Special Education

The HCPS Special Education Department supports students and families as they navigate the steps of the special education process. This includes identification and referral, evaluation, determination of eligibility, development and implementation of an individualized education program, or IEP, and determination of services and reevaluation. If you suspect your child has a disability, or if you have questions or require support regarding the special education process, please contact the department at 804-652-3801.

Services for Students Identified as Having Hearing or Visual Impairments

Guidance Documents

Statewide Resources

Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind

The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind is located in Staunton and provides a comprehensive Pre-K-12 educational day program, outreach services and residential services exclusively for Virginia students who are deaf or hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired, or deaf-blind. The VSDB's Outreach Services Office helps early intervention programs, local school divisions and families meet the needs of children with sensory disabilities across the commonwealth. The VSDB’s admissions policy is available on its website.

Contact: Pat Trice, superintendent, at 804-536-0591

Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired

The Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired includes an education services program that provides services to early-intervention providers, school staff and families. The program offers support for helping children with visual impairment, blindness and deaf-blindness be successful in school and the community and be prepared for the future. The DBVI Library and Resource Center provides services to local school divisions to support the education of children who are blind or visually impaired and persons who are print-disabled. The Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired offers training in the skills of blindness.

Contact: Donna Cox, director of education and library services, at 804-887-7327

Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

The Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing provides information and services for telecommunication services and equipment, interpreter standards, referrals, Deaf mentors for families and other services. These resources promote accessible communication so that students and parents who are deaf and hard of hearing may fully participate in programs, services and opportunities throughout Virginia.

Contact: Eric Raff, director, at 804-404-9090 or 800-552-7917.

Technical Assistance Centers

Accessible Instructional Materials Center of Virginia

The Accessible Instructional Materials Center of Virginia has developed an extensive library and alternative system for providing accessible educational media under standards set by federal law to students who meet federal requirements for print disabilities and who are eligible for accessing educational media through an individualized education program. The AIM-VA Center, in conjunction with partnering agencies, provides required accessible educational materials to students and training for school division staff at no cost to local educational agencies.

Contact: AIM-VA Help Desk at 888-496-0252

Center for Family Involvement at the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University

The Center for Family Involvement at the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University provides information and training to support children with disabilities, their families and professionals.

Contact: CFI Office at 877-567-1122

Technical Assistance Center for Children Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

The Technical Assistance Center for Children Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing provides information, training and technical assistance pertaining to children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Assistance is available to Virginia public school divisions, including early childhood special education and early intervention programs, through the Virginia Network of Consultants for Professionals Working with Children Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Contact: Tracey Yurechko, project director, at 804-828-1342

Virginia Hearing Aid Loan Bank

The Virginia Hearing Aid Loan Bank program loans hearing aids and hearing assistive technology to eligible children in Virginia whose hearing loss is confirmed by an audiologist. Devices are loaned at no cost for up to six months while families and school divisions are waiting for a permanent device to arrive.

Contact: Sandra Woodward, program director, at 434-924-0222

Virginia Deafblind Project

The Virginia Deafblind Project provides technical assistance, training, distance education and networking information to service providers and families of children with deaf-blindness and dual sensory disabilities.

Contact: Ira Padhye, project director, at 804-828-2052

Your Family’s Special Education Rights: Virginia Procedural Safeguards Notice

Contact Information

Dr. Kathryn Smith, Director of Exceptional Education
kasmith3@henrico.k12.va.us
804-652-3842