The Chicago Public School Deaf and Hard of Hearing program ensures students learn, grow and belong in a language rich environment while supporting students, families and professionals through district-wide support and outreach services.
Itinerant Services
Students receive consultative or direct services through specially designed instruction by a Teacher of the Deaf in general education or special education settings throughout the district.
In the site-based Deaf and hard of hearing program, teachers of the Deaf integrate visual and auditory learning, developmental speech, speech reading, and intense oral, signed and written language instruction into all academic areas. Students also use assistive technology such as personal FM systems and sound-field units to access environmental and speech sounds around them. The CPS Deaf/hard of hearing program provides a comprehensive communication approach that serves students whose hearing loss significantly impacts their access to instruction and language development.
Classroom instruction is presented through the oral/aural method using voice, lip/speech reading or through total communication as determined by the student’s IEP. Total communication uses all means of communication, such as formal sign language, sign language provided through licensed interpreters, natural gestures, fingerspelling, speechreading, listening and speech.
Cluster programs are designed for students requiring a significantly modified curriculum with moderate to intensive supports in a separate classroom from general education peers for the majority of the day (over 61% of the day). Individuals may also need assistance with adaptive skills. For more information email cpscluster@cps.edu.
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