The Heart of Illinois Low Incidence Association (HILIA) was formed to promote, establish, and maintain a continuum of comprehensive services for children with the low incidence eligibility of Deafness, Hearing Impairment and/or Visual Impairment. HILIA exists in collaboration between Bloomington School District #87, Livingston County Special Services Unit, Tri-County Special Education Association, McLean County Unit 5 School District, Illinois State University Laboratory Schools, and the Regional Office of Education. HILIA serves students in over thirty school districts within DeWitt, Livingston, Logan, and McLean counties. Students' unique hearing and vision needs are met through the continuum of services offered in the home school districts or at Illinois State University Laboratory Schools. A decision is made by the district IEP team (inclusive of HILIA representation) to determine whether HILIA Programming will be provided in the home school district or at the Laboratory Schools.
HILIA Programming in Home School Districts
Educators with expertise in vision and hearing will work directly with students to provide specialized instruction. Specialized instruction may include advocacy, braille, language, listening, technology, and other areas created by the lack of incidental learning that typically occurs through hearing or vision. Frequent communication and collaboration with the classroom teacher, special education teacher, and support staff will occur to ensure the specialized instruction and accommodations are benefitting the student within the classroom. Educators contribute to problem-solving, equipment troubleshooting, team meetings, and IEP meetings. HILIA educators serve as a resource to home school districts when hearing and vision needs arise. In addition, HILIA can facilitate access to an educational audiologist and certified orientation mobility specialist.
HILIA Programming in the ISU Laboratory Schools
Thomas Metcalf School and University High School comprise the Laboratory Schools at Illinois State University. It is most typical that students who are braille readers, use sign language or need intense services in listening, speech, and language are educated at the Laboratory Schools. These students are taught by our teachers of the deaf/hard of hearing or teachers of students with visual impairments. For students found eligible, related services can be provided by an educational audiologist, certified orientation mobility specialist, educational interpreters, and speech-language pathologist.
For HILIA Program questions and ALL new student referrals, please email [email protected]