§2262.1. Bill of Rights

In order to ensure that children who are deaf or hard of hearing have the same rights and potential to become independent and self-actualizing as children who are not deaf or hard of hearing, the Deaf Child's Bill of Rights is established so that children who are deaf or hard of hearing are entitled:

(1) To appropriate screening and assessment of hearing and vision capabilities and communication and language needs at the earliest possible age and to the continuation of screening services throughout the educational experience.

(2) To early intervention to provide for acquisition of the language base developed at the earliest possible age.

(3) To their parents' or guardians' full and informed participation in their educational planning.

(4) To adult role models who are deaf or hard of hearing.

(5) To meet and associate with their peers.

(6) To qualified teachers, interpreters, and resource personnel who communicate effectively with the child in the child's mode of communication.

(7) To placement best suited to the child's individual needs, including but not limited to social, emotional, cultural needs, age, hearing loss, academic level, modes of communication, styles of learning, motivational level, and family support.

(8) To individual considerations for free and appropriate education across a full spectrum of educational programs.

(9) To full support services provided by qualified professionals in their educational settings.

(10) To full access to all programs in their educational settings.

(11) To have the public fully informed concerning medical, cultural, and linguistic issues of deafness and hearing loss.

(12) Where appropriate, to have deaf and hard of hearing adults directly involved in determining the extent, content, and purpose of all programs that affect their education.

Acts 1993, No. 395, §1; Acts 2017, No. 146, §11.