Resource Guide: SUPPORT GROUPS

Last Updated; July 2, 2009

ALDA-MAINE

ALDA-Maine E-mail: aldamaine@gmail.com
Contact: Lauren Storck at drlestorck@gmail.com
Web site: www.alda-maine.mysite.com/

ALDA-Maine is the official Maine Chapter of ALDA, the international Association for Late-Deafened Adults. ALDA-Maine provides information, support, education, and advocacy for people of adults of all ages with hearing loss, and families of younger people also. It is a membership and all voluntary association. ALDA-Maine has an online meeting place 24/7, for information, discussions, and support. All hard-of-hearing, late-deafened, and deaf people, with any degree of hearing loss, and also their friends, families, and colleagues are all welcome to join. Social and speaker meetings are held in different locations in Maine, depending on member energies, once every month or two. CART is provided for speaker meetings, and refreshments. ALDA-Maine also has members in New Hampshire and Vermont. It now publishes the "Hearing Loss Herald" four times a year, a newsletter with a focus on people who are deafened or hard of hearing, and welcomes inquiries from new supporters and donors.

Parent-Infant-Toddler Program

Governor Baxter School for the Deaf
Mackworth Island
Falmouth, ME 04105
Lara Hurt
781-6213 (V/TTY)
781-6220 (FAX)
E-mail: lara.hurt@mecdhh.org

The Parent Infant Toddler Program offers a family centered approach. Services are provided to parents and caregivers, children who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have suspected hearing loss, and their siblings. A multidisciplinary approach is used to meet the needs of families. The program meets twice each week with offerings for the parents including a parent support group, audiology support sessions, and an ASL class. The Parent Infant Toddler program supports the continuum of communication options.

Peer Support Group

Maine Center on Deafness
68 Bishop Street, Suite 3
Portland, ME 04101
1-800-639-3884 (V/TTY) (free if you are outside of Portland)
797-7656 (V/TTY)
866-347-0275 (VP)
797-9791 (FAX)
E-mail: jmccann@mcdmaine.org

Individuals who are D/deaf, hard of hearing or nonvocal with developmental delays or mental illness get together for social activities in a signing/visual gestural environment. This group typically meets twice monthly at locations in Augusta, Bangor, Lewiston and Portland. Please check our web site or call the Maine Center on Deafness (MCD) for more information, or to be added to the mailing list regarding Peer Support Group.

Hearing Loss Association of America

Formerly Self Help for Hard of Hearing (SHHH)

Website: www.hearingloss.org/

Hearing Loss Association of America (Self Help for Hard of Hearing) is a volunteer, international association of hard of hearing people, their relatives and friends. It is a nonprofit, educational organization devoted to the welfare and interest of those who cannot hear well.