“What works for your child is what makes the choice right.” ™
What Do I Need to Know About Educating a Deaf Child?
Being deaf is classified as a disability, but we know our children are able to explore and learn. We like to think of deafness as more of an accessibility problem. So, how do we make sure our children have access to their education?
Terms and Acronyms You Need to Know
Individual Family Support Plan
IFSP
Individualized Educational Plan
IEP
504 Plan
May be only referred to as just 504
Helping Adults Talk to Children with Hearing Loss
HATCH
Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind
IESDB
Idaho School for the Deaf
IESDB campus located in Gooding
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IDEA
Speech Language Pathologist
SLP/Speech Teacher-a therapist that will work with your child on communication skills. May be in your home, or a school or clinical setting.
General Education
Gen Ed-An educational setting in a typical school with a regular teacher.
Special Education
Special Ed/SPED-Can refer to the special needs a student has that the special education department provides. Can be in a Gen Ed classroom or a classroom/school that provides specific instruction for a small group of students with specific needs.
Least Restrictive Environment
Also thought of as Language Rich Environment (LRE) refers to the school/class placement that would work best for your child. Keeping in mind that Social/Emotional are important factors aside from educational needs. This may not be your local school.
Early Intervention Birth to Age Three
Part C-Idaho Infant/toddler Program (IESDB)
Part C of IDEA provides free early intervention services for babies and toddlers (birth to 3 years old) who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. In Idaho, this support is offered through the Infant Toddler Program (ITP) and often includes services from IESDB.
Early Intervention can include:
- Family support and training
- Audiology and hearing support
- Speech and language services
- Sign Language instruction
- Help accessing hearing aids or other technology
Families work with a team to create an individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)-a personalized plan that outlines goals and services for your child.
Brain development is most rapid during the first three years of a child’s life. Language input and access are the most important factors shaping this development. For children who are D/HH, early access of language is essential-whether spoken, signed, or both.
If you suspect hearing loss or have a diagnosis, don’t wait! You CAN self-refer or ask your pediatrician to connect you with the Idaho Infant Toddler Program.
Idaho State university-Hatch Lab
The HATCH Lab at ISU, led by Dr. Kristina Blaiser, focuses on enhancing early intervention services for families of D/HH children. HATCH stand for “Helping Adults Talk to Children,” reflecting the lab’s commitment to empowering parents and caregivers in supporting their children’s communication development.
Preschool Options (Ages 3-5)
As your child turns three, they may be eligible for preschool programs designed to support language, communication and school readiness. Below are some of the preschool options available across the state for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Preschool placement involves your school district’s special education team. An evaluation process through your district can help determine eligibility for services and the most appropriate preschool setting. Families can also request support from Idaho Hands & Voices to explore options and connect with other parents who have been in your position before.
Treasure Valley
IESDB Total Communication Preschool
Located in the Boise area, this preschool uses Total Communication-a bilingual approach that includes spoken English, ASL, and visual supports to meet each child’s unique needs.
IESDB Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) Preschool
Also located in the Boise area, this program focuses on developing spoken language through listening, with strong parent involvement and individualized support for families choosing an auditory/oral approach.
Magic Valley
Idaho School for the Deaf Total Communication Preschool
This preschool is located on the IESDB campus in Gooding. It offers a Total Communication approach-a language-rich environment using spoken English, ASL and visual supports tailored to children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Private Preschools Statewide
IdahoSTARS Resource for Childcare/Preschool
Families interested in private or community-based preschools can use IdahoSTARS to find licensed providers that may serve children with hearing differences. While most private preschools are not deaf-specific, some may work in collaboration with early intervention teams or school districts to provide support.
IEP vs 504 Plans
Students who have a disability that may make learning more difficult than their peers may need extra support. Your child will need to meet the criteria that they are unable to acess their education without support through assessments done by your local school district. If your child meets those criteria, they will be placed on an IEP. If not, or if they have met all their IEP goals, then your child may have a 504 Plan put into place.
Indiviualized Education Program (IEP)
A special education plan developed with your school team that outlines your child’s goals, accommodations, services and need for specialized curriculum. May include speech therapy, interperter services, teacher of the Deaf support, or assistive technology.
+ Itinerant Teacher of the Deaf Services:
A certified Teacher of the Deaf travels to your child’s school to provide support, accommodations and consultation with classroom teachers.
+ Self-Contained Classrooms
Some regions have classrooms designed specifically by a Teacher of the Deaf. These classrooms focus on language development and academic skills with peers who share similar needs.
Students may receive part of their instruciton in a general ed classroom and additional support in a seprate setting to work on language, literacy or auditory skills.
504 Plan
For students who need accommodations but may not require specailized instruction.
This might include preferential seating, FM systems, captioned media, or extended time on tests.
+ Communication Access Services
Schools may provide ASL interpreters, Cued Speech transliterators or captioning to support equal access to instruction and participation in school activities.
K-12 School Options
Families in Idaho have a range of educational options for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The right choice depends on your child’s communication needs, educational goals, and your family’s preferences.
Idaho School for the deaf (isd)
Located on the IESDB campus in Gooding, ISD offers a Total Communications environment for K-12 students. Students receive instruction using a combination of spoken English and ASL, with small class sizes and staff trained in deaf education.
Mainstream/General Education settings
Many D/HH students attend their local public school alongside their hearing peers. These settings can include supports through IEPs or 504 Plans.
Choosing the right educational setting is a team decision that involves your family, your child (when appropriate) and your local school district. Idaho Hands & Voices can help you understand your options, prepare for Special Ed (IEP or 504) meetings, and connect with other families who have walked a similar path.
Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind
US Department of Education Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Post Secondary
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
Vocational Rehab is for Transition Aged Youth (14-26). These young people are those transitioning from teen to adult. They may be preparing to go to college, vocational school, the work force, or getting ready to live independently.
Training for college is available at many campuses
ISU Academy Next BSU PREP Academy University of Idaho Vandal Academy
Lime Connect
A network of students and professionals with visible and non-visible disabilities. limeconnect.com
Idaho Vocational Rehab
Trade school and vocational prep vr.idaho.gov. IESDB Career Camp and Work Experience
Need further assistance?
You can contact Davina Snow with IESDB who works with Vocational Rehab of Idaho teens. You can also contact Holly Shroll a Vocation Rehab Councilor located in Boise.
Scholarships
Below you will find a list with links to scholarships that would apply to those with hearing loss. A short description for who may apply as been provided. Many of these scholarships may be applied to vocational/trade schools as well as college.
Louie Family Foundation Scholarship For High School students that show exceptional achievements. Students with serious disabilities receive preference.
Elastic Band Co. Scholarship For students who want to study Fashion or Entrepreneurship. Students who are minority or disabled preferred.
AAHD Frederick J Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability For disabled students who want to study in the Health and Disability fields.
BMO Capital Markets Lime Connect Equity through Education Scholarship for Students with Disabilities For current college students with a 40% course load who are interested in Business, Computer Science, Engineering, Math, or Science related fields. Must have a disability.
Sertoma Scholarship for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing For students with significant bilateral hearing loss.
AG Bell College Scholarship For students with at lest a 3.25 GPA. Applicants must have profound hearing loss diagnosed prior to age 4 with Listening/Spoken language as primary communication. Provide several different scholarships depending on interested programs.
Graeme Clark Scholarship For students with cochlear implants in undergraduate programs.
Nancy J Bloch Leadership & Advocacy Scholarship For D/HH graduate students who are enrolled full-time in Law, Public Policy, Non-Profit Management, Public Administration, or other related degree. Applicants must participate in a 10-week summer internship protecting the civil, human, and linguistic rights of the deaf community.
Gallaudet University-Washington D.C. A college in Washington D.C. for the deaf and hard of hearing with degrees in all areas of study. The college offers many specific scholarships and financial aid.
DisABLEDperson, Inc. National Scholarship For students with a disability already enrolled in a 2 or 4 year college anywhere in the USA.
TMCF Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program For High School students with post-secondary education plans. Must be Pell Grant-eligible and from an underserved community (such as D/HH).
Microsoft Disability Scholarship For High School students with at least 2.5 GPA and pursuing a degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, Law, Business, or a related field. Renewable up to 4 years.
Help America Hear Scholarship High School seniors with hearing loss may apply. Award includes 2 ReSound hearing aids.
Hearing Impaired Scholarship For students residing in Ada County for college or vocational/trade school. Can be renewed up to 3 times.
Wells Fargo Scholarship Program for People with Disabilities For High School seniors with at least a 3.0 GPA.
Louise Tumarking Zazaove Foundation Scholarship For undergraduates with significant bilateral hearing loss or cochlear implants who plan to attend a non-profit college.
Nightwing Underrepresented Minorities in Cybersecurity Scholarship. For students in an underrepresented minority (such as having a disability) with at least a 3.3 GPA and are interested in a degree in Cybersecurity, Information Security, or similar filed.
Google Lime Scholarship For current undergraduate students with a disability who want to study Computer Science, Computer Engineering or closely related technical field.
Anders Tjellstrom Scholarship For students with BAHA or Osia implants with at least a 3.0 GPA.
RIT SpRIT Digital Arts, Film, and Animation Contest Competition for D/HH students in grades 9-12. Students can submit projects in Web Design, Graphic Media, Film, 3D Animation, Interactive Media, and Photo Imaging. Award includes a free summer camp.
RIT SpRIT Writing Contest Writing competition for D/HH students in grades 10-11. Award includes a free summer camp.
J Paris Mosely Scholarship For students who are D/HH using ASL, has at least a 2.5 GPA, and demonstrates financial need.
Optimist International-Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Essay Contest, and Oratorical Contest For students who are D/HH using ASL, attend public school and can give presentations (spoken or ASL) to large audiences.
Idaho Next Steps For students who graduated from a High School located in Idaho and attending an Idaho based college. Must have at least a 2.5 GPA and demonstrate financial need. Site is for all Idaho scholarships and grants.
Zivadream Scholarship For students planning or already enrolled in college or vocational/trade school that have a physical or mental disability.
George T Warren Scholarship For students with sensory impairments that are seeking a degree from University of Idaho.
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