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Our Beliefs

  • Deafness is not an impairment nor deficit. Deaf culture, Deaf language (ASL), Deaf community are vibrant, unique, and to be celebrated. 

  • American Sign Language (ASL) is a natural true language as researched and defined by William Stokoe (1960) Sign Language Structure: An Outline of the Visual Communication Systems of the American Deaf. 

  • English and ASL are NOT the same language.

    • ASL is not English on the hands.

      • ASL is not inferior to English. 

  • American Sign Language being a true language can be used as a springboard for education. ASL is equally rich in depth to English. 

  • There are a number of tools available to children who are Deaf and hard of hearing from cochlear implants to hearing aids, FM systems, and more. Any and all tools are part of the toolbox for the student’s usage. EAIA neither supports nor rejects the use of tools for education. Every family makes that decision for their own child. 

  • Language deprivation is an epidemic in today’s world among Deaf children and youth. Educators and families must be dedicated to work to lessen the educational gap induced by language deprivation.

  • Teachers and families partner together to give each student the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe environment. 

Our Educational Principles

  • Education for students who are Deaf or hard of hearing should have an easy access and correctly applied to their specific learning mode and language mode.

  • Curriculum should be created or modified and used grounded in Deaf culture and ASL for students who are Deaf or hard of hearing and ASL fluent.

  • Following the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), all students have the ability to learn. The environment needs to be conductive and adjusted to match each student’s individual needs in order for them to learn.

  • Education should be student-centric and personalized.

  • Education should be scaffolded and "forward taught" in a manner that allows students of any ability to grow and learn at their own pace. 

  • Educators have a responsibility to provide the highest level of education possible for each and every student. EAIA instructors take this to heart with each course they provide.

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