FILE NUMBER........

Whereas, The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C.

§§ 1400 et seq., is the federal law which seeks to ensure that children with

disabilities have access to a free appropriate public education; and

Whereas, Providing a free appropriate public education to children

who are deaf or hard of hearing is an essential element of fulfilling this

state’s important goal of ensuring equality of opportunity, full participation,

independent living and economic self-sufficiency for persons who are deaf

or hard of hearing; and

Whereas, Children who are deaf or hard of hearing require highly

specialized services, equipment and materials; and

Whereas, It is essential that children who are deaf or hard of hearing

receive an education that is tailored to their unique needs in a learning

environment that allows the children to develop to their fullest academic

capacity; and

Whereas, The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires the

development, review and revision of an individualized education program

for each child with a disability that sets forth the educational program for

the child and specifically addresses the unique needs of the child for the

child to succeed fully in school; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate

Concurring, That the Legislature urges the State Board of Education, the

boards of trustees of school districts, school administrators and educational

personnel to consider the unique needs of children who are deaf or hard of

hearing; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature urges the State Board of Education, the

boards of trustees of school districts and all personnel responsible for the

development of an individualized educational program for a child who is

deaf or hard of hearing to ensure that:

1. The individualized educational program for the child takes into

account the unique needs of the child and sets forth the least restrictive

environment for the child in the school setting;

2. The parents and, if appropriate, persons who are deaf or hard of

hearing assist in determining the appropriate educational program for the

child;

3. The child receives instruction and other services in the child’s

primary mode of communication and other modes of communication, if

appropriate;

4. The child is not denied the opportunity for instruction in a particular

mode of communication solely because the child has the ability to hear

some sounds, the child’s parents are not fluent in the particular mode of

communication or the child has previous experience with another mode of

communication;

5. The child receives instruction and other services from teachers and

other personnel who are proficient in communicating with the child in the

mode of communication that the child understands, including, without

limitation, American Sign Language, English-based manual or sign

systems, or oral-, aural- or speech-based training;

6. The child has the opportunity to communicate directly with a

sufficient number of his peers who are of the same age and ability as the

child;

7. The child is exposed to adult role models who are deaf or hard of

hearing; and

8. The child has an opportunity for participation, to the maximum

extent possible, in all facets of school life, including, without limitation,

recess, lunch, social events, athletic activities and extracurricular activities

offered by the school; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature urges the boards of trustees of school

districts and the personnel responsible for the development of an

individualized educational program for a child who is deaf or hard of

hearing to ensure that the parents of the child are fully informed, at the time

that the child’s individualized educational program is developed, reviewed

or revised, of the educational options provided by the school district and

available to the child so that the parents can make informed decisions about

their child’s education; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and transmit a

copy of this resolution to the President of the State Board of Education and

the boards of trustees of the school districts in this state.

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