District Resource Teacher of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Purpose

Services to the Resource Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (T.D.H.H.) in School District 28 are provided on a district-based itinerant basis.  Students receiving the support of these services are enrolled in a classroom setting, and may include:

  • Students with bilateral to profound sensorineural hearing loss, who communicate by using an oral/aural form of communication and speech-reading and/or sign language
  • Students with a conductive hearing loss and/or chronic middle ear infections
  • Students with a unilateral hearing loss
  • Students with a cochlear implant

Students with a diagnosis of central auditory processing dysfunction are not traditionally served by Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing unless there is an additional diagnosis of peripheral hearing loss, but consultation may be available.

Description of Services Available

The amount and type of support provided to each deaf or heard of hearing student shall be determined by his or her needs and the amount of T.D.H.H. caseload time available, with the goal of fostering successful academic progress and social integration for that student.  Factors affecting the type and amount of service provided may include the student's degree of hearing loss, their educational and/or social functioning as a result of their hearing loss, if they have been newly diagnosed or are new to the District, whether they need assistance with management skills, self-advocacy, etc. 

Service delivery is divided into two types:  Direct Service and Consultative Service.  
Students receiving Direct Service are seen by the Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing on a regular basis and must be on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), while those receiving Consultive Service are seen on an infrequent basis and are not required to have an IEP regarding their audiological needs. Students seen on a consultive basis may require support in similar areas as students on the direct caseload, but not on a regular and ongoing basis.

The Ministry of Education definition, for funding purposes, of students who receive direct service states that: "For educational purposes a student considered to be deaf or hard of hearing is one who has a medically diagnosed hearing loss which results in such a substantial educational difficulty that he/she requires direct services on a regular, frequent and ongoing basis by a qualified Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing."

The following conditions must be met:

  • A medical diagnosis of hearing loss has been made
  • A current IEP must be in place
  • The student must be receiving special education services that are directly related to the student's hearing loss on a regular, frequent and on-going basis from a qualified Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.  The special education service(s) must be in addition to any services provided under formula based on student enrollment (e.g.:  learning assistance or counselling).  {from: Special Education Services:  A Manual of Policies, Procedures and Guidelines, Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Section E page 51.}

Service to students on direct service caseload would include:

  • Assessment/evaluation of a student's present level of functioning
  • An Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
  • Direct Instruction, either within the classroom, in a small group or on an individual basis, focusing on academic or social/emotional areas of need, the use and care of assistive listening devices, speech and/or language development, etc.
  • Work experience consultation and support (as appropriate)
  • Opportunities to meet and/or communicate with other deaf and hard of hearing students.

The Itinerant Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing works in collaboration with professionals in the medical and educational fields as well as with parents.  This collaboration may include:

  • Interpretation and education implications of audiological reports
  • Support surrounding the procurement, care, use and performance of assistive listening devices for students and teachers
  • Participation in meetings as a member of the student's educational team
  • Provision workshops regarding the implications of hearing loss and the needs of the deaf or hard of hearing individuals
  • Classroom workshops about hearing and deafness
  • Contact with parents/guardians as necessary regarding areas of concern relating to the student's social, emotional, academic, vocational or audiological needs
  • Liaison between the school and home to facilitate effective ongoing communication
  • Assistance in arranging medical or audiological referrals and/or appointments

Access to Services

Referral to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program may be made through the School-Based Team and may be initiated by parents or school staff using the Support Services Referral Form.