A school district outside Austin, TX, adds Wahsega IP Displays to their PA system to support deaf and hard of hearing students with emergency notifications. The solution enhances safety protocols on campus.

AUSTIN, TEXAS

Del Valle Independent School District (ISD) located just outside Austin, Texas, took a significant step towards ensuring the safety and inclusion of its deaf and hard of hearing students. The district, which boasts 16 campuses and over 10,000 K-12 students, has been experiencing rapid growth, partly driven by the proximity to Tesla’s Giga Texas manufacturing facility.

Del Valle Independent School District (ISD) located just outside Austin, Texas, took a significant step towards ensuring the safety and inclusion of its deaf and hard of hearing students. The district, which boasts 16 campuses and over 10,000 K-12 students, has been experiencing rapid growth, partly driven by the proximity to Tesla’s Giga Texas manufacturing facility. 

At Del Valle ISD, the mission is “To construct a bilingually literate, culturally mindful academic foundation by offering an education that prepares students for the future and gives them real-world opportunities.”

The Need for a Visual Public Announcement (PA) System

In 2021, Del Valle ISD recognized the importance of having a robust and visually supported PA system to effectively communicate emergency notifications to its deaf and hard of hearing students. Acknowledging the essential role of all aspects of the schooling experience in ensuring equality of opportunity and an appropriate education for these students, the district set out to find a suitable solution.

After careful consideration, Del Valle ISD opted for Wahsega’s digital IP Displays, which met all their requirements for a visually supported PA system. Wahsega’s IP Displays are equipped with custom text-based scrolling messages and built-in emergency flashers. The installation of Wahsega IP Displays in classrooms for hard of hearing students has significantly enhanced the campus’ safety protocols.

“Captioning may be necessary and required to make audio and audiovisual information and communication accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing.” – National Association of the Deaf

By embracing the Wahsega IP Displays, Del Valle ISD has demonstrated its commitment to the safety and welfare of its deaf and hard of hearing students. The visually supported PA system ensures that these students receive timely and critical information during emergency situations, fostering a secure learning environment for all.

Wahsega is proud to have been a key partner in supporting Del Valle ISD’s endeavor to create an inclusive and safe educational environment. It is hoped that their initiative will inspire other school districts to adopt similar visual PA systems to support their deaf and hard of hearing students, promoting an environment of equality and accessibility for all.

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