Provides technical assistance, training, and resources to families and service providers of children aged birth to 21 with varying levels of both hearing and vision loss. Services are geared toward improving educational outcomes in order to help prepare them for eventual transition into adulthood. Technical assistance and support services include: understanding vision and hearing loss, developing communication skills, using accommodations and technology, assisting with the development of educational plans and meaningful strategies, daily living skills, and transitioning across life stages. Information and resources include guides and handbooks, links to state and national resources, Wegner library resources, and deaf-blind topic pages.

Provides assistance in the education of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) offering support and consultative services to homes, daycares, and schools. Children in South Dakota who have been professionally identified as DHH may be eligible for services. These services include: information on hearing level, assistive technology, language development, and communication opportunities; participation in the development of an individualized Family Service Plan; communication choice support of sign language skills/or training to facilitate listening and spoken language; demonstration of the use of hearing aids, cochlear implants, FM/DM systems, or other forms of listening technology; collaboration with other service providers; and social opportunities and networking for the Deaf community, as well as connecting families raising children who are DHH.

Provides active advocacy through education, events and resources.

Provides services to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind, and/or have a speech disability. Community Education and Support: Provides a variety of direct service programming to deaf and hard of hearing consumers and the general public, including advocacy, peer support, mentoring, independent living, deaf mentoring, social services, recreation and social activities, senior citizen services, and other services as available. Employment Services: Assistance is provided with seeking and keeping employment, including job search and applications, preparing for interviews, initial job training, job coaching, assistance with co-workers and staff meetings. Telecommunication Equipment Distribution: Providing installation, training, and equipment including amplified telephones, captioned telephones, ring signalers, and mobile phones/tablets. American Sign Language: Community based and contractual sign language classes, interpreter mentoring, information regarding ASL, deaf culture, and deaf history available to the public and private organizations.

HAAP will help with the cost of hearing aid(s) and associated ear mold(s) for South Dakota children, younger than 19, with progressive or permanent hearing loss who would benefit from hearing aid(s). The program is open to families with a household income of less than 400 percent of federal poverty guidelines, up to 1 time every 3 years, who do not have coverage through their current insurance plan. HAAP operates on a sliding fee schedule, with the financial contribution ranging from 50 to 100 percent of the total cost of purchasing hearing aid(s) and associated ear mold(s).

Provides services to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind, and/or have a speech disability. Community Education and Support: Provides a variety of direct service programming to deaf and hard of hearing consumers and the general public, including advocacy, peer support, mentoring, independent living, deaf mentoring, social services, recreation and social activities, senior citizen services, and other services as available. Employment Services: Assistance is provided with seeking and keeping employment, including job search and applications, preparing for interviews, initial job training, job coaching, assistance with co-workers and staff meetings. Telecommunication Equipment Distribution: Providing installation, training, and equipment including amplified telephones, captioned telephones, ring signalers, and mobile phones/tablets. American Sign Language: Community based and contractual sign language classes, interpreter mentoring, information regarding ASL, deaf culture, and deaf history available to the public and private organizations.

Provides services to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind, and/or have a speech disability. Community Education and Support: Provides a variety of direct service programming to deaf and hard of hearing consumers and the general public, including advocacy, peer support, mentoring, independent living, deaf mentoring, social services, recreation and social activities, senior citizen services, and other services as available. Employment Services: Assistance is provided with seeking and keeping employment, including job search and applications, preparing for interviews, initial job training, job coaching, assistance with co-workers and staff meetings. Telecommunication Equipment Distribution: Providing installation, training, and equipment including amplified telephones, captioned telephones, ring signalers, and mobile phones/tablets. American Sign Language: Community based and contractual sign language classes, interpreter mentoring, information regarding ASL, deaf culture, and deaf history available to the public and private organizations.