Resources

Vermont Agencies and Organizations

Vermont EHDI Program

The Vermont EHDI Program, under the Vermont Department of Health, provides support, training, and case management for families and their babies, hospitals, and community providers. Their website has information about:

• Newborn Hearing Screening
• Early Health Hearing Resources
• Hearing Intervention Services and Providers in Vermont

VocRehab Vermont

VocRehab Vermont offers free services to any Vermonter or employer dealing with a disability that affects employment. Their services benefit deaf and hard of hearing students transitioning from high school to employment, and are available throughout adult life.

Vermont Speech-Language Hearing Association

Vermont Speech-Language Hearing Association is a non-profit professional association of speech-language and audiology professionals.

Vermont Family Network

Vermont Family Network is a statewide non-profit assisting Vermont families whose children have special health and educational needs. They are the federally designated Parent Training and Information Center and the Family-to-Family Health Information Center. They have many helpful resources on their website, including:

• Assistive Technology Resources
• Archived Special Education Webinars

Vermont Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf

Vermont Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf is a non-profit, non-partisan organization of interpreters, Deaf community members and other allies, which collaborates to ensure that high-quality American Sign Language-English interpretation throughout the state is provided with the utmost integrity and respect.

Vermont Telecommunications Relay Service

Vermont Telecommunications Relay Service (Vermont Relay) is a free service for all Vermonters, connecting individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard-of-hearing, or have a speech disability with users of standard telephones.

Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights

Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights is a cross-disability advocacy organization that seeks to increase awareness of disability issues and effect systemic change through legislative and administrative processes.

Vermont Council of Special Education Administrators

Vermont Council of Special Education Administrators provide leadership, support, and mentoring to those who teach and lead in special education. Their website has a useful Professional Resources page.

Vermont Chapter, Hearing Loss Association of America

The mission of the Vermont Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America is to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss by providing information,
education, support and advocacy. Their website contains helpful resources for Vermont’s adults with hearing loss.

Vermont Agency of Education

The Vermont Agency of Education has a wealth of information on their website, including:

• Special Education Laws, Regulations, and Resources for Parents
• Professional Standards and Licensing Regulations for Educators, including Special Educators and Teachers of the Deaf

The I-Team

The I-Team provides training and technical assistance to students with intensive special needs. Their website has a substantial list of online resources pertaining to intensive special needs.

Vermont Association of the Deaf

Vermont Association of the Deaf is an organization of individuals who are deaf, members of the Deaf community, including parents of deaf children, and professionals working in various deaf-related fields and endeavors, organizations of, for, and by the deaf, and businesses at large. Their website is a resource for the Deaf community, including minutes from the Vermont Hearing Advisory Council and other news in ASL.

Vermont Interpreter Referral Service

Vermont Interpreter Referral Service provides statewide interpreter and CART referral services for American Sign Language/English interpreting assignments. VIRS serves all Vermonters, both hearing and deaf, in need of securing a sign language interpreter. VIRS also provides advocacy for deaf clients, training opportunities for interpreters and serves as an informational resource.

Vermont Center for Independent Living

Vermont Center for Independent Living is a nonprofit organization directed and staffed by individuals with disabilities, which works to promote the dignity, independence and civil rights of Vermonters with disabilities. Their website contains helpful information about:

• Vermont Equipment Distribution Program, helping income-eligible Vermonters who have trouble using a telephone and need adaptive equipment.

Disability Rights Vermont

Disability Rights Vermont is a statewide agency dedicated to advancing the rights of people with disabilities and mental health issues. Their website contains:

• Information about the Vermont Communication Support Project, serving people with disabilities whose communication problems prevent them from participating fully in court and other agency proceedings.
• Many publications relating to people with disabilities, including the booklet, Services & Information for Vermonters who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, and a Vermont Voter’s Guide for People with Disabilities.

Deaf Vermonters Advocacy Services

Deaf Vermonters Advocacy Services provides services, advocacy and support for Deaf victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse.  DVAS also offer training, technical assistance, advocacy, and educational programming on a wide range of topics.

Hands & Voices – Vermont Chapter

The Vermont Chapter of Hands & Voices is a parent driven organization that supports families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing without a bias around communication modes or methodology. They organize regular social events for families in Vermont.

Other DHH Resources and Websites