About
GPODHH was formed at NHS 2008 in Como, Italy. It began with a meeting under the trees in Como where a small group of parent leaders who decided it was time that parents stood up and demanded that where change was happening, parents must be part of the solution.
Our mission
The Global Coalition of Parents of Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (GPODHH) is an international collaboration of parent-led groups and parent leaders dedicated to promoting improved systemic protocols and practices which encourage informed choice and the empowerment of families with a deaf or hard of hearing child throughout the world.
Our vision
An inclusive world in which children and people, who are deaf or hard of hearing, and their families live meaningful lives on an equitable basis with others.
Our values
We embrace:
- The diversity of experiences and knowledge that exists due to geographic, cultural, social and economic situations
- Parents’ right to choose what is best for their child and family
- Family support programs that promote parent-to-parent contact and trained adult role models/mentors who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Parent empowerment to be agents for change
- Social justice for all children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families – human rights, access, participation, equity
GPODHH is committed to promoting the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. Guiding our practice is respect for the inherent rights of children and young people to be safe, happy and empowered, as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.