9502 (V/TTY)
Email: ttrowell@vcdhh.org
Learning sign language can be very challenging for families and staff who work with children who use sign language to communicate. The Vermont Center's Sign Language Mentor Program was developed to meet this unique need.
Sign language mentors can provide individualized sign language instruction either in the family's home, in day care or pre-school settings or in the classroom. Mentoring services are incorporated into the child's individual service or educational plan (IFSP or IEP) to support the child's communication success within the family, with peers and with staff.
If the child is Deaf, a Deaf mentor can be provided. The Deaf mentor teaches sign language and also serves as a valuable role model and connection to the Deaf community, allowing the family to better understand what it means to be Deaf.
Six week sign language classes are also offered in local communities throughout the state. These classes are designed to be "user friendly" and provide basic sign language vocabulary to meet the needs of families, therapists, daycare providers, and educators.
Staff sign language training can also be provided: in-service workshops, six week classes or on-going classes throughout the school year.
For more information about the Sign Language Mentor Program, please call (802) 258-9502 (v/tty).
Deaf Mentors make learning sign language fun!
testimonials
The Deaf Mentor program has been invaluable - Diane Parker is great!
David McKay
Parent Testimony
The Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has been an invaluable resource for our family. My son, Jack, was first diagnosed with a significant hearing loss at about 9-months of age. Getting the news that Jack was deaf was devastating. Fortunately, within days of finding out that our son was deaf, we began receiving services through the VCDHH. The assistance provided by VCDHH was desperately needed and benefited the entire family, not just our son. The professionals at VCDHH have been a vital resource as we tackled the many issues that are associated with parenting a deaf child. VCDHH recognizes that each family and child is unique. Particularly early on, during a very emotionally difficult and stressful time, our Consultant and Deaf Mentor were very supportive of the entire family. Moreover, in addition to support and encouragement, we received accurate, unbiased information, presented in a non-judgmental fashion.
As Jack has gotten older, VCDHH continues to play an important role by consulting on education services. Our Consultant provides us with current information concerning Jack's education, including language choices and communication methods. Additionally, our Deaf mentor teaches us sign language and also serves as a valuable role model and provides us with a connection to the Deaf community. This connection is critical in allowing our family to better understand what it means to be Deaf.
In retrospect, it is hard to imagine how different things would have been had an organization like VCDHH had not existed. Going forward, it is reassuring to know that our entire family will continue to be supported and will benefit from the services provided by VCDHH.
Parent Testimonial
When our consultant for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing suggested assigning a Sign Language Mentor to our family, I thought of it as an at-home sign language class, but it is so much more! Our family is so grateful for this wonderful program, which has brought language, learning and confidence into our home. We feel especially lucky to welcome our mentor into our lives each week, when we sign, learn, and laugh together, all while helping our son learn to communicate."
Parent Testimonial
Diane Parker, our Deaf Mentor, started coming to our home once a week to teach our family sign language and how to navigate Deaf culture. From her very first visit, Diane put us at ease and got us excited about learning to sign. Though none of us used voice during our sessions from that day on, Diane is always able to make herself clearly understood. She teaches us vocabulary that we need in daily living with Ben, helps us to increase our understanding of the structure and beauty of American Sign Language, and demonstrates principles we should know about Deaf culture.
The Wood-Lewis Family.
Parent Testimonial
The Sign Language Mentor program has been hugely important to our family. When we adopted Sachin three years ago, although very excited, we also were very nervous because we had no prior experience with Deaf culture and American Sign Language. The mentoring program, and Karl in particular, has allowed us to work closely with an accomplished Deaf man who patiently listens to our concerns, explains Deaf culture, and teaches us ASL - all on a very personal, relationship oriented, family level. We are very grateful and wholeheartedly recommend the mentoring program for other families. Jan and Brian.