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Hello there

We are the Nebraska Chapter of the National Hands & Voices™ organization. Hands & Voices is a parent-driven organization dedicated to supporting families that have children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing without a bias toward communication modes or methodologies. We want to provide Nebraska families with the necessary resources, networking, and information in order to improve communication access and educational outcomes for their children. Our statewide activities, advocacy efforts, and parent/professional collaboration are all focused on enabling our deaf and hard-of-hearing children to reach their fullest potential!

“What works for your child is what makes the choice right.”

Who are we?

We support many different types of communication modes:

Auditory Verbal  Auditory Oral • Cued Speech • American Sign Language 

 Signed English • Simultaneous Communication • Total Communication

We are families with children who have all types of hearing loss

We are deaf and hard-of-hearing adults

We are professionals

We are from every corner of the state of Nebraska

Nebraska outline

We are united, because we are Hands & Voices

This H&V chapter and its website may publish articles or commentaries from authors presenting their own perspectives.  All contributed material is solely the viewpoint of the authors and may not reflect the viewpoint or indicate the sponsorship of Hands & Voices.  It is intended for informational purposes only.

Our organization is parent-driven, and highly collaborative with professionals and individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing represented on the advisory board. We work at local and national levels. We provide local and regional support consistent with Hands & Voices’ non-biased philosophy and mission. In addition to family support, we also strive to be involved at the systems development level.

Families within the same geographic region within the state can share experiences and information as they support each other. They will be given the opportunity to gain knowledge and direction from families who have faced the same challenges and choices.

Our membership includes families who communicate manually and/or orally. From American Sign Language to cochlear implants, our organization represents people from all different approaches to, and experiences with deafness or hearing loss.

