CHS Youth Connections Program

02/03/2026

02/03/2026

Are you an early intervention provider who works with Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth? Join CHS and FHSR for a training on teaching early literacy skills to DHH kids! Earn 2 hours of EI Education Credits and get a starter set of books with DHH characters to share with families.

This training will be held virtually over Zoom on February 24th, 12pm.

Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGScqh3XgcZsQLnbwtg3XdkKuGlaPY9U1ggP4AQzpQ1K9gHg/viewform

02/03/2026

Join CHS and FHSR for an Early Literacy Training for Parents of Deaf and Hard of Hearing kids!

Two possible dates: February 26 at 7pm or February 28 at 9am.

Sign up for free here! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhovrbbvEboXM4waKEZex3JSfqwO0xIeoQaoRUdqCTew3Y0w/viewform

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¡Únase a nosotros y a FHSR para una capacitación sobre alfabetización temprana para padres de niños sordos o con discapacidad auditiva!

Dos fechas disponibles: 26 de febrero a las 19:00 o 28 de febrero a las 9:00.

¡Inscríbase gratis aquí!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhovrbbvEboXM4waKEZex3JSfqwO0xIeoQaoRUdqCTew3Y0w/viewform

01/23/2026

CHS is partnering with Filament Theater for an exciting, accessible performance of RAIN on February 1! RAIN is a mesmerizing and intimate sensory experience for babies and their families in which they are invited to slow down, notice, and wonder. Carers and their littlest ones are immersed in an intimate and mindful installation space full of surprise, delight and opportunities for connection through sound, touch and performance.

Families with older non-ambulatory babies & toddlers (up to age 4), babies who may be deaf, hard of hearing, experiencing developmental delays, or are otherwise medically complex are invited to join us for a performance of RAIN designed just for you.

In partnership with the Chicago Hearing Society, Early Intervention developmental therapists, and Filament's access team - this neuro-affirming performance is reserved specifically for children ages 0 to 4 who are not walking but may not be otherwise able to attend a public performance of RAIN.

If cost is a barrier for you to join, please use code JOIN26 at check out for $5 tickets. Tickets for this special show are limited!

For more information about RAIN and to get your tickets: https://bit.ly/CHS-RAIN

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[Image Description: An image of the hands of a toddler on the floor as they crawl. Text reads "Access Performance: RAIN. Families with older non-ambulatory babies and toddlers (up to age 4), babies who may be D/deaf, hard of hearing, experiencing developmental delays, or are otherwise medically complex are invited to join us for a performance of RAIN designed just for you. Sunday, February 1 at 4pm. Scan QR code for tickets." End Description.]

01/23/2026

01/23/2026

"Carl the Collector" is set in Fuzzytown and follows Carl, a raccoon who has autism, and his special interest in creating collections. Created by Zach OHora/Fuzzytown and developed by Spiffy Pictures, Inc, this is PBS's first series to star a character on the autism spectrum. It includes other neurodiverse characters like Lotta and Paolo.

DCMP worked closely with Spiffy Pictures to create ASL interpretation and audio description for the series appropriate for its preschool audience. "Carl the Collector" is also captioned. Multiple accessibility options can benefit children by clarifying non-verbal cues, focusing attention, and adding context through the different senses.



https://dcmp.org/series/1092-carl-the-collector

01/23/2026

Ask and you shall receive! We had a lot of requests for a virtual option for our Deaf Belle event. So we will have an opportunity from 9:30-10 am ET, before the in person event, for virtual attendees to meet Belle and enjoy a story in ASL!

📅 March 7, 2026
🕑 9:30-10 ET
💻 Zoom
✔ Register at language1st.org/events-ct

01/23/2026

01/20/2026

We've updated our advocacy letters to include FOUR more topics to help you advocate for your Deaf child!

✔ Access to Qualified TOD - NEW!
✔ Assistive Technology - NEW!
✔ Extra Curriculars - NEW!
✔ In-Person Interpreter - NEW!

Use these letters to help advocate for your child. Just fill in your child’s name and pronouns wherever there are [brackets] and be sure to edit the sentences for verb agreement and clarity. You can use the entire letter, or you can copy and paste any part of the letter into an email. Each letter also contains references you can copy as well. The bundle also contains the original six letters:

✔ Need for Interpreter
✔ Need for ASL
✔ Mental Health Services
✔ IEP Meetings
✔ Bi-Bi Education
✔ Access to Deaf Role Models and Mentors

Get yours for FREE at language1st.org/parent-handouts/p/advocacy-letters

01/16/2026

Calling ALL champions to Chicago Children’s Museum! Join us and Dare2tri for our next Play for All event on Feb. 8 and participate in all sorts of activities, including roller sled hockey, handcycling, wheelchair racing, group exercises, and a See & Touch Prosthetics display.

All of our inclusive, multisensory museum exhibits and programs will also be available during Play for All. Get your tickets now. https://www.ccm.org/play-for-all