Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services coordinates professional American Sign Language interpreting services for courts, hospitals, colleges, state and county government, mental health agencies, performing arts venues, conference facilities and all types of businesses, filling approximately 400 assignments per month in 27 counties.
10th Annual Signing Santa Event One of the Best Yet
The 2019 edition of the annual Deaf Santa event was one of the best ones yet.
A record-number 57 children came to the early-December event and were joined by parents, grandparents, friends and more, bringing the total number of attendees to 120-130. Add in another 30 volunteers, including five D&HHS board members, plus coverage from three local media outlets, and it all made for a fun and festive two hours, including gifts, crafts, a signed story reading and, of course, time with Santa.
Bass Country at the Intersection
For the past year Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services has been receiving checks from an unusual source: a bass and electronic dance music (EDM) event in Grand Rapids called Bass Country.
Bass Country was held four times in 2019 at The Intersection, a live music venue in downtown Grand Rapids. D&HHS benefited after each event.
Ways to give back with help from the HWMUW Holiday Giving Guide
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services is just one of the many beneficiaries of volunteers and gifts from the Heart of West Michigan United Way. Want to Pay It Forward this holiday season? Learn how the United Way can connect you to a cause that speaks to you here
Cultural and Sensitivity Training
When Kelly Lepley wanted his middle school social studies students at Innocademy, a charter school in Zeeland, Michigan, to learn more about Deaf culture, he knew who to contact: Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services (D&HHS).
Signing Santa Back for 10th Year

When Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (D&HHS) presents a Deaf Santa on Saturday, December 7, it won’t be the first time a signing St. Nick has made an appearance on behalf of the organization. The tradition goes back to 2010.
WGVU Interview with Shelly Irwin
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services’ ED Deb Atwood joins in with a history of the organization, plus who benefits and how the community can help.
Kids Kamp 2019 Video
Kids Kamp 2019 Video Click here for Transcript
Deaf Ninja
Deaf Ninja
Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce
Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce.Service Organization of the Year 2018 – Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services. Deb Atwood, Executive Director and Rowan O’Dougherty, Board President
