School Age Programs

Regular Classroom Options

Some students attend regular classes in their local school and receive support from an itinerant Specialist Teacher of Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (ToDHH). Based on student need and the TDSB's model of tiered support, a student may receive one of these three levels of support:

Monitoring Support (Tier 1)

• Itinerant ToDHHs monitor students' needs related to hearing and provide information and in-service to classroom teachers

• Usually 2 to 3 visits per school year and consultation as needed

Program Support (Tier 2)

• Itinerant ToDHHs monitor students' needs related to hearing, provide information and in-service to classroom teachers and support the use of remote microphone amplification systems in regular classrooms

• Typically monthly visits with the student and classroom/subject teacher

Direct Instruction (Tier 3)

• Itinerant ToDHHs provide support to focus on the specific learning needs related to the implications of a significant bilateral hearing difference

• Itinerant ToDHHs provide all the program supports listed above

• Usually 2 to 3 sessions per week

• This level of support is assessed through a Central Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC)

Special Classroom Options

Some students attend a special education program at a designated program site (Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH) Intensive Support Programs Map). These programs are taught by a Specialist Teacher of Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ToDHH) and are supported by specialized Educational Assistants. Students are offered transportation to and from the program by the TDSB.

This model provides support to students with an educationally significant bilateral hearing thresholds who require intensive support for communication and language development. This level of service is accessed through a Central IPRC or Special Education Program Recommendation Committee (SEPRC).

For more on IPRC and SEPRC refer to Guide to Special Education and Inclusion for Parents/Caregivers/Guardians.

Co-enrollment Kindergarten

• Students attend a full-day program at a designated program site

• Each day, students spend time in both a larger mainstream kindergarten class and in a small group setting receiving intensive support with Deaf/Hard of Hearing peers

Intensive Support Programs (ISP)

• Students attend a full day program at a designated site

• Students receive intensive language support using one or more communication modalities

• Includes some level of integration with typically hearing peers

• ISP classes are offered at both the elementary and secondary level

For more information on the high school program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students at Northern Secondary School, click here.

For more information on the high school program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students at York Humber High School, click here.

Students with Multiple Needs

Students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing and have other exceptionalities may attend a specialized program other than one designated for students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Support is available for these students through the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Team (i.e. Monitoring, Program Support, or Direct Instruction).

Eligibility and Accessing Services

Any student with an identified hearing difference (with a copy of a hearing test done within the last 24 months) is eligible to receive support from the Special Education and Inclusion-Deaf/Hard of Hearing team. Support is available from school entry through to high school graduation.

Schools, parents/guardians, audiologists, and community agencies can contact us for information on how to access our services.