Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Overview of Services
Anne Arundel County Public Schools provides a continuum of services for deaf and hard of students from birth to age 21. Teachers of deaf and hard of hearing students provide specialized instruction to meet the unique communication and language needs of their students to enable them to participate in and progress in the general education curriculum. Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists provide related services to support the student in his /her educational program. Services and educational program needs are determined by the Individual Educational Program (IEP) process. Accommodations and modifications, the use of assistive listening devices, and /or interpreter/translator services may be required to increase the student’s opportunities to access the general education curriculum.
A current audiological evaluation is required to document that a student is deaf or hearing impaired. There are different definitions and terminology that you may see in identifying and defining hearing loss. IDEA has two categories for which students with hearing loss may be identified.
Deafness: A hearing loss so severe that it precludes a child from processing linguistic information through hearing with or without amplification.
Hearing Impaired: a hearing loss whether permanent or fluctuating, which is less severe than deafness in which a child generally is able to access sound and linguistic information through hearing.
A Student Evaluation Plan is developed and conducted by the IEP team to determine if the hearing loss adversely impacts a student’s educational performance and if the student requires special education and related services
Services for deaf and hard of hearing students are determined by the Individual Education Program process. Communication and language are the areas of development most impacted by hearing loss. Anne Arundel County Public Schools promotes the use of hearing aids and assistive listening devices to develop oral and auditory skills to the student’s maximum ability. Visual systems of communication such as sign language or cued speech may be used to enhance communication and access for some students as determined by family preference and educational need.
Teachers of deaf and hard of hearing students provide direct and indirect services. They align their instruction with the general education curriculum and support their students in the Least Restrictive Environment.
Infants and Toddlers Program: A teacher of deaf and hard of hearing students is available to provide service to deaf and hard of hearing infants and toddlers as determined by the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP). Go to Infants and Toddlers Program on this website for more information.
Itinerant Services: A teacher of deaf and hard of hearing students travels to the student’s attending school a designated frequency of time as determined by the IEP. This service delivery model is provided to both students who are in community preschools and school age children K-12.
School-Based Services: Preschool and elementary age students who require intensive services from a teacher of deaf and hard of hearing attend a designated school. Within this model, students are given every opportunity to participate in the general education curriculum.
Audiological Services based at the Anne Arundel County Health Department are available and include both clinical and educational audiological support to students as determined by the IEP.
Speech and Language Services are provided by the speech language pathologist at the students attending school as determined by the IEP.
Sign Language Interpreter Services are provided for students in the general education classroom as well as extra curricular activities as determined by the IEP.
Other Special Services such as occupational and physical therapy are available for deaf and hard of hearing students when additional needs are identified through the IEP process.