Regional Day School Program for the Deaf

Abilene Regional Day School Program for the Deaf understands that deaf and hard of hearing students are diverse in both language and culture. TEC 29.302 states that “it is essential for the well-being and growth of students who are deaf or hard of hearing that educational programs recognize the unique nature of deafness and the hard of hearing condition and ensure that all students who are deaf or hard of hearing have appropriate, ongoing, and fully accessible educational opportunities.”

Our program will support a variety of communication options. Students may choose to communicate through the language of the deaf community, American Sign Language, or through any of a number of English-based manual-visual languages. Students may also choose to use spoken and written English, including speech reading or lip reading, together with amplification instruments, such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, or assistive listening systems, to communicate with the hearing population. In alignment with TEC §29.303, the program agrees that each student’s unique communication mode is respected, used, and developed to an appropriate level of proficiency. We will refer to the data reported in the Communication Assessment (Eligibility Part C) as well as input from the student and parents. The student’s choice of expressive communication will always be accepted.

Specialized Staff

The Regional Day School Program for the Deaf staff includes a variety of specialists knowledgeable in educating students with hearing differences.

• Certified Teachers of the Deaf
• Certified Sign Language Interpreters
• Communication Facilitators
• Licensed Audiologist

• Abilene Regional Day School Program for the Deaf provides a Parent/Infant Advisor to serve families with deaf and hard of hearing children, ages 0-3 years old. The advisor works along with Early Childhood Intervention (ECI).
• Long Early Learning Center serves deaf and hard of hearing children ranging in ages from 3-5 years old. This program enhances development in the areas of auditory training, speech, and language development, social skills, and motor abilities.
• Allie Ward Elementary serves students in grades K-5. Interpreters are available for students who are mainstreamed into regular education classes. The focus is on academic skills along with continued development of auditory, communication, language, speech, and cognitive skills.
• Madison Middle School serves students in grades 6-8. In addition to academics, students are involved in athletics, fine arts, and a variety of electives. With the help of supportive staff, our students leave middle school prepared and eager for high school.
• The deaf education program at Cooper High School serves students in grades 9-12. This program works closely with regular education academic, athletic, fine arts, and vocational programs. Students have access to an interpreter for all mainstreamed classes. Students also have an opportunity for specialized classes at The LIFT. Our goal is to successfully transition the students from high school to a technical or vocational junior college, university, or immediate entrance into the job market.

• Students have opportunities to receive speech therapy and audiological services. Services can include articulation therapy, language therapy, lip reading, and auditory training. Students have access to a sound booth for hearing tests by a full-time educational audiologist employed by Abilene ISD.
• Abilene Regional Day School Program for the Deaf provides itinerant services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing students who do not attend deaf education classes in Abilene. The itinerant teacher works with the student’s home campus to provide information, support, and updates for teachers and staff working with deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
• Sign Language classes are offered for parents, staff, and the community each fall and spring.