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Guiding Principles

Innovation

Community

Collaboration

Respect

Upcoming Events

  • Transitions and Activities
    Transitions and Activities
    Tue, Apr 23
    Zoom
    Apr 23, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM CDT
    Zoom
    Register now for this upcoming Zoom presentation by Jenessa Cruz-Alfaro & Erin Jelenik.
  • Transitioning from an IFSP to IEP
    Transitioning from an IFSP to IEP
    Tue, Mar 26
    Zoom
    Mar 26, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM CDT
    Zoom
    Register now for this upcoming Zoom presentation by ASTra Program Coordinator Jenn Zysset and Christy Davis.
  • Spring Event
    Spring Event
    Sat, Mar 23
    Kearney Area Children's Museum
    Mar 23, 2024, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
    Kearney Area Children's Museum, 5827 4th Ave, Kearney, NE 68845, USA
    Join us for a fun evening!
  • Amplification Options and Ways to Keep Devices On
    Amplification Options and Ways to Keep Devices On
    Tue, Feb 20
    Zoom
    Feb 20, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM CST
    Zoom
    Register now for this upcoming Zoom presentation by Guide By Your Side Coordinator Shelli Janning and a panel of Parent Guides.
  • Mom's Night Inn - Lincoln
    Mom's Night Inn - Lincoln
    RSVP Closed
    Sat, Feb 03
    Best Western Inn and Suites
    Feb 03, 2024, 1:00 PM – Feb 04, 2024, 12:00 PM
    Best Western Inn and Suites, 2201 Wildcat Cir, Lincoln, NE 68521, USA
    A chance for moms and primary caregivers to learn, bond, relax, and have some fun!
  • Save the Date! Weekend to Sign
    Save the Date! Weekend to Sign
    Fri, Jan 26
    Camp Comeca
    Jan 26, 2024, 12:00 AM – Jan 28, 2024, 11:59 PM
    Camp Comeca, 75670 County Rd 417, Cozad, NE 69130, USA
    Weekend to Sign event for the whole family!
  • Accomodations
    Accomodations
    Tue, Jan 23
    Zoom
    Jan 23, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM CST
    Zoom
    Register now for this upcoming Zoom presentation by ASTra Program Coordinator Jenn Zysset and Jessica Hoss.
  • Bonding During 1 - 3 - 6
    Bonding During 1 - 3 - 6
    Tue, Jan 09
    Zoom
    Jan 09, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM MST
    Zoom
    Register now for this upcoming webinar sponsored by the Hands & Voices Family Leadership in Language and Learning (FL3) Center
  • Hands & Voices "Later Gator" Virtual 5K
    Hands & Voices "Later Gator" Virtual 5K
    Fri, Dec 29
    Virtual 5K
    Dec 29, 2023, 12:00 AM MST – Jan 01, 2024, 12:00 AM MST
    Virtual 5K
    Run. Walk. Bike. Hike. Roll. Crawl. Whatever your mode, join us to say, "Later Gator" to 2023 so we can "Croc On" in 2024! All virtual 5K registrants will receive a race t-shirt, and the first 500 registrants will receive a custom finisher's medal.
  • Social Skills
    Social Skills
    Tue, Dec 19
    Zoom
    Dec 19, 2023, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM CST
    Zoom
    Register now for this upcoming Zoom presentation! Presenter Andrea Marwah
  • How to Use an Interpreter
    How to Use an Interpreter
    Tue, Nov 21
    Zoom
    Nov 21, 2023, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM CST
    Zoom
    Register now for this upcoming Zoom presentation by Educational Interpreter Roxie Petersen.
  • How to know what you don't know
    How to know what you don't know
    Tue, Oct 24
    Zoom
    Oct 24, 2023, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM CDT
    Zoom
    Register now for this upcoming Zoom presentation by ASTra Program Coordinator Jenn Zysset and Guide By Your Side Coordinator Shelli Janning.
  • Nebraska CMV Parents - First Annual Autumn Party
    Nebraska CMV Parents - First Annual Autumn Party
    Sat, Oct 21
    Bellevue Berry Farm in The Pavillion
    Oct 21, 2023, 10:45 AM – 1:30 PM
    Bellevue Berry Farm in The Pavillion, 11002 S 48th St, Papillion, NE 68133, USA
    Join us as we bring together Nebraska CMV parents for food, crafts, pumpkins, and fellowship in our first annual autumn party!
  • Fire Safety & Fall Bash
    Fire Safety & Fall Bash
    Sat, Oct 21
    Columbus Fire Station
    Oct 21, 2023, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Columbus Fire Station, 4630 Howard Blvd, Columbus, NE 68601, USA
    Join Nebraska Hands and Voices as we learn about fire safety and celebrate our fall bash!
  • Fire Safety & Fall Bash
    Fire Safety & Fall Bash
    Sat, Oct 14
    Scottsbluff Fire Station
    Oct 14, 2023, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
    Scottsbluff Fire Station, 1818 Ave A, Scottsbluff, NE 69361, USA
    Join Nebraska Hands & Voices as we learn about fire safety and celebrate our fall bash!
  • Fire Safety & Fall Bash
    Fire Safety & Fall Bash
    Sat, Oct 07
    Kearney Fire Station
    Oct 07, 2023, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
    Kearney Fire Station, 2211 Avenue A, Kearney, NE 68847, USA
    Join Nebraska Hands & Voices as we learn about fire safety and celebrate our fall bash!
  • Transitioning Back to School
    Transitioning Back to School
    Tue, Sep 26
    Zoom
    Sep 26, 2023, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM CDT
    Zoom
    Register now for this upcoming Zoom presentation by ASTra Program Coordinator Jenn Zysset and a panel of parent guides.
  • Sign Camp
    Sign Camp
    Sat, Jul 29
    Mallet Lodge
    Jul 29, 2023, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    Mallet Lodge, 14421 346th St, Louisville, NE 68037, USA
    Join Nebraska Association of the Deaf for Sign Camp!

Previous Events

GBYS Tip for past self Social Asset (3).png

Q: If you could go back to you when your child was newly diagnosed, what is one thing you would tell the past you?

A: "That although this path is different and at time more difficult it is not always a bad path."

Nebraska

Hands & Voices is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization

Address

P.O. Box 241229
Omaha, NE 68124

Email

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