Resources
Agencies, Organizations, & Information
Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI)
Undetected hearing loss is a developmental emergency, but we are here to help by connecting you to the resources to help understand this process and make informed decisions as a parent or provider. Together, we can ensure that every child receives the care and support they need in a timely manner.
Hearing loss is one of the most common major birth conditions. Hearing loss can affect a child’s ability to develop speech, language, and social skills. If identification does not happen until after six months of age, on average the child’s language skills at age 3 will be about half of a child with normal hearing. Iowa’s Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program works to ensure that all newborns and toddlers with hearing loss are identified as early as possible and provided with timely and appropriate audiological, educational, and medical services, as well as family support. Whether you are a parent or a professional, this site is designed to serve as a guide to learn more about newborn hearing screening, diagnosis of hearing loss and resources available to assist children and families in Iowa. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about hearing loss and your role in its detection and support.
Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA)
EIPA offers two comprehensive tests to assess the skills and knowledge of educational interpreters. EIPA also has developed a screening tool for school systems to obtain feedback about an interpreter's skill during the hiring process.
Hamilton Relay
Hamilton Relay is available at no cost, 24 hours a day, every day – making it possible for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind or have difficulty speaking to communicate over the telephone.
Interpreter Credentials
Iowa requires sign language interpreters to maintain a license to practice in the state. To receive a license, an interpreter must obtain certification from the RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf); take the EIPA (Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment) with a score of 3.5 or better; or Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI). Additionally, an interpreter must abide by the CPC (NAD/RID Code of Professional Conduct) and acquire annual CEUs to sustain certification.
Iowa Association of the Deaf
Concerned with the General Welfare of the Deaf of Iowa
Iowa Board of Sign Language Interpreters and Transliterators
The Iowa Board of Sign Language Interpreters and Transliterators evaluates the qualifications of applicants for licensure and grants licenses to those who qualify. The Board establishes rules and regulations to ensure the integrity and competence of licensed Interpreter's for the hearing impaired and investigates complaints for unprofessional conduct. The Board is the link between the consumer and licensed Interpreter, as such, promotes the public health, welfare and safety.
Iowa Deaf Clubs
Locations and contact people: Affiliates (iowadeaf.com)
Iowa Deafblind Project
Iowa’s Deafblind Services Project serves children and young adults age birth through twenty-one who are suspected of having both a hearing AND a vision loss or difficulty in processing auditory and visual information. We are dedicated to building the knowledge and skills of all stakeholders involved in the education or parenting of these learners. We believe in using a collaborative, multi-faceted, approach to achieve positive, fulfilling futures for children and youth with deafblindness.
Iowa Hands & Voices
Iowa H&V is a parent-driven, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. We are unbiased about communication and believe that families will make the best choices for their child.
Iowa Office of Deaf Services
The Office of Deaf Services, formerly the Division of Deaf Services Commission of Iowa, is a proud part of the Iowa Department of Human Rights (DHR). DHR's mission is to ensure basic rights, freedoms, and opportunities for all by empowering underrepresented Iowans and eliminating economic, social, and cultural barriers.
In order to more effectively and efficiently serve our customers, the Office of Deaf Services has combined its administrative functions with the other population-specific Offices within the Division of Community Advocacy and Services (CAS) at DHR.
Iowans should expect to receive culturally responsive services from the Office. For more information about the Office of Deaf Services, please contact us.
Iowa School for the Deaf (ISD)
Iowa School for the Deaf is not just a ‘special’ school. It is an extraordinary language and learning environment for children who sign, talk, or use both communication methods. We welcome children who have cochlear implants, hearing aids, or who use no assistive hearing devices. We value our students’ strengths and design individual learning goals centered around each student’s unique needs.
In the right environment, amazing progress is made. Small successes occur every day, becoming large accomplishments every year. We invite you to explore our website and learn how our students thrive in a language-based academic and social environment.
Iowa State Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (ISRID)
As a Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID) affiliate chapter, our purpose is to initiate, sponsor, promote, and execute policies and activities that will further the profession of the interpretation of American Sign Language and English and the transliteration of English. ISRID shall abide by all mandates from RID for affiliate chapters.
Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS)
Iowa VR is an employment program for individuals who experience a disability. We focus on service delivery that assists individuals to prepare for, obtain, retain, and advance in employment. For those who have been determined eligible, it is an individualized program that delivers employment services based on your unique individualized employment plan.
Laws
American Bar Association (ABA): COURT ACCESS for Individuals Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing - A GUIDE
Full and equal access to the courts is a fundamental right under the U.S. Constitution. To effectuate that right, each participant in a court proceeding must be able to effectively communicate, that is to understand what is being communicated, to respond, and to be understood when responding. This includes criminal defendants, civil litigants, witnesses, jurors, prospective jurors, lawyers, judges, and spectators, among others. Yet individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing continue to encounter communication barriers that deny them an opportunity to participate fully in the judicial process.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Disability rights are civil rights. From voting to parking, the ADA is a law that protects people with disabilities in many areas of public life.
Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 504 forbids organizations and employers from excluding or denying individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to receive program benefits and services. It defines the rights of individuals with disabilities to participate in, and have access to, government program benefits and services.
National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is the nation’s premier civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America. Established in 1880, the NAD was shaped by deaf leaders who believed in the right of the American deaf community to use sign language, to congregate on issues important to them, and to have its interests represented at the national level. These beliefs remain true to this day, with American Sign Language as a core value. The advocacy scope of the NAD is broad, covering a lifetime and impacting future generations in the areas of early intervention, education, employment, health care, technology, telecommunications, youth leadership, and more – improving the lives of millions of deaf and hard of hearing Americans.
Medical Interpreting
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Office of Minority Health
minorityhealth.hhs.gov/assets/pdf/checked/finalreport.pdf
Standard 4: Qualified Language Assistance Services (Mandate) PDF, page 65
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)
Serving equally our members, the profession, and the public by promoting and advocating for qualified interpreters in all spaces where intersectional diverse Deaf lives are impacted.
Telecommunications Access Iowa (TAI)
Say hello to better communication. We help Iowans who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or have speech difficulties get specialized telecommunications equipment at little or no cost.
Thrive Together (formerly, Deaf Iowans Against Abuse, DIAA)
Thrive Together is a 501(c)3 non-profit that works to help improve the lives of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and individuals with hearing loss. We offer a variety of culturally specific services that include but are not limited to, a crisis hotline, advocacy, and peer support. We strive to help individuals THRIVE. We are here to stand with you through the hard times and celebrate with you through your victories
Additional Domestic Violence Resource
U.S. Department of Accountability