Federal funding for this website ended in 2003, therefore few materials have been added since that time. Fortunately, there is continued interest in culturally and appropriate materials, curriculum, and programs. Because of this, we have allowed this site to remain as an archive. Please feel free to use this site, but recognize that it is no longer current.
Clarke
School for the Deaf
Center for Oral Education
The
V.I.P. Program
for parents of hearing-impaired infants
The goal of the V.I.P. program is to provide you, the parent, the information, the support, and the confidence you need to make decisions about raising your deaf child. While ours is an oral program, we do not promote any particular educational philosophy universally. We focus on the characteristics and needs of your child and family and discuss the educational options available to you. We believe that there is no single right way to educate all hearing-impaired children but that one way may be more effective for your child than another.
During the week-long program, you live on the Clarke School campus in Leonard House in a private suite of rooms.
Even after you leave the V.I.P. program, we can continue to be a resource to you for further evaluation, information, and guidance. To us you remain Very Important People.
As part of the V.I.P. Program, your child will be evaluated by counselors, educators, and audiologists. Our staff has extensive experience, in the evaluation of all age groups, although we are best known for our success in testing young children. Each family's program is arranged individually.
The week's activities for your child may include the following:
- hearing test
- intelligence test
- communication assessment
- diagnostic teaching
- participation in the toddler group
Based upon your needs:
- we discuss deafness and its implications
- we arrange time for you with other parents of deaf children
- we introduce you to older deaf children and to deaf adults
- we give you a comprehensive interpretation of your child's test results
- we review your child's educational needs, goals, and options
- we formulate an intervention plan with you
Clarke School for the Deaf
Center for Oral Education
Round Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01060-2199
Telephone (413) 584-3450 V/TDD
E-mail: info@clarkeschool
Web: http://www.clarkeschools.org/
The Clarke School admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin to each of its programs.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign