About

Executive Director's Message

Dear Friends:

For more than two centuries, the American School for the Deaf has been guided by a simple but powerful belief: language and communication open doors to learning, opportunity, independence, and belonging. Today, as we continue our 210th school year, that belief remains at the heart of everything we do while ASD continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of the students, families, and communities we serve.

This is an exciting time in ASD’s history. Our work extends far beyond the traditional boundaries of a school campus. From our Pre-Kindergarten through Grade12 Education and Student Life experiences, to Birth-to-Three, the Bridge Academy, Online Programs, Outreach Services, and our specialized PACES and Autism programs, ASD is creating pathways for children and young adults with a wide range of strengths, needs, and communication preferences. At the same time, we continue exploring new partnerships and opportunities that can extend ASD’s expertise and impact nationally and internationally.

We are particularly proud of the continued growth of our specialized programs for students with complex needs. Through PACES and our expanding Autism services, ASD is strengthening the integration of education, clinical support, residential services, and accessible communication. Our commitment is not simply to create more programs, but to develop exceptional models of service that recognize the whole child and provide every student with the language, support, relationships, and opportunities necessary to thrive.

ASD is also looking boldly toward the future. We are developing our next strategic plan and strengthening our organizational structure to support the next generation of growth and innovation. We are exploring new approaches to technology and artificial intelligence, expanding partnerships in healthcare and communication access, strengthening our national and international relationships, and identifying new ways to bring ASD’s knowledge and expertise to communities beyond West Hartford.

As we grow, however, we remain deeply connected to who we are. Founded in 1817 as the nation’s first permanent school for the Deaf, ASD carries an extraordinary history and an equally important responsibility for the future. Our students, families, alumni, employees, Board members, donors, partners, and friends all contribute to a community that continues to demonstrate what becomes possible when people have full access to communication, high expectations, and opportunities to succeed.

Our future is ambitious, but our purpose remains clear: to ensure that the people we serve have every opportunity to learn, grow, lead, and pursue their dreams. Whether that happens on our West Hartford campus, at Camp Isola Bella, through an online classroom, within a family’s home, through one of our community partnerships, or someday in a new community beyond Connecticut, the spirit of ASD travels with us.

Thank you for being part of this remarkable community and for believing, as we do, that our students are ALL ways able.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey S. Bravin, Ed.D.
Executive Director/Superintendent

List of 8 items.

Growing

our enrollment
Enhancing

our educational, vocational and transition service offerings
Augmenting

the American Sign Language/English Bilingual approach in the classroom
Expanding

our presence nationally and internationally
Enriching

the residential experience for our students who call ASD home
Sustaining

a culture of transparency, accountability, and open-communication
Ensuring

continued financial stability
Developing

efficient data collection and analysis processes

American School for the Deaf CREDO

What does it mean to be able?

It means you can.

You have what it takes.

To think.

Question.

Decide.

Dream.

Achieve.

Not just in a classroom, but in the world.

So we prepare deaf and hard-of-hearing students not only for diplomas, but for their whole lives.

By nurturing the whole child:

Intellectually. Emotionally. Physically. And socially.

And by giving every student everything they need to focus not on obstacles or challenges, but on opportunities and potential. Our students and their families find we’re more than a school — we’re a true community, made up of passionate professionals. And using a holistic, ASL/English bilingual approach, we help students and their families be well-prepared to participate in everything tomorrow will bring. Because we want all our students to look forward to futures in which they’re...

ALL ways able.

- Dr. Jeffrey S. Bravin
  
  Executive Director

Mission Statement

At the American School for the Deaf, students and families are surrounded by inspiring peers, guided by dedicated and committed staff, and supported by robust technology. We foster a language-rich communication environment that maximizes each student’s potential, empowering them to become educated and self-directed lifelong learners.

Vision Statement

The American School for the Deaf is a comprehensive learning community that welcomes all deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing children with unique communication needs. We develop the whole child – intellectually, emotionally, physically, and socially.

Equal Opportunity Policy

American School for the Deaf is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. It is our intent to maintain a work environment which is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed service member status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. ASD is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy concerning all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.

ASD will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, or any violation of the School's Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner. ASD will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. ASD prohibits retaliation against any employee who provides information about, complains, or assists in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of ASD's Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

We are all responsible for upholding ASD's Equal Employment Opportunity Policy and any claimed violations of that policy should be brought to the attention of your direct supervisor, any supervisor and/or the Human Resources Manager.