A school offering specific classes for those who are hearing impaired opened its doors to young children Wednesday in Winter Park.

The school run by Clarke Schools For Hearing and Speech is the first of its kind in Central Florida. It offers pre-school education options for children who would prefer to learning spoken language vs. sign language.

“In our program all of our children are wearing the appropriate technology, either hearing aides or cochlear implants, so that they have the full range to audible sound," said Cynthia Robinson, co-director of Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech. "That way they have full access to the spoke language.”  

In 2016, Florida Legislators moved to allow more funding to be set aside for programs providing hearing and speech education programs. That funding allowed the Clarke Schools to open this new campus based in Winter Park.

All classes are free to families who apply and are accepted into the program. More information can be find on the Clarke Schools website.