How do I get my son's school to provide services for Hearing Impaired child? And what additional services?

Question

My son has unilateral hearing loss and I have signed him up for an IEP with Hearing Impaired. What kind of services are available to him. I feel as if I have to research this on my own. How do I get the school boar to provie certian services? Please Help

Answer 1

at my school there's a hard hearing program i was in it but i got my hearing back so i am not now lots of teachers help my mom to know how to tell something sincehe couldn't tell me like she would anyone else  

Answer 2

If you want the school to provide something, firstly don't be afraid to ask them. Ask them what they can provide.. Network with other parents who has kids with similar disabilities. Also, play an active part in the school. Who knows? You may be the pioneer to set up certain things for such kids.  

Answer 3

the school should provide any services he needs for his education. for example american sign language lessons or and interpreter, even having everything written. whatever he needs, they should help you

Answer 4

You say you 'signed him up' for an IEP. Does this mean he does not have IEP yet?

If he DOES have IEP now, this IEP is suppose to ALREADY state the things the school will do to help him, you are not suppose to do this all on your own.

ALL members of the IEP team are suppose to come up with different ideas together to help.

Here is a GREAT message board for help, it is --

http://www.millermom.proboards107.com/in...

Answer 5

Because so much learning is based on listening, severe hearing losses make learning language and reading very hard.  Many children with mild hearing losses receive some specialized attention and do very well in school.  The school and you should meet and decide what sorts of services are appropriate to include in the individualized education plan. Hearing impairments are rare enough that you may want to talk to your school district special education administrator for more authoritative information on what is available in your region.

You may want to ask your family doctor what resources are available in your state.  It seems like most states have one or two university programs for teachers of students with hearing impairments.  The professors love to talk about their specialty.

Your state department of education will probably have an educator on their team with some experience related to educating students with hearing impairments.  Give them a call.  While you are at it, ask about advocacy groups in your area.  The state is required to give you some names.

Answer 6

I think that they have to, according to the law. See if you can find an advocate group for special education children in the area, or contact the education department of the US.  

Answer 7

My son has a significant conductive hearing loss in his right ear.  When he was in high school, he had a Section 504 Plan, not an IEP.

Did the school provide you with a Handbook of Parents' Rights?  They are legally obliged to do so, according to IDEA legislation (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).

http://idea.ed.gov/

Wright's Law website explains all aspects of these Special Education laws.

http://www.wrightslaw.com/

This site is also excellent, and well-organized.:

http://www.helpkidshear.org/resources/ad...

Your son is also protected by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). http://www.ada.gov/

Complaints can be filed through The Office of Civil Rights. http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr...

One modification I requested was to have the teacher provide written notes for my son, as it was difficult for him to hear lectures.  However, each child's needs are unique, so it would depend on your son's specific needs.  My son's English teacher did not follow his Section 504.  I kept requesting an appointment with the principal, but kept getting ignored.  Finally, I called the Exceptional Children Director, whom I knew as I had been a Special Education teacher, and assured  him in no uncertain terms that I would file a complaint with the OCR if my son's needs were not met. They held a meeting, and the teacher started following the plan.  

Special Education programs receive federal funds.  If a complaint is filed with OCR, and is found to be a legitimate complaint, their federal funds can be suspended.  This is why it's important to know your child's rights. You are your child's best advocate.  Good luck.  If I can provide any more information, let me know.