Celebrating 80 Years of the Institute for Parents of Preschool Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Nearly 20 Illinois families gained valuable knowledge, support and connection for raising a child with hearing loss during the annual Institute in June
June 10-14, 2025, marked 80 years of the Institute for Parents of Preschool Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
This free, annual program is for parents and caregivers of children ages 6 and under who have an identified hearing loss. It helps families learn, connect, and find support all in one place.
Since 1945, the Institute has welcomed families at the Illinois School for the Deaf (ISD) campus in Jacksonville. This year, 18 families from across the state found community and connection at this five-day program.
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) helps support the Institute, along with other sponsors.
Support for the Whole Family
The Institute is more than a learning program for parents. It’s a family-friendly event where everyone can join in.
“It really is a valuable experience for everyone who comes,” said Angela Kuhn, director of the Institute and an administrator at ISD. “It’s an event that is inclusive of everyone in your family.”
Parents Rogelio and Lizeth came to the Institute with their 10-year-old son, Roger, and their 2-year-old daughter, Aliah. Aliah was born with Microtia, a condition that affects the shape of the ear and causes hearing loss.
Their family came to the Institute to learn how to best support her development.
“We have learned a lot, how to help my daughter and how to make us stronger, how to defend her, how to prepare her for the future,” shared Lizeth.
“My son Roger has been learning how to help his sister,” added Rogelio.
While Aliah was busy playing with her peers and receiving evaluations from professionals, Rogelio and Lizeth spent their time in workshops and lectures for parents. Roger joined the sibling program, where he took American Sign Language (ASL) lessons and made friends with other siblings of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
By the end of the week, Roger had formed a close bond with other siblings in the program, including Michael (7), Neela (11), and Jezreel (12).
“I wasn’t expecting that…”
Michael came to the Institute with his mom, Brittany, and his younger siblings—Dominic (age 1) and Gianna (age 5). Gianna is profoundly deaf and has CHARGE syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects multiple parts of the body.
At first, Michael wasn’t sure what to expect. “I expected that it wouldn’t really be that fun, I wouldn’t meet any kids to play with,” he said. “But I guess I did—and it was really fun.”
Michael and his new friends spent almost every moment together.
“He’s just like, ‘Hi, Mom. Bye, Mom.’ And I’m like, ‘Oh, okay, bye,” Brittany said with a smile.
“I wasn’t expecting that part to be so neat,” she said. “To see them as strangers on Tuesday and then to watch them eating lunch together, being inseparable, that was really cool.”
Extraordinary Connections
Institute and ISD preschool teacher Natalie Garver explained how attendees transform from strangers at the start to a close-knit family by the end.
“It’s so cool how we show up day one and everyone’s kind of looking around like, ‘Was this a good idea? This seems kind of awkward.’ By the last day of Parent Institute, it’s like, ‘Bye, we’re going to miss you. Like, let’s keep in touch, find me on Facebook,’” she described.
“When you share this kind of experience with other people, the connection you can make with families is just extraordinary in such a short amount of time.”
Natalie has taught children who are deaf or hard of hearing for 17 years. She has worked at the Institute for several of those years. Natalie is one of many returning team members who make the experience feel like home for families.
“The staff here does a really good job of making it almost a family setting and culture,” said Institute parent Brent.
Brent and his wife Rebecca are the proud parents of Cash, age 5. They live in Jacksonville where Cash, who uses cochlear implants, is a student at ISD.
“It’s our job as parents to stay informed and stay involved and keep learning,” Rebecca said. “The Parent Institute is perfect for that.”
“There’s a community for us and they’re closer than we think.”
While Cash and his family are locals, many families travel from all over Illinois to attend the Institute.
Cindi and her 2-year-old daughter, Luna, made the trip from the north side of Chicago. Luna is the first person in her family to be diagnosed with hearing loss.
“This is all brand new. I felt lost, like nobody around the neighborhood that I know of had children with hearing loss,” said Cindi.
“Coming here, I’ve connected with so many parents. I actually found a neighbor, not literally a neighbor, but she’s so close by that we take our kids to the same playground, and we never even noticed. So, it’s been great. There’s a community for us and they’re closer than we think.”
DSCC Family Liaison Violet Wiker, who helps families enroll in the Institute, emphasized the value of these new friendships and their lasting impact.
“I think it’s very wonderful when you walk around the cafeteria and you can hear the kids scream across the line asking mom if they can sit with their new friend…” Violet said.
“And then you see mom and dad making another friend at the lunch table, and they’re sharing experiences and they’re not even in the same location, but they found a friend that maybe they can take home with them and connect with later to say, ‘Hey, I’m feeling this sort of way,’ or’ Hey, do you have a suggestion here?’ And we built that network now.”
Looking Ahead
The 80th year of the institute was full of learning, laughter, and new friendships. Families left with more knowledge, stronger support systems, and lasting memories.
Tori Lynch, an Institute cadet, looks forward to the Institute’s bright future. “I have no doubt it’ll go on 80 more years.”
Find more memories from the 2025 Institute on our Facebook page in our 2025 recap album. You can also see videos that highlight different parts of the Institute experience on our YouTube playlist.
The following organizations supported the 2025 Institute:
- University of Illinois Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC)
- Department of Human Services – Division of Rehabilitation Services
- Illinois School for the Deaf
- Illinois State Board of Education
- Illinois Department of Public Health
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
For more information about the Institute and how DSCC supports children with hearing loss, call (800) 322-3722 or email dsccinstitute@uic.edu.