In Central Oregon, a unique challenge faced by Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students has inspired local educators to innovate new solutions. For many of these students, being the only child with hearing loss in their classrooms, families, or even entire school districts can lead to social isolation. Recognizing this, a group of DHH specialists from the High Desert Education Service District (HDESD) – who represent the DHH COnnection Hub (CO for Central Oregon) – have launched a project to address these needs: The program was developed through the HDESD’s i4Innovation “ThinkUp” process, which encourages staff to propose creative solutions for student and family needs.

What Inspired the DHH COnnection Hub?

For decades, teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing have been concerned about their students experiencing social and emotional isolation. The problem stems from a lack of opportunities for students to connect with peers who share their unique experiences. This isolation affects students’ emotional well-being and overall school engagement.

From this observation, the idea of creating an inclusive community specifically for DHH students and their families began to take shape. DHH teacher Tamara (Tami) Catalano, submitted a proposal to HDESD’s ThinkUp! Innovation Program, a platform where educators pitch new ideas to support students and communities. The proposal to create programs that foster connections among DHH students and their families was enthusiastically embraced and selected for development.

How Did the Program Evolve?

Once the idea was approved through ThinkUp!, the DHH COnnection Hub teachers – including Charlotte Patterson, Kori Cantrell, Susan Newman and Sarah Cain – worked to gather input from the students with hearing loss and their families. They developed a survey and distributed it to families of DHH students across Central Oregon, which revealed a deep sense of isolation for students and parents alike. Parents expressed a desire for their children to connect with other DHH peers, and for opportunities to connect with other parents of children who are DHH.

Armed with this data, the team designed three core programs: DHH Chat Palz, DHH Seasonal Socials, and DHH Parent-COnnection. Each program is tailored to meet specific needs that emerged from the survey:

• DHH Chat Palz provides students with opportunities to meet both virtually and in person, fostering communication and social skills while building personal connections with their peers.
• DHH Seasonal Socials brings students together in group settings for fun, social interactions.
• DHH Parent-COnnection aims to help families of DHH students meet other parents and caregivers who share similar experiences, fostering a community of mutual support.

What’s the Vision for the DHH Parent-COnnection Program?

While the DHH Parent-COnnection program is still in its early stages, the vision is clear: to create a supportive network where families of DHH children can come together, share advice, and access vital resources. The program plans to host meetings, workshops, and social events, offering opportunities for parents to collaborate with educators and professionals. By building a stronger community, the goal is to equip parents with the knowledge and confidence to advocate for their children in educational settings and beyond.

Looking Ahead

Though students have not yet been directly involved in the planning process, the educators behind the DHH COnnection Hub are considering ways to integrate student ideas in the future. The programs will continue to evolve, shaped by the input of students, parents, and DHH educators.

By harnessing the power of innovation through the ThinkUp! process, Central Oregon teachers of the deaf/hard of hearing are finding new ways to support their DHH students and their families, ensuring that no child feels alone in their journey. These initiatives are more than just programs—they are lifelines, creating connections that empower DHH students to thrive both academically and socially.