Approximately 1 in 500 babies are born Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing (D/HH), and about 83 out of every 1,000 children have what is termed an educationally significant hearing loss in the United States.

Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing (D/HH) children communicate in a variety of ways. ASL is the third most commonly used language in the United States, after English and Spanish

Approximately 40–50% of D/HH children experience one or more additional disabilities, such as learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and visual impairments. These co-occurring conditions can further complicate educational and developmental outcomes.

Educators play a key role in advocating for the rights and needs of D/HH students. By promoting awareness, understanding, and policy changes, they help ensure that D/HH students receive equitable educational opportunities and support services.