Amends Part 29 of Article 3 of GS Chapter 143B to add new section, “Deaf Child’s Bill of Rights.”
Presents the General Assembly’s findings regarding meeting the needs of children with low-incidence disabilities including the educational, vocational, and extra-curricular needs of deaf and hearing-impaired children.
Defines the term “communication mode or language” as used in Part 29 to refer to (1) American Sign Language; (2) English-based manual or sign system; and (3) oral, aural, or speech-based training.
Provides that in preparing an Individualized Education Program (IEP), as defined in GS 115C-106.3(8), for a deaf or hearing impaired student, the IEP team must consider the child’s specific communication mode or language and advise parents of the full continuum of alternative educational placements available to them.