Education & Resource Center
Services & Programs
Welcome to The New Hampshire Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education and Resource Center (ERC)!
We offer direct services, resources and programs to optimize educational outcomes for children and youth who are d/Deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind and their families.
We have an outreach team of professionals who serve families, students, school districts and area agencies. Services include direct instruction, consultation, assessment and/or participation in team meetings for children and youth who have an IFSP, IEP or 504 Plan.
Services
American Sign Language Instructor/Tutor
Our ASL instructors offer introductory level American Sign Language classes that are tailored to the goals of the student’s communication and educational needs. Classes are taught by Deaf individuals and are offered online. NDHHS also offers supplementary tutoring services.
Contact us for more information.
Communication Facilitator
Our facilitators assist in bridging communication between deaf/hard of hearing students and classroom teachers, administrators, peers, and other school staff. Communication facilitators ensure the student has equal access to auditory information in the general education classroom as well as providing instructional reinforcement as needed.
Contact us for more information.
Counselor
We partner with a team of culturally and linguistically competent providers who are available to support deaf and hard of hearing students as they navigate challenges brought on by stress, behavior concerns and overall social and emotional wellness concerns. This is a statewide program supported by NH Bureau of Behavioral Health.
Contact us for more information.
Cued Language Provider
We have specialists who can offer consultation and training in this modality. A visual system of communication, Cued Speech is phonemic-based and makes traditionally spoken languages accessible to those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The National Cued Speech Association defines cued speech as “a visual mode of communication that uses hand shapes and placements in combination with the mouth movements and speech to make the phonemes of spoken language look different from each other.”
Contact us for more information.
DeafBlind Intervener
Our intervener provides 1:1 access to information and communication while facilitating the development of social and emotional well-being for children who are DeafBlind in the educational setting.
Contact us for more information.
Educational Audiologist
Our educational audiologists provide direct and consultative audiology services to children from birth through 22 in the school setting. Educational audiologists serve as members of the school multidisciplinary team who facilitate listening, learning and communication access via specialized assessments; monitor personal hearing instruments; recommend, fit and manage hearing assistance technology; provide and recommend support services and resources; and advocate on behalf of the students.
Contact us for more information.
Educational Interpreter
NH state-licensed interpreters provide communication access to students who are deaf or hard of hearing by faithfully and accurately representing the classroom instruction, teacher/student dialogue, and relevant sound information in the mode of communication used by the student.
Contact us for more information.
Listening and Spoken Language Specialist
Our LSL specialist guides families through the LSL approach which is rooted in a family-centered philosophy. LSL is a specialized intervention designed to guide and coach parents how to teach their child to maximize hearing with assistive technology.
Contact us for more information.
Pre-Employment Transition Specialist
Our specialists work 1:1 with students between the ages of 14-21. The goal of these services is to promote a successful transition from school to work and into adult life. Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) with New Hampshire Vocational Rehabilitation, pre-employment transition services provide students an early start at career exploration and preparation for life after high school at no cost.
Contact us for more information.
Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Our TODs hold master’s degrees, are licensed by the state of NH and have diverse educational backgrounds ranging from those trained in listening and spoken language to cued speech to a bilingual approach (ASL and English). They are trained to meet the unique educational needs of deaf and hard of hearing children and youth.
Contact us for more information.
School Psychologist
Our school psychologist specializes in services for the deaf and hard of hearing and is available to conduct evaluations to assess students’ cognitive and academic needs. This information can be used to help determine a student’s disability category as well as educational programming.
Contact us for more information.
Speech and Language Pathologist
Our SLPs have extensive experience working with children who are deaf or hard of hearing related to their linguistic development and educational needs. They are available to conduct evaluations, provide direct service, and consultation regarding listening skill development, articulation, and language skills.
Contact us for more information.
Programs
Deaf/Hard of Hearing Role Model Program
Provides families with the opportunity to meet a diverse group of deaf/hard of hearing individuals with a range of hearing levels, communication modalities, technology use, and educational backgrounds. Our role models are available to answer questions and share first-hand experiences to provide support and information to families.
Contact us for more information!
Pre-Employment Transition Services
Available to deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind students between the ages of 14-21. The goal of these services is to promote a successful transition from school to work and into adult life. Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) with New Hampshire Vocational Rehabilitation, pre-employment transition services provide students an early start at career exploration and preparation for life after high school at no cost.
These services are available to students who are on a 504 Plan or an IEP. Please contact NDHHS if a student is not on an IEP or 504 Plan, as they may qualify if they have a documented hearing loss.
Contact us for more information!
Family Sign Language Program
Provides direct sign language instruction to families of children who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind or those who benefit from visual language, ages 0-21. Classes are offered in-home, virtually or at a mutually agreed upon location.
Contact us for more information!
Shared Reading Program
Based on the Shared Reading Project developed by The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center, families learn research-based book-sharing strategies specific to children who are deaf or hard of hearing using American Sign Language.
Contact us for more information!
NH Family Resource Book
This book is intended to be a comprehensive resource for families of children who have been identified as deaf or hard of hearing.
You may want to understand more about the ear and hearing loss, communication and language development, early intervention programs, about the impact of your child’s hearing levels on his/her education, and how your child can get the support he/she needs throughout the school years. We hope it provides you with one place to obtain some answers to your questions and about resources that can support you through this journey.
Download the PDF of the Resource Book
The ERC Mission – Our Education and Resource Center’s mission is to support New Hampshire’s schools, families, organizations and agencies in order to ensure services that are accessible, inclusive and meet the needs of the state’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing population.
You will find links to organizations, resources, and services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and youth throughout our website. We welcome opportunities to provide an educational presentation or to meet with you – whether you are a parent, family member, educator, administrator or educational interpreter. We would be happy to collaborate on a topic of concern or to provide technical assistance.
Questions?
Reach out to us today, we will be happy to help!
