How We Started

HOW WE STARTED

It was in October of 2003 that the La Salle University School for the Deaf was officially opened. Previously, it was under the Community of Hope Special Education Center, Inc. (CHSEC), a non-government organization (NGO) which was administered by the Missionary Sisters of Saint Columban.
The CHSEC was formed as a response to the many needs of people with disabilities in Ozamiz City, Mindanao, Philippines. Since there was no basic education being provided for them, Sister Mary McManus, a Columban Sister, with student volunteers, began visiting them in their houses to extend tutorial services for stimulation. Due to the growth in numbers, the visiting to families become impossible. At the Columban Sisters’ request, the Diocesan Social Action Commission provided a room where the Deaf people could attend daily.



However, since it was not registered with the Department of Education, after a negotiation between the administration of La Salle University and the Columban Sisters it was agreed upon to transfer the Deaf students under the care of La Salle University.

VISION

La Salle University School for the Deaf is one of the programs of La Salle University – Ozamiz. It provides a quality Lasallian education to the less privileged differently-abled Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students. It envisions to be the catalyst for the social recognition and acceptance of all Deaf people as full and equal citizens, empowered to actualize their potentials by an active participation in the economic, social and cultural life of the community.

MISSION

The School for the Deaf is committed to provide with appropriate education, empower the Deaf and their families and create opportunities for the Deaf to engage in activities in the communities where they live.

OBJECTIVES

The School for the Deaf aims to: 1. improve the Deaf’s quality of life by providing appropriate education from preparatory, secondary and tertiary levels; 2. provide vocational and life skills training, sporting activities, artistic and creative activities; 3. empower the Deaf and their families so that they can advocate for their rights in the society; and 4. provide special services where the Deaf are welcomed, loved and cared.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

  1. Complete Basic Education: Preparatory, Elementary, and High School in multi-grade level self-contained set-up
  2. Post Secondary: 2-year Certificate in Computer Operation and Multimedia Technology
  3. Mass in Sign Language at the Local Catholic Church
  4. Sports
  5. Basic Sign Language classes
  6. Values Formation for the Deaf
  7. Deaf Counseling
  8. Alcohol and Drug Intervention Program for the Deaf
  9. Retreat for the Deaf
  10. Summer of Service Training
  11. Deaf Camp
  12. Home Visitation

ANNOUNCEMENT

La Salle University School for the Deaf Ozamiz City is now accepting Basic Education and Post Secondary Deaf students for academic year 2015-2016.

Preparatory: Kinder 1 and Kinder 2

Elementary: Grades 1 to 6

High School: Grades 7 to 10

College: 2-year Certificate in Computer Operation and Multimedia Technology

Monday, May 24, 2010

Teachers of Schools for the Deaf in the Philippines Conducted U.S. Educational Tour


Four (4) schools for the Deaf in the Philippines composed of La Salle University Ozamiz School for the Deaf (LSU-SD), Bible Institute for the Deaf (BID) in Valenzuela City, La Salle Green Hills-Adult Night High School Program for Deaf Learners (LSGH-ANHS PDL), and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) with two representatives per school conducted a site visit to selected schools for the Deaf in the US, April 25 to May 2, 2010.

The tour was made possible through the effort of Ms. Theresa Christine dela Torre, the director of Center for Education Access and Development (CEAD) who initiated the creation of the Secondary Education Initiative (SEcI) project to explore the possibility of improving secondary education experiences of Deaf students in the Philippines by creating a Model Secondary School program/s for the Deaf in the Philippines. The Model Secondary School program/s will serve as a benchmark in Deaf education that will inspire the movement towards further enhancement of Deaf education in Philippine Secondary Schools.

A necessary first step of the SEcl Project is to establish the SEcl network with a select number of Secondary Schools with extensive experiences in the education of the Deaf. The aim of the SEcl network is to assist schools in the enhancement of the secondary education experiences of the Deaf and hard of hearing students. This will be done through research undertakings, capacity-building initiatives in Deaf education, Deaf studies, Interpreting, cultural exchange and appreciation, and other related arrangements.

The delegates visited Rochester Institute of Technology National Technical Institute for the Deaf (RIT-NTID) last April 26 in Rochester, New York. On April 28 they visited the Learning Center for Deaf Children in Boston, Massachusetts and on April 30 the University High School in Los Angeles California.
The visit was facilitated by Dr. Sue Foster, research faculty member in NTID’s Department of Research and Teacher Education; and Nora Shannon, Senior Project Associate of PEN-International.

The purpose of the visit was to provide venue for cooperative and collaborative work that shall contribute to the enhancement of the secondary education experiences of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing students of the partner schools for the Deaf in the Philippines.

The tour was funded by Post Secondary Education Network-International (PEN-Int’l), a global network of universities and colleges with Deaf programs established to help improve the circumstances of Deaf students in post secondary education around the globe. PEN-Int’l headquarters is in Rochester Institute of Technology-National Technical Institute for the Deaf (RIT-NTID) in Rochester, New York.

The participants composed of Ozamiz LSU President Br. Jaime Dalumpines, FSC and Sarah Talibong of LSU School for the Deaf Program Coordinator; Bible Institute for the Deaf (BID) spearheaded by Elena R. Castillo (Principal / President / Teacher) and Ana Liza C. Sia (Business Manager / Teacher); LSGH-ANHS PDL Mr. Baldwin Noelito I. Que - Moderator, Program for Deaf Learners and Mr. Rheal D. Dayrit, Principal; Mr. John Xandre C. Baliza, Chairperson, Center for Academics of DLS-CSB and Ms. Theresa Christine B. de la Torre, Director, Center for Education Access and Development (CEAD) And PEN-Philippines who also led the Philippine delegation.
(by: Sarah Talibong)

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Tingog sa mga Adunay Kabilinggan, July 24, 2011. Topic: Magna Carta for PWDs