Program for Children Who Are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing

Just before the Holiday break, I got to visit an elementary school program serving children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing in Ioannina.  It is a side by side program, meaning that it is next door to a regular elementary school.  The children are worked with intensively in their building and then participate in various classes and activities with the children at the elementary school.  The first photograph is of the elementary school.  Behind this school is the program for children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, which is featured in the second photograph.  The blue sign above the door indicates that this is the program for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. 

I had the pleasure of meeting two of the students, Popi (the little girl on the left) and Kostas (the little boy on the right).  Popi has a severe to profound hearing loss while Kostas has a mild to moderate loss.  They both spoke in Greek to me.  My colleague, Eleni, said she could understand what they were saying in Greek. 

The next photo features the physical education teacher who acted as the interpreter for me and the teacher of the deaf and hard-of-hearing.  The next photo again features the physical education teacher as well as the speech-language pathologist who serves these children.  I took a photo of the speech pathologist's room; you will notice the Greek alphabet in sign language on her mirror. 

The next photo features a map of the seasons in Greece.  I thought it was pretty.  Finally, if you want to learn how to tell time in Greek, then the last photo is for you.  It features the ubiquitous Judi Clock that must be in every elementary classroom in the world.

Overall, it was a great visit.  Popi made a picture for me which I plan to hang in my office back in the States.  I hope to visit this program once more before I leave.