Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program –  A Total Communication (TC) approach for supporting students who are deaf or hard of hearing in grades one to six, as identified through the IPRC process is offered at Queensdale Elementary School. The program allows accessibility to language through a variety of modes including but not limited to sign language, written and spoken English, finger spelling, speech reading, gestures, drawings, and the use of amplification and technology. Total Communication allows the individual student to use the mode of communication that is most appropriate and comfortable in a given situation. Parent input is valued in determining communication methods. The ultimate goal of the Queensdale Deaf and Hard of Hearing program is to prepare students to return or move to the most appropriate program for their needs by providing extra language intensive support across all subject areas either in a special class setting or within a regular class/integrated setting with support from an Educational Assistant if needed and/or a specialized Teacher of the Deaf.

http://www.hwdsb.on.ca/queensdale/files/2011/05/Deaf-HOH-brochure2.pdf

Itinerant Support – Itinerant teachers of deaf/hard of hearing students collaborate with school and board personnel (i.e. FM technician, educational audiologist), parents/guardians, and community agencies on an ongoing basis to ensure that their students are provided with an optimal learning experience. Recognizing the potential academic and social implications of hearing loss, and the need for early identification and intervention, they work closely with regular classroom teachers to design, implement, and assess individualized programs for their students as required utilizing the family’s preferred mode of communication (i.e. oral or sign language). To further support student learning, these specialized teachers interpret audiograms and reports from the audiologist and instruct school staff about the use and care of technological resources (i.e. amplification equipment, such as: hearing aids and cochlear implants and FM systems). Direct programming for students typically focuses on supporting and developing auditory, speech, language, and academic skills. In order to support students who are deaf or hard of hearing, or are deaf/blind, HWDSB has contracts with outside agencies to provide Audiology Services.

http://www.hwdsb.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Special-Education-Report-1516.pdf

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