Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services
Students who are deaf or hard of hearing in Colorado have access to a range of services for educational, communication, and social support. Deaf education teachers collaborate with general education teachers as well as provide direct instruction to support students in their home school environments and center-based programs. Programs include related services based on individual students' needs and are available through local school districts and Boards of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES).
CDE Guidelines/Support Documents/ECEA Regulations
The Colorado Rules for the Administration of the Exceptional Children’s Educational Act (ECEA) defines the criteria for identifying a student with a hearing disability. In order to qualify for a hearing disability, a student must have an educationally significant hearing loss which prevents him or her from receiving reasonable benefit from general education without additional supports in the public schools. In addition, Colorado’s Deaf Child Bill of Rights (1996) requires that all students with a hearing disability have a Communication Plan that considers students’ communicative needs as they relate to social and emotional development. The following links give access to documents related to the field of Deaf Education.
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ECEA Rules 2011 (PDF)
CDE Services/Support Programs
The Colorado Department of Education provides leadership to school districts and BOCES through the CDE Principal Consultant for Deaf Education. The consultative role includes specific guidance in the areas of Educational Audiology, Educational Interpreting, and teaching the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Listservs for Colorado Providers
Pertinent information related to practitioners and parents in the field of deafness is frequently disseminated through the DHH/CDE listservs. The following listservs are available to interested parties.
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Educational Audiologists
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Educational Interpreters
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Teachers of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing
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Information pertinent to Teachers of the Deaf (TODs), Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs), Itinerants, Program Administrators, and other individuals in the field of deafness will be placed in this listserv
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To join a listserv, send an email indicating the appropriate listserv to Ruth Mathers (Principal Consultant for Deaf Education) at mathers_r@cde.state.co.us or Jason Baggs (Administrative Assistant) at baggs_j@cde.state.co.us.
Colorado Cochlear Implant Consortium (CCIC)
The Colorado Cochlear Implant Consortium was established to increase communication between state agencies, implant centers, implant manufacturers, schools, and early intervention programs relative to children who are candidates for or who have received cochlear implants. The Consortium meets quarterly to discuss issues, develop materials, and organize Colorado's annual Cochlear Implant Videoconference. For more information about the Consortium, please contact Ruth Mathers at mathers_r@cde.state.co.us
Colorado Deaf and Hard of Hearing Mentor Program
The Colorado Deaf and Hard of Hearing Mentor Program was established to support educational teams working with students with all degrees of hearing loss, regardless of communication mode. Mentoring activities are tailored to specific needs of district staff. Mentors are experts in deafness who also have an additional area of expertise.
To request a mentor, download and return this form.
For more information about the Mentor Program, please contact Ruth Mathers at mathers_r@cde.state.co.us
Employment and Professional Information
Deaf Educator Licensing
To work as a deaf educator in Colorado, teachers must hold a CDE
license for Special Education Specialist: Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Teachers in Colorado are required to pass the Program for Licensing
Assessments for Colorado Educators (PLACE) test in order to become
initially licensed to teach in the state. Teachers in deaf education
need to take Exam 24 Special Education Specialist: Deaf/Hard of
Hearing.
PLACE Test Information
Teachers in deaf education in Colorado are required to pass the Program for Licensing Assessments for Colorado Educators (PLACE) test in order to become initially licensed to teach in the state. Teachers in deaf education need to take Exam 24 Special Education Specialist: Deaf/Hard of Hearing.
- PLACE Test Information (PDF)
Deaf Educator Job Listings
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As a service to AUs, CDE will post job vacancy notices to the Deaf Education listservs
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Download, complete and submit the form below to Ruth Mathers to post a current Colorado Teacher of the Deaf listing
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University of
Northern Colorado
See DeafEd.net for a complete listing of university training programs for deaf education - Listening and Spoken Language Certification (AG Bell Academy)
Links
Downloadable Tools
- Functional Auditory Performance Indicators (FAPI) (PDF)
- Placement
Considerations Checklists
- Preschool/Kindergarten Placement Checklist (PDF)
- Student Placement Checklist - School Age (PDF)
Resources for Parents and Families
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The Colorado Resource Guide for Families of Children Who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing (PDF)
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Guía de Recursos de Colorado Para las Familias con Niños Sordos or con Dificultades Para Oír (PDF)
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Other Colorado Resources (from Hands & Voices Website)
Parent Organizations
For more information about services for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, please contact:
Ruth Mathers,
Principal Consultant - Deaf
Phone: (303)
866-6909