Deaf Services

The Colorado Home Inclusion Program (CHIP) is a family-centered early intervention program for Colorado families with children who have a permanent bilateral or unilateral hearing difference. CHIP partners with families from the earliest years, providing information, connections, and guidance so families can make informed choices that reflect their child’s individual needs and their family’s goals.

CHIP honors family choice in communication and language development. Coordinators work alongside families, local Early Intervention Programs, and other professionals to support language planning, IFSP participation, preschool transition, and connections to community resources and Deaf and hard of hearing adults. CHIP Facilitators—including Teachers of the Deaf, Audiologists, and Speech-Language Pathologists—bring expertise in early language development and the diverse ways children who are Deaf or hard of hearing learn, communicate, and grow.

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The Colorado Shared Reading Project (CSRP) is a free program for families with children who are Deaf or hard of hearing, infant through age 8 years throughout Colorado! 

The CSRP helps families learn to use book-sharing strategies to read effectively to their children using Sign Language and to increase families’ communication skills using sign. Studies show that reading to children is the most important activity that parents can do to increase their child’s literacy skills and later success in school. Parents can participate in CSRP through in-home or web based instruction.

CSRP, developed by the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University(opens in new window), is based on research regarding effective reading practices with children who are Deaf or hard of hearing.  Parents and other caregivers learn how to read to their child who is Deaf or hard of hearing using American Sign Language (ASL) and the 15 Principles for Reading to Deaf Children.

How the Colorado Shared Reading Project works:

• In the family’s home, a Language and Literacy Instructor who is deaf shows the parents how to sign a popular children’s storybook.
• Along with the book, the Language and Literacy Instructor brings games, fun activities and suggestions for improving reading and communication skills.
• During the week, family members practice re-reading the story.

Contact CSRP for more information.

Early Education ASL provides opportunities and support for families in Colorado with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, from birth to age three, with ASL as part of their communication plan. All families can participate in Tele ASL classes (Levels 1–3) to build foundational routine-based ASL skills and connect with a signing community. Families with an IFSP may also receive individualized 1:1 ASL instruction, in-person or virtual, tailored to the goals outlined in their plan. Families receive guidance from an Early Education ASL Lead on early ASL acquisition, Deaf culture, and community connections, with Sign Language Instructors delivering services aligned to each child’s IFSP goals.

Staffed by qualified Early Education ASL Lead and Sign Language Instructors with expertise in early intervention and ASL, the program collaborates with CHIP Facilitators and Coordinators to support IFSP goals, monitor progress, and provide family-centered guidance. This approach ensures all families have access to high-quality ASL instruction and support—either independently through Tele ASL or as part of early intervention—fostering effective communication, family engagement, and early language development.

Early literacy events offered through the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind Outreach Programs are available to Colorado families with children who are Deaf or hard of hearing, birth through eight in the following regions:

• Northern Colorado
• Denver Metro
• Pikes Peak

Each Early Literacy event provides families with a rich literacy experience and strategies to promote their child’s language and literacy development. Families actively participate in a variety of activities which may include:

• Story time presented in American Sign Language (ASL) with spoken English interpretation
• Music and movement activities
• Hands-on literacy activities
• Take home literacy activities
• Time to meet and interact with other families who have children who are Deaf or hard of hearing
• Opportunities to meet adults who are Deaf or hard of hearing
• Opportunities to meet professionals serving families with children who are Deaf or hard of hearing

The Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind and its staff respect and value families’ communication choices.  Activities are presented using various modes of communication and are designed to encourage a child’s literacy skills.

A theme-based, bilingual play group and ASL classes
on the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind campus for
Deaf/Hard of Hearing toddlers (ages 1 - 3) and a caregiver.

2026/27 Classes run Sept. 1 - May 27 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 - 11 a.m.

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