Mission
BEGINNINGS for Parents of Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Inc., has served families as a non-profit organization, incorporated under the laws of NC, since 1987. BEGINNINGS was established to provide emotional support and access to information as a central resource for families with deaf or hard of hearing children, age birth through 21. BEGINNINGS provides an impartial approach to meeting the diverse needs of these families and the professionals who serve them. These services are also available to deaf parents who have hearing children. The mission of BEGINNINGS is to inform and empower parents as they make decisions about their child. In addition, BEGINNINGS is committed to providing technical assistance to professionals who work with these families to help the children achieve full participation in society.
Philosophy
BEGINNINGS was founded on the premise that parents, given accurate, objective information about hearing loss, could make sound decisions for their child. These decisions involve placement, communication methodology and related service needs. Our staff is committed to providing services in a family centered atmosphere to facilitate active involvement of parents in their child’s social, emotional and educational growth. BEGINNINGS actively assists hearing parents of deaf or hard of hearing children and deaf parents with hearing children during the early decision making stages and throughout the educational career of the student.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At BEGINNINGS For Parents of Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, we are dedicated to ensuring that all parents, caregivers, and families feel supported and empowered. We respect and embrace the diverse needs of families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing. At BEGINNINGS, our definition of diversity includes but is not limited to all races, colors, religions, sexes, national origins, ethnicities, languages (spoken and visual), ages, disabilities, and genetics.
Our knowledgeable and caring team tailors our services to meet each family’s individual needs. We empower parents to make informed decisions on what is best for their child/family and to become advocates. We value the uniqueness of all backgrounds and life experiences, and are committed to providing compassionate and knowledgeable support to all families in an inclusive atmosphere of acceptance and respect.
We have been a vital part of our community for a number of years. We were founded to serve a growing segment of our community in need of inaccessible services. We have continued to grow with the help of our donors and volunteers that make our mission possible. Through all these years our purpose still remains the same: bring services to those in need.
