Nebraska School For The Deaf - Closure

Closure

After the 1997-98 school year the NSD closed due to diminishing enrollment and increasing per-student costs. That year there were fewer than 40 students enrolled at the Nebraska School for the Deaf. Starting in 1984 state authorities at the Nebraska Department of Education attempted to close the NSD. Several organizations, including the National Association of the Deaf, the Nebraska Association of the Deaf and the Nebraska School for the Deaf Alumni Association were involved in protesting the closure. The State was the target of much criticism from Nebraska's Deaf community, including a historic rally in which members of local, regional and national Deaf advocacy organizations descended on the Omaha Association of the Deaf Hall to devise strategies for keeping the school open.

The State of Nebraska has since established regional programs providing services once conducted by the school. The state also helps local school districts pay tuition and residential costs at nearby states’ schools for the deaf for students who require a residential program according.