school for children who are deaf + functional assessments/education for professionals who serve them
CID's mission is to teach children who are deaf and hard of hearing to listen, talk, read and succeed. We partner with families and collaborate with universities, educators and other professionals worldwide to help children communicate to achieve their potential.
Keywords: deaf, school, child, deaf education, auditory-oral, listening, spoken language, online courses, functional assessments, Emerson Center
Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
100 years+
What is your primary product or service?
Listening and spoken language education for children who are deaf and hard of hearing:
school for children with hearing loss + functional educational tools and courses for professionals
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
I am not the owner of CID. I am its communications director. As managing editor of a professional journal for an international organization in Washington, DC, I routinely edited and published university research addressing how most deaf adults, if they were lucky, could read at the 3rd-grade level and what could be done about it. I met many adults who grew up with exponentially improved opportunities by learning listening and spoken language. This paved the way to higher skills, including reading and direct socialization — and, for many individuals, to higher education, achievement, self-reliance and choice. On the public side, I saw taxpayer dollars spent on years of deaf education for a significant number of individuals, often through college, many of whom were then put on public disability. I came into contact with ill-informed, but understandably self-protective groups and I read stories of cases of abuse in closed cultures. Most of all, I saw heartbreakingly lost potential, choice and independence for children. I saw the need to communicate — to parents about the benefits of teaching their children to listen and speak as well as to professionals who lacked the tools and training necessary make every moment count in a child's young life. I believe parents should be fully informed about all of the possibilities and professionals should be fully prepared.
I also saw the field improving, year to year, along with the hearing aid and cochlear implant technology. I wanted to be a part of bringing amazing opportunities directly to children and also making practical knowledge available to help others.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
Most schools for the deaf impart sign language. CID teaches children (birth-age 12) to listen, talk, read and succeed. Our amazing teachers, pediatric audiologists, speech-language pathologists and other professionals work together to provide a solid foundation so each individual child is as prepared as possible to socialize and compete academically in general education schools. CID is a strong organization with a strong tradition of uncompromising excellence, commitment, compassion and community support. Even after 28 years here, I never fail to be emotional at how St. Louis takes to heart CID's mission for the kids. Because of this, we're able to turn away no eligible applicant based on his or her family's financial situation.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
We have one location, which recently expanded internally to accommodate increasing enrollment due to parents who choose this path and are in a position to get their children to our school. We are also at an exciting time in our journey of targeting an array of portable, niche educational assessments and courses to the professionals who use them to better help children learning to listen and talk. These tools have been conscientiously developed at CID by a multidisciplinary team of master's and PhD professionals through years of experience and trials. While providing a base of support through sales, they are in line with CID's mission to assist other professionals serving children with hearing loss around the world at the CID Emerson Center for Professional Development.
Provide detailed directions to your location
CID is located at 825 S. Taylor Avenue, Saint Louis, Missouri 63110. We are at the southernmost end of the Washington University Medical Center and Central West End, along the 1-64 corridor.
From 1-64 going east, take Kingshighway exit north, turn right at Barnes Hospital (Euclid Avenue), then left on Clayton. Pass the school on your right, then turn right on Taylor. The entrance is on the right just before the highway overpass. Visitors can park nearest the building.
From 1-64 going west, take the Boyle exit (turn right at the end of the ramp), left on Clayton at the stop light, then left on Taylor at the next stop light. The entrance is on the right just before the highway overpass. Visitors can park nearest the building.
Please call 314.977.0132 if you need help.
Which areas do you service?
St. Louis and surrounding Missouri and southern Illinois counties. We serve families of children under 3 up to an hour away through the Joanne Parrish Knight Family Center. This is a team of experienced parent educators who visit homes and daycare centers to help families help their children begin to learn to listen and talk.
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
CID is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
What are your hours of operation?
8am-5pm
What is the best compliment anyone can give you?
Because of CID, my child can communicate, has choices and is free to dream and achieve.
Contact CID - Central Institute for the Deaf:
