Education resources for deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing children

Know your options

In Minnesota, most parents work with their school district to decide the best education option for their child using an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Finding the right fit for your child depends on things like your child's communication needs, the school's curriculum, chances for social interaction and the location. 

It is important to learn about the different options, so that you can make sure your child's IEP addresses their education needs. With so much information available, it can feel overwhelming. This page can help you focus on what you need to know.

To find out what your school district offers, contact them directly. 

  • You can find your school district through the Minnesota Legislature's School District Finder. 
  • Find contact info for schools in your district through MDE ORG.
  • You can also call the Minnesota Department of Education directly at 651-582-8200 to learn more about what is available, including any programs specifically for deaf and hard of hearing students.

Your Regional Low Incidence Facilitator can also provide information about programs in your area.

Remember that you can always make changes if something isn't meeting your child's needs. 

Early intervention for infants and toddlers

Early intervention for infants and toddlers ages birth to 3 is FREE in Minnesota and Tribal Nations. Early intervention services help support families with their baby’s communicating, moving, interacting and thinking. Services are accessed through your local school district or cooperative. 

You can connect to these supports and services through Help Me Grow Minnesota, which also provides many resources and videos. Parents, professionals and other friends and family members can connect through the Refer a Child page. People from the school program who work with young children and families will reach out to you to talk about next steps. 

To learn more about early intervention and why it is important for children who are deaf and hard of hearing, you can watch a video on the Supporting Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children Early YouTube playlist. Video is available in English/ASL, Hmong, Somali or Spanish. 

Residential schools

Residential schools offer education for children who are deaf and hard of hearing with teachers fluent in American Sign Language and English. Because all students are deaf or hard of hearing, they can easily socialize with peers. The Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf, located in Faribault is a residential school.   

Day schools

Day schools also provide education to children who are deaf and hard of hearing with teachers fluent in American Sign Language and English. Like residential schools, all students are deaf or hard of hearing, so they also have equal access to socialize with peers. Metro Deaf School in St. Paul is a day school.

For families pursuing spoken English, Northern Voices in Roseville has an oral/auditory early education program. Children who attend this program transition to their home school for mainstream elementary education.

Mainstream

"Mainstream" means that a child with hearing loss goes to a local public school. The programs offered can vary by school district, but they must follow federal laws (IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act). A mainstreamed student may use interpreters or assistive technology, spend part of the day in a special education classroom, and/or have a classroom with peers who are deaf or hard of hearing. 

To find out if your child may have deaf and hard of hearing peers at a nearby school, you can reach out to the school district, your Regional Low Incidence Facilitator and the Minnesota Department of Education, Deaf and Hard of Hearing resource center.

Advocating for your child's education

Minnesota Hands & Voices

Minnesota Hands & Voices is dedicated to supporting families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing without a bias around communication modes or methodology. They provide outreach, parent guides and advocacy education.

The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Guide program focuses exclusively on the needs of families and their children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH). They are a diverse group of DHH adults with a wide range of experiences related to their own hearing levels. DHH Guides act as unbiased resources and help the family/student identify practical solutions for navigating some of the common challenges that Deaf/Hard of Hearing children may experience. For more information, email Heidy Nazario, DHH Guide Program Coordinator.

The Advocacy, Support and Training program (ASTra) provides support to families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) without a bias around communication mode, method, and educational setting so that every child who is D/HH has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. ASTra content is derived from years of direct advocacy experience working with families in schools, attending advocacy trainings from legal experts, providing trainings, and the Hands & Voices Educational Advocacy Guidebook. For more information, email Minnesota Hands & Voices. You can also visit the national Hands and Voices' Advocacy, Support and Training Program (ASTra) webpage.

1605 Eustis Street, St. Paul, MN 55108
General Phone: 651-265-2435
Minnesota Hands & Voices contact form
Minnesota Hands & Voices webpage
Hands & Voices Facebook page

PACER Center, Inc. (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights)

PACER can help parents understand the educational system for pre-school or school age children with disabilities and the adult service system and planning for their child's transition to adult life. Interpreters available for appointments with advance notice.

8161 Normandale Boulevard, Bloomington, MN 55437
Phone: 952-838-9000 (V)
Email PACER
PACER Center’s website

Parent Advocacy app

The Parent Advocacy app helps you to understand your child’s rights and work with the school to meet your child's needs. It may help you prepare for IEP, 504 or other meetings. It was created by the NAD, Gallaudet University Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center, American Society for Deaf Children and Hands and Voices. It is available from Google Play Store (for Android devices) and the App Store (for Apple devices). 

School safety guide

One topic that is important to address is how your child will have access to instructions and information in an emergency. We've developed a guide with suggestions and ideas for schools to help them plan accessible communication in emergencies, School safety for deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing students. By asking questions and sharing this resource with your child's school you can develop a safety plan that meets your child's needs.

Education resources

Statewide education resources

National education resources