I signed my son (age 3) up for swimming lessons at the local pool. Without his hearing aids, he can hear virtually no verbal language. On the first day, I told the teacher of his hearing diffuculties and she assured me that it wouldn't be a problem. I even offered to stay close by the side to sign when necessary or to show her some basic signs Noah may need during class (wait, stop, sit down, your turn, blow bubbles, kick, etc.). I also explained that he is quite efficient at reading lips and he will answer orally, as that is his first language. The first lesson went fine. The next day, the Director approached him and said, "We feel that having Noah in the pool is a safety concern because he can't hear us. There is a special needs class that you could attend".
I was LIVID and dumbfounded. I replied asking her, "If there was a Spanish speaking child would you insist that they attend the special needs class?" Of course she tole me "No". I retorted that Noah doesn't have a special need and that him not being able to hear is no more a liability than a Spanish speaking child with an English speaking teacher!
Begrudgingly, they have allowed him to remain in the class.
If situations like this arise again, is there a better way that I should handle it? The whole thing made me mad and sad at the same time.
