USDB Admissions
Welcome to the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind! We offer comprehensive educational programs and services for Utah's deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, and deafblind children, ages birth – 21, at no cost to their families. Please contact us with questions about any part of the USDB admissions process. We are your advocate, and will do all we can to ensure a smooth transition for your student.
Who does Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Serve?
USDB admits students who are 21 years of age or younger and are deaf, blind, hard of hearing, visually impaired or deafblind. USDB students may have one or more additional disabilities. USDB students must meet at least one of the following descriptions to be eligible for services:
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT- An impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects a student’s educational performance. The term includes both partial sight and blindness that adversely affects a student’s educational performance.
DEAFNESS- A hearing impairment that is so severe that the student is impaired in processing linguistic information through hearing, with or without amplification, and that adversely affects a student’s educational performance.
HEARING IMPAIRMENT- An impairment in hearing, whether permanent or fluctuating, that adversely affects a student’s educational performance but that is not included under the definition of deafness.
DEAFBLIND - Deafblindness means concomitant hearing and visual impairments, the combination of which causes such severe communication and other developmental and educational needs that they cannot be accommodated in special education programs solely for students with deafness or students with blindness.
How do I enroll my child into the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind?
Students are referred to USDB from the district where they live. The district will hold a meeting for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Plan. At this meeting, parents have the right to review the choices for educational placement, including potential placement at USDB.
If you feel that your child would benefit from USDB services, contact a USDB administrator for more information on how to request a USDB representative to attend your next IEP or 504 meeting.
Which students are not eligible for USDB services?
Students who do not have a sensory disability are not eligible for services from USDB.
Are there any other circumstances under which admission may be denied?
Decisions of educational placement are made by the IEP or 504 team. Parents, students, teachers, and administrators are all essential members of the team and will discuss placement options together. As part of that discussion, a variety of educational settings will be considered. Depending on the goals and educational needs of the child, the team may decide that placement at USDB is not appropriate at this time. The IEP or 504 team can be called together at any time to discuss the best placement.
Not all students who receive services from USDB attend a USDB school. In many cases, USDB and your neighborhood district will collaborate to provide the services that are identified by the IEP or 504 team.
What happens after my child is referred to USDB?
After an IEP team decides that USDB placement is the best fit for the educational needs of the child, the parents will complete registration paperwork. When the registration process is complete, transportation will be arranged and your student will begin receiving USDB services. As long as your child continues to receive USDB services, you will have representatives of both USDB and your neighborhood district attend your IEP or 504 meetings.
Who decides what classes my child will take?
For students who are eligible for Special Education, each student’s educational path is determined by the (IEP). Parents, students, educators, and IEP team members meet regularly to discuss and determine a course of study that will best meet the student’s needs.
For all students, USDB follows the Utah State Core Curriculum with individual education goals for each student according to their IEP or 504 plan.
What USDB school costs will the parents/students be responsible for?
Students who attend a USDB facility are responsible for the same costs found in all Utah public schools. There are no fees for elementary programs, and secondary students (grades 7 – 12) may have fees for individual classes or activities. Fee waivers are available to eligible families. (link to fees policy).
What if I live far away from a USDB campus?
USDB provides services in many school districts throughout Utah by collaborating with local schools. The amount and type of services that your child receives will be decided by the IEP or
504 team.
Students who require more intensive services targeted toward their sensory needs may be placed in the USDB Residential Services program. Students participating in this program live at the USDB campus in Ogden throughout the week, and return home on weekends and school holidays.
For more information, please contact the USDB Administrative Offices by calling
(801) 629-4700 or toll-free at (800) 990-9328.