By Linda Miller
The Jersey City Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) Program has served students for decades, originally at PS #27 and later with a high school class taught by a deaf teacher. Many of our adult graduates—from the 1970s to today—remain connected to the program. Four years ago, the program moved to Martin Luther King, Jr. School PS #11. Today, 800 students are enrolled. Since 2014, alumni and members of the deaf community return annually to join our students, families and staff for community events.
When I was hired in September 2014, I noticed the program was isolated from the school community. Although invited to events, true access was missing. Some students wanted friendships beyond their classroom, and it became clear that building community and partnering with deaf organizations was essential. I also recognized the need for deaf role models to support our students’ identity, culture and personal growth. These shifts helped the program expand.
Learning together, growing together
Today, we have four self-contained classes—PreK, K–2, 3–5 and middle school—serving 13 students, and we provide additional support for deaf and hard of hearing students enrolled throughout the district. Our students learn alongside their general education peers during specials, lunch, recess, events and trips. Some participate in general education all day with the support of a teacher of the deaf (TOD) and interpreters. Although our school has hundreds of students, our DHH students function like a close family, building relationships with each other and with their peers.
Our team includes five teachers of the deaf, including one itinerant TOD who supports students across the district. This year we welcomed a deaf paraprofessional who has brought tremendous warmth and representation to our program. I am currently the only bilingual American Sign Language (ASL) Speech Therapist in Jersey City.
Supporting students and families
Districtwide, there are more than 12,000 deaf and hard of hearing residents, with 857,000 statewide. The need is growing. We currently have one deaf family—both parents are alumni—and their four-year-old daughter is now a student. Most of our families are hearing.They must navigate the unique challenge of understanding their child’s communication needs. Some students only sign at school because signing is not used at home. Several are bilingual or multilingual. We have students who speak English, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali and Urdu, so we tailor communication support accordingly. I am learning Spanish to better support a new student in both English and ASL.
Over time, our families have become more involved, recognizing that hearing loss is not a barrier but simply a difference. We provide resources and guidance so students can access services beyond the school day. We use the total communication approach—using sign language, voice, or both—allowing students to communicate in the way that best fits them. This method has supported significant academic and social growth.
Signs of change
To build an inclusive school culture, I began offering basic sign language classes every Friday morning for staff who want to learn. It has been rewarding to see staff and students using signs in the hallways. I am excited to restart the student Sign Club, as well.
One of our proudest connections is with program graduate Thyson Halley, now the event coordinator at the Newark Public Library. Since 2015, he has generously returned each year to share his knowledge, support our students and serve as a role model.
People often ask how I entered this field, assuming it began with a deaf family member. In 1995, I saw an interpreter on PBS and became fascinated. I planned to study interpreting, but when I enrolled at William Paterson University, I discovered only two sign language classes existed. I shifted and earned my degree in speech therapy, later completing an interpreter training program in 2013. In that program, I met Thyson, who helped me grow in language, culture and community. We’ve been friends ever since.
To me, this is more than a program—it is a family. My long-term vision is for all deaf and hard of hearing students in Jersey City to have access to a comprehensive Pre-K through 12th grade program staffed with the people, resources and support they deserve developed and implemented by our deaf and hard of hearing program. I believe we are well on our way.
Linda Miller is a speech-language specialist in Jersey City Public Schools and advocate for Deaf and hard of hearing persons.
An in-depth look at the program
Restarting the preschool program
In September, we were able to restart our preschool classroom, a critical step to providing students with the resources and support they need on day one of their educational careers.
Sign of unity
For several years, our team has worked to secure a sign outside the school identifying that deaf and hard of hearing students are part of our community. This year, we finally started off the school year with a sign in place. This helps our community helpers and partners know that we serve students with hearing loss.
Building community
Posters line the hallways with basic signs to help administration, staff and students communicate with the children in the program. Bus personnel are instructed on basic signs to support communication. Sign language lessons are provided weekly.
Read Across America
We welcomed Dr. Latisha Porter, one of our community partners who is hard of hearing, to our school’s Read Across America event. Dr. Porter shared her book series, Mighty Hearoes: Tales of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Champions, with the students. This event provided students with a role model in their community who is achieving great things, inspiring them to dream big.
Bridging the Gap
The annual Bridging the Gap event is held in May during Better Speech and Hearing month. The event celebrates unity, resilience and the power of breaking barriers. The annual event gives students the opportunity to meet former alumni who have graduated from the program, creating a supportive network of community partners beyond the school.
Community support
The program enjoys support from administration and the community. We welcome many alumni from the start of the deaf and hard of hearing program dating to 1982. We look forward to connecting with more of our alumni each year.
Sign Club
Staff noticed that DHH students were struggling to communicate with their hearing peers during lunch and recess. In September 2018, the Sign Club was established, welcoming all middle school students who wanted to learn ASL after school. Many participants shared that they had deaf or hard of hearing family members and neighbors. They were eager not only to bridge communication gaps with classmates, but also with family and friends outside of school. The Sign Club quickly grew in popularity, with strong weekly attendance and enthusiastic students making rapid progress in ASL.
Unfortunately, many DHH students are not able to participate because the club requires members to either walk home or be picked up by their parents. Since DHH students live across Jersey City, they require bus transportation at the end of the school day. This is a barrier to participation that we are working to remedy.