Community events

Student and Family Community Events

To find more events, be sure to check out the Nebraska Association of the Deaf (NeAD), Nebraska Deaf Events, Lincoln Deaf Club, and Omaha Association of the Deaf (OAD).  

No current Student and Family Community Events

I’m A…..Ask Me Anything Zoom

This is an opportunity to ask various individuals your burning questions.  This series is sponsored by Nebraska Hands & Voices.  

I’m A Child of A Deaf Adult: January 14, 2025

I’m An Audiologist: March 18, 2025 

I’m A Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing: May 5, 2025

Time: 8:00 pm

Registration: Click here to register.

ASTra Office Hours

Schedule a time to meet with the Nebraska Hands & Voices ASTra Advocate.   

Registration: Click here to register for a time.

ASL Read Aloud

These monthly zoom meetings have two books read in ASL by a Deaf team member.

Dates:

January 14, 2025

February 20, 2025

March 24, 2025

April 23, 2025

May 9, 2025

June 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

August 18, 2025

September 17, 2025

October 10, 2025

November 11, 2025

December 4, 2025

Time: 6:00pm – 7:00 pm CST

Where: Zoom

Click here to get access to book titles & the zoom link.

LEAP: Learning Experience and Adventure Program

This opportunity provides students with the opportunity to connect with peers from all over and make lasting friendships.  Activities and games as well as workshops make this a fun and interactive experience for students.  

Ages: Students in grades 6-8

Dates: January 25, 2025

Time: 11:30 am – 2:00 pm CST

Where: Virtual

Registration: Click here to register.

Career Exploration Series

This webinar series will feature presentations by Deaf and hard of hearing individuals who specialize in computing, health sciences, film and animation, cybersecurity, and more. 

Ages: Students in grades 9-12

Dates:

  • January 30, 2025
  • February 20, 2025
  • March 20, 2025
  • April 10, 2025

Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CST

Where: Virtual

Registration: Click here to register.

Tiger Science Challenge

Participate in a science challenge and win a big prize

Ages: Students in grades 6-8

Date Challenge Opens: January 15, 2025

Virtual STEM Trivia Contest

Put your STEM knowledge to the test.  

Ages: Students in grades 9-12

Dates: March 12, 2025 and April 16, 2025

Chat and Chow Series

This series will focus on various transition topics

Dates: 

January 29, 2025

February 19, 2025

March 26, 2025

April 30, 2025

Time: 

Student Zoom: 12:30 – 1:10 pm

Teacher Zoom: 4:30-5:30 pm

Where: Zoom

Registration:  Registration is not required, click zoom link on flyer to attend. 

Topical ASL Class

This free on campus, in-person ASL course is open to family members of deaf children, educational professionals who work with deaf children and community members from Iowa and Nebraska. Classes will cover family, nouns, sports and more!

Dates:

January 7, 2025

January 21, 2025

February 4, 2025

February 18, 2025

March 4, 2025

March 18, 2025

April 1, 2025

April 22, 2025 (adults only)

Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Where: Iowa School for the Deaf

Click here to register.

Level Up! ASL Class

This in-person ASL course follows the TRUE+WAY ASL Curriculum. Students are able to advance through sign levels.

Date:

Tuesdays starting August 27, 2024 & January 7, 2025

Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm

Where: Iowa School for the Deaf

Click here to register by August 23, 2024 & January 3, 2025

You Are Not Alone

This collaborative effort between Nebraska, Colorado, Montana, South Dakota and Wyoming will allow parents who have had a child diagnosed with a hearing difference in the last two years the opportunity to meet other parents who are further along in their journey in raising a child who is Deaf or hard of hearing and meet others who may be in similar situations.  This Zoom series will be held four times through the school year.  

Dates and Times: 

  • February 8, 2025 from 9:30-10:30 am CST
  • May 6, 2025 from 11:00 am-12:00 pm CST

Registration: Click here to register.  

Transition Nebraska: Navigating A Changing Landscape

This eastern Nebraska Transition Conference will focus on what transition in Nebraska can do for youth who have unique challenges.

Date: February 25, 2025

Time: 9:00 am – 5:00pm

Where: Innovation Campus; Lincoln, Nebraska

Registration:  Registration is limited to 200 people.  Click here to register by  January 26, 2025

Hands & Voices Virtual 5K

Complete the 5K in whatever your preferred race mode is! You will receive a race t-shirt and have an opportunity to submit your time 

Dates: Saturday December 28, 2024-January 1, 2025

Registration: Click here to register.  

Mom’s Night Inn

Mom’s Night Inn is an overnight event. This is a wonderful opportunity for moms or female primary care providers to get together to learn about raising a child who has a hearing difference. This experience will be full of learning, lots of opportunities to bond with other moms, and fun. Hotel and meals are included in you registration.  Cost for this opportunity for those staying over is $40 for members and $50 for non-members. Those not staying overnight is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.  There are two options for participants to choose from. 

