In 1996, the Eliza Willard Assessment Center was established to identify needs and find resources to meet the needs of deaf and hard of hearing children and their families throughout the State of Indiana. Services are free and available year around to deaf and hard of hearing children who are residents of Indiana.

Services Available to Families and Schools

CLICK HERE: "Guidelines for the Assessment and Educational Evaluation of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children in Indiana"

• Comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluations including audiological evaluations, language and communication evaluations, social/developmental history and psychological assessments such as IQ, personality, and academic skills evaluations.

• Consultation and collaboration with families, service providers, and educational programs serving deaf and hard of hearing children.

• Case Conferences and Individualized Family Service Plans

• In-service training

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

To be eligible for an evaluation do students need to be enrolled at the Indiana School for the Deaf?

Enrollment at the Indiana School for the Deaf is not required.  Any deaf or hard of hearing child in the State of Indiana from birth to age 22 can utilize the services available at the Eliza Willard Assessment Center.  We receive referrals from school districts, doctors and other sources from all over the State of Indiana

Do all students who are evaluated through the Eliza Willard Assessment Center enroll at the Indiana School for the Deaf?

The purpose of an assessment or evaluation is to identify a child's educational and communication needs and to provide recommendations to the family and professionals regardless of where the child attends school.

Decisions about school placement are made at the case conference meetings, which representatives from the Indiana School for the Deaf can attend.

What are the costs for services?

All services are provided free of charge.

Does Outreach Services evaluate children with cochlear implants?

Yes. We evaluate the child's functional use of assistive listening devices including cochlear implants, conventional hearing aids, and other advanced technology. Evaluations are not limited to listening. Evaluations can also include assessment of a child's language, how the child communicates, as well as how the child functions psychologically and academically.

Does Outreach Services evaluate children who do not use sign language?

Yes. We offer expert services to all deaf and hard of hearing children regardless of the child's mode of communication, including children who use spoken English, those who use a signed English system and those who use American Sign Language.

Where are the evaluations available?

Most evaluations are completed at the Eliza Willard Assessment Center. However, some services can be provided in other locations, such as the child's natural environment.

What professionals are on the multidisciplinary evaluation team?

Educational audiologists, speech/language pathologists, language specialists, school psychologists, social workers, occupational and physical therapists are available for evaluations. All of our staff are specialized in working with and evaluating deaf and hard of hearing children.

How do I schedule an evaluation?

Contact Pam Burchett at 317-550-4797 Voice

                                   317-550-4873 FAX

                                   pburchett@isd.k12.in.us

                                   Video Phone 866-971-8310

See the flow chart for a visual representation of the referral process.  Current data is collected initially in order to determine what additional data is necessary to determine the child's needs. Flow Chart