About OPTION Schools
As little as 25 years ago, it would have been considered almost a miracle for a child who was profoundly deaf or hard of hearing to learn how to listen and speak well; to hear a whisper; to sing a song; or to play musical instrument. Today, all that has changed, and what was previously considered a miracle is now a reality. Through early diagnosis and early intervention, the use of Digital Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants, and, with the dedication of parents and the staff of Listening and Spoken Language Schools, children who are deaf or hard of hearing can learn to hear and speak on an equitable basis with their hearing peers.
Our Mission is to advance excellence in listening and spoken language (auditory-oral) education by providing services that assist schools and programs to increase their effectiveness, efficiency and ability to teach children who are deaf to listen and talk.
OPTION Schools History
In 1980, Dr. Wallace Bruce (Sunshine Cottage), had an idea -- find a way to bring private Listening and Spoken Language schools together to share resources and overcome challenges. In 1981, George Fellendorf obtained a small grant for the purpose of inviting the directors of auditory-oral programs to meet. The organization was named OPTION Schools.
Visitors to this site who work in the field of oral deaf education may recognize some of the pioneers above who helped to found OPTION Schools. The original organizing group also included Sr. Joyce Buckler (SJID), Edgar Lowell, and Patrick Stone. Other founders or individuals who played key roles in establishing OPTION Schools include Bill Blevins, Doris Leckie, Etta Fisher (Oralingua), Kathy Sussman (Jean Weingarten Peninsula Oral School), and Karen Rossi (Omaha Hearing School for Children).
The original meetings of OPTION Schools in those early years consisted of representatives from 10-12 schools, gathered around a table, informally sharing the creative ideas they had and the challenges they faced. OPTION Schools continued to grow steadily, and in 2001 was incorporated as a 501c3 non-profit organization. In March of 2008, OPTION Schools hired its first full time staff (Co-Executive Directors), who are currently working closely with the Executive Board and the membership to continue the excellence of service and high standards envisioned by the founders.
Significant effort by many OPTION Schools members over the years has resulted in increasingly more organized and participatory Annual Meetings; including presentations by internal and external speakers, and separate tracks for Executive Directors, Development Directors, and Board Members. Many members have given generously of their time and put in significant effort to help OPTION Schools develop into a vibrant and professional organization. Throughout its founding and growth, OPTION Schools has also received support from outside its membership. For invaluable support received over the years, OPTION Schools and all its members express their sincere thanks to the Oberkotter Foundation.
OPTION Schools is now poised for future growth, will continue to work to support its members, and significantly improve awareness of auditory oral education.
For more information, Contact:
OPTION Schools, INC
Executive Board