Iowa Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program

05/29/2026

May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Awareness Month!
Did you know thousands of babies in the U.S. are born deaf or hard of hearing each year? Early detection and timely intervention are critical to supporting speech, language, and social development.

In Iowa, we help families achieve the 1-3-6 benchmarks:
• Screened by 1 month
• Diagnosed by 3 months
• Enrolled in early intervention services by 6 months

If your baby didn't pass their newborn hearing screening, we are here to support you at every step!

Learn more: https://hhs.iowa.gov/health-prevention/birth-maternal-care/ehdi/ehdi-families

05/13/2026

If you are the parent of a young child who is deaf or hard of hearing in Iowa, you can receive a free book from Iowa Hands & Voices!

Thanks to the generous support of the Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack & Hotel Community Betterment Grant, Iowa Hands & Voices is offering FREE board books to families of young children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing! Colorful Ocean and Wonderful Woods are designed to be easy to read and easy to sign, with QR codes that link to ASL videos. A great way to support early language and reading at home. You can sign up to receive a free book using the link below!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDiIrQjm-UoNN9-EvUnCLuG13E3jgMQjVA5bfTqIVxGwt_QA/viewform?pli=1

05/04/2026

Checkout these FREE, personalized Mother's Day cards for the mother or mother figure in your child's life!

Mother's Day is coming soon!! Get your editable ASL-themed mother figure cards for FREE and customize it with your child's name. They're perfect for any mother figure (grandma, nana, nonna, auntie) in your child's life.

Get yours at language1st.org/parent-handouts/p/editable-mother-figure-cards

04/30/2026

Disney has reanimated some of their favorite songs from popular movies in ASL!
Watch this song and more with Songs in Sign Language, newly reimagined sequences, now streaming on Disney+!

04/15/2026

Did you know that today is National ASL Day?

On this day in 1817, the American School for the Deaf opened its doors in Hartford, Connecticut where teachers and students came together and, by blending Native American signs, French Sign Language, and Martha's Vineyard Sign Language, ASL was born. That moment changed everything!

04/11/2026

Register by April 23 for the Painting & Planting event happening May 9. A fun, hands-on afternoon for children who are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing and their families.
• Ames | Inis Grove Park
• 3–5 p.m.
• Register here: https://iaeducationfordeafandblind.org/4uo99oq

Register by April 23 for the Painting & Planting event happening May 9. A fun, hands-on afternoon for children who are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing and their families.

• Ames | Inis Grove Park
• 3–5 p.m.
• Register here: https://iaeducationfordeafandblind.org/4uo99oq

Questions? Reach out to [email protected]. This event is hosted by Iowa School for the Deaf and Iowa Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program.

04/02/2026

Join us for a fun day at the park, painting and potting a plant and socializing with other families who have children who are deaf or hard of hearing!

Painting, planting and making connections. Join a fun-filled afternoon designed especially for children who are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing and their families.

• Saturday, May 9
• 3 – 5 p.m.
• Inis Grove Park (Walnut Shelter), Ames

Register by April 23. https://iaeducationfordeafandblind.org/4uo99oq
Questions? Contact [email protected].

Hosted by ISD & Early Hearing Detection & Intervention

03/13/2026

Deaf Cultural Celebration is coming up soon at Iowa School for the Deaf! This is a unique event with fun activities for the family. Register now, attendance is free!
Theme: lights, camera, action!

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗦𝗗:
• 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
• Presentations/activities showcasing filmmaking, acting and makeup/costuming with a Deaf lens!
• Presentations by Shoshannah Stern (director, actress, writer) and Joseph Josselyn (Three Decades of Deaf Filmmaking).
• All ages welcome.
𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗼𝘄𝗮 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿:
• 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
• Special screening of 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘭𝘪𝘯: 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘈𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦
• Ages 14+ recommended for film
• Q&A with Director Shoshannah Stern
Register in advance to skip lines at the door: BIT.LY/ISDDCC2026

03/12/2026

Tomorrow is the last chance to register for the upcoming virtual art activity! This virtual event is open for kids who are deaf or hard of hearing ages 0-21. The 0-3 year old session will be combined with April's Book Club for Tots!
Find more details and registration link here: https://iaeducationfordeafandblind.org/473ppkF

Have you registered your child for the 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 virtual art activity yet? Different projects are available for different age groups. The registration deadline is Friday, March 13, so get them registered now! Supplies will be mailed to you so you and your child can follow along virtually on Saturday, April 11. Find more details and registration link here: https://iaeducationfordeafandblind.org/473ppkF.

03/06/2026

Checkout these great "IOWA" shirts in ASL being sold by Iowa Hands & Voices!

We have a new design available! Get yours now!