DE HB283

Establishes a "Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child's Bill of Rights" by adding §3112 to Delaware Code Title 14 requiring school districts and charter schools to recognize and address the unique communication needs of deaf and hard of hearing students.

Defines "communication mode or language" to include American Sign Language, English-based manual systems, oral/aural speech-based training, spoken and written English with speech or lip reading, and assistive technology devices.

Requires individualized education plans (IEPs) for deaf and hard of hearing children to consider the child's specific communication mode, availability of age and language-appropriate peer groups, access to deaf/hard of hearing adult role models, and qualified personnel proficient in the child's primary communication mode.

Mandates that schools provide communication-accessible instruction and equal access to all educational components including academics, extracurricular activities, and advanced coursework, with appropriate assistive technology across all settings.

Prohibits denying students instruction in any particular communication mode or language based solely on a prior choice, and allows students to receive instruction in multiple communication modes.