Youth and Family Connections

Welcome to DEAR Week 2024!

Day 6: Diversity Wins!

The Deaf community is full of wonderful people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, cultures, and perspectives. When we read, we can explore some of these unique perspectives and build empathy as we learn what makes us the same and what makes us different. There is so much to celebrate and learn about all the intersecting identities that make up our community- let's get started today!

"The Family Book"

Read by CSDB

"I Am Enough"

Read by Akilah English

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The ABCs of Inclusion (2023): Beth Leipholtz

Picture Book

Go through the ABCs based on real-life kids and learn about some of what makes them unique! This charming early exposure to various disabilities is written by a mom of a Deaf child and is a great way to start normalizing differences for young readers.

You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P! (2020): Alex Gino

Elementary

When Jilly P's little sister is identified as Deaf, Jilly feels like she suddenly has a lot to learn. She tries to pick the brain of her online friend Derek, but his diverse experiences as a Black Deaf individual starts to show Jilly that there may be more to learn that she anticipated!

The Breakup Lists (2024):

Adib Khorram

Middle / Teen

Jackson loves making lists. Lists of what he needs as a stage manager in his high school theater, lists of his sister's numerous ex-boyfriends, lists of tips to get by as a Hard of Hearing teen, and lists of why he definitely shouldn't fall in love with his new friend Liam. This time, his list may not be enough.

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On the Bright Side (2024):

Anna Sortino

Teen Read

Going back to a mainstream school is a hard adjustment for Ellie, so the school counselor pairs her up with a student guide, Jackson. When Jackson gets diagnosed with a chronic illness, he and Ellie start finding new ways to support each other and maybe fall in love along the way.

Deaf Author
Want more recommendations? Check out last year's DEAR newsletters!

Supporting Immigrant Families



Hands United (Manos Unidas) is a wonderful organization that seeks to support immigrant families with Deaf and Hard of Hearing children. They offer advocacy, workshops, sign language classes in Spanish, resources, and so much more! Everything is online and everything is free for families or the professionals who work with them.


See how Hands United can support your students!

 

Learn About Me!

Looking for resources to introduce hearing kids to Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing experiences? Check out these recommendations for picture books that can help explain what deafness is all about to hearing audiences.

My Name is Maya

By: Shay Abigail

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Understanding Deafness

By: Jessica Rusick

Want YFC to read with you?
Youth and Family Connections partners with schools and families to provide READ Days. A Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing adult goes into classrooms to read with students, foster a love for reading, and connect with students as a DDBHH role model. Children also receive free books through a CHS/American Library Association partnership!
Request a READ Day!
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Disclaimer: CHS does not necessarily endorse the content of the recommended books. It is the responsibility of teachers and family members to ascertain the appropriateness of the texts for their readers. 
 

CHSYouth@anixter.org