A year-round, full-day program that serves deaf, hard of hearing and hearing children using American Sign Language.

Ohio School for the Deaf
500 Morse Road
Columbus, OH 43214
614-728-6900 (Voice or TTY)

The mission of the Alice Cogswell Center is to enable deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing preschoolers to develop cognitively, socially, emotionally and physically to their full potential. This is accomplished by providing developmentally appropriate activities presented in a barrier-free communication environment that uses American Sign Language and English.

• Encourage communication growth through frequent verbal and non-verbal interaction, use of open-ended questions and experiences that stimulate conversation.
• Provide a warm, accepting atmosphere that promotes confidence and positive self-identity.
• Facilitate development of responsibility, self-control and independence.
• Support emotional development by comforting, recognizing and identifying feelings.
• Provide a stimulating environment where children learn by doing, develop their own interests and discover the joy of learning about themselve.

Curriculum

Teachers provide a variety of developmentally appropriate activities, and materials that are selected to achieve the following goals:

• Encourage language and literacy development.
• Foster positive identity and sense of emotional well-being.
• Develop social skills.
• Encourage children to think, reason and experiment.
• Enhance physical development and skills.
• Encourage good health, safety and nutritional practices.
• Encourage creative expression.
• Respect cultural diversity.

Staff

• Teachers have 4 year degrees in Deaf Education and/or Early Childhood Education.
• Assistant teachers have appropriate training and experience in child development.
• All staff are proficient in ASL.

Parent Involvement

Parents are welcome and encouraged to visit at any time. Parent meetings are held on a bimonthly basis.

Parent-Teacher Conferences are conducted twice a year. Parents may request a conference at any time.

The ACC newsletter is distributed on a monthly basis, also online.

Eligibility

The Alice Cogswell Center serves children age 6 weeks to 5 years:

• deaf and hard of hearing children
• siblings of deaf children
• children who have deaf parents
• Children who have parents that work at the Ohio School for the Deaf, Columbus Speech and Hearing Center, Comprehensive Program for the Deaf, Ohio State School for the Blind or in the field of deafness.
• Children from the community may apply for admission if an opening becomes available.

Cost

Deaf and Hard of Hearing children with an IEP are eligible for the preschool program at no cost.

The Center office has current parent fee schedule available. Costs depend upon the child's daily schedule.

Childcare subsidies are available for those who qualify.

Hours

7:00 AM-6:00 PM

School Year Program

Preschool Class with Certified Teacher of the Deaf

9:00-3:00

Full-day

7:00-6:00

Part-time

At discretion of the Center Coordinator.

Daycare

Daycare programming is available year around.

Summer Enrichment Program

Call the Center regarding availability of Summer Programming.



Alice Cogswell was born in 1805. She became deaf at an early age, possibly as a result of measles. Alice's father, a surgeon, sent Thomas Gallaudet to Europe to learn how to teach deaf children. When Gallaudet returned he helped start the first permanent school for the deaf in America. Alice was a member of the first class.