Due to the low incidence of deafness, qualified teachers of the deaf, support services, and qualified educational interpreters may be lacking in many areas of the state.  Educational opportunities for deaf or hard of hearing children are varied and range from a residential school for the deaf, to a public school setting that may be lacking support services.

Parental and family member involvement and their advocacy efforts are the key to ensuring the quality education of deaf or hard of hearing children. The effectiveness of the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process is dependent on parental involvement. Regardless of the educational placement, research demonstrates that with a supportive family members, a deaf and hard of hearing child can achieve a higher level of education more effectively and overcome barriers more readily. There are many instances during the IEP process where leaders have little or no sensitivity training in deafness or exposure to deafness. It is wise to become familiar with the various educational approaches, communication methods and the laws pertaining to the education of deaf and hard of hearing children before beginning the IEP process.

As a family member, you want to ensure that your child has full access to the public school system. Key sections include:

• PL 101-476 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the KRS 164.478 law which requires public institutions of higher education to make programs accessible to deaf and hard of hearing students.
• Located within the Kentucky Department of Education, you may want to contact the Division of Special Instructional Services which assists the local school district and agencies in providing appropriate education and related services to students.