Teachers and support staff utilize a Total Communication Approach (TCA) and use a wide variety of communication methods (e.g., sign language, gestures, pictures, objects, photos, print, speech etc.) selected to meet the specific needs and abilities of each student in our Deafblind program. Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) are designed to challenge each student to reach their full potential. The Deafblind program has modernized its methods while maintaining some of its original strategies to serve the educational, physical, psychological, cognitive, social needs of these students. From 150 years ago and into the 21st century, WRMS continues to provide individualized, high-quality education to students who are Deafblind.

The Deafblind program offers comprehensive educational services to students ages 4-21 who are Deafblind. The education of our students incorporates a developmental approach, stressing language and communication development, individualized instruction, and developmentally appropriate curriculum in a total communication environment.  We offer curricula in pre-academics/preschool, early academics, functional academics/vocational, and life skills. An interdisciplinary team of educators, clinicians, related service providers, support, and lodging staff work together to implement each child’s individual educational program.

Within our Deafblind program, teachers are Specialist Teachers of the Deafblind. Our Deafblind classes are very small, with one teacher for three students, as well as a student support counsellor in each classroom. We foster a team approach, with a strong home/school relationship where parents are encouraged to share insight about their children regularly, through communication with both school and lodging staff.

Programming for each student is individualized according to their needs, interests, abilities, past performances, and present levels of functioning. Programming also considers the pace, depth and best methods suited to their needs and learning styles. We focus on numeracy and literacy skills, beginning with the emergent stages while moving towards the Ontario Curriculum. Teachers create a comprehensive educational program using information from many sources including physiotherapy, music therapy, orientation and mobility, life skill staff, occupational therapy, speech and language pathologist, and behavioural consultants. Experiential learning, in which the student is actively engaged in programming, is extremely important at WRMS and it provides the foundation for our students’ growth and development.

In addition to work in the classroom, students go out into the community often (e.g., shopping at the grocery store, going to parks, museums, art galleries, etc.) and work on developing life skills (e.g., doing laundry, self care, delivering mail, etc.). Classes also have the opportunity to develop skills through use of the Snoezelen room, the pool and therapy pool, gymnasium, and our gross motor room utilizing specialized equipment.