About RI Hands &Voices
We believe all families of deaf children can find the support they need, can embrace their journey, and can thrive in their unique way.
Our Mission
At Hands & Voices of Rhode Island, we are dedicated to guiding and supporting families of deaf and hard of hearing children from the first day of diagnosis. We strive to educate and inform, reframing the conversation around deafness to foster hope for a quality, successful life. Our approach is driven not by a clinical perspective, but from the understanding and empathy of fellow parents and professionals. We champion equal access to all communication opportunities without bias, providing a platform for learning and connection. Our aim is to continually inspire, empower families, and sustain a supportive and inclusive community.
Our Values
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Unity: Unity is about bringing together parents, families, and the larger community to foster a sense of belonging and solidarity. Rhode Island Hands and Voices will demonstrate this through regular community events, open forums for discussions, and by being a welcoming platform for all families with deaf and hard of hearing children.
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Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. As a parent-led organization, Rhode Island Hands and Voices demonstrates empathy by offering support from the first day of diagnosis and through every step of the journey, providing comfort and understanding that can only come from shared experiences.
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Education: Education is about providing information, resources, and learning opportunities to families. Rhode Island Hands and Voices will demonstrate this value by offering workshops, seminars, and information sessions, as well as providing accessible educational materials to families.
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Accessibility: Accessibility represents equal access to all communication opportunities without bias. Rhode Island Hands and Voices will champion this through advocacy work, by offering resources that support various communication modalities, and ensuring their events and materials are accessible to all.
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Hope: Hope represents the optimism for a successful and quality life for deaf and hard of hearing children. Rhode Island Hands and Voices will demonstrate this by highlighting success stories, showcasing role models, and continually reinforcing the positive outlook and potential of every child they support.
