Denver Public Schools’ team of Educational Sign Language Interpreters (ESLIs) deliver professional interpreting services that are unique to the educational setting. Our interpreters provide visual access to the classroom environment  through American Sign Language and/or Conceptually Accurate Signed English for students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. As members of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team, interpreters support the whole child through collaboratively reinforcing the goals and outcomes outlined in the student’s IEP. 

• Educational Sign Language Interpreters service students in neighborhood schools, schools of choice and in Deaf/Hard of Hearing center-based programs. 

• Students ages 3-21 can receive interpreting services depending on their needs as stated in the Individualized Education Plan.

Students with a hearing disability may be considered for educational sign language interpretation services in their Communications Plan, which is a part of the student’s IEP. If your student has an IEP that includes educational sign language services, please notify the special education team at your child’s school. If you feel your student would benefit from educational sign language services and would like to have them assessed for readiness, please notify the special education team at your child’s school. 

A child with a hearing impairment, including deafness shall have a deficiency in hearing sensitivity as demonstrated by an elevated threshold of auditory sensitivity to pure tones or speech where even with the help of amplification, the student is prevented from receiving reasonable educational benefit from general education.  (Colorado Department of Education)

The Colorado Rules for the Administration of the Exceptional Children’s Educational Act (ECEA) defines the criteria for identifying a student with a hearing disability (Deaf/Hard of Hearing). Colorado’s Deaf Child Bill of Rights (1996) requires that all students with a hearing disability have a Communication Plan that considers students’ communicative needs as they relate to social and emotional development. (Colorado Department of Education)

Colorado Home Intervention Program  -  (CHIP), a collaborative model of early intervention services, is designed specifically to provide services for families who have children who are Deaf and hard of hearing, ages birth to three years old.

Bill Vicars- Resource site for ASL students, teachers, interpreters, and parents of Deaf children.

Gallaudet ASL Connect- learn basic ASL for free

Gallaudet University -  The university was federally chartered in 1864, is a bilingual, diverse, multicultural institution of higher education that ensures the intellectual and professional advancement of deaf and hard of hearing individuals through American Sign Language (ASL) and English.

National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) -  One of the nine colleges of Rochester Institute of Technology, and is home to the world’s first and largest technological college for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Contact Us

• P: 720-423-2400

• Email ESS

• Manager: Michelle Chacon

• Contact: michelle_chacon@dpsk12.net