Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program (D/HH)

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Special Education Programs Division
Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) Program


•	Overview
•	Referrals & Eligibility
•	Placement Options
•	Transitioning
•	Contact Information

Overview
The district's Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) Program serves students from birth to age 22 who have bilateral hearing losses ranging from mild to profound. Students with an educationally significant unilateral hearing loss may also be eligible for D/HH services. The focus of the D/HH Program is to:



•	Encourage maximum independence
•	Provide integration with hearing peers
•	Foster the development of age appropriate communication skills, academic/career goals and social/emotional growth
•	Introduce accommodations
•	Provide for communication access
•	Provide technological education and assistance

Program curriculum is based on preschool - high school district/state standards, alternate curriculum, and supplemental curriculum as appropriate, as indicated in the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) which leads to a diploma, letter of recognition or certificate of completion.

Referrals & Eligibility
Initial contact is made to the D/HH Program by a parent, medical professional/agency, California Department of Education, Site Based Diagnostic Resource Teacher (SBDRT), or school staff. An audiological evaluation and report, and/or existing Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or IEP verifies the hearing loss. The Program Diagnostic Resource Teacher refers the student's case to the appropriate staff members for evaluation. Eligibility of services is determined at an IFSP or IEP meeting. Students are eligible for special education services through the D/HH Program if there is a diagnosed bilateral hearing loss of 30 decibels (dB) or greater in the better ear, which causes communication, developmental, social/emotional, physical, and/or educational problems.

Placement Options
Placement options for students in the D/HH program include:



•	Infant Home-Based Program: Birth to 18-month infants/toddlers and their parents receive specialized intervention by appropriately credentialed interdisciplinary team members and appropriate agencies experienced in working with infants and toddlers who have hearing losses. Parents are also provided with instruction, support and strategies to use with their child for developing communication and visual skills.
•	Special Day Class: Students, 18-months to 22 years, receive individualized instruction by an appropriately credentialed teacher of the deaf in the areas of academics, communication/visual skills, daily living skills, and work/career options.
•	Developmental Preschool: D/HH students, age three to five years, have the option of attending a regular developmental preschool program with hearing peers in addition to their special day class. The focus is to increase social interactions and reinforce their language/cognitive growth as well as to provide a strong foundation for kindergarten.
•	Itinerant Site-Based Class/Resource Program: Students are enrolled in general education classes at select elementary and secondary campuses where suppport services and instruction in all academic areas are provided by an on-site credentialed teacher of the deaf.
•	Itinerant Program: Students who are enrolled in other special education placements receive educational support from Itinerant D/HH credentialed teachers in the areas of language, communication, academics, and career exploration.
•	State Special School: California School for the Deaf in Riverside (CSDR) provides comprehensive assessment services and if eligible and appropriate, residential school programs for students who have hearing losses.

Transitioning
As students articulate from the D/HH Infant Home-Based Program to Special Day Class, Elementary to Middle School, and Middle School to High School, transition support is provided to the family and/or the student. At the secondary level, students work with the D/HH Vocational Counselor on post-secondary preparation, which includes school to work/vocational training, career preparation, and/or college preparation.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) Program Fact Sheet: English

| Spanish

Contact Information

Special Education Program Division
Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) Program
4435 Ute Drive
San Diego, CA 92117

(858) 490-8451 - Phone

>> Special Education Programs Division