What is VOICE?

VOICE for Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing  was established in the early ’60s by parents to offer support to other families with children who were deaf and hard of hearing. These Toronto parents wanted their children to be educated alongside their hearing peers in mainstream schools. By working collectively they succeeded in achieving this goal and had the tremendous benefit of sharing information and providing support to one another.

Families continue to connect through the VOICE network. Our registered charity has thrived over the years and has developed into one of the largest parent support organizations for families of children with hearing loss. VOICE has approximately 1,000 members, in chapters in Ontario, and affiliates in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec.

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors composed of parents of children with hearing loss and friends of the organization.  Join us and become part of the future for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families.

Our Mission: 

VOICE is committed to:

• Empowering children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing and their families by advocating on their behalf;

• Creating a supportive community that recognizes and values the diverse communication approaches used by children who are deaf or hard of hearing, while also ensuring they have access to the resources and opportunities they need to maximize their listening and spoken language potential; and

• Educating the general public that children who are deaf and hard of hearing can learn to listen and speak.
  
  

Our Vision:

A world where children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can achieve their full potential in listening and spoken language, regardless of their preferred communication approach.

What We Do:

VOICE develops and implements programs and services encompassing three principal areas:

• ​Advocacy

• Family Support

• Public Education
  
  

Our Team:

Board of Directors:

• Chair: Erin Sproule
• Vice Chair & Special Education Advisory Committee: Rick Barreiro
• Secretary: Leanne Schira
• Treasurer: Jonathan Samson
  
• Teen Outreach Program: Adrienne Miller
• Listening and Spoken Language Consultant: Karen MacIver-Lux