Literacy is the building block for many aspects of a child’s learning. There are a variety of approaches and strategies to support the unique needs of students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH). The following list is not comprehensive but instead provides a sample of available resources.
MDE-LIO does not endorse the purchase or use of any non-State Board of Education-adopted commercial products. Products and services noted below are included for information only and their inclusion should not be interpreted as a recommendation of MDE-LIO.
MDE-LIO Resources
Request DHH Reading Kits
MDE-LIO offers reading kits for families of students in Michigan who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH). One kit at a time may be borrowed for four weeks. Learn more by watching the DHH Reading Kits video in our DHH Video Library.
Request DHH Resources
MDE-LIO provides resources that may be borrowed by parents, teachers, and others support students who are DHH. You can filter by a variety of topics; the "Deaf Culture and Identity" section includes available books with characters who are DHH.
Other DHH Resources
Youth and Family Connections - Literacy Videos
These Chicago Hearing Society videos describe eight reading strategies to use while reading with infants and toddlers who are DHH.
The 15 Principles for Reading to Deaf Children
The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center offers tips for parents and educators to use when reading to students who are DHH.
Deaf Children’s Literacy Project
The National Cued Speech Association (NCSA) developed the Deaf Children’s Literacy Project as a guided program to support families with children who may benefit from Cued Speech to achieve age-appropriate language and literacy skills.
The Road to Literacy
Hearing First offers Raising a Reader: Hearing First’s Guide to Listening, Language, and Literacy for building literacy skills through singing and rhyming as well as reading aloud for children who use a Listening and Spoken Language approach.
How to Make Your Own Experience Books
Hearing First offers tips for parents to create homemade experience books with their children. The books capture what’s happened in their lives and can spark conversations about their real-world experiences.
How to Read and Sign a Story to Your Child
American Society for Deaf Children shares story-signing strategies to use when reading to a child.
Parent Tip Sheet on Early Literacy Development
Hands & Voices created a parent tip sheet with easy strategies parents can use in their daily routine to build literacy skills.
Reading with Young Children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing
This resource from Boys Town National Research Hospital offers ideas for reading with children who DHH, children who are learning spoken language, and children who sign.
General Resources
Literacy Essentials
This Michigan-based website offers literacy practices that can be used one-on-one with children and students. Essential practices are outlined from birth to grade 12.
Paths to Literacy
This is a resource for literacy support for students who are DeafBlind (DB), Blind/Visually Impaired (BVI), or have additional disabilities.
Reading Rockets
Reading Rockets is a national research-based project that includes a variety of reading strategies, lessons, and activities, including reading basics and vocabulary.
Books with Characters who are DHH or DB
Books for Children who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind
This Google Sheet includes list of more than 300 books featuring characters who are DHH or DB. The list includes the title, author, a short description of the book, and age range. The list is managed by two teachers in Minnesota.
Children’s Books with Main Characters who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing [PDF]
This document includes a list of titles and descriptions for books that are available through Supporting Success for Children with Hearing Loss.
Listen with Lindsay: Books
This site features a list of books compiled by a pediatric audiologist. The list includes books about children with hearing loss, books with characters who are Deaf, and books written by authors who are Deaf.
Video Book Lists
ASL Stories Directory
The American Society for Deaf Children offers a list of children’s books read in American Sign Language (ASL).
DB Central Story Time
DB Central offers several videos of books read in ASL, as well as vocabulary videos.
Open Hands Library
Open Hands Library offers a list of books in ASL from a variety of sources. The books are organized by category.
YouTube Story Channels
The following YouTube channels and playlists offer videos of books read in ASL:
- California School for the Deaf (CSD) Library
- Pineapple and Cheese
- Rochester School for the Deaf
- Rocky Mountain Deaf School Colorado (RMDSCO)
- Statewide Outreach Center – Texas School for the Deaf
- Maryland/DC Hands & Voices offers books in ASL, Cued English, and English with signs