Kendall Demonstration School, which is a part of the Clerc Center at Gallaudet University, houses an Assistive Devices Center that provides deaf and hard of hearing students with an opportunity to become knowledgeable about assistive listening/alerting technology and how it can be used in their everyday lives. The Clerc Center’s priority areas include student literacy, transition and family involvement. To help support these areas, a realistic home-like environment has been created in which assistive devices are displayed and demonstrated. Literacy based activities related to the Center have been developed to increase student’s reading and writing skills while increasing their knowledge of assistive listening/alerting devices (ALD). This center is designed to help develop students’ transition skills by expanding their communication options and increase their independence in managing daily living activities. Resource information and hands on demonstrations regarding assistive technology are available to students and their families to encourage family involvement.

    The literacy-based activities include reading and writing assignments. The initial task engages students in completing a survey that evaluates the types of communication strategies and assistive alerting/listening devices they currently use in their homes. Students use information from the survey to initiate shared learning discussions about the types of devices in which they are familiar. This pre-demonstration activity serves as an introduction to hands on ALD Center demonstrations. The students are encouraged to complete reading and writing activities following their experiences in the Center. The post-demonstration literacy activities are designed to reinforce learning of new information, develop new vocabulary and provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.

    The transition from a school environment to an independent home and work environment may offer special challenges for deaf and hard of hearing students. Access to communication is an essential element of everyday activities. To help meet this challenge, the KDES ALD Center provides information regarding the availability, use and function of communication technology to enhance their transition skills. Through hands-on demonstrations and reinforcing literacy-based activities, students increase their ability to become self-reliant, responsible citizens.

    In order for students to succeed and reach their overall potential, it is crucial that families be involved in all aspects of their lives. The KDES ALD Center provides an opportunity for family members to participate in their child’s learning process through shared discussions and written assignments. Students are encouraged to talk with their families about what they have learned regarding the various types of communication technology. Information is sent home to students’ families to inform them of students’ activities with the Center. Families also have direct access to hands-on demonstrations, consultations and printed materials about the use of assistive listening/alerting devices.

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