Deaf/Hard of Hearing Philosophy

All Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children have unlimited potential. Given that fundamental belief, the Des Moines Public Schools’ Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) Program, with its rich literacy and language focused approach, will provide an individually challenging learning environment which prepares each child for a meaningful and productive life in an evolving world.

Communication Policy
Language development is recognized as fundamental prerequisite tot he development of areas, such as oral/aural skills, social functioning, vocational training, independent living, and motor development. The ability to communicate with other people is an essential part of language, literacy, and social-emotional development.
(Revised, 2004)

Total Communication Philosophy:

• The staff in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program uses whatever communication strategy or combination of strategies which prove to be effective for the individual student.

• Possible communication strategies may include the use of residual hearing, speech, speech reading, and sign language.

• The sign langue system used is conceptually accurate, visually clear, emphasizes fingerspelling and utilizes American Sign Language (ASL) features.

Total Communication Emphasis:

• Parental involvement

• Language development

• Printed English language-literacy

• Auditory training and amplification

• Speech

• Alternative communication strageies

• Easy accessibility