The Learning Center for the Deaf

The Learning Center for the Deaf
Location
Framingham, Massachusetts
Information
Type	Private, publicly funded
Motto	"Where Innovation is a Tradition"
Established	1970
Head of school	Judith Vreeland, president and CEO
Grades	infants - High School
Color(s)	blue, white and black
Mascot	Galloping Ghosts
Affiliation	The Learning Center for the Deaf is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and programs for the Deaf (CEASD), and Council on Accreditation (COA). The Learning Center for the Deaf is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MA) and the Department of Early Education and Care (MA). The Walden School therapeutic program is licensed by a number of states throughout the US to provide therapeutic and educational programming.
Website	[1]

The Learning Center for the Deaf (TLC) is a school for deaf and hard-of-hearing children located in Framingham, Massachusetts. TLC offers a challenging program of academic excellence for deaf students from infancy through high school. The Learning Center's curriculum fosters knowledge and respect for both American Sign Language (ASL) and English, and for American Deaf and hearing cultures.

History

Established in 1970 as The Learning Center for Deaf Children, The Learning Center was the first school for the deaf in Massachusetts to depart from the "oral method" of education and to advocate the use of signs in addition to spoken English. During the 1970s the school created a student-centered curriculum with "open classroom" formats. An initial enrollment of 22 students quickly grew and the school expanded: in 1974 with the addition of a preschool program, in 1978 with the establishment of a special needs program for deaf children who have cognitive or behavior disabilities, and in 1979 with the addition of a parent-infant program, one of the first programs to provide deaf infants exposure to signs in addition to spoken English and to offer parents instruction in the use of signs. A high school began in 1980 and a group residence for high school students began the following year. In 1987, The Learning Center opened "Walden House", a comprehensive residential treatment program for deaf youth between the ages of 8 and 21 years who are challenged by severe social and emotional difficulties. A new facility for these students was completed and occupied in December 1995 with a capacity of 30 students and is now called Walden School. In 1994, The Learning Center opened a satellite campus (preschool–elementary program) in Randolph, Massachusetts. In July 2011, after seventeen years, this campus closed and services were consolidated on the main campus. On July 1, 2007, the school legally changed its name to The Learning Center for the Deaf.

Philosophy

The Learning Center continues to be at the forefront of Deaf Education as it addresses issues of language and culture at the school. In 1988, The Learning Center made a commitment to become a Bilingual Bicultural school emphasizing both American Sign Language and English along with Deaf culture and other American cultures. American Sign Language is the primary language in the classroom and on campus; English is taught as a second language. In 1989 The Learning Center became the first school for the deaf in the U.S. with a Deaf Parent Infant Coordinator. Deaf role models are an integral part of the academic environment. The philosophical commitment to a Bilingual School represents a shift in power in deaf education and an attempt to bring together the combined strengths of deaf and hearing professionals, parents and the Deaf community and students to create an empowering learning environment.

Framingham Campus

The main campus of The Learning Center is located in Framingham, Massachusetts situated between Central St, Prospect St, and Kellogg St just north of Route 9. The campus includes 14 buildings, 2 swimming pools, an athletic field, a gymnasium, an outdoor playground.

Walden School

Walden School is a nonprofit, nationally recognized educational institution which provides comprehensive treatment and educational services for deaf youth between the ages of 8 and 21 who are challenged by severe social and emotional difficulties. These may be the result of childhood trauma, mental illness, and/or organic dysfunctions. Walden School offers school-calendar and 12 month residential services, as well as an option for day programming only. Walden School is now the only accredited residential treatment program in the United States.

Randolph Campus

After seventeen years, the Randolph Campus closed at the end of the 2010/2011 academic year.

Community services

• American Sign Language Program: For over forty years, people have been coming to The Learning Center (TLC) to learn American Sign Language (ASL.) While some may have a deaf child or family member, many simply love languages and want to learn ASL.

• The Outpatient Audiology Clinic is a non-profit facility which provides comprehensive audiologic and hearing aid services to the community.

• The Walden School Wraparound Program has been accepting referrals for Family Support & Stabilization for the Family Networks initiative of the Massachusetts Department of Social Services since July 2006. Additionally, the service is available under the Child Behavioral Health Initiative Program for many MassHealth members.  ; WS Wraparound Program Family Support & Stabilization.

• The Outreach Partnership Program (TOPP) addresses the specific needs of students with hearing aids and cochlear implants who attend public schools. TOPP consultants identify student needs, assist school districts in implementing appropriate interventions, and offer in services and workshops. Currently, TOPP provides services to nearly 100 students in over 30 school districts.

• Community Interpreting: The TLC interpreting department provides American Sign Language - English interpretation and transliteration for community agencies, school districts, government agencies, and private businesses across the state.

External links

• TLC's website
• Walden School website
• TLC Outpatient Audiology Clinic website