Ohio Hands & Voices

03/24/2026

📣 Join us TOMORROW for an inspiring evening you won’t want to miss!

We’re excited to welcome Britny Bensman, founder of DeafMed, as she shares her lived experience and real advice centered on empowerment, accessibility, and advocacy in healthcare. 💙

This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with other families of children who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind while learning from someone making a meaningful impact in the community.

🗓️ March 24, 2026
⏰ 6:30–7:30 PM
💻 Virtual Event

✨ Come for the conversation. Stay for the connection.

🔗 Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/WVDo49xTSk-MizA6UST4DA

We hope to see you there!

03/19/2026

HELMETS & Hearing Devices

It is one of the most common questions we receive, having two kids who wear hearing devices, and play sports at the college level.

Our new Digital Resource Guide, based on our kids years of experience playing and participating in multiple sports, of which some require helmets, provides the strategies to be successful on and off the field, court, slopes.

Wondering how my son manages his helmet while wearing his devices? There's a section on that too.

For Coaches, the guide provides information on the nuances and information on what it is like to utilize hearing devices, and more importantly, STRATEGIES on how to better support your player!

It is a Win-Win for both players, parents, and coaches to all begin the season on the right (or left) foot!

Sports have always been a game-changer for our kids. Setting them up for success is key!

HAVE A GREAT SEASON!

GET GUIDE BELOW:

03/16/2026

May 9th, 2026
Family University Conference!

🍀 Save the Date! Family University Conference 🍀
Families of children who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Blind, Visually Impaired, or Deafblind are invited to join us for a special day of connection, learning, and community.

📅 Saturday, May 9, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Childhood League Center – Columbus, Ohio

This event is designed especially for families to:
✨ Connect with other families
🎤 Learn from experienced presenters
🤝 Visit with agencies and organizations that support children and families

Hosted by Statewide Services & Outreach, Ohio Deaf and Blind Education Services, the Family University Conference brings families together to share ideas, learn new strategies, and build meaningful connections.

📢 Registration information is coming soon!
Questions? Contact Shelley McCoy-Shehata at smccoy@ossb.oh.gov
We look forward to seeing families from across Ohio there! 💚

03/11/2026

Thank you for all your submissions to the 6th Annual Deaf-Themed Art Contest!

2026 Contest Results

Kindergarten through 2nd grade:
Ava B.1st place
Niko P. 2nd place
Penny H. 3rd place
Honorable Mention: Elijah T. and Sebastian K.

3rd through 5th grade:
Ariel K. 1st place
Emersyn K. 2nd place
Leia K. and Ean K. 3rd place (tie)
Honorable mention: Brooklyn C.

6th through 8th grade
Khloe O. 1st place
Mila P. 2nd place
Gwenneth K. 3rd place
Honorable mention: Angela P.

9th through 12th grade
Caelan P. 1st place
Toby W. 2nd place

Winners will be receiving their contest prize in the mail. Please reach out to camille@adv4kids.org with any questions relating to the winnings.

Save the Date 2027

Registration will open mid-December for the 7th Annual Contest.
Date: Sunday March 7, 2027, 10:00am - 1:00pm (art) 1:00-1:30 (judging) winners announced 1:30pm

Thank you again to all our participants! We look forward to seeing you next year!

03/09/2026

Safety Considerations in Deaf Schools
Tuesday, March 10th.
See information below.

Safety Considerations in Deaf Schools

Tuesday, March 10th, 2026
10:00am – 11:00am MT

https://handsandvoices.org/registrations/our/index.html

Join the O.U.R. Project core team and guests in discussing Safety Considerations for Deaf Schools. After more than 15 years of education on protective factors for children and families, we have discussed home, sleepovers, schools, camps and safety on the internet. In this session, we’re focusing on schools for the Deaf because of the unique communication and reporting considerations for DHH students.

Presented by the O.U.R. Children's Project core team: Janet DesGeorges, Harold Johnson, Sara Kennedy, and Chresta Brinkman, with guests from the fields of Deaf education and psychology/counseling.

Part of a series -- The O.U.R. Children's Safety Project: Monthly Learning Community for Parents, DHH Leaders and Professionals

03/08/2026

03/05/2026

In celebration of National Deaf History Month, Disney+ will debut Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Songs in Sign Language," three newly reimagined and animated musical sequences in American Sign Language (ASL). Featured songs include “The Next Right Thing” ("Frozen 2"), “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” ("Encanto") and “Beyond” ("Moana 2").

Watch April 27 on Disney+.

03/01/2026

ONE WEEK until the 6th Annual Deaf Themed Art Contest
March 8th, 2026 at the Columbus Museum of Art
Submissions can also be made online via the Jotform below.

Please see registration for all details and to sign up!
$600 in prizes!
Registration link: https://bit.ly/4kftrMc
More information can be found at ohiohandsandvoices.org

Need some ideas on a topic?

Personal experiences: at home w/family, school, facing fears, overcoming obstacles, self advocacy, most importantly what you love about being Deaf/HOH.

REMINDER: the contest is open to Ohio Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind ages K-12th. The contest also includes KODA & siblings.

03/01/2026

02/28/2026

Last chance. Register by March 4th!

🚨 Two weeks until campUS (March 14)!

If you’ve been thinking “this could be good for my teen,” trust that nudge.
Community changes everything. 💛

02/25/2026

Today is International Cochlear Implant Day!

We recognize cochlear implants as one of many tools that can support access to sound and language for some deaf and hard of hearing children and adults. At Hands & Voices, we know there’s no one “right” choice—only what works best for each child and family. Today, we’re celebrating informed choice, respect for different paths, and all the ways our community connects and communicates.



Visit https://handsandvoices.org/virtual-waiting-room/parent-resources.html for audiological resources and learn more about cochlear implants.