Parents, private or public-school personnel, or any other person involved in the care or education of a student may refer a student who is suspected of having a hearing loss for specialized services for Deaf or Hard of Hearing students.

Any student from age birth to 21 (inclusive) whose parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s) live within the boundaries of one of the eleven (11) member districts could be eligible for membership in the Brazoria-Fort Bend RDSPD. Eligibility (as defined by the Texas Education Agency) is based on the type and degree of a documented hearing loss, as well as the subsequent linguistic impact and educational need. An RDSPD representative will collaborate with the district assessment team and will then make a written recommendation for the eligibility of DHH based on current assessment data and the educational need for services. Only the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee can establish a student’s eligibility for services, appropriate instructional arrangement, setting, and placement.

 The following documentation will be considered for the eligibility of Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH):

1. An audiological assessment (unaided and aided) is to be completed by a certified Audiologist. This assessment should be completed on the district's "Part B" form to make sure that all required information is provided (including the audiologist's signature, credentials and date within the last twelve months, and a description of the implications of the hearing loss for the student in a variety of circumstances with or without amplification). 
2. A communication assessment is to be completed by a Speech-Language Pathologist or a certified Teacher of the Deaf.This assessment must address all areas outlined in Texas Education Code (TEC) §30.083(a)(6)).  It is recommended that this be completed on the district's "Part C" form to ensure that all required information is included. 

1. Once a certified Audiologist has determined a student to have a significant hearing loss, contact the RDSPD office for an RDSPD representative to be assigned. Assessment information from the district or an ECI agency should be sent to the RDSPD Office Clerk (phone number 281-634-1497, fax 281-327-1497)
2. An RDSPD representative will be assigned to collaborate with the ECI agency to complete functional assessments related to the hearing loss.
3. The RDSPD representative will provide written communication assessment information to address ECI services.
4. If ECI DHH services are added, the DHH representative must be present at the IFSP meeting.
5. The student MUST register at their zoned elementary campus in their home district in order for ECI services to begin.

1. Once a certified Audiologist has determined a student to have a significant hearing loss, contact your child’s home campus and request that a Full Individual Evaluation (or FIE) be conducted to consider the eligibility of DHH. Assessment information from the district should be sent to the RDSPD Office Clerk (phone number 281-634-1497, fax 281-327-1497)
2. An RDSPD representative will be assigned to collaborate with the assessment team functional assessments related to the hearing loss.
3. The RDSPD representative will provide a written summary of information related to the eligibility of DHH for member-district staff.
4. If the eligibility of DHH is added for school-age students, a DHH representative must be present at the ARD.

According to the Texas Education Agency,

A student who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing is one who has been determined to meet the criteria as stated in the Code of Federal Regulations 34 CFR, §300.8(c)

(3): Deafness means a loss of hearing that is so severe that the child is impaired in processing linguistic information through hearing, with or without amplification, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance.

(5): Hard of Hearing means a loss of hearing, whether permanent or fluctuating, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance but that is not included under the definition of deafness in this section.

The evaluation data reviewed by the multidisciplinary team in connection with the determination of a student's eligibility based on being deaf or hard of hearing must include an audiological evaluation performed by a licensed audiologist. The evaluation data must include a description of the implications of the hearing loss for the student's hearing in a variety of circumstances with or without recommended amplification.

https://childfindtx.tea.texas.gov/documents/Disability%20Conditions%20Eligibility%20Criteria%20-%20Deaf%20or%20Hard%20of%20Hearing.pdf