We’re always looking for real, safe resources—not just the shiny ones that perform caring, but those that do the work of protecting children, espec
We’re always looking for real, safe resources—not just the shiny ones that perform caring, but those that do the work of protecting children, especially those who are too often ignored or misunderstood.
So when we tell you that Hands & Voices is one of the most powerful resources for parents raising deaf and hard of hearing children—and for safe adults who want to understand real inclusive safety—we mean it.
If you haven’t heard of them yet, let us introduce you to a life-changing community and toolkit that every protective adult should know about.
What Is Hands & Voices?
Hands & Voices is a parent-driven, non-profit organization that supports families and children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Their motto says it all:
“What works for your child is what makes the choice right.”
They support all communication choices—ASL, spoken language, cueing, total communication, and more. But what sets them apart is their deep commitment to safety, equity, and empowerment.
In a world that often overlooks children with disabilities when talking about abuse prevention, Hands & Voices boldly steps in to fill the gap.
Why This Matters for Child Safety
Children with disabilities—especially those who are deaf or hard of hearing—are statistically more vulnerable to abuse, neglect, and coercive control. They often:
Struggle to communicate abuse or be believed
Miss out on safety education adapted to their needs
Are targeted by people who assume they won’t tell or won’t be protected
Hands & Voices doesn’t pretend these truths don’t exist. Instead, they empower families with tools to talk about safety in real, accessible, and loving ways.
What They Offer Parents
Here’s what makes Hands & Voices a game-changer for safe parenting:
🔹 The O.U.R. Project (Observe, Understand, Respond)
This is a powerful, research-backed initiative focused on:
Preventing abuse
Teaching children and families how to recognize unsafe behavior
Creating customized, developmentally appropriate safety plans
👉🏽 Explore the O.U.R. Project here
🔹 Safety Planning Tools
They provide downloadable tools, conversation starters, and real-world scenarios for:
Teaching children about body autonomy
Empowering them to recognize and report unsafe behavior
Supporting kids in developing self-advocacy skills
🔹 Parent Support Networks
Hands & Voices connects parents across regions through trained parent guides who’ve walked the same path. You’re not alone in figuring this out.
🔹 Trauma-Informed Advocacy
They don’t stop at prevention. If something has happened, they support parents in navigating:
Reporting
Healing
Rebuilding trust and safety
All with deep respect for the child’s voice, identity, and communication needs.
Who Should Be Tuning In?
Parents of deaf or hard of hearing children
Educators who teach or serve d/Deaf students
Advocates who care about equitable safety
Safe adults who know that children with disabilities deserve the same protection—and then some
Why We Recommend Hands & Voices at RosasChildren.com
Because real safety is inclusive safety.
Because too many systems pretend children with communication differences don’t get abused.
Because silence isn’t protection—and believing kids starts with listening in every language.
Hands & Voices meets children and families where they are. They don’t ask families to choose between safety and culture, between protection and communication. They say:
“We will support you to do what’s best for your child. And we will stand with you when it’s hard.”
That’s what safe adults do. That’s what we do here, too.
Ready to Learn More?
🧩 Visit the Hands & Voices O.U.R. Project:
👉🏽 https://handsandvoices.org
🕊️ Because every child deserves to feel safe in their body, their identity, their silence, and their voice.
#SafeAdultsOnly #HandsAndVoices #DeafChildSafety #InclusiveProtection #ChildSafetyForAll
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