Mentors and Role Models

  • Role models and mentors have a unique and important impact on families. They come alongside families to provide support, share experiences and connect them to resources. Often, the impact is far-reaching, affecting the child’s future as they grow. We accommodate all families with consideration to their unique preferences. Our role models and mentors are trained to work with a variety of families.

Questions?

      Deaf Mentors

      • The Deaf Mentor Program is a program offered to families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing, from birth through 5 years old. Mentors meet with each family on a regular basis, either at the family home or remotely, to provide them with a positive and hope-filled perspective from their day-to-day, as well as life experiences as a deaf person living in a hearing world.

        Mentors are trained in the SKI-HI curriculum and American Sign Language (ASL) instruction. Mentors will show family members how to use ASL through both informal interactions and more formal ASL lessons. They will also share information about deaf culture and introduce the family to the local Deaf community.

        Find a Mentor

        Become a Mentor

      Role Models

      • Role models are paired with families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing. They come alongside families to share in daily lives. Role models share their personal experiences and serve as a positive influence in the lives of young children.

        Role models also provide information on communication and language opportunities (Listening Spoken Language, Cued Speech, Signed English, ASL, etc.), how to capitalize their residual hearing levels, and access communication and technology tools. Role Models are Texas individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

        Find a Role Model

        Become a Role Model

      • "I love helping and seeing families connect with their Deaf child through sign, and seeing the progression in their relationships with one another, as they become more fluent in ASL. Strong family relationships are crucial to healthy, happy children, Deaf or not, and accessible language for all those involved is what makes this happen."  -Jenna Ezis King, Mentor