Deaf or hard of hearing students may be eligible for services under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), or under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part B. To find out more about these different Acts, refer to the LAW section of this website.

To receive services under special education law or IDEA, Part B, student eligibility must first be determined.

• The Legal Framework for the Child-centered Special Education Process explains the state eligibility for services for students with Auditory Impairment and for services under Regional Day School Programs for the Deaf

• Other Assessment Tools for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing,  from the Deaf Education Initiative at the National Association of State Directors of Special Education, Inc. (NASDSE), may also be used to determine if and what services are needed.

Through development of an Individual Education Plan (IEP) the Admission, Review, Dismissal (ARD) committee makes recommendations for the services and programs that meet the student's needs.

• Center for Parent Information and Resources describes some special factors unique to the education of children with hearing loss that should be considered for both services and placement.
• Parents and professionals may need tools to help guide their decisions:
  • Self-advocacy for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students - from Hands & Voices
  • Placement Checklist for Preschool - Kindergarten 
  • Placement Checklist for Elementary - High School 
  • Optimizing Outcomes for Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing: Educational Service Guidelines by National Association of State Directors for Special Education
  • Itinerant Services
  • Guidance on Parent Placement of Students in Private Schools
  • Another Path: Homeschooling Your Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child
  • Special Education and Graduation: A Guide to Options - from Region 13 Education Service Center

Additional statewide support for parents and professionals is available from:

• Texas Guide By Your Side (GBYS) - provides free unbiased support and services to families with deaf or hard of hearing children (birth to 22 years old). Request services.
• Texas Hands & Voices

Other resources for educational services include:

• Clerc Center Educational Resources
• Educating Deaf Children
• Deaf Education Guidelines

Continuing Services

As the developmental and educational progress of deaf and hard of hearing students is monitored, parents and professionals may decide to continue with services as planned or they may request changes in either services or placement. Depending on the age of the students, factors include:

• Resources for Students age 3 - 5
• Assessment Resources for Students and Parents - from the Texas Education Agency (TEA)
  • Assessment for students with disabilities
• Related Services and Transition - from Texas Project FIRST 
• Graduation: The Ultimate "Change of Placement" - from Texas Project FIRST