Federal and State Legal Obligations for Deaf Individuals
Federal laws have been established regarding public school obligations to deaf individuals (see Politicians and Advocates for laws). All serve to provide the disabled and deaf individuals protection against discrimination and allow for public education for all children needing specialized services.

School Obligations Under the Law

The aforementioned laws require educational systems provide appropriate auxillary aids and services to deaf/hard of hearing children and parents in order to ensure a person with impaired hearing receives the opportunity to understand and actively participate in programs.

For deaf children or parents that use sign language, qualified signing interpreters must be provided. If sign language is not used, other services must be available, such as computer-assisted transcript or assistive listening devices. When deaf parents meet with teachers, services must be provided. Telecommunication devices may be necessary so that parents and the school can directly communicate regarding illnesses, schedules, discipline or other problems that may arise.

Schools must provide aid and services necessary for the participation of deaf students in the classroom. This may involve closed caption decoders, open and closed captioning, video text displays or any devices that will promote understanding, learning and communication.

Alteration to facilities may be necessary to ensure safety of deaf children. Installation of visual (flashing) alarms for fire or other emergencies, permanent signage and adequate amplification systems may be required to comply with the needs of deaf students.

Deaf persons are to receive those aids and services which enable them to participate and engage in any programs and activities offered by the school system. Schools must routinely publicize procedures for requesting necessary services. Failure by the school systems to provide qualified interpreters, aid and services for deaf individuals will be considered acts of discrimination.

Financial costs of providing appropriate auxiliary aids and services MAY NOT be imposed upon the disabled individual. If the private or public organization feels this expense would be an undue financial or administrative burden, a review of the institution's financial status will be conducted.This review will determine whether or not an institution can financially handle the additional costs.

Website Dealing with Federal Laws and Policies
www.ed.gov/offices/OCR

New laws were established requiring an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) to develop a program for children with special needs from birth to age three. The IFSP serves the same purpose as the the IEP with additional concern for the needs of the child's family.

Federal law requires that an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) be developed for each individual child having special needs. It is intended that parents and professionals work together to identify the child's needs.

The IEP is designed to identify the child's strengths, difficulties and any modifications the child will need in the school setting to enhance the child's educational experience.The IEP serves as a guideline for parents and teachers, providing measurable goals for the school year.

GENERAL TIPS FOR EDUCATORS

*Educate the class about hearing loss. Allow the students to see and learn about the assistive technology used in the classroom.

*Create a buddy system to provide the student with any information they may have missed, such as loudspeaker or classroom announcements.

*Provide note takers as needed.

* Stand still while talking. It is difficult to speechread with a person in motion.

*Speak in a normal tone of voice and manner, facing the student. Exaggerated lip movements are difficult to speechread.

*Speak directly to the student.

*Cue the student as to who is speaking during a group conversation. Repeat what other students say.

*Rephrase a question or comment when needed. Many words and sounds look the same on the lips. Substitue another word or phrase to express the same meaning.

*Be aware of distance, shadowing on the face and position from the student in the classroom.

*Be prepared with a daily plan to ensure needed equipment is available. Be familiar with its use prior to class.

*Provide the child with information prior to its actual presentation. This gives the child a chance to look over the material and ask questions on meaning.

*Remain flexible and creative. Providing new approaches to lessons benefit the entire class.

*Expect behavior and achievement levels similar to that of the other students.

*Develop good contacts with the family, such as through notebooks sent home, to keep them up to date.

*Provide captioned video tapes/films and visual aids whenever possible.

Work together with the family other professionals involved with the child.

*Contact schools for the deaf to obtain more information on needs for deaf children.



SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI

Missouri School for the Deaf - Fulton, MO
grades K-12
Provide academic and vocational training
Instruction by sign language

Missouri School for the Blind - St. Louis, MO
Residential school
Serve students where deafness is a secondary disability

Central Institute for the Deaf - St. Louis, MO
grades K-8
Instruction by aural/oral method - sign language is prohibited except during recess and between classes

St. Joseph's Institute for the Deaf - St. Joseph, MO
Preschool to grade 8
Private Catholic school
Instruction by aural/oral method - sign language is prohibited in the classroom

The State Schools for the Severely Handicapped
Provides referrals to and information on Local Education Agencies (LEAs), within the state of Missouri, which serve the needs of students with severe disabilities.


For Additional Website Information:

www.dese.state.mo.us/schoollaw - related to Missouri State Law

www.nichcy.org - National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities

www.cfu.org - Caption Media Program allows educators to borrow videos to aid in teaching deaf children.

www.deafed.net - mission to enhance the preparation of new teachers and support development of existing teachers, to expand learning resources and opportunities available to deaf/hard-of-hearing students and to increase collaberation among those involved with student education.