Deaf Mentors Today
We have completed three classes to date of Deaf Mentors within Illinois. Although not all areas of the state currently have Deaf Mentor coverage, HVEIO can assist Service Coordinators in linking families to Deaf Mentors by geographic location and communication mode. Please inform families about the availability of Deaf Mentors within the Early Intervention system.
Deaf Mentors are enrolled under Family Support, but are not credentialed. They are available to go into the home, ideally working in close coordination with a DT/Hearing provider, to share personal experiences, teach sign language or the family's chosen method of communication, and introduce information about having a hearing loss, the Deaf community and Deaf culture. Deaf Mentors have proven to be a valuable service to families and are becoming available nationwide. Illinois is fortunate to have them within our system. To learn more about the providers in our system with a specialty in serving infants with a sensory loss go to our provider page.