LINCOLN:

Date:  February 1-2, 2025

Time: 10:00am Saturday – 12:00pm Sunday

Registration: Click here to register by January 14, 2025

Gallaudet University National Literary Competition

We’re thrilled to announce that the National Literary Competition is back for its tenth year! That’s right—a full decade of celebrating student innovation and ingenuity in both ASL and written English

Prizes:

  • Our first place winners in middle and high school will receive a Gallaudet University sweatshirt, a $100 dollar gift certificate, and free registration for one of our summer camp programs.
  • Our first place winners in elementary school and Deaf Plus categories will also receive a Gallaudet University sweatshirt and a $100 dollar gift certificate.

 

Entries Due: December 16, 2024-January 10, 2025

Award Ceremony: February 28, 2025

NLC Themes Video

NLC Rules & Guidelines Manual

AG Bell LOFT

Leadership Opportunities for Teens (LOFT) is a program for high school students who are deaf or hard of hearing and use listening and spoken language as their primary mode of communication.  Participants will strengthen their skills in leadership, teamwork, group dynamics, public speaking, and self-advocacy. 

Dates: July 29-August 2, 2025

Application Deadline: March 3, 2025

Digital Arts, Film, and Animation Competition

Students can show their artistic prowess through digital art, film, and animation.  Participants will produce digital artwork, film or animation and compete to win prizes based on six categories.  Winners can choose between an all expenses paid summer program experience or a $500 cash prize

Dates: Submissions accepted until March 14, 2025.

Spirit Writing Competition

Participants are invited to craft a writing piece of up to 2,000 words centered around the theme of the competition. Whether it’s a fictional tale, a research paper, an autobiography, or any captivating topic, the options are limitless!  Winners can choose between an all expenses paid summer program experience or a $500 cash prize. 

Dates: Submissions accepted until March 14, 2025.

Explore Your Future

This summer program is an opportunity to explore a variety of careers, learn about how to prepare for college, and develop leadership skills.

Dates:

  • Session 1: July 12-17, 2025
  • Session 2: July 19-24, 2025

Financial Wizards

This summer program is an opportunity to learn about money management, financial analysis, and the stock market.

Dates: July 12-17, 2025

Advanced Tech Careers

This summer program will focus on tech career exploration, coding, programming, robotics, and artificial intelligence

Dates: July 19-24, 2025

TechTigers

This summer program will focus on hands on technology exploration, robotics, and computing

Dates: July 26-31, 2025

Health Care Careers Exploration Program

This summer program will focus on health care, biomedical sciences, laboratory sciences, microbiology

Dates: July 26-31, 2025

Discover College and Careers

Students entering 10-12 grade will develop transition plans, identify their interest and skills through career assessments, and explore potential careers within the program offerings at Gallaudet

Dates: June 22-29, 2025

Cost: $750

Application: Apply here

Discover College and Careers in STEM

Students entering 10-12 grade will explore STEM related fields, identify strengths and interests and develop a transition portfolio.  

Dates: June 14-20, 2025

Cost: $750

Application: Apply here.

GenCyber

Students entering 9-12 grade will explore the world of information technology and cybersecurity!

Dates: June 22-29, 2025

Cost: Free

Application: Apply here.

Immerse Into ASL!

Students entering 10-12 grade will participate in an ASL immersion program while learning about Deaf Culture and the history of Gallaudet. 

Dates: June 22-29, 2025

Cost: $1250

Application: Apply here.

Financial Wizards!

Students entering 10-12 grade will enhance their financial literacy skills and explore various careers in finance and administration. 

Dates: June 14-20, 2025

Cost: Free

Application: Apply here.

Got Skills?

Students entering 7-9 grade will be empowered to create a personalized experience and choose from a variety of activities that match their interests and passions. Whether they’re into sports, arts, or exploring the nation’s capital, there’s something exciting for everyone.

Dates: June 14-20, 2025

Cost: $600

Application: Apply here.

Got Skills?

An exciting opportunity for Deaf Latine students entering 10th-12th grades to connect with their cultura and raíces. Come ready to dive into an amazing experience exploring heritage, strengthening identity, and building skills for a bright future. We thrive together! — ¡Medramos!

Dates: June 14-20, 2025

Cost: $500

Application: Apply here.

Professional Community Events

UNL ASL CLASSES

The University of Nebraska Lincoln is offering ASL classes during the Fall and Spring semesters.  See flyer for more details. 

Chat and Chow Series

This series will focus on various transition topics

Dates: 

November 20, 2024

January 29, 2025

February 19, 2025

March 26, 2025

April 30, 2025

Time: 

Student Zoom: 12:30 – 1:10 pm

Teacher Zoom: 4:30-5:30 pm

Where: Zoom

Registration:  Registration is not required, click zoom link on flyer to attend. 

Transition Nebraska: Navigating A Changing Landscape

This eastern Nebraska Transition Conference will focus on what transition in Nebraska can do for youth who have unique challenges.

Date: February 25, 2025

Time: 9:00 am – 5:00pm

Where: Innovation Campus; Lincoln, Nebraska

Registration:  Registration is limited to 200 people.  Click here to register by  January 26, 2025