DEAF+ ACCESS TO ADVOCACY
The “+” refers to Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals who may have or are known to have developmental delays or developmental disabilities.
Since May 2022, Deaf+ Access to Advocacy program was established through a grant by Department of Developmental Services (DDS).
What We Do
- Information & Referral: Find and provide resources within your local community. Referral to the regional center and assist with the application process.
- Communication Access: Find solutions for communication barriers at home or in the community. Advocate for ASL Interpreters.
- Special Education: Provide support for parents/caregivers for your child’s Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings to ensure your child’s needs are met. Advocate for your parental rights and responsibilities.
- Early Start: Provide navigation on the Early Start services for your child under age 3. This may be with your local Regional Center or your local education agency (LEA).
- ASL Translation: Translate any written documents or notes into ASL.
At NorCal, We Serve 24 Northeastern Counties
- Amador
- Glenn
- Sacramento
- Sutter
- Alpine
- Lassen
- San Joaquin
- Tehama
- Butte
- Modoc
- Shasta
- Trinity
- Calaveras
- Nevada
- Sierra
- Tuolumne
- Colusa
- Placer
- Siskiyou
- Yolo
- El Dorado
- Plumas
- Stanislaus
- Yuba
In Addition, Our Program also Serves 7 Additional Counties
- Del Norte
- Humboldt
- Lake
- Mendocino
- Napa
- Solano
- Sonoma
Infants & Toddlers (Birth to 36 Months)
Do you suspect that your baby or toddler might have a developmental delay? A developmental delay is often diagnosed when a child does not reach their developmental milestone when expected. They can range from minor to something more significant.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS?
You, your doctor, or another person may notice signs of developmental delay in any of the areas listed below:
- Communication = language and speech
- Physical = vision, hearing, motor skills or movement
- Social = emotions, behaviors with others
- Self-Help = activities of daily living
- Cognitive = thinking, learning, and problem-solving
Diagnosis: Through developmental screening – the goal is for the clinician to perform 3 screenings to monitor and detect for developmental delays when your infant reaches 9-, 18-, and 30-months.
Language Development Milestones: The Parent Profile was developed through Senate Bill 210 (SB 210) for children who are Deaf or hard of hearing, birth to five years, to track your child’s language growth. Parent Profile – LEAD-K Family Services
- Positive social-emotional skills
- Acquisition and use of knowledge and skills
- Use of appropriate behaviors to meet their needs
- Information about Early Start
- Early Start Standardized Information Packet by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
- Early Start Information Packet [English]
- Paquete de Información Sobre Early Start (ca.gov) [Spanish]
- Informational Poster on Language Deprivation
- Position Statement on Language Access – Deaf Education
Children & Young Adults (Age 3 to 22)
California law gives people with developmental disabilities the right to services and support they need and choose to live independent and productive lives.
- A Consumer’s Guide to the Lanterman Act [English]
- Una Guía para el Consumidor Del Acta Lanterman [Spanish]
Special Education For Deaf+ Students
Adults (Age 22 and Older)
Adults who are Deaf+ face unique challenges due to their combination of deafness and additional disabilities. Tailored support and inclusive community programs are essential in empowering them to lead fulfilling lives and contribute to society.
Eligibility Process
- Individuals must have a disability before age 18 that is expected to continue indefinitely and present a substantial disability. [intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, and other disabling conditions]
- Child (age 3-4 years) can qualify for provisional eligibility without needing a diagnosis of developmental disability but demonstrates significant functional limitations in at least two major life activities.
More information about Regional Center
- Services provided by Regional Centers, see Regional Center Services and Descriptions
- The role of Regional Center Service Coordinators: sc-infographic.pdf
- The Regional Center Planning Team: one-team.pdf
- Individualized Program Plan (IPP) Planning Guide
Our Program Works Closely With 5 Local Regional Centers
To Apply for Services
| Regional Centers | Early Start (under age 3) | Intake (age 3-older) |
|---|---|---|
|
Alta California RC |
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|
Far Northern RC |
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North Bay RC |
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Redwood Coast RC |
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Valley Mountain RC |