Deaf & Hard of Hearing (DHH)

Washtenaw Deaf & Hard of Hearing Program

Charter Statement

“We believe in a strength-based and student-focused model of education that empowers children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing with resiliency, pride, integrity and self-advocacy. We are driven to implement evidence-based practices to promote the development of language and literacy (recognizing the critical period of birth to 3rd grade), collaborate as a team, embrace diversity, and ensure equal access to education so our students who have unique language and communication needs are provided the opportunity to reach their full potential.”


WISD provides a wide level of services to Deaf and Hard of Hearing students from throughout Washtenaw County.

Students are referred to the WISD D/HH services through the local districts. The referral is based on a select system of needs that the student exhibits in the areas of language and language processing, deficits in hearing and processing auditory language, incidental learning (visual or auditory), and deficits in common language for everyday experiences. Vocabulary development and knowledge deficits are assessed through the referral system, involving local district and WISD staff, along with the student’s parents. As students are affected socially and academically by these deficits, the assessment team examines these areas as well as (but not limited to):

  • Deficits in learning new concepts and vocabulary (without frequent repetitions and visual aids)
  • Difficulty in repairing communication breakdowns in social or academic situations
  • High frustration levels (behaviorally) due to deficits in communicating effectively with others
  • Limitations in self-monitoring use of expressive language (too loud or not loud enough for the situation)
  • Exhibiting coping skills that limit understanding (nods head as if understands, even if lacks understanding)
  • Information needs to be presented in various ways to ensure understanding

Classrooms are offered from the preschool through the 8th grade.

Classrooms are supported by:

  • classroom assistants with knowledge and experience about students who are deaf or hard of hearing
  • American Sign Language interpreters
  • speech and language therapist specifically trained with extensive experience working with students who are deaf or hard of hearing
  • social worker with experience working with students who are deaf or hard of hearing
  • educational audiologist
  • occupational therapist
  • school psychologist

Classrooms provide services to the student based on their unique needs as determined by the IEP. This may include but is not limited to academics in all subjects and extensive language and vocabulary intervention.

Classroom locations:

1735 S Wagner Rd
Ann Arbor
Honey Creek Community Schools
(Charter school, authorized by the Washtenaw Intermediate School District and located in the High Point Building)

Classroom: Preschool-1 st grade classroom, (734) 994-8111, ext .1699

Classroom: 2nd grade-8th grade, (734) 994-8111, ext. 1623

Support Staff

Supervisor:

Lynette Arons

(734) 994-8100, ext. 1562

Office Professional:

Pablo Garcia

(734) 994-8100, ext. 1600

ADA & Accessibility

Our School Strives To Ensure Our Website Is Accessible To All Our Visitors 

Washtenaw ISD is committed to providing a website that is fully accessible and we are currently in the process of developing a new website to better meet the needs of our customers. Our new website will include improvements to ADA compliance and accessibility, and during this transition, we remain committed to maintaining our existing website's accessibility and usability. 

ADA Compliance

Non Discrimination

It is the policy and commitment of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation or any legally protected characteristic, in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies in accordance with Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, executive order 11246 as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and all other pertinent state and Federal regulations.

Non Discrimination Information

ADA and Title IX CoordinatorADA and Title IX Coordinator
Brian Marcel
Associate Superintendent
1819 S. Wagner Road 
Ann Arbor, MI  48103
(734) 994-8100 ext. 1402
Cassandra Harmon-Higgins
Executive Director, HR & Legal Services
1819 S. Wagner Road 
Ann Arbor, MI  48103
(734) 994-8100 ext. 1311