Foreword

I am delighted and honored to write the foreword for the Educational Service Guidelines for Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. This valuable publication was written to provide information and resources to families, administrators, teachers, support personnel and other professionals working with students who are deaf or hard of hearing. This guide focuses on how to identify, assess, plan, provide, and monitor educational services and programs.

The following group of highly trained and dedicated professionals made this framework possible:

• Teachers of the Deaf in a variety of placements on the continuum
• American Sign Language Specialists
• Speech and Language Pathologists
• Educational Interpreters
• Educational Audiologists
• Pediatrician with knowledge of students who are deaf and hard of hearing
• Early Intervention Service Providers

As a deaf person and a former teacher of the deaf, I understand how crucial it is to receive and provide specialized services to meet the unique educational, communication, and social/emotional needs of students who are deaf or hard of hearing. It is my hope and expectation that all those interested in offering appropriate and meaningful programs for students who are deaf or hard of hearing will work closely with these exceptionally skilled individuals along with this document during their decision making and instructional planning.

Sincerely,

Sheri Cook, Director

Gallaudet University Regional Center for the Midwest