The Educational Services Practice works to ensure that children and students, regardless of their communication needs, have the appropriate services, consultation and equipment needed to be successful in their home and/or school environment. The practice serves children from birth to age 22 across Vermont with the following services;
- Teacher of the Deaf Services (A teacher of the deaf (TOD) provides services to students who are deaf or hard of hearing. These services include assessment, instruction, and support for students, families, and school staff.)
- Sign Language Instruction (In-Person and Remote Sign Language Instruction/Consultation for students, families, and school staff)
- Educational Interpreter (An educational interpreter helps students who are deaf or hard of hearing access information in the classroom. They help students communicate with their teachers and peers, and ensure that all students have equal access to education)
- Educational Audiology (An Educational Audiologist (EdAud) is a professional licensed to provide related services as defined in IDEA/IEPs and 504 plans). This service can include selecting, fitting, verifying, and validating hearing assistive technology (FM/DM systems) and interpreting audiological evaluations.
- Speech Language Pathology (Speech-language pathologists are professionals licensed to provide related services as defined in IDEA/IEPs and 504 plans with a primary focus of assessing, consulting, and providing intervention for people who present with communication delays/disorders)
- American Sign Language (ASL) Assessment (ASL assessments evaluate a person's ability to use ASL for communication. They can be used to assess a person's proficiency, track a student's progress, or help people develop their ASL skills)
- Speech Language Pathologist Evaluation & Treatment (Provides a comprehensive communication assessment as part of an initial or triennial process by a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist)
- Parent Infant Program (Our staff, who are called parent advisors, have years of experience working with children who are deaf and hard of hearing. They are available to help answer questions and provide information as you navigate the many decisions you will need to make for your child. A parent advisor will meet in your home and/or your child’s daycare. They will build a relationship with your family and get to know the goals you have for your child to ensure full language and learning potential is reached. They will discuss hearing technology and communication choices your family will make. The parent advisor will discuss language and communication options objectively and will listen to your concerns.)
Our Team
The program is made up of highly qualified staff, including state-licensed audiologists; speech-language pathologists; educators with a Teacher of the Deaf or Hard of Hearing (TDHH) or special education endorsement; educational interpreters; and communication facilitators. The program and its staff are committed to a child-centered, team-focused approach to care.
Classes and Workshops
ASL classes focus on vocabulary appropriate for working with children, and for interactions with the deaf community. Upon completion of the 8-week course, participants will have learned approximately 400 signs, plus a basic introduction to ASL structure and grammar, deaf culture, expressive and receptive finger-spelling, and putting signs together to form sentences and phrases.
Private, customizable group workshops on the basics of ASL are also available.
Contact Us
General Inquiries - Ben Therrien
Email: benjamin.therrien [at] uvmhealth.org (benjamin[dot]therrien[at]uvmhealth[dot]org)
Phone: 802-847-1996
Fax: 802-847-2123
Teacher of the Deaf services - Anna Jackson, anna.jackson [at] uvmhealth.org (anna[dot]jackson[at]uvmhealth[dot]org)
Educational Interpreter services - Michelle Rheault, michelle.bissonette [at] uvmhealth.org (michelle[dot]bissonette[at]uvmhealth[dot]org)
Sign Language Instruction services - Kris Lemire, kris.lemire [at] uvmhealth.org (kris[dot]lemire[at]uvmhealth[dot]org)
Parent-Infant Program services - Ileene Therrien, ileene.therrien [at] uvmhealth.org (ileene[dot]therrien[at]uvmhealth[dot]org)
Educational Audiology service – Tracy Hinck, tracy.hinck [at] uvmhealth.org (tracy[dot]hinck[at]uvmhealth[dot]org)