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Arizona School for the Deaf (ASD)
Tucson Campus
The Arizona School for the Deaf, located on the Tucson Campus of ASDB, is accredited by the North Central Association and provides quality educational services to students from kindergarten through high school. The three departments of ASD (Elementary School, Middle School and High School) combine the Arizona State Standards with additional areas needed by our students in a modified integrated curriculum approach that features an annual theme around which activities are organized and teachers collaborate in a team approach.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Arizona School for the Deaf (ASD) is to provide a safe, supportive, challenging and comprehensive learning environment that promotes measurable student academic achievement and observable growth in intellectual development, emotional maturity, physical health and well-being, social development, cultural awareness and civic responsibility. By recognizing the value of each student and attempting to meet each student’s academic, social, cultural and language needs, ASD prepares students to become life-long learners, independent decision-makers, productive and responsible citizens who have a recognizable work ethic, knowledge of both English and American Sign Language (ASL), and who have the skills, creativity and flexibility to function effectively in an ever-changing world.
Meeting Student Needs
ASD provides a visual environment for our students who connect to the world through their eyes. In general, students with severe or profound hearing losses attend ASD; students with mild to moderate hearing losses can typically have their educational needs met in the public school setting with services as needed provided by the ASDB Regional Cooperative programs. ASD provides an American Sign Language (ASL) environment and opportunities throughout the school day for students to practice and develop communication skills in as many modes as possible. ASD individualizes instruction, related services and communication skills in order to meet IEP requirements and to maximize each student’s potential to grow and develop academically, socially, vocationally, physically and emotionally.
Educational Programs
ASD serves students who represent a wide range of cognitive and academic abilities. ASD has academic students who take geometry, biology, chemistry, American History, American Government, Deaf Studies, English, Literature and other academic subjects traditionally taught in an academic school. ASD also provides instruction and programming for deaf students who have additional disabilities, including mild or moderate mental retardation, attention deficit, learning disabilities, physical disabilities and a degree of vision loss. Multiply disabled students whose needs cannot be met in the traditional academic setting receive instruction in our Life Skills program, a Community-Based Instruction (CBI) model that allows students to learn and practice skills in the environments where they are likely to be used.
Deaf Awareness Days and Deaf Studies
ASD high school Deaf Studies students write, direct, produce and act in a student-written play each March. The play highlights an interesting facet of Deaf Culture. About 1200 public school students and about 800 members of the community attend the five performances each year. Click for info about Deaf Awareness Days
Related Services
Sometimes referred to as Support Services, these Related Services include: Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Adapted P.E., Counseling, Speech Therapy, Audiology, Communication Services (Speech Reading, Auditory Training, Articulation, Sign Language Instruction)and Social Work Services.
Life Skills
The Life Skills program in elementary, middle school and high school serves students who require the support of consistent routines and meaningful functional activities. Instruction is provided in the following areas: social and emotional development, activities of daily living, communication skills, recreation/leisure activities, vocational readiness/exploration and classroom skills. Educational environments include the community and the classroom to promote the generalization of skills in a variety of situations. Students learn and practice skills in environments where they are likely to be used. Transition plans may include supported employment, job training, supported living and/or day programs.
Partnerships
ASD has established partnerships with the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, The Tucson Museum of Art, Special Olympics, Casa Maria Soup Kitchen, Therapeutic Riding of Tucson, The University of Arizona, The Close Up Foundation of America, the Arizona Blind and Deaf Children's Foundation and other organizations in order to provide educational and enrichment activities for its students. Students in Elementary School, Middle School and High School take courses and have activities in a variety of areas, including: Career and Technical Education (CTE), Physical Education, Fine Arts, Deaf Studies, Human Development, Character Development, Drama, Student Body Government, Academic Bowl, Community Action, Book Fair and club activities, as well as a full array of athletic activities.
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