Overview
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Through contracts with local school districts, the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind strives to meet the needs of students who are deaf or hard of hearing across the state of South Carolina. A team of highly qualified, Hearing Outreach specialists works with local special education directors, teachers and medical professionals to ensure that students reach their maximum potential.
Hearing Outreach Services is dedicated to matching children who are deaf or hard of hearing with the best educational options to meet their individual academic, communication and development needs.
Hearing Outreach Services
Hearing Outreach Services provides school districts the following services:
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Hearing and speech assessments
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Education and training in various communication methods*
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Career and transitional training for students
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Teacher consultations and workshops
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Teacher training and mentoring
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Deafness sensitivity education and training |
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* Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing use a variety of communication methods including, voice, sign language and touch, known as tactile communication. Hearing Outreach specialists are dedicated to helping those individuals develop communication skills in their chosen method.
Hearing Outreach Services also works with the SC Interagency Deaf-Blind Project and the SC Department of Education Office of Exceptional Children.
Certified Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Hearing Outreach Services offers state certified teachers who travel from school to school to provide services for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Through direct instruction and consultation, these itinerant teachers provide and coordinate many services for special education directors, students, teachers, parents and other school staff.
Itinerant teachers also provide education professionals the necessary training and tools to meet the needs of students across South Carolina. Services include special needs classroom instruction, assessments, mentoring and workshops.
Itinerant teachers work directly with students who are deaf or hard of hearing to develop and improve:
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Communication skills such as voice, sign language and communication through touch, known as tactile communication
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Functional academic skills such as reading, writing and math skills
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Independent living skills such as advanced communication skills
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Recreation and socialization skills
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Career education and transition skills
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The use of hearing with hearing aids and cochlear implants (if applicable).*
*Students who are hard of hearing may have hearing aids and cochlear implants and may be able to use their hearing and voice to communicate. Itinerant teachers use research-based teaching techniques, known as auditory-verbal therapy, to teach these students how to use their hearing to develop their listening and speaking skills.
