New Law Lays Out Regulations For Deaf Students

(Des Moines, IA) — A new state law outlines the visual language skills deaf and hard of hearing children need to learn — things like fingerspelling and American Sign Language — so they’re prepared for kindergarten. The law also establishes a mentoring program for parents of newborns and toddlers who are diagnosed with hearing difficulties. The outreach director for the Iowa School for the Deaf, Tina Caloud (kuh-LOUD), attended the bill signing ceremony in the governor’s office and says they’ve been pushing for this bill for several years. She says they are ready to work hard and collaboratively for the education of deaf and hard of hearing children across the state.