Parents

IS ISD THE RIGHT PLACE FOR MY CHILD?

Students with all communication methods, abilities and devices are welcome at Iowa School for the Deaf! Our students vary in their hearing levels, from those with mild losses to those with severe | profound losses. Cochlear implants and hearing aids in bright colors are prevalent on campus; and some students do not use any device.

Visitors are surprised at how “loud” ISD really is! Speech language pathologists strategize with students who wish to maintain their residual voicing abilities. American Sign Language is used on campus and all employees are required to attain and retain a level of signing, based on the amount of interaction they have with students. Depending on individual class needs, teachers sign, speak or conduct class using both communication methods.

10 advantages
ISD’s specialized licensed teachers communicate directly with students.

Top 10 Advantages at Iowa School for the Deaf

  1. Direct communication between students and teachers means nothing is lost in translation.
  2. Teachers are licensed in both deaf education and a content area.
  3. All staff are required to attain and retain sign language proficiency levels.
  4. Unique mainstream options are offered.
  5. There are on-site speech language pathologists.
  6. Students speak, use sign language, or both. Some students have cochlear implants or hearing aids, while some use no hearing devices.
  7. Small class sizes encourage students to express their opinions and ideas.
  8. A language-rich environment surrounds students who board on campus.
  9. Friends interact directly (no interpreter needed!)
  10. Students/families do not pay to attend ISD. It is financed by state and federal governments with special costs billed to school district.

Cost

No tuition, room or board is charged. ISD is one option for free and appropriate education for deaf or hard-of-hearing students. It is supported by state and federal dollars.

Eligibility

Candidates for Iowa School for the Deaf should:

  • Have an audiogram which shows a hearing loss
  • Be under 21 years old
  • Be residents of either Iowa or Nebraska
  • Benefit from one or more of the aspects of Iowa School for the Deaf’s unique programming

Cochlear Implants

We welcome children with cochlear implants! Nearly 25% of ISD’s students have implants, and benefit from the school’s language-rich environment.

  • It can be beneficial to have access to another language, for instance, when a cochlear implant is not working.
  • To keep students on the learning track, a strong language base is needed. This is especially important as a child adjusts to the implant and attaches meanings to sounds they hear.
  • Students discriminate sounds at different rates.
  • Reading, writing and language classes use strategies developed for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
  • Students with speech are encouraged to use it throughout the day.
  • Amplification devices are monitored daily by classroom teachers.
  • On-site audiologists quickly remedy problems.
  • Speech-language pathologists are current on cochlear implant trends and strategies.
  • Intensive speech and language therapy helps students filled in language gaps which often exist with students who have good articulation.
Iowa School for the Deaf
3501 Harry Langdon Blvd.
Council Bluffs, IA 51503

PH: 712.366.0571
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