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What If You Couldn't Communicate With Those Closest to You?
This is Heather. She’s 6 years old and Deaf, with hearing parents who speak English.
The Bully
Heather has faced bullying at school before, but lately, it’s gotten much worse. Struggling to communicate her complicated feelings to her parents, she decides to stay silent.
Feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope with the bullying, she begins refusing to go to school in the mornings, leading to tension between her and her mom.
Friday Dinner
It’s Friday night, and Heather is sitting at the dinner table with her family. As she stares down at her food, she daydreams about the fun activities planned for tomorrow.
Suddenly, she looks up to see her parents and siblings laughing and smiling about something she completely missed. Curious, she asks what was so funny, but they tell her they'll explain later.
In the Classroom
Heather's teacher is at the front of the class, explaining a spelling test when suddenly Heather's hearing device crackles with static. She quickly takes the earpiece out of her ear.
When she puts it back in and looks around, she realizes that her teacher has already said the first word. Too embarrassed to ask for help, she sits quietly, missing the first question entirely.
Solution
There are over 308,648 deaf children is the US and 90% of them are born to hearing parents.
With only about 22% of hearing parents learning and using sign language at home, Deaf children are at significant risk of language deprivation. If unaddressed, this can severely impact their cognitive development, emotional well-being, and ability to connect with the world. Language is not just a tool for communication; it’s essential for building relationships and navigating life.
The Solution
Language Access
Children need full language access at home. Sign language is the most accessible form of communication for Deaf and hard-of-hearing kids, and research has shown it significantly supports their development.
More Resources
Currently, there aren't enough innovative resources available for families with Deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Many parents struggle to find effective tools and support that cater to their unique needs. We need to expand and enhance the resources available.
Our Plans
Learning App for Kids
Our innovative learning app will teach core standards entirely in ASL. Kids will learn through unique and engaging games, making education fun. Additionally, the app covers holistic topics, including information about deafness and social-emotional health, fostering well-rounded development.
ASL Parent Learning App
Our parents' ASL app will uniquely deliver information, offering a comprehensive perspective on the journey of parenting a Deaf or hard-of-hearing child. It will emphasize teaching ASL for fluency, equipping parents with the skills they need to support their children's communication and development.
Resource Center
Our resource center will answer all of parents' questions with data-driven information. Its unique design will make it easy to find everything in one place, all while presenting the content in an engaging and enjoyable way.
Power of the Hive
At HandHive, we envision a vibrant community where individuals come together to collaborate, play, and enrich the world around us. Our mission is to create a welcoming space for families with Deaf and hard-of-hearing children to connect and share their unique experiences. We believe that every child and situation is different, and there is great strength in reaching out for support. By fostering meaningful discussions and encouraging collaboration, we strive to make life more beautiful and accessible for everyone.
Building A Team
We’re assembling a diverse team with expertise from various fields to enhance our mission. A core value is including Deaf voices and leadership, as their experiences are vital in addressing the challenges faced by Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. By fostering inclusivity, we aim to create innovative solutions that truly meet the needs of families.
The Future
Our learning apps and resource center are just the beginning. We plan to continually innovate and expand our offerings, providing even more valuable resources to support families!
Expand Curriculum
We plan to expand our app to include grades beyond Pre-K to 2nd, extending all the way through high school.
Career Development
We plan to develop a career exploration course to help Deaf high school students transition smoothly to the next phase of life after graduation. This initiative will equip them with the skills and confidence needed for future success.
Expand Users
Learning a second language, including sign language, offers significant benefits for hearing children, specifically those who are neurodivergent. We plan to leverage our materials to support and empower these groups as well.
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