For decades, the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) has served both students who are deaf or hard of hearing and those with disabilities through the creation of comprehensive, specialized programs. But where can parents turn when their child is both deaf or hard of hearing and disabled?
That’s where OCDE’s Connections at Mann site steps in with the launch of its new Deaf and Hard of Hearing with Disabilities program. The initiative, though unique, has proven to be especially necessary in recent years, according to Kamika Barnes, OCDE’s administrator of special education.
OCDE’s Connections program provides specialized educational services for students with significant disabilities, emotional disturbances and those who are Deaf or hard of Hearing. With 48 classes across 13 sites, the program offers a structured environment and curriculum that meets each student’s differing needs.
Despite the students in this new program facing the dual challenges of being deaf or hard of hearing and having disabilities, the goal remains the same as when addressing these needs individually: to establish an effective means of communication and maximize students’ independence, while also addressing behavioral issues.
While communication and independence are long-term objectives, behavioral issues can be addressed more immediately. In fact, according to one of the students’ mothers, the behavioral issues her daughter exhibited at home have drastically diminished since enrolling in the program — a change she attributes to the kind but firm teaching style of her daughter’s teacher, Ryan McAfee.
Currently, there are only two students enrolled, but according to Barnes, the ultimate goal is to expand the program to include students in junior high. In the meantime, Connections at Mann will continue to assess the needs of these students and how best to support their unique challenges, all while ensuring a culture of inclusion.