Deaf & Hard of Hearing - Total Communication

Our Deaf & Hard of Hearing Program is a center-based program in Kent County housed in Northview Public Schools. It is designed around each student’s unique blend of abilities and needs. All forms of communication are used – verbal, nonverbal, amplification – whatever meets each student’s needs and maximizes language competence and knowledge in each student.

Mission

The Total Communication Program will ensure that all deaf and hard-of-hearing students acquire a full language, gain a meaningful education, and develop essential life skills. In order to fully access and experience success in both the hearing and Deaf Communities, students will receive specially designed instruction using American Sign Language (ASL) and spoken and written English.

Core Skills

Communication
- American Sign Language (ASL)
- English, spoken and/or written
Academics
Self-Advocacy
Self Identity
- Connection with Deaf Culture
- Pride in oneself

Mission Implementation

We are committed to teaching children who are deaf or hard of hearing to become independent and successful adults.
We believe that language, regardless of modality, is the foundation for literacy development.
We provide specially designed instruction through bilingual practices and/or visual support strategies for DHH students to develop language, literacy, academic and life skills.
We partner with families to ensure their child's success.
We provide needed services to DHH children from birth through age 26.
We utilize the general education curriculum and an inclusion model with communication supports so students can learn alongside their hearing peers in grades K-12.
We empower students by providing them with strategies to develop self-advocacy skills in order to achieve their post-secondary goals.
We provide opportunities for students to connect and develop pride in the Deaf Identity.
We are committed to improving outcomes for all students through continuous improvement and implementing a system of supports.

D/HH Interpreter Information

Interpreter Request Form

Resources and Websites

Resources

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services of Grand Rapids

DHHS is an independent agency serving Grand Rapids and surrounding areas since 1996. We serve approximately 3,500 – 4,000 deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing individuals and businesses each year through interpreter services, mental and behavioral health, ASL classes, equipment distribution, community relations, and advocacy

Hands and Voices

Michigan Hands & Voices is a community of parents, professionals, and adults who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or DeafBlind (DHHDB). They offer unbiased support, services, and events to Michigan families who are raising children who are DHHDB. They also represent families in state and policy matters. Anyone - families, extended family, professionals, students, etc - may join the membership.

Success for Kids with Hearing Loss

This is a ‘go-to’ site for more information about the listening, learning and social issues of children using hearing technology with different hearing levels. There are no-cost links to hearing loss and hearing technology, audio demonstrations and printed materials. Practical information and tools are available for supporting the future success of Deaf and Hard of Hearing children socially and academically.

The Holley Family Village (Brooklyn, MI)

The Holley Institute owns and operates Holley Family Village at De Sales Center which has offered educational and recreational programs for the Deaf, Deaf/Blind and hard of hearing since 1996.

During the summer months and from time to time throughout the year, The Holley Institute offers quality programs for Deaf, Deaf/Blind and hard-of-hearing people and their families. The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales use the facilities in June for the Salesian Leadership Camp. When not used for these events, the facilities are available to other nonprofit organizations for retreats and workshops.

Websites

Interpreted Movies and Shows

Resources for Students/Families

DeafBlind

Support Services

Sign Language Interpreters

In accordance with each student’s IEP, sign language interpreters are available to students within the educational setting. This also includes extra-curricular activities after the traditional school day. Northview’s interpreting staff have met and exceeded the skill standards set by the state of Michigan.

Speech and Language Pathologists

Students have access to speech and language services, with fluent ASL Speech and Language Pathologists to assist in communication development. Individual students may meet with the speech and language pathologist one-on-one, as well as have the opportunity for push-in services within the classroom environment.

Audiologist

Northview has an audiologist on staff to assist with all devices within the district. These services include audiological testing, as well as servicing equipment such as hearing aids and cochlear implants. Our audiologist also helps fit each mainstream classroom with amplification equipment to help the Deaf & Hard of Hearing students receive the maximum benefit of their hearing.

Ancillary Services

Depending on each individual student need, additional ancillary services can be provided for students. This can include physical therapy, occupational therapy, social work, etc. The IEP team determines the appropriate ancillary needs of every child.

Classrooms

Early On – Birth to 3 years old

Infant communication begins with parent-child interaction. Service is delivered to infants and parents through a home-based program that promotes the use of amplification, fosters vocalization and response to sound, and develops symbolic expression through speech and sign. Parents meet as a group to share experiences, ask questions, and get ideas from other parents, specialists, or individuals with hearing loss.

Early Childhood Special Education – 2.5 to 5 years old

Communication skills develop through watching, listening, speaking, speech reading, playing, signing, and instruction in the early childhood classroom. Speech/language therapy is built in each child’s schedule. Reading and math readiness activities are in daily lessons. Daily learning activities are rich environments to socialize and develop communication. Self esteem is fostered and children meet deaf and hard of hearing adults.

West Oakview – Kindergarten to 4th grade - Intensive Classroom & Resource Programming

Expressive and receptive language skills – speaking, listening, writing, reading, signing – grow from Kindergarten through 4th Grade. The general curriculum of math, spelling, reading, social studies and science are taught with emphasis on language skills. Students can participate in speech and language therapy, individually or in group settings. Students in general education classes have interpreters as needed, amplification, and supplementary instruction available based on their IEP. In order to develop receptive and expressive language skills, students in immersive programming will receive core instruction in American Sign Language.

Highlands Middle School – 5th to 6th grade

Deaf and Hard of Hearing students continue to focus on expanding expressive and receptive language skills at this level, with the added emphasis on gaining independence Utilizing interpreters and support from a DHH teacher, students follow the general education curriculum for core academic classes of math, science, social studies and language arts. They also receive instruction in STEM, art, and physical education, with an additional option of band and choir. As in the elementary school, all support services are continued.

Crossroads Middle School – 7th to 8th grade

Utilizing interpreters and support from a DHH teacher, deaf and hard of hearing students continue in the general education curriculum – science, math, social science, art, English, physical education and computers. Language arts and subject area instruction increases vocabulary, reading comprehension and application to the “real world”.

Northview High School – 9th to 12th grade

Grades 9-12 continue to emphasize language and reading skills while progressing through the general education curriculum. Students study English, science, math, social science, and electives such as Spanish, art, and STEM. Community Based Instruction (CBI) is available to relate classroom learning to independence, and Northview High School collaborates with colleges and technical centers, such as Kent Career Tech Center, to provide a rich array of learning options as students approach the need for more training or independence and adulthood.

Our Philosophy

Center Program's Learning Philosophy

Diversity is Valuable.
Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students are Valuable.
Deaf/Hard of Hearing students have the right to learn all forms of communication.
Visual & manual methods of communication are options and need to be used consistently.
Using hearing technology both at home and school also provides the opportunity for listening abilities and spoken language.
Speech is an important tool for communication with hearing people.
American Sign Language does not prevent speech development.

Deaf & Hard of Hearing Program Beliefs

Language acquisition during infancy and early childhood with parents is crucial.
Visual representation of language enables children to understand ideas and concepts.
Language is essential for learning.
Speech and language are different abilities.
Auditory/vocal & visual/manual modes give the child a complete communication system.
Sign language, fingerspelling, and oral/aural techniques complement each other.
Sign can assist speech and language development.
Sign language is learned by members of the family and enables and enriches the child’s socialization at home.